How to Prepare for Your First Visit with MobiSoins

What MobiSoins will be, and what it will not be

Before talking about preparation, it helps to be clear about the service itself. MobiSoins is a Quebec home nursing company. Care will be provided by nurses who are members of the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ), by appointment, at the address of your choice: your house, your apartment, a parent’s residence or, for businesses, a workplace.

It will be planned, non-urgent care. In practical terms: blood draws and other samples, dressings and wound care, removal of sutures or staples, injectable medication when a prescription calls for it, vaccination, blood-pressure and diabetes follow-up, support for older adults at home, and health assessments. The full list of services is on our website, with a page for each type of care.

What MobiSoins will not be matters just as much: it is not an emergency service, not a replacement for your family doctor or your specialized nurse practitioner (IPS), and not round-the-clock home support. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, or any other life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately. For non-urgent health advice, at any hour, Info-Santé 811 remains the right place to start.

This clarity protects everyone. It lets you choose the right service at the right time, and it lets our nurses focus fully on what they do best at home: careful, unhurried care in the place where you actually live.

Booking online: what will happen in a few minutes

Booking will happen online, in a few minutes, with no mandatory phone call and no paper forms. The goal is simple: to collect, right from the start, the information your nurse will need, so that the visit itself is spent on care rather than paperwork.

First, you will choose the care you need. If you are hesitating between two services, for example between a full health assessment and a simple blood draw, choose the closest one and describe your need in the space provided: the coordinating nurse will adjust it if necessary. Then you will indicate who the care is for (yourself, a parent, a child), the address of the visit, and when you are available.

A few health questions will follow. They are not there to judge you or screen you out arbitrarily: they make it possible to confirm that the care can be delivered safely at home, to bring the right supplies and, if needed, to remind you to attach a prescription. Answer them as honestly as you can, even when an answer seems trivial.

• The care you need and, in a few words, the reason for your request.
• The person who will receive the care, their age, and your contact details if you are booking for a family member.
• The exact address, with useful details: door code, floor, elevator, parking.
• Your availability, ideally more than one time slot.
• Known allergies and main health conditions.
• A photo or file of your prescription or requisition, if the care requires one.

The role of the coordinating nurse

One step sets the way MobiSoins will work apart: every request will be reviewed by a coordinating nurse before a visit is confirmed. There is no robot automatically accepting every booking; there is a professional reading your request with a clinical eye.

Her role has three parts. First, to check that the care requested matches the need you describe and can be delivered safely at home. Second, to make sure nothing is missing: a prescription, a lab requisition, details about a wound or a medication. Third, to match the request with the most appropriate nurse and prepare the visit, so that the person who rings your doorbell already knows why she is there.

If information is missing or if your situation seems to call for a different service, you will be told before the visit, not on your doorstep. For example, if you describe symptoms that need a prompt medical assessment, the coordinating nurse will point you to the right place rather than scheduling a visit that would not meet your need.

In practice, the coordinating nurse also acts as a point of reference. If you book several types of care over the weeks, she will have an overview of your file and can notice what a single visit would not reveal: dressings that drag on, blood pressure that does not stabilize, a need that is changing. She can then suggest raising it with your doctor or adjusting your follow-up.

This review takes a little time, but it saves a great deal more. It prevents unnecessary visits, wasted trips, and unpleasant surprises. Above all, it guarantees that a nurse has applied professional judgment to your request before the first meeting even takes place.

Before the visit: documents to gather

An effective first visit starts with complete information. The more accurate the picture your nurse has of your health, the better her assessment, and the less you will have to repeat your story. Take ten minutes the evening before to gather the following.

Keep everything in one envelope or folder that you hold on to for future visits. This small personal file will become your best ally, with MobiSoins as well as with your clinic, your pharmacy, or the hospital.

• Your health insurance (RAMQ) card and, if you have one, your group or private insurance card.
• An up-to-date medication list, including over-the-counter products, vitamins, and natural health products. Your pharmacist can print one for you in minutes.
• Your prescription or lab requisition, if the care requires one (blood draw, injection, certain dressings).
• Recent test results and your latest hospital discharge summary, if applicable.
• A list of known allergies: medications, latex, adhesives, foods.
• Contact details for your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or clinic, if you have one.
• Where relevant, the instructions you received when leaving the hospital or from your surgeon.

