Questions To Ask In Your Pediatric Home Care Search

Ask the right questions, get the best care

When you are evaluating home health care agencies, there are many questions you’ll want to ask to ensure you’re selecting the right provider for your child’s needs. Here are list of questions that we think are important for you to ask. And to make it easier for you, we’ve also provided you with our answers!

How long has your company been serving pediatric clients?

BAYADA Home Health Care has been providing pediatric nursing services since 1980. Due to tremendous expansion in our pediatric services, we began a specialty practice, BAYADA Pediatrics, in 2010 to better serve the growing needs in this market.

Is your company certified by any accrediting body?

BAYADA is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), the leader in home care accreditation.

Does your company have appropriate state licensure?

Each BAYADA Pediatrics office is licensed by the state in which it provides services. Many are also certified by the federal government where required.

Can you provide references from clients and families?

We are always happy to do so. Please feel free to contact your local office to request references.

How do you ensure that your nurses have the skills to care for my child?

Each BAYADA caregiver — including nurses and home health aides – must pass stringent hiring criteria including experience requirements, background checks, knowledge assessments, and skills demonstrations. Once hired, each employee receives comprehensive mentoring and orientation, and is required to demonstrate ongoing competency in required skills each year. Additionally, BAYADA offers a wide variety of training programs for nurses to learn new or advanced care skills.

Do you do background checks on all your home care professionals?

Absolutely. All candidates must pass multiple background checks including references, criminal, child abuse and neglect, as well as federal and state screenings where required.

Are all of your home care professionals fully insured?

Yes.

How do you develop a plan of care for my child?

With a family-centered care approach, we work closely with you, your child’s physicians, and other care team members to develop a plan that is customized to your child’s unique needs, situation, and goals.

Do you consult with my child’s physicians?

A dedicated registered nurse clinical manager will work closely with your child’s physician to develop a plan of care that is appropriate for your child’s needs.

Will the nurse interact with my child on a personal level, in addition to providing medical care?

Our employees will continuously interact with your child to encourage their social and emotional development in conjunction with their medical needs.

Can I meet the nurses before they start to work with my child?

Ideally, you will have the opportunity to meet each nurse on your child’s team before care begins to ensure that you’re comfortable with all the caregivers who will be coming into your home.

What happens if a nurse isn’t a good fit for our family?

We make it a priority to match your child with nurses who are not only trained to provide the care your child needs, but who are most likely to fit with your family on a personal level as well. Personalities are unique so regardless of clinical expertise, sometimes the relationship just doesn’t “click.” If that should happen, your clinical manager or client services manager will work with you to find a caregiver who is more suitable to your specific family and home environment.

How will I know which nurse is scheduled for the day?

Your client services manager will provide you with a monthly schedule.

How are schedule changes communicated to me?

All schedule changes are communicated to you immediately by your client services manager.

How does the office cover shifts if the nurse calls out?

At BAYADA, we have an all-hands-on-deck approach. That means that all appropriate employees are contacted to find one who can cover the shift. Your BAYADA office will make every effort to ensure that another nurse is available in the event your nurse is unable to work an assigned shift.

Who coordinates all of the services that you will provide to my child and family?

Each child and family has a pediatric team which includes the client services manager, clinical manager, and office director.

Will your company assist me in obtaining any medical supplies or equipment that my child needs?

Your clinical manager will coordinate with local DME (Durable Medical Equipment) companies.

Will your company assist me in getting my home health care services authorized?

We will contact your insurance company to obtain authorization of services for your child’s needs.

Will our personal and confidential information be protected?

We strictly adhere to all federal regulations regarding protected health information. You will be provided with our confidentiality agreements.

How do I reach you after office hours and on holidays?

We have an on-call manager available after hours and on holidays.

My child has siblings. How are they involved when a nurse is in our home?

With your child’s care needs and safety as our first priority, our nurses can involve siblings as much or as little as you desire.

We have pets. Is that a problem?

No, pets are not a problem. We will take that in consideration when staffing your child’s case to ensure that the nurses assigned are comfortable with pets in the home.

Does your agency provide care to adults as well as children?

BAYADA Pediatrics specializes in infant, child, adolescent, and young adult care. As part of BAYADA Home Health Care – a comprehensive home health care agency providing a full range of services including adult care, home health visits, hospice, and habilitation – we are able to seamlessly transfer care to adult services when your child becomes an adult.

My family is very active. Will the nurse go with us to events outside of the home?

Yes, as long as our nurse is able to meet the needs of your child — and it is approved by the payor — it is not a problem to accompany your child outside of the home.


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