Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. If an emergency occurs, either within the Agency causing staffing limitation (such as labor disputes, staff illnesses) or within the environment (such as floods, hurricanes, fires or other natural disasters), the Director of Nursing, Clinical Manager, or her designee will be responsible for reviewing clients and prioritizing them according to the following classifications: Dl...Category I: Patients who cannot safely forgo care: Special needs clients of anyone who needs (Cpap mask, nebulizer, oxygen, etc.), anyone with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, highly unstable patients with high probability of inpatient admission if home care is not provided; IV therapy, highly skilled wound care, with no family/caregiver, life sustaining medication or equipment. D2...Category II: Patient whose condition recently worsened: moderate level of skilled care. that should be provided that day, but could postpone visit until emergency situation improves. Pt with untrained families/caregivers who could provide basic care in an emergency. D3...Category III: Patient who can safely forgo care or a scheduled visit including Home Health Aide visits, Pt receiving routine supervisory visit, evaluation visits. Pt with 1 or 2 visits/wk, or Pts who have a competent family/caregiver. D4...Category IV: Patient who refused information, or signed the registration release form releasing the Agency from evacuation responsibilities. Patients classified in categories 1 and 2, the Agency will help to register with the county Emergency Department, in the “Evacuation Assistant Program”, and in the use of Specialty Shelter if needed. In the event evacuation of the patient is required, the local authority responsible for coordinating disaster preparedness and emergency response will be contacted. In the event some patient visits can not be made and it is not a life threatening situation, contact will be maintained by phone if possible. If office phone service is disrupted, phones will be turned over to the answering service, if possible. A staff member will be assigned to remain in contact with the answering service to receive and send messages. In our Home Health Care software, the corresponding Disaster Plan is encoded, and a corresponding report can be printed as needed, for all Active Patients. Home Health Agency Policies A-68