Your medication list: the most valuable document you have

If you prepare only one thing, make it this. An accurate medication list is at the heart of safe care. It allows your nurse to spot a possible interaction, to recognize a symptom that might be a side effect, and to check that a new treatment is compatible with what you already take.

The most common trap is the “almost up-to-date” list. A medication was stopped three months ago, another was added in the emergency room, a sleeping pill is taken “only now and then.” Every one of these details matters. The simplest approach is to ask your pharmacy for a recent medication profile, then compare it, pencil in hand, with what is actually in your cupboard.

Do not forget the things people often wrongly consider “not really medication”: natural health products, supplements, creams, eye drops, asthma inhalers, patches. Some over-the-counter products can interact with blood thinners or affect blood sugar. It is better to say too much than too little.

If you use a pill organizer or blister packs prepared by your pharmacy, keep them within reach. Your nurse can check with you that their contents match the list. It is an ideal moment to ask about any medication whose purpose you do not understand.

• The name of each medication, its dose, and the time you take it.
• Medications taken “as needed,” and how often you actually use them.
• Natural health products, vitamins, and supplements.
• Medications stopped recently, and why.
• Past reactions to any medication, even mild ones.

Preparing the space: simple, clean, well lit

Your home does not need to look like a clinic. Your nurse brings her own sterile supplies and is used to every kind of living space, from a studio apartment to a bungalow. What truly helps comes down to a few things.

Choose a quiet room with a stable chair or armchair you are comfortable in, and a clear surface nearby: the corner of a table is plenty. Good lighting matters for a blood draw or wound care: open the curtains or bring a lamp closer. Make sure a sink is accessible for handwashing.

If you have pets, keep them in another room during the visit: even the gentlest dog can get restless around a stranger, and a clean environment lowers infection risk. Wear loose clothing that makes the treatment area easy to reach, for example sleeves that roll up for a blood draw.

Think about access, too. In a Quebec winter, a shovelled walkway and a de-iced front step are not a detail: your nurse is carrying equipment, and a fall on the stairs would help no one. If your building has an intercom, check that it works or explain in your booking how to get in. An outside light switched on helps a great deal for a late-afternoon visit.

• A stable chair and a clear surface nearby.
• Good lighting, natural or from a lamp.
• An accessible sink, with soap and a clean towel.
• Pets in another room.
• A clear entrance, shovelled in winter, and a visible house number.
• The television off or turned down, so you can hear each other.

The big worry: “Who is coming into my home?”

This is the question we hear most, and it is entirely legitimate. Opening your door to someone you do not know, especially when you are ill, elderly, or alone, takes trust. That trust should rest on verifiable facts, not promises.

In Quebec, the title “nurse” is protected by law. To use it and to practise, a person must be registered with the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ), follow a code of ethics, and carry professional liability insurance. Every MobiSoins nurse will be an OIIQ member.

Better still, you can check for yourself. The OIIQ offers the public an online tool, “Vérifier le droit d’exercice,” that confirms within seconds whether a person is authorized to practise. You will know your nurse’s name before the visit; nothing stops you from looking her up.

If it puts you at ease, ask a family member to be present for the first visit. It is common, it is welcome, and it lets your caregiver hear the same explanations you do. You can also ask your nurse to show you identification when she arrives: a serious professional will do so without hesitation.

Finally, trust your instincts. If something does not match what was planned, for example a name different from the one you were given, you have every right not to open the door and to contact us to check. No visit is worth feeling unsafe in your own home.

The day of the visit: the hour before

The evening before, you gathered your documents. On the day itself, a few simple steps make the visit run more smoothly. Nothing complicated: the point is mainly to avoid the small hiccups that waste time or force a procedure to be postponed.

Reread the instructions you received with your confirmation. Some care requires specific preparation: fasting for certain blood tests, collecting a first-morning urine sample, not applying cream to an area that will be treated. If an instruction seems unclear, it is better to ask beforehand than to guess.

Take your usual medications as usual, unless told otherwise. People sometimes think they are doing the right thing by skipping a dose “so the results are not skewed”; that is rarely a good idea without professional advice. If you have diabetes and have been asked to fast, raise it ahead of time so you know how to manage your medication and avoid low blood sugar.

