Current through August 30, 2024
(a) A full-service
hospice agency shall have a physician or advanced practice registered nurse to
serve as medical director and assume overall responsibility for each client's
care program. The medical director shall be a member of and oversee the
interdisciplinary team and the professional advisory committee. The medical
director's duties include verifying that certification of terminal illness has
been issued in accordance with
7 AAC 12.318(a)(2).
(b) The program director shall designate a
registered nurse to serve as the nurse coordinator. The nurse coordinator shall
(1) supervise the agency's employees and
contracted staff;
(2) be available
at all times for consultation during regular office hours or have a qualified
designee if the nurse coordinator is on leave status or otherwise unavailable
to the agency;
(3) ensure that the
agency has sufficient staff to meet patient needs;
(4) be responsible for the development of
nursing objectives, policies, and procedures consistent with hospice
philosophy;
(5) establish staffing
and on-call schedules for nursing staff to ensure the availability of nursing
services 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
(6) participate in the developing job
descriptions and making employment decisions affecting hospice personnel who
provide direct services.
(c) The program director shall have authority
over and responsibility for the
(1)
functions, activities, and evaluation of professional and ancillary staff to
assure conformance with applicable state and federal laws, agency policies and
procedures, and applicable professional standards; and
(2) implementation of client care policies
and procedures.
(d) The
agency shall provide nursing care and services by or under the supervision of a
registered nurse. Nursing services must be directed and staffed to assure that
each client's nursing needs are met. Hospice nursing services include
(1) identifying the physical, psychosocial,
and environmental needs of the client and the client's family;
(2) conducting detailed and comprehensive
assessments of each client upon admission and when significant changes occur in
the client's condition;
(3)
addressing symptom management and comfort care needs;
(4) implementing client teaching based on the
client's needs consistent with agency policies and procedures, including
demonstration, supervision, and evaluation;
(5) documenting problems, appropriate goals,
interventions, and client and family response to hospice care;
(6) coordination of all client and family
services;
(7) supervision of other
nursing personnel; and
(8)
preparation of clinical progress notes.
Authority:AS
47.32.010
AS
47.32.030
