Capsule Commentary on Baier et al., A Qualitative Study of Choosing Home Health Care after Hospitalization: the Unintended Consequences of ‘Patient Choice’ Requirements

This study by Baier etal sought to illustrate the decision-making process that occurs in hospital discharge planning when case managers engage with patients and families in selecting a home health agency. Case managers and home health consumers were qualitatively asked about their respective roles in the decision process, as well as their knowledge of existing public home health quality reports. No participants were aware of public quality reports. Case managers described presenting a list of available home health agencies to consumers, who in turn generally felt they had little information to guide their decision and often asked case managers for a recommendation. However, case managers felt unable to assist further in the process, citing federal laws protecting freedom of patient choice as preventing them from doing so.