Panhandle Health District (PHD) is phasing out its home healthcare services program. The district has stopped accepting new home care patients. PHD will work closely with patients, providers and other home care organizations until the transition of care is complete.
“This was a very difficult decision for the health district,” said PHD District Director Don Duffy. “Unfortunately, we are no longer able to continue the program, especially due to staffing shortages in health care workers. His 40-plus other programs at PHD continue to thrive and grow.”
PHD’s home care program had eight staff members visiting approximately 100 patients each week, with an average of five new admissions per week. In many cases, home health care teams travel far into district jurisdictions, hiking when clients are covered in snow, or even traveling to areas without cell phone service, power, and sometimes running water. did.
“The dedication and compassion of our staff has kept the program running for as long as possible,” said Duffy. “While facing some of the most challenging and remote patient care situations in our district, we have been plagued with staff shortages and underfunded programs.”
For over 55 years, PHD’s Home Care Program has provided personalized care in the comfort of Northern Idahoan homes. The goal of home health care is to help patients who have recently completed an operation or surgery, or who have recovered from a wound or other medical problem, but who no longer need to be hospitalized, to manage their health at home. , is often cheaper and more convenient than staying in a hospital.
All PHD home health care clients and physicians were notified of the impending termination of the program and a care plan was implemented.
The Panhandle Health District offers over 40 different public health programs to families, individuals and organizations in Northern Idaho. From food and water safety to health education and disease control, public health services are essential to ensuring our communities are safe and healthy places to live, work and play.
The PHD team is made up of nurses, nutritionists, environmental health professionals, health educators, and many other professionals with a common goal of providing critical public health services.
The Panhandle Health District is one of Idaho’s seven health districts.