Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. staffs or even purchase gifts. The staff should never disclose that he/she is short on money which will eliminate the patient to feel obligated to offer a loan. In addition, the staff should never lend or give money, or give gifts to a patient. If the staff finds that the patient has no money for food or medication, the staff must notify the case manager right away. Giving and receiving money / gifts changes the dynamics of the professional staff patient relationship and boundary crossing occurs. Selling / purchasing products or personal items The staff is not permitted to sell products / items to the patient nor is he/she permitted to purchase products / items from the patient. This includes cosmetics, home décor, and catalog sales as well as personal items such as clothes, furniture, electronics, and jewelry. Purchasing and selling items involves exchanging money which can lead to misunderstandings and disagreements, especially if the product purchased was not as expected, broken, or not received. The only exception to this rule is if the staff who is buying or selling products to / from the patient is the patient’s family member and the transaction takes place when services are not being provided. Abuse The staff is not permitted to engage in any behavior that causes physical, verbal, mental, and emotional stress or abuse to the patient. The staff must remain professional toward the patient. The staff must refrain from engaging in arguments, yelling, cursing or any inappropriate remarks that causes the patient stress. Failure to maintain professional boundaries often leads to the patient and staff developing a familiarity with each other. Frequently, individuals who are friends or overly familiar with one another become irritated by comments and behaviors, leading to arguments, yelling, cursing and other unprofessional dialogue. The staff must never hit, slap, smack, or any other physical forms of abuse. If the patient is verbally abusive toward the staff, the staff must notify the case manager to assist with the situation. If the patient is physically abusive toward the staff, the staff should file a police report and notify the case manager. If the staff maintains professional boundaries with the patient he / she are much less likely to engage in these behaviors. Staffs who engage in abuse toward a patient may face Adult/Child Protective Agency and Law enforcement investigations, criminal charges, referrals to professional licensing boards, and adjudication (removal of staff number) Sexual Conduct Staffs are not permitted to engage in sexual conduct or conduct themselves in a manner that could reasonably be interpreted as sexual in nature. Regardless of whether or not it is consensual by both staff and patient, it is prohibited. Most staffs reviewing this rule think that they would never violate this rule. Keep in mind that this rule also refers to flirting, telling “dirty” or sexual jokes, calling the patient inappropriate nick names such as “sexy, hottie, baby, etc.”, provocative conversation, body language or clothing, physical contact not related to patient care such as hugging and kissing, discussing intimate relationships, pursuing a romantic relationship or implying that there is an intimate interest, such as comments like “If I weren’t married, I would …. “, and being involved in any romantic or sexual relationship with the patient. In addition, given the technological advances with communication devices it is necessary to also mention that texting / “sexting” any sexual dialogue and/or pictures, sending emails with sexual content and pictures or any other communications of a sexual nature is also prohibited. Consequences can involve law enforcement involvement, referrals to professional licensing boards, and adjudication (removal of staff number). Leaving the patient’s home during service hours, visits, non schedule compliance. The staff is not permitted to leave the patients home during services hours/visits for any purpose not related to the provision of services, non schedule compliance, without notifying the patient’s emergency contact person, identified caregiver and/or case manager (CM). Leaving the patient’s home without the above notification is abandonment. There are times when the patient requests that the staff run errands, pick up medications or transport the patient to an appointment. These are services that the staff is paid to provide (if is in the Care Plan). The staff is not permitted to go to the pharmacy to pick up medication for the patient and while there do his/ her own shopping. Emergencies do arise. There may be an occasion where the staff has an emergency and can not finish his/her shift. If this occurs, prior to leaving, it is the responsibility of the staff to notify the patient, case manager / supervisor / on-call of the need to leave and ensure that the patient’s back up plan has been activated. It is the responsibility of the staff to ensure that prior to leaving the patient’s needs have been met and his / her health and safety is not in jeopardy. Usage of the patient’s vehicle Many patient’s have a car, van or other vehicle that he/she permits the staff to drive to take the patient on appointments, shopping, errand running or out in the community. The staff must never use the patient’s vehicle for his/her own personal use, or take the vehicle home with him/her. Activities to avoid during service delivery hours Home Health Agency. - - Personnel/Operations Policies B-168