Private Duty Nursing in White Bear Lake and Chisago, MN

Comfort Keepers provides personalized private duty nursing for seniors, veterans, and adults with complex care needs in White Bear Lake, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, Chisago City, and surrounding Minnesota communities. Services may be provided directly by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse or through appropriately trained caregivers performing tasks delegated and supervised by an RN.

Private duty nursing can help clients manage medications, treatments and other health-related needs while continuing to live in a private home, senior apartment, cooperative or other approved residence.

What Is Private Duty Nursing?

Private duty nursing is individualized nursing care provided in a client’s residence by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. Services are based on a nursing assessment, current medical orders, the nurse’s professional scope, and a written care plan.

Private duty nursing may include:

• Nursing assessments
• Medication setup and management
• Medication administration
• Prescribed treatments
• Catheter and ostomy care
• Wound and skin care
• Respiratory treatments
• Family education
• RN delegation and caregiver supervision

Private duty nursing does not always mean continuous or 24-hour nursing. Care may be provided through scheduled nursing visits or shifts, depending on the client’s assessed needs and nurse availability.  Under the direction of a nurse, some of the nursing functions can be delegated to a trained Home Health Aide.  

When Might Someone Need In-Home Nursing Care?

Private duty nursing may be appropriate when a client:

• Has a complex medication routine
• Needs medications prepared or administered
• Requires injections or prescribed treatments
• Uses oxygen, a nebulizer or other medical equipment
• Has an ostomy or urinary catheter
• Needs wound or skin care
• Requires oral suctioning
• Is returning home after hospitalization
• Lives with a progressive neurological condition
• Needs nursing oversight of delegated caregiver tasks
• Has care needs that family members cannot safely manage alone

A nursing assessment is required before services begin. The assessment determines which services can be provided, which professional should provide them, and whether any task may be delegated to a trained caregiver.

Private Duty Nursing Services

Available nursing services depend on the client’s condition, medical orders, nursing assessment, and applicable Minnesota requirements.

Nursing Assessment and Care Planning

A registered nurse may:

• Assess the client’s nursing needs
• Review medications and prescribed treatments
• Evaluate the home environment
• Develop or update the nursing care plan
• Establish observation and reporting requirements
• Determine whether a task may be delegated
• Train and supervise caregivers performing delegated tasks
• Coordinate authorized communication with other providers

The nursing plan is reviewed when the client’s condition, medications, treatments, or medical orders change.

Medication Setup and Management

Depending on the authorized care plan, a nurse may provide:

• Medication reconciliation
• Weekly medication-organizer setup
• Automated medication-dispenser setup
• Prescription-refill coordination
• Communication with pharmacies and prescribers
• Implementation of authorized prescription changes
• Oversight of Medication Administration
• Medication documentation
• Education for clients and authorized family members

Medication setup helps organize a client’s prescribed routine but cannot guarantee that every medication will be taken correctly. Medication concerns, missed doses, and possible side effects should be reported according to the nursing plan.

Medication Administration

An RN or LPN may administer medications within the nurse’s professional scope and according to valid medical orders. Depending on the assessment and available services, this may include:

• Oral medications
• Topical medications
• Eye and ear drops
• Inhaled medications
• Nebulizer treatments
• Certain injections
• Prescribed oxygen support

The nursing team must review each request before care begins. Some medications or routes require a licensed nurse and cannot be delegated to a caregiver.

Catheter, Ostomy and Bowel Care

Nursing services may include:

• Urinary catheter care
• Catheter-hygiene education
• Ostomy care
• Skin observation around catheter or ostomy sites
• Ostomy-supply support
• Documentation and reporting of concerns

Pain, bleeding, changes in output, signs of infection or equipment problems should be reported promptly to the nurse or appropriate medical provider.

Wound, Skin and Other Specialized Care

When ordered and within the available nursing scope, services may include:

• Wound observation and dressing changes
• Skin-integrity assessment
• Pressure-injury prevention education
• Oral cavity suctioning
• Prescribed respiratory treatments
• Nail or foot care when clinically appropriate
• Tube-feeding support
• Other ordered nursing services

Service availability should be confirmed through an individualized assessment.

What Is Nurse-Delegated Care?

Minnesota law allows certain nursing tasks to be performed by trained unlicensed caregivers when an RN determines that delegation is appropriate.

Before delegating a task, the RN must:

• Assess the client and requested task
• Determine that delegation is appropriate
• Provide client-specific training
• Require the caregiver to demonstrate competency
• Create written instructions
• Document the delegation
• Establish reporting requirements
• Provide ongoing supervision
• Reassess the arrangement as needs change

Delegation is specific to the client, caregiver, and task. A service that can be delegated for one client may not be appropriate for another.

The Minnesota Department of Health explains that an unlicensed home care employee may administer medication only when the agency’s RN has completed the required training, competency verification and delegation. Review Minnesota’s medication-management guidance.

Can a Family Member or Outside Nurse Delegate a Task?

A family member cannot delegate a nursing task to a Comfort Keepers caregiver. A hospice nurse or nurse from another agency also cannot automatically delegate a task to that caregiver.

Under Minnesota home care guidance, the delegation must come from the appropriate RN working under the same home care provider license as the employee performing the task.