Finally, keep your phone within reach. If your nurse is delayed by traffic or by a previous visit that ran longer than expected, she or the team can let you know. Likewise, if you need to step out or if your condition changes, let us know as early as possible.

• Reread the preparation instructions received with your confirmation.
• Fast if asked to, drinking water unless told otherwise.
• Take your usual medications, unless given specific instructions.
• Put your file (cards, list, prescription) on the table.
• Keep pets in another room and clear the entrance.
• Keep your phone nearby.

During the visit: what to expect, step by step

The first visit usually runs a little longer than later ones, because it establishes your baseline. It generally unfolds in four stages.

First, welcome and identification: your nurse introduces herself, confirms your identity and the planned care, and washes her hands. Next comes the assessment: she reviews your history, medications, and allergies, takes vital signs as needed, and asks about your symptoms and daily life.

Then the care itself, whether a blood draw, a dressing, an injection, a vaccine, or blood-pressure or glucose follow-up, performed under the same clinical protocols as in a facility, with sterile single-use supplies. Your nurse explains each step before doing it and makes sure she has your consent.

Finally, teaching and next steps: what to watch for, when to worry, when the next visit will be. Biomedical waste such as needles leaves with her in a secure container. There is nothing for you to clean up.

Do not be surprised if your nurse takes notes during the conversation. She must keep a record, as in any care setting. Those notes ensure continuity: next time, even if a different nurse comes, she will know where things stand.

Your consent, at every step

In Quebec, no care can be provided without the free and informed consent of the person, or of the person authorized to consent on their behalf. This principle is not an administrative formality: it is a fundamental right, and it applies at home exactly as it does in hospital.

“Free” means you are under no pressure. “Informed” means you understand what is about to be done, why, and what the options are. That is why your nurse will explain each step before doing it and ask for your agreement. If you do not understand an explanation, say so: she will put it another way.

You can also change your mind. Agreeing to a blood draw does not commit you to any other care suggested during the same visit. You can ask for a pause, ask questions, or say no. Your nurse can explain the possible consequences of refusing, but the decision is yours.

For a child, it is generally the parent or guardian who consents, while the situation is explained to the child in a way suited to their age. For an adult whose capacity to consent is uncertain, specific rules apply; if that is your situation, mention it when booking so the coordinating nurse can prepare the visit properly with you.

Voice your needs, all of them

In a clinic, appointments are timed to the minute, and many patients leave without asking the question that was really on their mind. At home, the pace is different. Make the most of it.

Write your questions down ahead of time, on paper or on your phone. Describe symptoms concretely: since when, how often, what eases or worsens them. Mention what no chart captures, too: the fear of falling in the shower, trouble opening a pill organizer, worsening sleep, a spouse worn out from caregiving. This information changes a care plan.

No question is too basic. Understanding your treatment makes it easier to follow, and helping you understand it is part of your nurse’s job.

• What is the goal of this care, and how will I know it is working?
• Which signs should make me call you back, or go to the emergency room?
• Could my medications interact with each other?
• How often will I need follow-up?
• Who receives my results, and how soon?
• What can I do myself, between visits, to get better?

If the visit is for an aging parent

Many first bookings will be made not by the person receiving care, but by a son, a daughter, or a thoughtful neighbour. It is a common situation, and it calls for a few particular precautions.

First, talk it over with your parent before booking. An older adult who sees a stranger arrive without warning may feel stripped of their own decisions, or even refuse to open the door. Explain who is coming, why, and at what time. If possible, write the nurse’s name on a piece of paper next to the phone.

Next, be there if you can, at least for the first visit. You can fill in the health history, describe your parent’s routines, and hear the instructions. Be careful, however, to let the person concerned speak for themselves: your nurse will address them first, and it is their consent that counts.

Consider a fictional example. Mrs. Gagnon, 82, lives alone in a duplex in Longueuil. Her daughter books a blood-pressure follow-up and mentions in the request that her mother seems to forget some of her medications. During the visit, the nurse takes her blood pressure, then goes through Mrs. Gagnon’s pill organizer with her and also notices a slippery rug in the hallway. The care requested was simple; the visit made it possible to spot two other risks and discuss them openly with the family.

