Section 325.20502. Policies and procedures for care.

(1) The home shall have a written policy governing the nursing care and other services provided to a patient, which shall be implemented through written procedures which are maintained and available to personnel at all times. All personnel shall be oriented to the facility and their responsibilities.

(2)   The policy shall be developed by a patient care  policy  committee consisting of at least 1 licensed physician, the director of nursing, and the administrator, with such additional members as the committee determines appropriate. When a nursing home owner is responsible for more than 1 home, the owner may establish 1 patient care policy committee which has the responsibility for developing appropriate policies for each individual home.

(3)   The policy shall be presented to the governing body, owner, or operator for review and approval before implementation, and a record of such approval shall be maintained with the policy.

(4)    The policy shall be reviewed by the patient care policy committee at least annually and amended as necessary to meet the needs of patients in the home. Revisions shall be approved by the governing body, owner, or operator. A record of such approval shall be maintained with  the  policy.

(5)   The policy shall govern, at a minimum, all of the following:

(a)  Admission, discharge, and transfer of patients.

(b)   Categories of patients accepted and not accepted by the home.

(c)   Clinical records.

(d)  Physician services.

(e)   Nursing services.

(f)  Dietary services.

(g)   Rehabilitative services.

(h)   Pharmaceutical services.

(i)   Diagnostic services.

(j)   Consultation services.

(k)   Dental services.

(l)   Podiatry services.

(m)   ) Social services, including counseling services.

(n)   Mental health services.

(o)   Diversional activities.

(p)   Interdisciplinary patient care planning.

(q)   Discharge planning.

(r)   Care of patients in an   emergency,  during   a  communicable  disease episode, when critically ill, or when mentally disturbed.

History: 1981 AACS; 1983 AACS.