Satisfaction with home healthcare services for clients with HIV: preliminary findings

The Visiting Nurse Service of New York and Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield implemented in 1990 the "At Home Option Program" (AHOP), an enhanced package of home care and other noninpatient services for HIV-positive clients. AHOP aims to reduce total treatment costs and hospital days. Clients (N=52) completed mailed satisfaction surveys. Overall, clients were very satisfied with AHOP services. Clients expressed concerns, however, about the uneven quality of substitute paraprofessionals, and said they needed easier access to a knowledgeable healthcare professional. Operational concerns included inadequate information dissemination and administrative oversights. Findings will inform subsequent program activities.