This requirement helps establish clear responsibility for:

• Client assessment
• Caregiver training
• Written instructions
• Competency verification
• Documentation
• Nursing supervision

Training and Supporting Family Caregivers

A Comfort Keepers nurse may help authorized family members understand:

• The established medication schedule
• The purpose of an ordered treatment
• How to use approved equipment
• What observations should be reported
• When to contact the nurse or prescriber
• When emergency care is necessary
• How responsibilities are divided among the care team

Family education does not authorize someone to perform a task outside their knowledge or ability. Families should only provide care they understand and can safely perform.

Coordinating With the Healthcare Team

With the client’s permission or appropriate legal authorization, the nurse may communicate with:

• Physicians and advanced practice providers
• Pharmacies
• Hospitals and discharge planners
• Medicare-certified home health agencies
• Hospice or palliative care providers
• Therapists
• Medical-equipment suppliers
• Authorized family representatives

The nurse may clarify orders, report relevant changes, and help maintain an accurate nursing care plan. Comfort Keepers nurses do not independently change prescriptions or medical orders.

Private Duty Nursing and Interactive Caregiving®

Clinical care should still recognize the individual receiving it. Through Interactive Caregiving®, nurses and caregivers involve clients in their care whenever appropriate.

This may include:

• Explaining care before beginning
• Offering appropriate choices
• Respecting routines and preferences
• Encouraging safe independence
• Listening to the client’s questions
• Supporting family and social connections
• Treating the client with dignity

Participation depends on the client’s abilities, wishes and clinical condition.

Combining Nursing With Personal Home Care

Many clients need both nursing services and help with daily activities. A coordinated plan may combine private duty nursing with:

• Bathing and dressing assistance
• Toileting and incontinence care
• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping
• Laundry
• Transportation
• Mobility and transfer assistance
• Companionship
• Dementia care
• Respite care
• Overnight or 24-hour home care

Each service is provided by an appropriately qualified team member according to the client’s care plan.

Private Duty Nursing vs. Home Care and Home Health

A client may receive more than one type of service. For example, a home health nurse may make intermittent skilled visits while Comfort Keepers provides personal care and meal assistance between those visits.

Is Private Duty Nursing Covered by Medicare?

Medicare may cover eligible, part-time or intermittent skilled home health services when ordered by a healthcare provider and delivered through a Medicare-certified home health agency.

Medicare generally does not pay for continuous 24-hour home care or ongoing custodial assistance when personal care is the only service needed. Coverage for privately arranged nursing depends on the provider, insurance plan, medical necessity and benefit rules.

Families should verify coverage directly with Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, a long-term care insurer or another applicable payer. Review Medicare’s current home health coverage.

Private Duty Nursing for Veterans

Comfort Keepers serves veterans who need nursing or nurse-supported care at home. Depending on eligibility and authorization, VA programs may provide certain skilled home health, homemaker, home health aide or respite services.

The Department of Veterans Affairs determines:

• Eligibility
• Clinical need
• Authorized services
• Approved hours
• Local availability
• Potential copayments

VA benefits do not automatically cover every private duty nursing service. Comfort Keepers can explain its available services, but only the VA can determine benefits and authorize VA-funded care.

Learn more about Comfort Keepers home care for veterans.

Local Private Duty Nursing Near White Bear Lake and Chisago

Comfort Keepers provides private duty nursing and nurse-supported home care throughout:

• White Bear Lake
• Shoreview
• Vadnais Heights
• North Oaks
• Hugo
• Forest Lake
• Chisago City
• Lindstrom
• Wyoming
• Stacy
• Surrounding Minnesota communities

White Bear Lake Office

1310 Highway 96 E
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-789-0317

Chisago City Office

11185 Lake Boulevard
Chisago City, MN 55013
651-789-0317

Services depend on the nursing assessment, current orders, requested schedule and availability of appropriately qualified staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an RN and an LPN?

An RN has a broader scope that includes comprehensive nursing assessment, care planning and delegation. An LPN provides nursing services within the LPN scope under applicable professional direction. The client’s needs determine which type of nurse is appropriate.

Can a nurse set up a weekly pill organizer?

Yes. A nurse may set up a medication organizer or approved automated dispenser as part of an authorized medication-management plan.

Can a caregiver administer medication?

A caregiver may administer certain medications only after an RN determines that delegation is appropriate, provides client-specific training, verifies competency and establishes written instructions and supervision.

Can Comfort Keepers provide injections?

Certain injections may be provided by an appropriately licensed nurse when ordered and available. Whether a task can be delegated depends on the medication, client, setting, and applicable requirements.

Does private duty nursing mean 24-hour nursing?

Not necessarily. Private duty nursing may consist of scheduled visits or shifts. Non-medical 24-hour caregiver coverage can be arranged separately, with nursing added according to the assessment.  Nurse delegated services to a Home Health Aide may be provided 24 hours.

Can nursing be provided in a senior apartment or cooperative?

Yes, when the residence allows outside care providers and the nursing assessment supports services in that setting.

How do private duty nursing services begin?

After a Client Care Coordinator sets up the initial plan of care, an RN reviews the client’s current orders, medications, treatments, home environment, and requested services. The nurse then determines which services can be provided and whether any tasks are appropriate for delegation.

Schedule a Private Duty Nursing Assessment

If your loved one’s care needs have become more complex, our nursing team can help determine whether private duty nursing, nurse-delegated care or a combination of nursing and personal home care may be appropriate.

Call 651-789-0317 to discuss private duty nursing in White Bear Lake, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, Chisago City or a surrounding Minnesota community.

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