WAC 246-335-095   Supervision of home health care.  The following supervision requirements only apply to home health agencies:

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

     (2) The director of clinical services or designee must be available during all hours patient care is being provided;

     (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 care policies and procedures related to each service provided;

     (b) Supervision of all patient 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;

     (e) Compliance with the plan of care;

     (f) All direct care personnel, contractors, and volunteers observe and recognize changes in the patient's conditions, 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) For patients receiving acute care services, supervision of the home health aide services during an on-site visit with or without the home health aide present must occur once a month to evaluate compliance with the plan of care and patient satisfaction with care. The supervisory visit must be conducted by a licensed nurse or therapist in accordance with the appropriate practice acts;

     (c) For patients receiving maintenance care or home health aide only services, supervision of the home health aide services during an on-site visit with or without the home health aide present must occur every six months to evaluate compliance with the plan of care and patient satisfaction with care. The supervisory visit must be conducted by a licensed nurse or licensed therapist in accordance with the appropriate practice acts; and

     (d) 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 the plan of care or written instructions for the care of each patient prior to providing home health aide services and whenever there is a change in 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. 02-18-026, § 246-335-095, filed 8/23/02, effective 10/1/02.]