Heimahjúkrunar

Heimahjúkrunar, or home nursing, refers to professional nursing care provided in a patient's home. It encompasses clinical nursing interventions, care coordination, and health education delivered where the person resides. The goal is to support medical and functional needs, promote independence, and reduce the need for hospital or residential care.

Services commonly include medication management and administration, wound and dressing care, chronic disease management, post-discharge follow-up, rehabilitation support, infusion therapy, palliative and end-of-life care, and education for patients and families. Assessments cover safety, nutrition, mobility, and the home environment; plans are tailored to the individual and revised as conditions change. Equipment and supplies are provided as needed, with documentation and communication with primary care physicians.

Professionals involved are typically registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), sometimes supported by care assistants and social workers. Home nursing is usually organized by regional health authorities or municipalities and funded through public health systems, insurance, or a combination, depending on the country. In Iceland, heimahjúkrun is part of community health services provided by municipalities as a component of the public health system, with coordination among nurses, physicians, and other professionals.

Outcomes of home nursing include improved symptom control, higher patient satisfaction, greater functional independence, and reduced hospital admissions where appropriate. The field faces challenges such as workforce shortages, regulatory compliance, safety and privacy concerns, and the integration of digital health tools such as telehealth and remote monitoring to support care at home.