Starting a Health Services Business

INDUSTRY NOTES

In the past few years, opportunities have increased for those wanting to start their own business in the health care field. This is due in large part to three factors: 

• A shift from providing care mainly in hospitals to providing care in other types of community facilities or in a person's home.
• Changes in health care funding, with a shift towards funding community care.
• An aging population which is living longer, resulting in a growing potential market for private home and health care services.

WHAT MAKES A HEALTH SERVICES BUSINESS UNIQUE?

When you start a health services business, you take on tremendous responsibilities -- your client's health and well-being depend on the quality of your services. You and your employees must have the proper training, education, and experience, and you must understand and comply with strict standards of professional practice, regulations, and licensing requirements.

TYPES OF BUSINESSES

This Info sheet focuses on home care, residential care homes, and supportive housing and assisted living. Examples of other types of health services businesses include:

Therapy, Support, and Alternative Care
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, dietetic services, massage therapy, and therapeutic touch.

Lab/Radiology Services-
Can be delivered in a clinic or office, some on a mobile basis.

Respite Care
Provides care for a short period of time (hours) or longer to give relief to a caregiver or family. Can be delivered in the individual's home or in a facility.

Consulting/Teaching/Counselling
Individuals with extensive experience and expertise can act as consultants in their area of specialization, or provide individualized teaching and counselling.

Other
Adult day care, transportation services, medical equipment makers/suppliers.

HOME CARE

Home care is the delivery of a wide range of health and social services to help a client stay at home, delay transfer to a facility, or reduce a hospital stay.

Nursing Care
A wide range of services may be required including assessments, dressing changes, and giving medications. Registered Nurses (RN's), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN's) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) can deliver care within the scope of their licenses.

Personal Care
A range of care such as bathing, dressing, or helping with mobility. Delivered by health care workers who have completed an appropriate program or who have the equivalent in direct care experience.

Other
Various types of therapy, dietetic services, respite services, orderly services, homemaking/maintenance, medical equipment/supplies, emergency call services, phone-check services, visitation services, and Meals-on-Wheels.

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES

Residential Care Facilities are premises in which accommodation, care and supervision is provided to one or more adults who require care due to a mental disability, mental disorder or because of frailty or cognitive impairment related to aging.  A residential care facility does not include premises in which accommodation, care and supervision is provided by a person only to his or her family members, or that are licensed under The Public Health Act or The Health Services Insurance Act.  The provision for residential care licensing is found within The Social Services Administration Act and Manitoba Regulation 484/88R.  Facilities obtain a licence or letter of approval to provide care through Residential Care Licensing of Manitoba Family Services and Housing or a delegated regional Family Services and Housing Authority or Regional Health Authority.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Supportive Housing is housing with care alternative that provides personal support services and essential homemaking in permanent, grouped, community/residential settings. Application/assessments are approved by each Regional Health Authority (RHA) Long Term Care Access Panel prior to placement. Eligibility is based on individuals whose needs are beyond the capacity of the Home Care Program, and who are not eligible for the services from other government programs. Individuals are frail and/or cognitively impaired elderly persons, and persons with physical disabilities or other chronic conditions requiring long term care within an environment which provides direct access to 24 hour care and supervision. Professional services are provided through Home Care.

ASSISTED LIVING

Non-profit or private sponsors offer suites for rent along with service packages to seniors who select the services they want to purchase based on their needs. Services include: meals, laundry and cleaning. There is no screening or authorization required by the Regional Health Authority. Home Care provides professional and paraprofessional services to Assisted Living tenants based on eligibility.

Common elements to all health care businesses

Human Resources
Hiring employees for a health services business is especially critical. Your staff must be qualified to provide the level of care your clients need. Develop detailed job descriptions; check the currency of professional licenses and all references. Perform a criminal record check and child abuse registry check. Hire on probation and evaluate regularly. After hiring, provide ongoing training and maintain a library of resource materials. Provide staff with company identification including a photo ID. Provide uniforms or establish a dress code.

Client
Define policies and procedures for communicating with the client and family. Design company handouts, client application forms, and client contracts. Clearly state in writing, the care to be given, level of staff to be provided, hours of service and applicable fees. The contract must be signed by the client or their designate and the owner prior to the start of care. Establish procedures for client assessment, care planning and implementation, evaluation, and confidential record-keeping. Other areas include medications, infection control, oxygen therapy, incidence reporting, emergency situations, resuscitation, and transportation.

Administration
Establish policies and procedures for providing quality care, meeting safety regulations and licensing requirements, hiring and training staff, and setting up communication channels with the client and family, physicians, hospitals, and community. Consider bonding all employees. Ensure the business has adequate insurance coverage including Professional Liability Insurance.

Common elements to residential care homes and supportive housing
Ask Manitoba Family Services for the Residential Care Licensing Manual. Whether new or renovated, facilities for housing elderly residents with care needs have specific design requirements, zoning regulations, building codes and associated permits.

Administration

• Establish procedures for admitting clients assessed at or below the facility's approved level of care.
• Ensure quality services including meals, laundry/housekeeping services, recreation programs, and access to religious services.
• Provide a secure environment, making sure clients have ready access to their personal funds and valuables.
• Non-professional staff must be certified in First Aid and CPR. Promote and encourage an active volunteer program.
• Define self-injury and search guidelines and restraint procedures.
• Set policies for infection control, disaster planning, handling hazardous substances, smoking and alcohol consumption, and fire safety.
• Comply with all health regulations.
• Expect inspections from the Public Health Authority and Department of Health.

Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Ave
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C OJ7
Telephone: 204-984-2272
Fax: 204-983-3852
Toll-free (information): 1-800-665-2019
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: manitoba@canadabusiness.mb.ca
Web site: http://www.canadabusiness.mb.ca/
 

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

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