How do I identify patients who need visits?

Or if you prefer step by step instructions:

Step-by-Step Guide: Managing Visits and Visit Requests

1. Access the Visit Management Folder

• Navigate to the Folder: Go to the “IHS Recall Visits and Care Homes” folder. This is where you will find information about patients requiring visits.

2. Identify Patients Requiring Visits

• Review Patient List: At the top of the folder, you’ll see a list of patients requiring visits. They are categorised based on the following main reasons:
  • Requested a Visit: Patients who have requested a visit through the red popup option.
  • Coded as Housebound: Patients who are marked as housebound in your practice.
  • Care Home Codes: Patients identified by care home codes.

3. Evaluate Patient Codes

• Check for Housebound Status:
  • For patients coded as housebound, ensure this coding is accurate. Be aware that some community providers might code patients as housebound temporarily.
  • Action on Status: If necessary, update the coding for patients who are no longer housebound or review other reasons for their visit requirement.

4. Use the Recall Overview

• View Patient Status: Go to the “Recall Overview” section. If a patient needs a visit, their status will be indicated.
• Action the Request: Right-click on the patient’s record and select “Action.” This will trigger a protocol explaining why the patient needs a visit.
  • Options: You can either:
    • Code as No Longer Housebound: If the patient is not housebound anymore.
    • Check for Other Reasons: If applicable.

5. Manage Housebound and Care Home Status

• Navigate to the Manage Recall Page:
  • Check Housebound Status: Confirm if patients are coded as housebound or not.
  • Check Care Home Status: Confirm if patients are in a care home or not.

6. Run and Review Reports

• Care Home Postcodes Report:
  • Identify Discrepancies: Look for patients registered at local care homes but not coded as such.
  • Action Needed: Review the address and coding to ensure accuracy.
• Care Home Coding Report:
  • Identify Errors: Find patients coded as in a care home but not in a care home postcode.
  • Update Records: Correct the coding as necessary.

7. Update Care Home Data

• Provide Feedback: If you find discrepancies or have updates regarding care home postcodes, provide a list of postcodes to us to update the system.

8. Review Housebound Status Regularly

• Schedule Reviews: Periodically review patients coded as housebound who have been seen in person in the last 12 months or have been coded differently elsewhere.
• Update Records: Adjust the coding as needed to reflect their current status.

9. Manage Annual Reviews and Visits

• Access the Annual Reviews Folder:
  • Review Visit Reports: This section contains reports related to annual reviews and best practices.
  • Exclude Recent Visits: Patients who have had a visit in the last four weeks or have upcoming visits booked will be excluded from the reports.
  • Categorise Visits: Use the breakdown on conditions for teams that handle specific types of visits (e.g., dementia care plans).

10. Utilise Reporting Options

• QOF and Best Practice Reports: These reports will help with specific tasks and planning.
  • Select by Birth Months or outstanding QOF alerts: Use the option to plan visits or care plans based on birth months or QOF requirements.

11. Follow-Up and Support

• Address Issues: If you have questions or encounter any issues, contact support for assistance.
• Provide Feedback: Share any suggestions or concerns to help improve the system.