Texas Administrative Code
Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
Chapter 558 - LICENSING STANDARDS FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES AGENCIES
Subchapter A - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 558.2 - Definitions
Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Accessible and flexible services--Services that are delivered in the least intrusive manner possible and are provided in all settings where individuals live, work, and recreate.
(2) Accreditation organization--The Joint Commission, Community Health Accreditation Partner, Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc., or another accrediting entity approved by HHSC that demonstrates it meets or exceeds applicable rule requirements of this chapter. The entity reviews HCSSAs for compliance with standards for accreditation by the organization that apply to a HCSSA's licensed category of service.
(3) Administration of medication--The direct application of any medication by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other means to the body of a client. The preparation of medication is part of the administration of medication and is the act or process of making ready a medication for administration, including the calculation of a client's medication dosage; altering the form of the medication by crushing, dissolving, or any other method; reconstitution of an injectable medication; drawing an injectable medication into a syringe; preparing an intravenous admixture; or any other act required to render the medication ready for administration.
(4) Administrative support site--A facility or site where an agency performs administrative and other support functions but does not provide direct home health, hospice, or personal assistance services. This site does not require an agency license.
(5) Administrator--The person who is responsible for implementing and supervising the administrative polices and operations of a home and community support services agency and for administratively supervising the provision of all services to agency clients on a day-to-day basis.
(6) ADS--Alternate delivery site. A facility or site, including a residential unit or an inpatient unit:
(7) Advanced practice nurse--An advanced practice registered nurse.
(8) Advanced practice registered nurse--A person licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse. The term is synonymous with "advanced practice nurse."
(9) Advisory committee--A committee, board, commission, council, conference, panel, task force, or other similar group, or any subcommittee or other subgroup, established for the purpose of obtaining advice or recommendations on issues or policies that are within the scope of a person's responsibility.
(10) Affiliate--With respect to an applicant or license holder that is:
(11) Agency--A HCSSA.
(12) Applicant--The owner of an agency that is applying for a license under the Statute. This is the person in whose name the license will be issued.
(13) Assistance with self-administration of medication--Any needed ancillary aid provided to a client in the client's self-administered medication or treatment regimen, such as reminding a client to take a medication at the prescribed time, opening and closing a medication container, pouring a predetermined quantity of liquid to be ingested, returning a medication to the proper storage area, and assisting in reordering medications from a pharmacy. Such ancillary aid includes administration of any medication when the client has the cognitive ability to direct the administration of their medication and would self-administer if not for a functional limitation.
(14) Association--A partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity that is not a corporation.
(15) Audiologist--A person who is currently licensed under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 401, as an audiologist.
(16) Bereavement--The process by which a survivor of a deceased person mourns and experiences grief.
(17) Bereavement services--Support services offered to a family during bereavement. Services may be provided to persons other than family members, including residents of a skilled nursing facility, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related conditions, when appropriate and identified in a bereavement plan of care.
(18) Biologicals--A medicinal preparation made from living organisms and their products, including serums, vaccines, antigens, and antitoxins.
(19) Boarding home facility--An establishment defined in Texas Health and Safety Code § 260.001(2).
(20) Branch office--A facility or site in the service area of a parent agency from which home health or personal assistance services are delivered or where active client records are maintained. This does not include inactive records that are stored at an unlicensed site.
(21) Care plan--
(22) Case conference--A conference among personnel furnishing services to the client to ensure that their efforts are coordinated effectively and support the objectives outlined in the plan of care or care plan.
(23) Certified agency--A home and community support services agency, or portion of the agency, that:
(24) Certified home health services--Home health services that are provided by a certified agency.
(25) CFR--Code of Federal Regulations. The regulations and rules promulgated by agencies of the Federal government that address a broad range of subjects, including hospice care and home health services.
(26) Change of ownership--An event that results in a change to the federal taxpayer identification number of the license holder of an agency. The substitution of a personal representative for a deceased license holder is not a change of ownership.
(27) Chief financial officer--An individual who is responsible for supervising and managing all financial activities for a home and community support services agency.
(28) Client--An individual receiving home health, hospice, or personal assistance services from a licensed home and community support services agency. This term includes each member of the primary client's family if the member is receiving ongoing services. This term does not include the spouse, significant other, or other family member living with the client who receives a one-time service (for example, vaccination) if the spouse, significant other, or other family member receives the service in connection with the care of a client.
