Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. (4) Home health aides must be members of the interdisciplinary team, must report changes in the patient’s condition to a registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional, and must complete appropriate records in compliance with the HHA’s policies and procedures. (h) Standard: Supervision of home health aides. (1)(i) If home health aide services are provided to a patient who is receiving skilled nursing, physical or occupational therapy, or speech language pathology services, a registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional who is familiar with the patient, the patient’s plan of care, and the written patient care instructions described in § 484.80(g), must make an onsite visit to the patient’s home no less frequently than every 14 days. The home health aide does not have to be present during this visit. (ii) If an area of concern in aide services is noted by the supervising registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional, then the supervising individual must make an on - site visit to the location where the patient is receiving care in order to observe and assess the aide while he or she is performing care. (iii) A registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional must make an annual on - site visit to the location where a patient is receiving care in order to observe and assess each aide while he or she is performing care. (2) If home health aide services are provided to a patient who is not receiving skilled nursing care, physical or occupational therapy, or speech language pathology services, the registered nurse must make an on - site visit to the location where the patient is receiving care no less frequently than every 60 days in order to observe and assess each aide while he or she is performing care. (3) If a deficiency in aide services is verified by the registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional during an onsite visit, then the agency must conduct, and the home health aide must complete a competency evaluation in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. (4) Home health aide supervision must ensure that aides furnish care in a safe and effective manner, including, but not limited to, the following elements: (i) Following the patient’s plan of care for completion of tasks assigned to a home health aide by the registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional; (ii) Maintaining an open communication process with the patient, representative (if any), caregivers, and family; (iii) Demonstrating competency with assigned tasks; (iv) Complying with infection prevention and control policies and procedures; (v) Reporting changes in the patient’s condition; and (vi) Honoring patient rights. (5) If the home health agency chooses to provide home health aide services under arrangements, as defined in section 1861(w)(1) of the Act, the HHA’s responsibilities also include, but are not limited to: (i) Ensuring the overall quality of care provided by an aide; (ii) Supervising aide services as described in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this section; and (iii) Ensuring that home health aides who provide services under arrangement have met the training or competency evaluation requirements, or both, of this part. (i) Standard: Individuals furnishing Medicaid personal care aide - only services under a Medicaid personal care benefit. An individual may furnish personal care services, as defined in § 440.167 of this chapter, on behalf of an HHA. Before the individual may furnish personal care services, the individual must meet all qualification standards established by the state. The individual only needs to demonstrate competency in the services the individual is required to furnish. Home Health Agency - - Skilled Professional Services C-15