Top 5 Organizational Benefits for Credentialing Home Healthcare Workers

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, home healthcare stands out as one of the most critical sectors. With the rising demand for in-home services, home healthcare agencies (HHAs) are under increasing pressure to ensure they hire and retain competent, qualified care providers. One critical aspect of this process is staff screening, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining the quality of patient care and upholding an organization's core values.

As the demand for in-home services continues to grow, sparked by an aging population, societal preferences for increased convenience and technological innovations, new home healthcare models have emerged. These include traditional models, self-directed care models, and technology-based platforms. Each model presents unique challenges related to staff screening and credentialing.

Traditional home healthcare agencies hire staff to provide care in a patient's home, supervised by a field supervisor. The supervisor's role is to ensure the patient is receiving the appropriate care. In contrast, self-directed care models allow patients to choose their caregivers, often a family member or friend, and the state reimburses the selected caregiver. In technology-based platforms, services can be scheduled anytime and from various providers, offering convenience but also posing potential problems related to patient safety and level of care.

Regardless of the model, staff screening remains a crucial aspect of home healthcare. The healthcare industry is currently facing an unprecedented talent shortage, making the process of finding and attracting qualified providers more challenging. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for additional nurses is anticipated to exceed 275,000 between 2020 and 2030.

Despite these challenges, applicant screenings are critical to making informed hiring decisions and ensuring quality patient care. Common background checks performed include National Criminal Records Check, State Criminal Record Check, County Criminal Record Check, National Sex Offender Registry, Identity Verification, Employment Verification, Education Verification, Motor Vehicle Records Search, and Lab-based Drug Screen.

Proper staff screening not only ensures that HHAs hire qualified and trustworthy employees but also protects the patients they serve. Unfortunately, there are no federal laws or regulations requiring HHAs to conduct background checks before, during, or after an individual is hired, leading to potential gaps in screening requirements and increasing exposure for both the HHA and the patients they serve.

As the home healthcare sector continues to grow, the need for rigorous staff screening becomes increasingly crucial. Not only does this ensure the hiring of competent and qualified care providers, but it also brings numerous benefits to the organization. Let's explore some of these organizational benefits below.

1. Reducing Turnover: Recruitment, onboarding, and training are costly processes. Therefore, preventing turnover is a critical consideration for any home healthcare agency (HHA). Comprehensive screening of potential employees can help to identify the most suitable candidates, leading to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. As a result, HHAs can save significantly on hiring and training costs.
2. Increasing Patient Safety: Home healthcare services cater to a vulnerable patient population, often unsupervised. Rigorous screening procedures, including background checks and verification of qualifications, are crucial for ensuring the safety of patients. These measures help to mitigate the risk of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse allegations, ensuring that patients receive care from trustworthy and qualified professionals.
3. Minimizing Financial Liability: Hiring candidates with prior convictions or licensing issues can lead to repeated patient and/or property-related offenses, resulting in unhappy clients, financial costs, and potential lawsuits. Comprehensive screening practices help HHAs to avoid such scenarios, thereby reducing their financial liabilities.
4. Enhancing Reputation and Trust: In the home healthcare sector, reputation is everything. Rigorous staff screening procedures demonstrate the agency's commitment to quality care and safety, fostering trust among patients and their families. This can lead to positive word-of-mouth referrals and business growth.
5. Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: Different states have their specific regulatory requirements for staff working in home healthcare. Thorough screening ensures that all employees meet these requirements, helping the organization to avoid penalties or sanctions for non-compliance.

In conclusion, rigorous staff screening is an invaluable practice for home healthcare agencies. It aids in making informed hiring decisions, reduces turnover, enhances patient safety, and contributes to the overall success of the organization. While it may involve time and expense, the benefits it brings far outweigh the costs, making it a wise investment for any HHA.

To read the full White Paper by Sarah Logue, SVP, Healthcare Solutions and Manchester Specialty Programs Insurance click below.