That is the real value of a home visit for an older adult: the nurse sees the actual living environment and can suggest concrete adjustments, working with the doctor or pharmacy when needed.

If the visit is for a child or a baby

Having a nurse come to your home can make a vaccine or a baby check-up far less stressful, for the child and the parent alike. No noisy waiting room, no car seat to strap in during a snowstorm, no siblings to arrange care for: your child stays in a familiar environment.

Have your child’s vaccination record and health insurance card ready and, for a baby, information about feeding and recent weight if you have it. Write your questions down in advance: between the crying and the fatigue, it is easy to forget what you meant to ask.

For a child old enough to understand, explain simply what is going to happen, without lying. Saying “it will not hurt” before an injection undermines trust; saying “you will feel a little pinch, then it will be over, and I will be right here with you” is both honest and reassuring. Have a toy or a distraction on hand, and keep your child on your lap if that calms them.

For an infant, choose if possible a moment when they are not too hungry or too tired. Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding during or right after an injection can help comfort them; your nurse will tell you what is possible for the care being given.

Samples: preparing properly for a reliable result

Blood draws and other samples are among the most requested types of home care. They are also where a small preparation mistake can mean starting all over again. A few simple rules make a big difference.

Read the lab requisition and the instructions you received carefully. Some tests require fasting, others do not; some must be done at a precise time, for example before taking a medication. If nothing is indicated and you are unsure, ask when you book.

Drink water unless told otherwise: good hydration makes veins easier to find. Wear a top with loose or short sleeves. If you know your veins are hard to find, or if you tend to feel faint during blood draws, say so right away: your nurse will have you lie down or adapt her technique.

For a urine sample or another biological specimen, follow the collection instructions to the letter and use only the container provided. Your nurse will then take care of labelling and transporting the sample to the laboratory under the required conditions. Ask her how and when you will receive your results: it is an important question, and the answer depends on the laboratory and on the professional who ordered the test.

Wounds, sutures, and dressings: what to plan for

After day surgery, a cut stitched up in the emergency room, or a wound that is slow to heal, home wound care spares you exhausting trips back and forth. It does, however, depend on good information being passed along.

Keep the instructions given by your surgeon or the emergency department: the type of closure (sutures, staples, glue), the planned removal date, the type of dressing recommended. If the hospital gave you specific supplies, keep them for your nurse. These details let her continue exactly the plan that was set.

Before the visit, do not remove the dressing yourself “to have a look” unless told to: your nurse will want to examine the wound under clean conditions. Instead, note what you have noticed over the past few days: increasing pain, spreading redness, discharge, odour, fever. These are precisely the signs she will look for.

If you have a catheter or another device at home, also prepare the information that comes with it: the date it was inserted, the type of device, the instructions from the team that placed it. Your nurse can then maintain it according to the established plan and quickly spot a problem.

If any of these signs becomes pronounced, especially with fever, do not wait for the scheduled visit: call Info-Santé 811 or seek care. Planned home care does not replace a prompt assessment when an infection is suspected.

What a home nurse actually does

Nursing is often reduced to technical acts: drawing blood, dressing wounds, giving injections. The reality is much broader. In Quebec, the Nurses Act entrusts nurses with assessing health status, clinical monitoring, and following people with complex health problems, among a set of activities reserved to them.

At home, in practice, your nurse sees what no exam room ever shows: how you move around your own kitchen, where your medications are kept, whether the hallway rug is a tripping hazard, whether you are eating enough. She catches early signs of complications, such as a wound turning red, climbing blood pressure, or new confusion, and knows when your doctor needs to be alerted.

She also plays a teaching role. Learning to measure your blood pressure correctly, to recognize low blood sugar, to look after a dressing between visits: these skills build independence and prevent many complications.

It is this combination of technical skill, clinical judgment, and teaching, exercised in your real living environment, that makes home care so valuable.

Confidentiality: what stays between you and your nurse

Receiving care at home also means letting someone see part of your private life. It is natural to wonder what happens to the information shared during a visit.

Nurses are bound by professional secrecy under their code of ethics. What they learn about your health and personal life cannot be disclosed without your consent, except in the exceptional situations provided for by law. In Quebec, the protection of personal information is also governed by laws that apply to private companies, including MobiSoins.

