N.J. Admin. Code § 8:42C-6.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 8:42C-6.3 - Policies and procedures

(a) The hospice shall establish written policies and procedures governing patient care that are reviewed at least annually by the advisory group, revised as needed, and implemented. The written policies and procedures shall include at least the following:

1. Criteria for admission, discharge, and readmission of patients. Admissions criteria shall be based solely upon the patient's needs and the ability of the facility to meet safely the medical, nursing, and social needs of the patient. Discharge policies shall preclude punitive discharge;

2. Criteria for physicians orders for hospice, including time frames and other requirements for written, verbal, and renewal orders. Physician orders for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy shall include the modality, frequency, and duration of treatment;

3. Protocols for initiation, implementation, review, and revision of plans of care and of the service plan;

4. Protocols for reassessment of patients, in accordance with time frames documented by each health care practitioner in the service plan;

5. Protocols for providing continuity of care by the same health care practitioner whenever possible;

6. Provision of care in accordance with the plan of care;

7. Provision of emergency care;

8. Policies and procedures for the use of restraints, including at least:

i. The need for written physician's orders;

ii. Indications and contraindications for use, including emergency use or use during medical procedures;

iii. Alternatives to physical restraints, such as environmental interventions or behavior management;

iv. The designation of staff who are authorized to use restraints according to scope of practice; and

v. Teaching the patient's family or primary caregiver the use of a progressive range of restraining procedures from the least restrictive to the most restrictive, the appropriate application and release of restraints, and observation of the patient; and

9. A requirement that progress notes be written, signed and dated by the practitioner providing care, within 48 hours of the provision of care, and that the patient's response to the care be included in the progress note; and

10. Policies and procedures for the pronouncement of death.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:42C-6.3