Primary Responsibilities of the Clearinghouse:

1. Maintaining the Patient’s Care Plan

• The Clearinghouse ensures that the patient’s care plan is followed meticulously. This involves monitoring the patient’s condition, administering medications, and overseeing daily care activities.
• They track the patient’s progress and adjust the care plan as necessary, ensuring that all healthcare providers are informed and on the same page.

2. Coordinating with Healthcare Providers

• Effective communication with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals is a key responsibility. The Clearinghouse schedules appointments, manages medical records, and facilitates the exchange of information between the care team and healthcare providers.
• They act as the main point of contact, ensuring that all medical advice and instructions are understood and implemented correctly.

3. Delegating Tasks

• The Clearinghouse delegates specific tasks to other members of the caregiving team. This might include assigning duties such as meal preparation, transportation, and personal care tasks to other informal or secondary caregivers.
• By delegating tasks, the Clearinghouse ensures that all aspects of the patient’s care are covered without overburdening any single caregiver.

4. Making Critical Decisions

• In emergencies or when the patient is unable to make decisions, the Clearinghouse steps in to make critical health-related decisions. This includes decisions about treatments, hospitalizations, and end-of-life care.
• The Clearinghouse ensures that these decisions align with the patient’s wishes and best interests, often consulting with the patient beforehand to understand their preferences.

5. Advocating for the Patient

• The Clearinghouse advocates for the patient’s needs and rights, ensuring they receive appropriate and timely care. This includes negotiating with insurers, securing necessary medical equipment, and ensuring the patient’s home environment is safe and conducive to recovery.
• They also ensure that the patient’s voice is heard in all aspects of their care, respecting their autonomy and preferences as much as possible.

Support from Primary and Secondary Caregivers

Primary Caregivers:

• Role: Primary caregivers are often family members or close friends who take on the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for the patient.
• Support for the Clearinghouse: They provide continuous, hands-on care and support, ensuring that the patient’s immediate needs are met. Primary caregivers also assist the Clearinghouse by providing detailed updates on the patient’s condition and helping to implement the care plan.

Secondary Caregivers:

• Role: Secondary caregivers are professional caregivers employed by companies to perform specific medical or non-medical tasks.
• Support for the Clearinghouse: They offer specialized services, such as medical care, physical therapy, and personal assistance. Secondary caregivers support the Clearinghouse by executing delegated tasks, providing respite care, and ensuring that the patient receives comprehensive care.

Benefits of Having a Designated Clearinghouse

• Continuity of Care: Ensures that there is no disruption in the patient’s care even if they become incapacitated.
• Decision-Making Authority: Provides a trusted individual with the authority to make important health-related decisions.
• Effective Care Coordination: Facilitates seamless coordination between various caregivers and healthcare providers.
• Delegation of Tasks: Allows for efficient delegation of caregiving responsibilities, ensuring all aspects of the patient’s needs are met.

Designating a Clearinghouse on the Contributor Cover Page

Patient Better’s program includes a unique tool called the Contributor Cover Page, where at-home caregiving teams can designate their Clearinghouse. This tool ensures that everyone involved in the patient’s care is aware of who holds the decision-making authority and understands their roles and responsibilities.

How to Designate a Clearinghouse

1. Identify a Trusted Individual: Choose someone who is reliable, understands the patient’s needs, and is capable of making informed decisions.
2. Complete the Contributor Cover Page: Fill out the necessary information on the Contributor Cover Page, clearly identifying the Clearinghouse.
3. Communicate the Designation: Ensure that all members of the caregiving team and relevant healthcare providers are informed of the Clearinghouse designation.
4. Review and Update Regularly: Periodically review the designation to ensure it remains accurate and update it as necessary to reflect any changes in the patient’s condition or caregiving team.

Key Takeaways

The Clearinghouse is a crucial role within the Patient Better self-management program, providing a structured approach to decision-making and care coordination. By designating a Clearinghouse on the Contributor Cover Page, patients and caregivers can ensure that there is a clear and effective plan in place for managing the patient’s needs. This proactive step enhances the quality of care, ensures continuity, and provides peace of mind for both patients and their caregivers.