Section 246-335-100. Supervision of hospice care.

The following supervision requirements only apply to hospice agencies:

(1) A licensee must employ a director of clinical services;

(2) The director of clinical services or designee must be available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week;

(3) The director of clinical services must designate in writing a similarly qualified alternate to act in the director's absence;

(4) The director of clinical services or designee must assure:

(a) Coordination, development and revision of written patient and family care policies and procedures related to each service provided;

(b) Supervision of all patient and family care provided by personnel and volunteers;

(c) Evaluation of services provided by contractors;

(d) Coordination of services when one or more licensee is providing care to the patient and family;

(e) Compliance with the plan of care;

(f) All direct care personnel, contractors, and volunteers observe and recognize changes in the patient's condition, and report any changes to the director or designee; and

(g) All direct care personnel, contractors, and volunteers initiate emergency procedures according to agency policy;

(5) The licensee must document supervision including, but not limited to:

(a) RN supervision when using the services of a RN or LPN, in accordance with chapter 18.79 RCW;

(b) Licensed nurse supervision of home health aide services during an on-site visit with or without the home health aide present once a month to evaluate compliance with the plan of care and patient and family satisfaction with care;

(c) Supervision by a licensed therapist when using the services of a therapy assistant in accordance with the appropriate practice acts; and

(6) The licensee using home health aides must assure:

(a) Each home health aide reviews written instructions for the care of each patient and family prior to providing home health aide services and whenever there is a change to the plan of care; and

(b) Each home health aide assists with medications according to WAC 246-335-015, and agency policy.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.127 RCW. WSR 02-18-026, § 246-335-100, filed 8/23/02, effective 10/1/02.]

Chapter 70.127 RCW. WSR 02-18-026, § 246-335-100, filed 8/23/02, effective 10/1/02.

Rules

246-335-015,