(29) Clinical note--A dated and signed written notation by agency personnel of a contact with a client containing a description of signs and symptoms; treatment and medication given; the client's reaction; other health services provided; and any changes in physical and emotional condition.
(30) CMS--Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal agency that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with the states to administer Medicaid.
(31) Complaint--An allegation against an agency regulated by HHSC or against an employee of an agency regulated by HHSC that involves a violation of this chapter or the Statute.
(32) Community disaster resources--A local, statewide, or nationwide emergency system that provides information and resources during a disaster, including weather information, transportation, evacuation, and shelter information, disaster assistance and recovery efforts, evacuee and disaster victim resources, and resources for locating evacuated friends and relatives.
(33) Controlled substance--Has the meaning assigned in Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481, Subchapter A.
(34) Controlling person--A person with the ability, acting alone or with others, to directly or indirectly influence, direct, or cause the direction of the management, expenditure of money, or policies of an agency or other person.
(35) Conviction--An adjudication of guilt based on a finding of guilt, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere.
(36) Counselor--An individual qualified under Medicare standards to provide counseling services, including bereavement, dietary, spiritual, and other counseling services to both the client and the family.
(37) Day--Any reference to a day means a calendar day, unless otherwise specified in the text. A calendar day includes weekends and holidays.
(38) Deficiency--A finding of noncompliance with federal requirements resulting from a survey.
(39) Designated survey office--An HHSC HCSSA Program office located in an agency's geographic region.
(40) Dialysis treatment record--For home dialysis designation, a dated and signed written notation by the person providing dialysis treatment, which contains a description of signs and symptoms, machine parameters and pressure settings, type of dialyzer and dialysate, actual pre- and post-treatment weight, medications administered as part of the treatment, and the client's response to treatment.
(41) Dietitian--A person who is currently licensed under the laws of the State of Texas to use the title of licensed dietitian or provisional licensed dietitian, or who is a registered dietitian.
(42) Direct ownership interest--Ownership of equity in the capital, stock, or profits of, or a membership interest in, an applicant or license holder.
(43) Disaster--The occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from a natural or man-made cause, such as fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, wave action, oil spill or other water contamination, epidemic, air contamination, infestation, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, or energy emergency. In a hospice inpatient unit, a disaster also includes failure of the heating or cooling system, power outage, explosion, and bomb threat.
(44) Disclosable interest--Five percent or more direct or indirect ownership interest in an applicant or license holder.
(45) ESRD--End stage renal disease. For home dialysis designation, the stage of renal impairment that appears irreversible and permanent and requires a regular course of dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain life.
(46) Functional need--Needs of the individual that require services without regard to diagnosis or label.
(47) Habilitation--Habilitation services, as defined by Texas Government Code § 534.001, provided by an agency licensed under this chapter.
(48) HCSSA--Home and community support services agency. A person who provides home health, hospice, or personal assistance services for pay or other consideration in a client's residence, an independent living environment, or another appropriate location.
(49) Health assessment--A determination of a client's physical and mental status through inventory of systems.
(50) HHSC--Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
(51) Home health aide--An individual working for an agency who meets at least one of the requirements for home health aides as described in § 558.701 of this chapter (relating to Home Health Aides).
(52) Home health medication aide--An unlicensed person issued a permit by HHSC to administer medication to a client under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 142, Subchapter B.
(53) Home health service--The provision of one or more of the following health services required by an individual in a residence or independent living environment:
(54) Hospice--A person licensed under this chapter to provide hospice services, including a person who owns or operates a residential unit or an inpatient unit.
(55) Hospice aide--A person working for an agency licensed to provide hospice services who meets the qualifications for a hospice aide as described in § 558.843 of this chapter (relating to Hospice Aide Qualifications).
(56) Hospice homemaker--A person working for an agency licensed to provide hospice services who meets the qualifications described in § 558.845 of this chapter (relating to Hospice Homemaker Qualifications).
(57) Hospice services--Services, including services provided by unlicensed personnel under the delegation of a registered nurse or physical therapist, provided to a client or a client's family as part of a coordinated program consistent with the standards and rules adopted under this chapter. These services include physical care and support services to optimize quality of life for terminally ill clients and their families that:
(58) IDR--Informal dispute resolution. An informal process that allows an agency to refute a violation or condition-level deficiency cited during a survey.
(59) Independent living environment--A client's residence, which may include a group home, foster home, or boarding home facility, or other settings where a client participates in activities, including school, work, or church.
(60) Indirect ownership interest--Any ownership or membership interest in a person that has a direct ownership interest in an applicant or license holder.
