Hoitokertoja

Hoitokertoja is a Finnish term referring to a single unit of care or care session delivered to a patient by a nurse, caregiver, or other health and social care professional. The concept is used to describe and measure the amount of care provided during a visit or appointment, and to organize care activities in a structured way.

The term is commonly applied in home care (kotihoito) as well as in institutional or assisted-living settings. A hoitokerta may include tasks such as personal and hygiene care, medication assistance, basic medical monitoring, wound care, rehabilitation exercises, or guidance and instruction for the client and their family. The exact content and duration of a hoitokerta are defined in the client’s care plan and can vary according to the individual’s needs and the service setting.

Documentation and administration: Hoitokertoja are recorded in patient records and local scheduling or billing systems. The number of hoitokertoja and the time spent on each session are used to monitor workload, plan staffing, and determine service costs. In many municipal and organizational frameworks, hoitokertojen tally supports budgeting, reporting, and, where applicable, reimbursement processes.

Overall, hoitokertoja provide a standardized way to describe the frequency and scope of available care. They help align service provision with individual care plans while allowing for variation in needs over time and across different care settings.