In practice, the information collected will be used to care for you, to ensure continuity between visits and, with your agreement, to communicate with the professionals who follow you. You can ask what information is kept about you and raise any question about how it is used. Our privacy policy, available on our website, sets out these commitments.

If a family member is present during the visit and you want to discuss something privately, just say so. Your nurse can ask them to step out for a few minutes. It is your health: you decide who hears what.

It is your health: you decide who hears what.

After the visit: follow-up makes all the difference

A single procedure solves a one-time problem; follow-up builds better health. Before your nurse leaves, make sure you know what comes next: the date of the next visit if there is one, the instructions to follow until then, and whom to contact if something changes.

Keep your instructions, medication list, and results in one place. If you have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, let them know about the care you received: continuity between professionals is one of the best safeguards against errors and duplicate tests.

In the days that follow, jot down what you observe: a wound that is or is not improving, blood-pressure readings, a side effect. These notes will be valuable at the next visit. And if you forgot to ask a question, that is fine: write it down for next time or, if it cannot wait, contact us or Info-Santé 811 depending on the situation.

If your lab results need to be sent to your doctor, check before the end of the visit that the contact details are correct. And if you do not have a family doctor, say so plainly: your nurse can explain how your results will reach you and whom to turn to if one of them needs particular attention. No result should fall through the cracks.

Finally, do not hesitate to tell us what worked well and what could be better. As a service in preparation, we want to build our way of working on the real experience of patients and their families.

Costs, receipts, and insurance

Let us talk frankly about money, since everyone wonders about it. Private home nursing care is generally not covered by RAMQ. The price of the care will be shown clearly when you book, before anything is confirmed, so there are no surprises.

Many group or private insurance plans do, however, reimburse nursing care in whole or in part. Conditions vary widely from one contract to another: some require a medical referral, others set an annual ceiling. The safest approach is to check your contract or call your insurer before the visit.

Nursing fees may also qualify for medical-expense tax credits, provincially and federally, depending on your situation. Keep all your receipts and, if needed, consult Revenu Québec, the Canada Revenue Agency, or an accountant.

For employers, services such as group vaccination and workplace health assessments can be organized directly on site. If your employer is interested, they can contact us.

Family caregivers: finding your place

In Quebec, a great many people support a spouse, a parent, or a sick child every day, often on top of a job. If that is you, the nurse’s visit concerns you too. You are often the person who knows best the habits, warning signs, and recent history of the person receiving care.

Use the visit to learn. Ask your nurse to show you how to keep an eye on a dressing, how to recognize the signs of low blood sugar, how to help your family member stand up without hurting your back. These skills, learned properly once, will serve you every day.

Talk about yourself, too. Caregiver exhaustion is real, and it affects everyone’s health. Your nurse will not be able to solve everything, but she can spot a situation that is becoming difficult and point you to existing resources, such as your local CLSC or caregiver support organizations.

Finally, clarify roles. Who gives the medications? Who calls if something changes? Who receives the results? A frank conversation at the first visit prevents many misunderstandings later, especially when several family members share the caregiving.

Language, accessibility, and particular needs

A good visit is one where people understand each other. MobiSoins serves Quebecers in French and in English. If you are more comfortable in one of the two languages, say so when you book so that the coordinating nurse can take it into account as far as possible.

If the person receiving care speaks another language, arrange for a family member who can interpret, and mention it in the request. For sensitive topics, however, it may be better not to rely on a child or a very involved relative; talk it over with your nurse.

Also flag any particular need: hearing or vision loss, a cognitive impairment, significant anxiety about needles, reduced mobility, a wheelchair, a staircase without a railing. None of these prevents a visit; they simply make it possible to prepare better, for example by allowing more time or choosing a more comfortable position for the care.

Finally, if past experiences with the health system have been difficult for you, you have every right to say so. Your nurse will not ask you to justify yourself; she will adapt her approach so that you feel respected.

A fictional example, from start to finish

To make all this more concrete, let us follow an imaginary journey. The people and the situation are fictional, but the steps match the way MobiSoins plans to work.

