The home as a setting for care. Clarifying the boundaries of practice.

This article has outlined the need for clarification of home care nursing practice to retain the elements essential to professional practice. Home care that is nursing focused, based on concepts of community health nursing, and client/family centered forms the core of professional home care nursing. Technical services that are provided in the home should be clearly delineated so that consumers, payors, and practitioners can determine the roles and functions of the various providers. Professional home care, practiced not just by nursing but by all licensed providers, is practice driven. The boundaries of practice are determined by professional standards with a basis in scientific theory and research. The foundation for this type of practice is strong and should continue to be practiced in the future. Technical house call services, on the other hand, are product driven, often with a zeal for the bottom line profits that does not take into account what is the best product for a specific patient situation or how well that product has been tested. There is definitely a need for both services in delivering health care to people in their homes. It is also hoped that both areas of service can work together to facilitate the management of patient and family needs. It is important, though, to fully define the type and substance of care that is provided in the home setting. Without this ongoing clarification, home care will continue to be fragmented and interpreted differently by everyone involved.