Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-31-.06

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through May 20, 2024

Rule 111-8-31-.06 - Definitions

Unless a different meaning is required or given in the context, the following terms as used in these rules and regulations shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them:

(a) "Administrator" means the full-time person by whatever title used, to whom the governing body has delegated the responsibility for day-to-day administration of the home health agency, including the implementation of the rules and policies adopted by the governing body, and who:

1. is a licensed physician; or

2. is a registered nurse; or

3. has training and experience in health service administration and at least one (1) year of supervisory or administrative experience in home health care or related health programs.

(b) "Board" means the Board of Community Health.

(c) "Branch Office" means a location or site identified in the application or endorsement thereto from which a home health agency provides services within a portion of the total geographic area served by the parent agency. The branch office is part of the home health agency and is located sufficiently close to share administration, supervision, and services in a manner that renders it unnecessary for the branch independently to meet the requirements of these rules and regulations.

(d) "By-Laws" means a set of rules adopted by a home health agency for governing the agency's operation.

(e) "Certificate of Need" shall have that meaning as defined in O.C.G.A. § 31-6-1et seq. and applicable rules.

(f) "Clinical Note" means a dated and signed written notation by the providing member of the health team of a contact with a patient containing a description of signs and symptoms, treatment and drug given, the patient's reaction, and any changes in physical or emotional condition.

(g) "Department" means the Georgia Department of Community Health.

(h) "Governing Body" means the person or persons, natural or corporate, in which the ultimate responsibility, authority and accountability for the conduct of the home health agency is vested.

(i) "Health Professionals" means those professionals engaged in the delivery of health services Who are currently licensed to practice in the State of Georgia, or are certified, or practice under authority consistent with Georgia laws.

(j) "Home Health Agency" means: a public, non-profit, or proprietary organization; whether owned or operated by one or more persons or legal entities, which is engaged in providing home health services.

(k) "Home Health Services" means those items and services provided to an individual, according to a written plan of treatment signed by the patient's physician, by a home health agency or others under arrangement with the home health agency on a visit or hourly basis, in a place of temporary or permanent residence used as the individual's home as follows:

1. part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care as ordered by a physician and provided by or under the supervision of a registered nurse and at least one other service listed below;

2. physical, occupational, or speech therapy;

3. medical social services;

4. home health aide services.

(l) "License" means a license issued by the Department.

(m) "Licensee" means the individual, corporation, or public entity with whom rests the ultimate responsibility for maintaining approved standards for the home health agency.

(n) "Licensed Practical Nurse or LPN" means an individual who is currently licensed as a licensed practical nurse in Georgia.

(o) "Occupational Therapist" means a qualified individual who:

1. Is currently licensed as an occupational therapist in Georgia; and

2. Meets the federal conditions for participation.

(p) "Occupational Therapy Assistant" means a qualified individual who:

1. Is currently licensed as an occupational therapy assistant in Georgia and assists in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision and direction of a Georgia licensed occupational therapist; and

2. Meets the federal conditions for participation.

(q) "Parent Home Health Agency" means the agency that develops and maintains administrative controls of subunits or branch offices.

(r) "Physical Therapist" means a qualified individual who:

1. Is currently licensed as a physical therapist in Georgia; and

2. Meets the federal conditions for participation.

(s) "Physical Therapy Assistant" means a qualified individual who:

1. Is currently licensed as a physical therapy assistant in Georgia and assists in the practice of physical therapy under the supervision and direction of a Georgia licensed physical therapist; and

2. Meets the federal conditions for participation.

(t) "Physician" means an individual who is currently licensed or authorized to practice medicine and surgery in Georgia.

(u) "Plan of Treatment" means an individual plan written, signed, and reviewed at least every sixty days by the patient's physician prescribing items and services for the patient's condition.

(v) "Primary Home Health Agency" means the agency (parent or subunit) that is responsible for the service rendered to patients and for implementation of the plan of treatment.

(w) "Progress Note" means a dated and signed written notation by the providing member of the health team, summarizing facts about care and the patient's response during a given period of time.

(x) "Registered Nurse or RN" means an individual who is currently licensed as a registered professional nurse in Georgia.

(y) "Service Area" means the geographical area in which a home health agency provides services, as defined by the State Health Planning and Development unit of the Department.

(z) "Social Work Assistant" means an individual who meets the federal conditions of participation and applicable Georgia laws.

(aa) "Social Worker" means an individual who meets the federal conditions of participation and applicable Georgia laws.

(bb) "Speech Pathologist" and/or "Audiologist" means a qualified individual who:

1. Is currently licensed as a speech pathologist and/or audiologist in Georgia; and

2. Meets the federal conditions of participation.

(cc) "Subunit" means a semiautonomous organization, which serves patients in a geographic area different from that of the parent agency. The subunit by virtue of the distance between it and the parent agency is judged incapable of sharing administration, supervision, and services on a daily basis with the parent agency, and must, therefore, independently meet the licensing requirements for a home health agency, and shall be separately licensed.

(dd) "Supervision" means authoritative procedural guidance by a qualified person for the accomplishment of a function or activity with initial direction and periodic inspection of the actual act of accomplishing the function or activity.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-31-.06