Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. ACCIDENT I INCIDENTS OF HOME HEALTH CARE STAFF MEMBERS/CLIENTS POLICY: Home Health care staff members involved in accidents/incidents are treated as necessary and the accident/incident is documented as soon as possible after it occurs (Time frame for verbal or written report: within 4 hours after incident/accident), and must describe the process for reporting, monitoring, investigating and documenting a variance. The reports mus include, but are limited to: • Who must be notified: the supervisor, Director of Nursing, Clinical Manager or after hour’s personnel (On-call person) * Must call the Agency’s supervisor or after hour on-call services to report the incident/accident immediately after the incident/accident. • Time frame for verbal and written notification * The verbal notification must be immediately after incident/accident (if physical condition allow to do that) * Written notification must be within 4 hours of the incident/accident, or the next business day if this occur after regular business hours (if physical condition allow to do that) • Appropriate documentation and routing of information * The staff must follow our reporting guidelines, and must fill out the appropriate Incident Report Form (see forms in the Agency’s Log forms) • Guidelines for notifying the physician * The Patient’s physician must be notified immediately after the incident, if this occur after regular business hour, the verbal information must left with the physician answering services * A communication note, incident report form must be fill out and faxed to the patient’s physician with 4 hours of the incident, or the following business day if the incident occur after regular business hours. Any instructions or follow up visit must be communicated immediately to the patient. * If the incident/accident involved staff, his or her physician must be notified next business day by faxing the Incident Report Form, and must follow his instructions and follow visit if required • Follow-up reporting to the Administration/DON, Clinical Manager/board/owner * The Administrator/DON, Clinical Manager/owners must be informed immediately after the Agency receive the verbal and written Incident/Accident Report * At least twice a year the QAPI Committee or Borad of Directors will discus all Incident/Accident reports received during the period, and take action according, the results of the investigation/action plan will be delivered to the Board of Directors. Definition of Incident Report: Documentation of any staff or client occurrence that may increase the agency’s liability. Definition of Incident: Any occurrence or event that creates or could create the risk of injury, liability, or both. · The Incident Report Form is to be completed by staff whenever there is an incident involving a staff member or patient. · Staff is expected to follow agency policies to prevent incidents and seek assistance immediately in the event of an incident The reporting of incidents and follow-up are part of the agency’s Quality Improvement Program. Apparent trends or widespread problems will be brought to the attention of the appropriate agency committees for study and resolution. We will comply with the OSHA guidelines that include recording of information about every work-related injury or illness that involves loss of consciousness, restricted work activity, or job transfer, days away from work, or medical treatment beyond first aid. Home Health Agency. - - Personnel/Operations Policies B-66