Soon no more regulations required for many benefits by home nurses

Home nurses already received more responsibilities last year, as part of a broader reform of the profession of nurse. But a prescription remained for the administration of medication by a home nurse (in addition to a prescription for the medication itself). Otherwise the patient is not entitled to a refund. But the prescription for the administration will soon fall away, it sounds. The RIZIV insurance committee approved a proposal this week.

« We ensure that care providers within home care can maximum their time to their patients themselves. We further reduce daily administrative hassle. That makes care workable again. We also take care of people in healthcare. Also patients no longer need to be unnecessarily needed to the doctor for provisions for benefits, » says Minister Vandenbroucke in a press release.

Home nurses will be able to perform a lot of benefits independently in this way, such as different injections, bladderstopen, wound care, catheters via the stomach tube, and so on. The intention is that the measure comes into effect in September.

The measure must facilitate the follow -up of patients during treatment. It remains of course that doctors start the treatments and prescribe the medication themselves.

« This measure is good for everyone, » says Vandenbroucke. « The nurses are recognized and can spend their time on the care of the patient. Patients no longer have to go to the doctor for a prescription. And there are less useless consultations for the doctor. In this way we not only take care of people, but also for people in healthcare. »