(61) Individual and family choice and control--Individuals and families who express preferences and make choices about how their support service needs are met.
(62) Individualized service plan--A written plan prepared by the appropriate health care personnel for a client of a home and community support services agency licensed to provide personal assistance services.
(63) Inpatient unit--A facility, also referred to as a hospice freestanding inpatient facility, that provides a continuum of medical or nursing care and other hospice services to clients admitted into the unit and that is in compliance with:
(64) Joint training--Training provided by HHSC at least semi-annually for home and community support services agencies and HHSC surveyors on subjects that address the 10 most commonly cited violations of federal or state law by home and community support services agencies as published in HHSC annual reports.
(65) LAR--Legally authorized representative. A person authorized by law to act on behalf of a client regarding a matter described in this chapter, and may include a parent of a minor, guardian of an adult or minor, managing conservator of a minor, agent under a medical power of attorney, or surrogate decision-maker under Texas Health and Safety Code § 313.004.
(66) License holder--A person that holds a license to operate an agency.
(67) Life Safety Code (also referred to as NFPA 101)--The Code for Safety to Life from Fire in Buildings and Structures, Standard 101, of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
(68) Local emergency management agencies--The local emergency management coordinator, fire, police, and emergency medical services.
(69) Local emergency management coordinator--The person identified as the emergency management coordinator by the mayor or county judge in an agency's service area.
(70) LVN--Licensed vocational nurse. A person who is currently licensed under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 301, as a licensed vocational nurse.
(71) Manager--An employee or independent contractor responsible for providing management services to a home and community support services agency for the overall operation of a home and community support services agency including administration, staffing, or delivery of services. Examples of contracts for services that will not be considered contracts for management services include contracts solely for maintenance, laundry, or food services.
(72) Medication administration record--A record used to document the administration of a client's medications.
(73) Medication list--A list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medication that a client is currently taking, including the dosage, the frequency, and the method of administration.
(74) Mitigation--An action taken to eliminate or reduce the probability of a disaster or reduce a disaster's severity or consequences.
(75) Multiple location--A Medicare-approved ADS that meets the definition in 42 CFR § 418.3.
(76) Notarized copy--A sworn affidavit stating that attached copies are true and correct copies of the original documents.
(77) Nursing facility--An institution licensed as a nursing home under Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 242.
(78) Nutritional counseling--Advising and assisting individuals or families on appropriate nutritional intake by integrating information from the nutrition assessment with information on food and other sources of nutrients and meal preparation consistent with cultural background and socioeconomic status, with the goal being health promotion, disease prevention, and nutrition education. Nutritional counseling may include the following:
(79) Occupational therapist--A person who is currently licensed under the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 454, as an occupational therapist.
(80) Online portal--A secure portal provided on the HHSC website for licensure activities, including for a HCSSA applicant to submit licensure applications and information.
(81) Operating hours--The days of the week and the hours of day an agency's place of business is open as identified in an agency's written policy as required by § 558.210 of this chapter (relating to Agency Operating Hours).
(82) Original active client record--A record composed first-hand for a client currently receiving services.
(83) Palliative--Ameliorating the symptoms associated with serious illness without the primary goal of curing an underlying condition.
(84) Parent agency--An agency's principal place of business; the location where an agency develops and maintains administrative controls and provides supervision of branch offices and ADSs.
(85) Parent company--A person, other than an individual, who has a direct 100 percent ownership interest in the owner of an agency.
(86) Person--An individual, corporation, or association.
(87) Personal assistance services--Routine ongoing care or services required by an individual in a residence or independent living environment that enable the individual to engage in the activities of daily living or to perform the physical functions required for independent living, including respite services. The term includes:
(88) Personal care--The provision of one or more of the following services required by an individual in a residence or independent living environment:
(89) Pharmacist--A person who is licensed to practice pharmacy under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 558.
(90) Pharmacy--A facility defined in Texas Occupations Code § 551.003(31), at which a prescription drug or medication order is received, processed, or dispensed, and which holds a pharmacy license issued under Texas Occupations Code Title 3, Subtitle J.
(91) Physical therapist--A person who is currently licensed under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 453, as a physical therapist.
(92) Physician--This term includes a person who is:
(93) Physician assistant--A person who is licensed under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 204, as a physician assistant.
(94) Physician-delegated task--A task performed in accordance with Texas Occupations Code Chapter 157, including orders signed by a physician that specify the delegated task, individual to whom the task is delegated, and client's name.
