15. Homebound relevance

Head and scalp findings are usually a minor support for homebound status; document the patient-specific evidence when present and do not overstate it.

Head-injury-related evidence that supports homebound status

• A need for skilled head-injury surveillance after a fall that, with the patient’s other deficits, limits safe independence.
• A scalp wound requiring care that contributes, with other factors, to the taxing effort of leaving home.
• A fall risk with head-strike potential that makes leaving home unsafe without assistance (cross-reference Safety).
• A need for assistance and a taxing effort to leave home where head-injury monitoring is ongoing.