title: Implementing clinical pathways in a small agency: surviving IPS and preparing for PPS.
abstract: A rural health department-based home health agency's financial status was jeopardized by the BBA's per-beneficiary and reduced per-visit cost limits. This article describes the process used and the benefits gained from reorganizing operations and traditional practice patterns. These strategies are helping position the agency for PPS later this year.
authors.affiliation: Flathead County Home Health Agency, Whitefish, Montana, USA. caseyb@nvhosp.org
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blumenthal
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018574:Home Care Agencies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009009:Montana; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010934:Planning Techniques; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011445:Prospective Payment System / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States