WAC 246-335-055   Plan of operation.  (1) The applicant or licensee must establish and implement policies and procedures which include:

     (a) A written plan of operation identifying:

     (i) A description of the organizational structure;

     (ii) Personnel job descriptions;

     (iii) Responsibilities of contractors and volunteers;

     (iv) Services to be provided;

     (v) The days and hours of agency operation; and

     (vi) Criteria for management and supervision of services throughout the service area(s) or hospice care center which include:

     (A) For home health, hospice or hospice care center applicants or licensees:

     (I) How the initial assessment and development of the plan of care will be completed per WAC 246-335-080 and 246-335-085;

     (II) How patient needs will be met when assigned personnel, volunteers, or contractors are unable to serve the patient;

     (III) How supervision of personnel and volunteers and monitoring of services provided by contractors will occur which meet the requirements of WAC 246-335-095 and 246-335-100;

     (IV) How performance evaluations for personnel and volunteers and evaluation of services provided by contractors will be conducted per WAC 246-335-065 (10) and (11); and

     (V) How the quality improvement program required in WAC 246-335-115 will be applied throughout the entire service area;

     (B) For home care applicants or licensees:

     (I) How the initial intake and development of the plan of care will be completed per WAC 246-335-090;

     (II) How client needs will be met when assigned personnel, volunteers or contractors are unable to serve the client;

     (III) How supervision of personnel and volunteers and monitoring of services provided by contractors will occur which meet the requirements of WAC 246-335-105;

     (IV) How performance evaluations for personnel and volunteers and evaluation of services provided by contractors will be conducted per WAC 246-335-065 (10) and (11); and

     (V) How the quality improvement program required in WAC 246-335-115 will be applied throughout the entire service area;

     (b) A process to inform patients or clients of alternative services prior to ceasing operation or when the licensee is unable to meet the patient's or client's needs;

     (c) A plan for preserving records, including the process to preserve or dispose of records prior to ceasing operation; and

     (d) Time frames for filing documents in the patient or client records.

     (2) The licensee must continue to update policies and procedures to reflect current practice, services provided by the agency, and state and local laws.

     (3) The applicant or licensee must identify an administrator who is responsible to:

     (a) Oversee the management and fiscal affairs of the licensee;

     (b) Implement the provisions of this section;

     (c) Designate in writing an alternate to act in the administrator's absence;

     (d) Provide management and supervision of services throughout the approved service area or in the hospice care center;

     (e) Arrange for necessary services;

     (f) Keep contracts current;

     (g) Serve as a liaison between the licensee, personnel, contractors and volunteers;

     (h) Assure personnel, contractors and volunteers are currently credentialed by the state of Washington, when appropriate, according to applicable practice acts;

     (i) Assure personnel, contractors and volunteers comply with the licensee's policies and procedures;

     (j) Implement a quality improvement process;

     (k) Manage recordkeeping according to this chapter;

     (l) Assure supplies and equipment are available and maintained in working order;

     (m) Assure the accuracy of public information materials; and

     (n) Assure current written policies and procedures are accessible to personnel, contractors and volunteers during hours of operation.

     (4) Hospice and hospice care center applicants or licensees must include in the plan of operation:

     (a) Responsibilities and availability of the medical director to include:

     (i) Advising the licensee on policies and procedures;

     (ii) Serving as liaison with a patient's authorizing practitioner;

     (iii) Providing patient care and family support;

     (iv) Approving modifications in individual plans of care; and

     (v) Participating in interdisciplinary team conferences as required by WAC 246-335-085, hospice plan of care and WAC 246-335-155 (9)(a), hospice care center plan of care;

     (b) Availability of a bereavement program for up to one year after a patient's death;

     (c) Availability of social services, spiritual counseling, volunteer services, and respite care; and

     (d) Assuring direct care personnel, contractors and volunteers have training specific to the needs of the terminally ill and their families.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.127 RCW. 02-18-026, § 246-335-055, filed 8/23/02, effective 10/1/02.]