Marc, 54, lives in Sherbrooke. His doctor has given him a requisition for fasting blood work. He works days, and the prospect of lining up at the test centre before work does not appeal to him. One Sunday evening, he books a blood draw online, attaches a photo of his requisition, and indicates that early mornings suit him.

The next day, the coordinating nurse reviews his request. She notices that Marc takes a diabetes medication and calls him to explain how to handle the fast safely. The visit is confirmed for Thursday morning, with the nurse’s name and the preparation instructions.

On Thursday, Marc leaves his file on the kitchen table, drinks a glass of water, and waits. The nurse arrives, introduces herself, checks his identity and requisition, draws the blood, answers his question about last year’s results, and leaves with the properly labelled tubes for the laboratory. Marc gets to work at his usual time.

A few days later, his results are sent to his doctor, as indicated on the requisition. Marc did not take time off, did not hunt for parking, and did not wait in a crowded room. He simply took ten minutes on Sunday evening to fill in his request carefully.

Nothing spectacular about this story, and that is exactly the point: simple care should stay simple.

Simple care should stay simple.

Coming home from hospital: a first transition visit

The days after a hospital discharge are a delicate period. You come home tired, with new medications, a long list of instructions, and sometimes a dressing or a device to keep an eye on. This is often when a first home visit is most useful, and it is also when it calls for the most preparation.

The key document is the discharge summary, or any sheet you were given when you left. It explains why you were hospitalized, what was done, which medications were added, changed, or stopped, and what follow-up is planned. Attach it to your booking if possible, or keep it in plain view on the table. If you do not have it, ask the hospital for a copy, or ask your pharmacy, which has often received the new prescriptions.

Next, compare the hospital’s medication list with what you had at home before your stay. This is one of the moments when errors are most common: an old medication you keep taking out of habit although it has been replaced, a new dose that was misunderstood. Your nurse will go through this check with you, but having everything gathered makes it much faster and more reliable.

Finally, note the appointments already scheduled: a visit to the surgeon, follow-up tests, a clinic appointment. Your nurse can help you keep track of them and prepare the questions to ask. If you live alone, think about the logistics of the first few days: who will do the groceries, who will pick up the medications, who can drop by to see you. These practical questions are part of health, just as much as the dressing.

Living with a chronic condition: getting the most from the first visit

For someone living with high blood pressure, diabetes, or lung or heart disease, the first visit is not a one-off procedure: it is often the start of regular follow-up. It therefore deserves slightly more thorough preparation.

Bring your recent readings if you take any at home: a blood-pressure log, readings from your glucose meter, your weight noted over the weeks. Even if incomplete, this data tells a story your nurse could not piece together in a single visit. If you use a measuring device, keep it within reach: your nurse can check with you that you are using it correctly, which often changes how reliable the readings are.

Think about your personal goals too, not just the numbers. Do you want to be able to walk to the grocery store without getting out of breath? Understand your diet better? Cut down on trips to the emergency room? A concrete goal, expressed in your own words, helps your nurse shape her advice and track your progress with you.

Finally, talk about what discourages you. Living with a chronic condition is a long-distance race, and it is normal to go through periods when you follow your treatment less closely. Saying so without embarrassment makes it possible to look for realistic solutions together, rather than repeating instructions that ignore your daily life.

Depending on your situation, your nurse can suggest a follow-up schedule, in coordination with your doctor or nurse practitioner, and teach you the signs that should prompt you to seek care sooner.

When not to wait for the visit

A scheduled visit is perfect for planned care. It is not suited to a situation that is getting worse quickly. It is important to recognize the moments when you need to act right away, without waiting for the nurse.

Call 911 for any life-threatening signs. For worrying but non-urgent situations, Info-Santé 811 lets you speak to a nurse at any hour of the day or night and find out what to do. These services complement MobiSoins; they do not compete with it.

When in doubt, call. No one will blame you for asking for advice unnecessarily; waiting too long is far more serious.

• Chest pain or pressure, sudden shortness of breath: 911.
• Drooping face, arm weakness, trouble speaking: 911.
• Heavy bleeding that will not stop: 911.
• Fever with a red, hot, painful wound: Info-Santé 811 or prompt medical care.
• New confusion in an older adult: Info-Santé 811 or prompt medical care.
• Allergic reaction with facial swelling or trouble breathing: 911.