Last year, more than 70,000 people needed these services. population in Lithuania. Specialists of the State Sick Fund remind the most important things about nursing services at home reimbursed by the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund, according to a press release.
To whom and when they are given
“Nursing at home gives a person the opportunity to receive continuous and high-quality care in his environment, when due to his health condition he can no longer take care of himself or go to a medical institution. These services are especially important for elderly or seriously ill patients who need health-related care and professional assistance. It is an effective alternative to inpatient care, which allows you to get the necessary services without leaving home,” says Oksana Burokienė, adviser of the Service Compensation Department of the State Sickness Fund (VLK).
VLK infographics/Nursing services at home
Home nursing services compensated by the funds of the fund can be received by all residents covered by compulsory health insurance who, due to a changed state of health or a functional disorder, find it difficult to fully function in everyday life.
The need for care is determined by the Care Need Assessment Questionnaire. It is assessed whether a person can serve himself, eat, take care of personal hygiene, see, hear, move, orient himself in the environment, express his thoughts, as well as assess the adaptability of the living environment, help from relatives, and the need for specialized care. Based on the scores collected, the need for care is classified as low, medium or high, which determines how many times a year nursing professionals will visit the patient’s home.
The questionnaire is filled out by a family doctor, a nurse working in the family doctor’s team, a geriatrician (a doctor for the elderly), a nurse working with a geriatrician, a doctor or a nurse treating a patient in an inpatient setting. A referral for home care is issued by the patient’s family doctor.
Home care services can also be provided to post-surgery patients when their ability to care for themselves is temporarily impaired. In this case, the need for care is determined by a surgeon who makes a referral and makes recommendations for care. With the referral, the patient needs to contact his polyclinic, which will take care of the provision of nursing services at home.
A whole team of specialists helps
Nursing services at home must be available to everyone who is identified as needing them, therefore all primary ambulatory health care institutions must provide them to their registered residents themselves or enter into a contract for them with another medical institution.
A specialist working in a team of home care service providers provides services according to the individual needs of the patient and his competence:
- The nurse administers injections, connects drips, takes blood or urine samples, performs an electrocardiogram, takes care of bedsore prevention, care, care of wounds and artificial body openings, feeding through a tube, etc.
- The nurse’s assistant measures blood pressure and temperature, helps take care of personal hygiene, provides assistance in feeding, washing the patient, changing his position, etc.
- A kinesitherapist helps restore or improve movement function, strengthens physical capacity, etc.
- An occupational therapist teaches daily skills – from personal hygiene to leisure or work activities, helps to adapt the home environment, select auxiliary equipment: splints, crutches, wheelchair, eating utensils, etc.
According to O. Burokienė, ambulatory care services at home are a help not only for the patient, but also for his relatives: “Knowing that a team of nursing specialists is nearby gives more peace of mind and confidence that their loved one will be able to feel dignified and will be properly cared for.”
Nursing professionals come to the patient’s home every day from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, as well as on weekends and holidays. The duration of the visit depends on the prescribed procedures – continuous, round-the-clock care at home is not provided.
Assistance in social welfare institutions
Nursing services at home can also be provided in social care institutions that have a health care activity license to provide general practice nursing services and where 25 or more people live.
After visiting them, the specialists of the nursing services team can only perform the following procedures prescribed by the family doctor or a nurse working with the family doctor: take samples for diagnostic tests, perform an electrocardiogram, measure intraocular pressure, perform interventional procedures, care for artificial body openings, ulcers or bedsores, suction mucus.
People living in social care facilities that do not have a personal health care activity license to provide general practice nursing services and are home to fewer than 25 people can be provided with the full range of specialist services from the home care service team.
The need for care grows every year
According to the VLK, every year more and more Lithuanian residents receive nursing services paid for by the fund at home: in 2023. 60 thousand received them, in 2024 – 65 thousand, and last year – over 70 thousand. patients.
As the need grows, so does the volume of services and financing: in 2024. granted 2.5 million services and used over 45 million EUR, and last year – 2.7 million. services, the payment of which required more than 56 million euro fund funds.
“Nursing services at home help the patient receive professional help in a sensitive period of life, so transparency and clarity are extremely important. We want these services to be provided consistently, with high quality and in accordance with the established procedure, and for patients to feel safe and properly informed”, emphasizes O. Burokienė, urging patients receiving care at home and their relatives to take an active interest in the services provided and their quality. Information about the services provided is published on the E. health portal.
