N 340 Women's Health & Illness in The Expanding Family & N345 Clinical Practicum

• You and another student will go on the home visit together. Pick a low-risk family one of you enjoyed caring for in the hospital. Do it fairly soon in your rotation because you don't want to feel panicked in week 6 when you don't have a home visit arranged.
• Explain to the patient that you will be doing a home visit that it will take no longer than one hour. Explain it is an assignment. I know this seems awkward, but they will enjoy the visit and appreciate the information you provide. Most students find this clinical experience fun.
• Have the patient sign the consent form. Make a copy and give it to the patient.
• Explain this is not a social visit and that they should not make any refreshments nor do they need to clean up their homes! Also reinforce you will be there no longer than one hour. If they do offer you food or drink when you go for the visit, do not refuse it unless you are worried about hygiene. In many cultures, that would be extremely rude.
• On the home visit form, complete the information at the top that you need from the chart. Only use patient initials.
• Wear nice street clothes and your SSU identification. Before the visit, read Chapter 28 again!, make sure you are familiar with the home-visit form and have available any patient handouts you think might be helpful (you don't have to have any however). You only have to fill out one home visit form. Work out how you will take turns asking the questions and recording the information.
• If you show up at the home and something seems unsafe, do not proceed. Your safety is important so you would just leave. Call the police if that seems appropriate. This has never happened, but it is good to always be prepared.
• Wash your hands before you examine the baby.
• If they ask you a questions about the mother's or baby's health and you do not know the answer, that is fine. Don't guess, but you will be surprised how much you know! . Always refer them to their health care providers.
• When you leave, please call me and leave a message at 664-2649 to let me know you have completed the home visit. You don't need to give me details. If you have a concern about the home visit and want to talk to me, and I'm not in my office, please call my cell phone: 480-0858.
• Complete the paperwork and attach the consent for to it. Post it in your discussion forum. These are legal documents so at the end of this rotation, I will keep these records.
• Please give them a helpful resource in our community For some ideas check out the California Parenting Institute in Santa Rosa. You can download the brochure. The newsletter has classes and their is some information on Community Resources for parents. Here is some great information on child safety and raising healthy kids: MedlinePlus from the NIH! Also try: Community Childcare Council of Sonoma County (lots of other agencies are listed through this website). Another sonoma County Community Resource is 2-1-1. It is staffed by volunteers who provide the link between people who have needs with the services that can alleviate those needs. Here is another website that may be helpful: Parenthood.com . If you find more useful information let me know!
• Here is a site with some general information for new mothers.

Enjoy! Jeanette Koshar