(95) Place of business--An office of a home and community support services agency that maintains client records or directs home health, hospice, or personal assistance services. This term includes a parent agency, a branch office, and an ADS. The term does not include an administrative support site.
(96) Plan of care--The written orders of a practitioner for a client who requires skilled services.
(97) Practitioner--A person who is currently licensed in a state in which the person practices as a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or a physician assistant, or a person who is an RN registered with the Texas Board of Nursing as an advanced practice nurse.
(98) Preparedness--Actions taken in anticipation of a disaster.
(99) Presurvey training --A computer-based training provided by HHSC for the applicant or the applicant's representatives to review licensure standards and survey documents, and to provide information regarding the survey process.
(100) Progress note--A dated and signed written notation by agency personnel summarizing facts about care and the client's response during a given period of time.
(101) Psychoactive treatment--The provision of a skilled nursing visit to a client with a psychiatric diagnosis under the direction of a physician that includes one or more of the following:
(102) Recovery--Activities implemented during and after a disaster response designed to return an agency to its normal operations as quickly as possible.
(103) Registered nurse delegation--Delegation by a registered nurse in accordance with:
(104) Residence--A place where a person resides, including a home, a nursing facility, a convalescent home, or a residential unit.
(105) Residential unit--A facility that provides living quarters and hospice services to clients admitted into the unit and that is in compliance with standards adopted under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 142.
(106) Respiratory therapist--A person who is currently licensed under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 604, as a respiratory care practitioner.
(107) Respite services--Support options that are provided temporarily for the purpose of relief for a primary caregiver in providing care to individuals of all ages with disabilities or at risk of abuse or neglect.
(108) Response--Actions taken immediately before an impending disaster or during and after a disaster to address the immediate and short-term effects of the disaster.
(109) Restraint--A restraint is:
(110) RN--Registered nurse. A person who is currently licensed under the Nursing Practice Act, Texas Occupations Code Chapter 301, as a registered nurse.
(111) Seclusion--The involuntary confinement of a client alone in a room or an area in a hospice inpatient unit from which the client is physically prevented from leaving.
(112) Section--A reference to a specific rule in this chapter.
(113) Service area--A geographic area established by an agency in which all or some of the agency's services are available.
(114) Skilled services--Services in accordance with a plan of care that require the skills of:
(115) Social worker--A person who is currently licensed as a social worker under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 505.
(116) Speech-language pathologist--A person who is currently licensed as a speech-language pathologist under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 401.
(117) Statute-- Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 142.
(118) Substantial compliance--A finding in which an agency receives no recommendation for enforcement action after a survey.
(119) Supervised practical training--Hospice aide training that is conducted in a laboratory or other setting in which the trainee demonstrates knowledge while performing tasks on an individual. The training is supervised by an RN or by an LVN who works under the direction of a registered nurse.
(120) Supervising nurse--The person responsible for supervising skilled services provided by an agency and who has the qualifications described in § 558.244(c) of this chapter (relating to Administrator Qualifications and Conditions and Supervising Nurse Qualifications). This person may also be known as the director of nursing or similar title.
(121) Supervision--Authoritative procedural guidance by a qualified person for the accomplishment of a function or activity with initial direction and periodic inspection of the actual act of accomplishing the function or activity.
(122) Supportive palliative care--Physician-directed interdisciplinary patient and family-centered care provided to a patient with a serious illness without regard to the patient's age or terminal prognosis that:
(123) Support services--Social, spiritual, and emotional care provided to a client and a client's family by a hospice.
(124) Survey--An on-site inspection or complaint investigation conducted by an HHSC representative to determine if an agency is in compliance with the Statute and this chapter or in compliance with applicable federal requirements or both.
(125) TAC--Texas Administrative Code.
(126) Terminal illness--An illness for which there is a limited prognosis if the illness runs its usual course.
(127) Unlicensed person--A person not licensed as a health care provider. The term includes home health aides, hospice aides, hospice homemakers, medication aides permitted by HHSC, and other unlicensed individuals providing personal care or assistance in health services.
(128) Unsatisfied judgments--A failure to fully carry out the terms or meet the obligation of a court's final disposition on the matters before it in a suit regarding the operation of an agency.
(129) Violation--A finding of noncompliance with this chapter or the Statute resulting from a survey.
(130) Volunteer--An individual who provides assistance to a home and community support services agency without compensation other than reimbursement for actual expenses.
(131) Working day--Any day except Saturday, Sunday, a state holiday, or a federal holiday.