Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 4. The assigned professional makes arrangements for the specific interpreter needed by the patient from this list or other community resources, when possible. 5. Admission documents are provided translated in Spanish (in the back or in the same form, all bilingual) for Spanish-only speaking patients. Visually Impaired Patients: 1. The assigned professional will read aloud all documents normally provided to the patient and ascertain that the person has heard and understand what was read. The professional documents this on the patient record. 2. The assigned professional will make all necessary effort to have available for the patient’s use any large printed patient information that may be available applicable to his/her disease process. Hearing Impaired Patients: 1. The assigned professional interviewing the patient ascertains the patient’s preferred method of communication, e.g, paper and pencil, lip reading, or sign language. 2. If the preferred method is sign language, the professional contacts the community resource providing a sign language interpreter and set up a plan. 3. The professional makes use of other resources, if available. 4. The patient will be requested to sign the Agreement/Consent/Authorization / Information form. The original of both is kept in the patient’s clinical record in the Agency office. A copy is given to the patient. Patient refusal to sign will be document in the clinical record, including reason for refusal. 5. The admitting employee will document that the patient has received the copy. 6. When the patient’s representative signs the Service Agreement (Including list of documents provided and Bill of Rights), and explanation of his/her relationship to the patient is documented on file in the clinical record. 7. If the patient is unable to understand his/her responsibilities, documentation in the clinical note is made. 8. In the event that a communication barrier exits, special devices or interpreters shall be made available, if possible. AUXILIARY AIDS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Our Agency shall make our maximum effort to provide appropriate auxiliary aids to persons with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills, where necessary to afford such person an equal opportunity to benefit from the service that we provide. Auxiliary aids may include, if possible, brailed and taped material, interpreters, and other aids for persons with impaired hearing or vision. In the event that a communication barrier exits, special devices or interpreters shall be made available, if possible. Home Health Agency Policies A-74