Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 178 • The patient’s outcome related to care, treatment and/or services • Changes in diagnosis, treatment (including procedures and medications) and equipment • Physician verbal/telephone orders are accepted by qualified staff and submitted to the physician for his/her signature within 10 days. • Original and/or new/updated orders are transcribed onto a Physician Order/Prescription form or a plan of treatment form as appropriate, and mailed or faxed to the physician for signature within 10 days of receipt of the order by Agency personnel. • Verbal/telephone orders are signed by the physician within 30 days of receipt of the orders by MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. personnel. • Facsimile copies of signed orders must be supported by the original signed orders prior to billing Medicare, Medicaid or other third-party payer. PROCEDURE: • A nurse (RN or LPN/LVN - check state law) or therapist may accept physician verbal/telephone orders. • The verbal/telephone order is communicated to the Clinical Supervisor and appropriate members of the healthcare team. • The staff member who accepts the order: • Reduces the order to writing • Ensures the appropriateness, accuracy and completeness of the order • Signs and dates the order • The verbal/telephone order may initially be transcribed onto one of the following forms: • Referral sheet • Physician Order/Prescription form • Communication sheet • A copy of the Confirmation of Physician Verbal/Telephone Orders Form is filed in the patient's medical record.