Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024
A. In
addition to the other requirements of this chapter, when a hospice care program
delivers inpatient care, the hospice care program shall provide nursing
services 24 hours a day in a manner sufficient to meet the total nursing needs
identified in the patient's plan of care. A registered nurse shall be on duty
during each shift.
B. The hospice
care program shall design and equip all areas for the comfort and privacy of
patients and family members. Specifically, the hospice care program shall:
(1) Provide accommodation for family members
to remain with the patient throughout the night;
(2) Provide an adequate supply of hot water
at all times for patient use;
(3)
Have available at all times a quantity of linen sufficient for proper care and
comfort of patients;
(4) Make
provisions for isolating patients with infectious diseases; and
(5) Provide privacy for patient/family
visitation and accommodations for the family's privacy immediately after a
patient's death.
C. The
hospice care program shall provide food services designed to meet the
nutritional needs of the patients, in accordance with physician orders and the
following guidelines:
(1) At least three meals
shall be served each day with not more than 14 hours between the evening meal
and breakfast, unless otherwise prescribed by the patient's
physician;
(2) All foods shall be
stored, prepared, and served as required by COMAR 10.15.03; and
(3) Medically prescribed special diets shall
be planned by a registered dietitian or licensed nutritionist.
D. In addition to all other State
and federal requirements, all medications shall be labeled, stored, and
administered in accordance with the following:
(1) All medications shall be ordered by a
physician;
(2) All medications
shall be administered by a licensed nurse or physician;
(3) All medications shall be labeled in
accordance with Health-General Article, §21-221(a), Annotated Code of
Maryland, 21 U.S.C.
301 et seq. and 801 et seq.;
(4) All medications shall be stored in locked
compartments under proper temperature control and all schedule II drugs shall
be maintained separately from other medications and secured by use of two
different locks; and
(5) All
medications no longer needed by the patient shall be destroyed in the presence
of two witnesses authorized by the hospice care program.
