Pennsylvania Code › Title 28 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Part IV - Health Facilities › Subpart G - Home Health Care Agencies › Chapter 601 - HOME HEALTH CARE AGENCIES › GOVERANCE AND MANAGEMENT › Section 601.21 - Organization, services and administration

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Writing requirements
.
					 Organization, services provided, administrative control and lines of authority
					 for the delegation of responsibility to the patient care level shall be clearly
					 set forth in writing and shall be readily identifiable. Administrative and
					 supervisory functions may not be delegated to another agency or organization
					 and services not provided directly shall be monitored and controlled by the
					 primary agency, including services provided through subunits of the parent
					 agency. If an agency has subunits, appropriate administrative records shall be
					 maintained for each subunit. The subunit, by virtue of the lack of
					 accessibility between it and the parent agency, is judged incapable of sharing
					 administration, supervision and services on a daily basis with the parent
					 agency and shall independently meet this subpart.
(b)
Services provided
.
					 Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing services and at least one other
					 therapeutic service-physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology,
					 medical social services or home health aides-shall be made available on a
					 visiting basis, in a place of residence used as a patient's home. A home health
					 care agency shall provide at least one of the qualifying services directly
					 through agency employes, but may provide, by written contract, the second
					 qualifying service and additional services under arrangements with another
					 agency or organization.
(c)
Governing body
. A governing body or designated persons so
					 functioning shall assume full legal authority and responsibility for the
					 operation of the agency. The governing body shall appoint a qualified
					 administrator, arrange for professional advice-see §
											601.22 (relating to agency
					 evaluation and review)-adopt and periodically review written bylaws, and
					 oversee the management and fiscal affairs of the agency.
(d)
Administrator
. The
					 administrator, who may also be the supervising physician or registered
					 nurse-see subsection (e)-shall organize and direct the agency's ongoing
					 functions; maintain ongoing liaison among the governing body, the group of
					 professional personnel and the staff, employ qualified personnel and ensure
					 adequate staff education and evaluations; ensure the accuracy of public
					 information materials and activities; and implement an effective budgeting and
					 accounting system. A qualified person shall be authorized in writing to act in
					 the absence of the administrator.
(e)
Supervising physician or
					 registered nurse
. The skilled nursing and other therapeutic services
					 provided shall be under the supervision and direction of a physician or a
					 registered nurse with at least 1 year of nursing experience. This person, or a
					 similarly qualified alternate, shall be available at all times during the
					 operating hours and participate in activities relevant to the professional
					 services provided, including the development of qualifications and assignments
					 of personnel.
(f)
Personnel
					 policies
. Personnel practices shall be supported by appropriate,
					 written personnel policies. Personnel records shall include job descriptions,
					 qualifications, licensure, performance evaluations, health examinations and
					 documentation of orientation provided. Records shall be kept current.
(g)
Civil rights
. Home
					 health care agencies shall comply with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act
					 (43
					 P. S. §§
												951-963) and 16 Pa. Code
					 Part II, Subpart A (relating to the Human Relations Commission).
(h)
Coordination of patient
					 services
. Personnel providing services shall maintain liaison to
					 assure their efforts effectively complement one another and support the
					 objectives outlined in the plan of treatment. The clinical record or minutes of
					 case conferences shall establish that effective interchange, reporting and
					 coordinated patient evaluation does occur. A written summary report for each
					 patient shall be sent to the attending physician at least every 60
					 days.
(i)
Institutional
					 planning
. The home health care agency, under the direction of the
					 governing body, and in conjunction with representatives of the administrative
					 and health professional staff, shall prepare an overall plan and
					 budget.
This section cited in 28 Pa. Code §
													601.6 (relating to
						  definitions).