Indiana Home Healthcare Policy & Procedures

The home healthcare system in Indiana provides an array of services, such as home health aide (the delegation of home health services to trained non-professionals), physical therapy (working with physically limited or disabled patients to help them regain some form of mobility) and speech therapy (working with individuals who suffer from "communication disorders).

Equal Opportunities

• The home healthcare industry in Indiana, and by extension, the healthcare industry in general, operates under an equal opportunity, non-discrimination policy when it comes to hiring individuals. Anyone who applies to work in a healthcare position has the right under law to be judged on their individual merit, skill and experience rather than their color, religion, national or ethnic background, gender or sexual preference. These same rights also apply in the case of promotion, demotion and training.

Rules of Hiring

• The requirements asked of home healthcare professionals vary depending on the kind of role they are expected to fulfill. In general, the individuals applying are expected to have a clear and trustworthy background, as part of their role would involve working with the elderly and the physically and mentally challenged. The fact that these individuals will be operating their profession within their patients' homes underlines the need to make sure that only genuine and safe individuals are hired for such roles.

Procedures of Hiring

• When home healthcare companies in Indiana wish to determine whether or not a potential employee is trustworthy, they follow the standard procedure of a thorough and comprehensive background check. This would include checks on criminal and sex offender databases (both state and federal) as well as social security checks and dispute resolutions. This concerns instances where the accused applicant claims any criminal reports against their name lack accuracy or were taken out of context. Only when such a background check is completed can an individual be hired in a healthcare role.

Patient Rights

• The rights of a patient under the home healthcare system are mandated by federal law. Patients under a home healthcare system have the right to have a carer close to them (i.e. within a short distance) during the carer's working hours. If their original carer has to leave for any reason, they have the right to a qualified, temporary replacement. Patients also have the right to the appropriate level of healthcare regardless of age, ethnicity or gender as well as confidentiality regarding their medical history and treatment.

Exposure to Serious Diseases

• Anyone working in home healthcare is or has to be trained in the proper rules regarding the reduction of the risk of contracting serious diseases such as HIV from patients. Washing hands before and after being in contact with patients, using protective equipment such as goggles and disposable gloves when necessary and correct trash disposal are some of the rules they must follow.