Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. (>38 o C), localized swelling, tenderness, heat, or drainage at suspected site of bone infection and at least 1 of the following: a. organisms cultured from blood b. positive blood antigen test (eg, H influenzae, S pneumoniae) JNT- Joint or bursa Joint or bursa infections must meet at least 1 of the following criteria: Patient has organisms cultured from joint fluid or synovial biopsy. Patient has evidence of joint or bursa infection seen during a surgical operation or histopathologic examination. Patient has at least 2 of the following signs or symptoms with no other recognized cause: joint pain, swelling, tenderness, heat, evidence of effusion or limitation of motion and at least 1 of the following: a. organisms and white blood cells seen on Gram’s stain of joint fluid b. positive antigen test on blood, urine, or joint fluid c. cellular profile and chemistries of joint fluid compatible with infection and not explained by an underlying rheumatologic disorder d. radiographic evidence of infection (eg, abnormal findings on x-ray, CT scan, MRI, radiolabel scan [gallium, technetium, etc) DISC-Disc space infection Vertebral disc space infection must meet at least 1 of the following criteria: 1Patient has organisms cultured from vertebral disc space tissue obtained during a surgical operation or needle aspiration. 2Patient has evidence of vertebral disc space infection seen during a surgical operation or histopathologic examination. 3Patient has fever (>38 o C) with no other recognized cause or pain at the involved vertebral disc space and radiographic evidence of infection, (eg, abnormal findings on x-ray, CT scan, MRI, radiolabel scan [gallium, technetium, etc). CNS-CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM INFECTION IC-Intracranial infection (brain abscess, subdural or epidural infection, encephalitis) Intracranial infection must meet at least 1 of the following criteria: Patient has organisms cultured from brain tissue or dura. Patient has an abscess or evidence of intracranial infection seen during a surgical operation or histopathologic examination. Patient has at least 2 of the following signs or symptoms with no other recognized cause: headache, dizziness, fever (>38 o C), localizing neurologic signs, changing level of consciousness, or confusion. MEN-Meningitis or ventriculitis Meningitis or ventriculitis must meet at least 1 of the following criteria: Patient has organisms cultured from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Patient has at least 1 of the following signs or symptoms with no other recognized cause: fever (>38 o C), headache, stiff neck, meningeal signs, cranial nerve signs, or irritability. and at least 1 of the following: a. increased white cells, elevated protein, and/ or decreased glucose in CSF b. organisms seen on Gram’s stain of CSF Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-141