Section 7.12.316. Scope of service: full-service hospice agency.

	(a)  A full-service hospice agency shall provide  
		(1) physician or advanced nurse practitioner services to provide directed medical care that meets the client's medical needs for palliative care and management of terminal illness;  
		(2) nursing care and services provided by or under the supervision of a registered nurse;  
		(3) social work services provided in accordance with 7 AAC 12.335;  
		(4) spiritual and emotional counseling services in accordance with 7 AAC 12.337 to the client, the client's family, and caregivers if these services are desired during the time the client is receiving hospice care;  
		(5) bereavement counseling services in accordance with 7 AAC 12.337 to the client's family and caregivers after the client's death;  
		(6) volunteer services in accordance with 7 AAC 12.336;  
		(7) dietary counseling services in accordance with 7 AAC 12.337;  
		(8) pharmaceutical hospice services in accordance with 7 AAC 12.343;  
		(9) services related to the referral and transfer of clients for laboratory services that are provided by an organization other than the hospice; the referral and transfer services must be provided in accordance with a written plan that delineates available services and the procedures for referring and transferring clients;  
		(10) services related to the transfer of specimens for laboratory services that are provided by an organization other than the hospice; the transfer services must be provided in accordance with a written plan that delineates available services and the procedures for transferring specimens; and  
		(11) short-term respite care to the client's family for the relief of the client's daily care.  
	(b)  In addition to meeting the requirements of (a) of this section, the hospice agency shall evaluate each client's  
		(1) access to emergency medical services, including ambulance service;  
		(2) access to service, equipment, and supplies;  
		(3) safety and emergency preparedness within the client's place of residence.  
	(c)  The hospice agency shall make nursing services, physician or advanced nurse practitioner services, and drugs and biologicals available on a 24-hour basis to the extent necessary to meet the client's needs for palliative care and management of terminal illness and related conditions.  
	(d)  The hospice agency shall arrange for short-term inpatient care if home care is not feasible for pain control, symptom management, and respite purposes. The agency shall ensure that any short-term inpatient care is provided in a licensed facility that is most appropriate to meet the client's needs.  
	(e)  The hospice agency shall offer hospice care in the least costly setting that can assure the quality of care and each type and amount of service that is necessary to meet the client's needs.  
	(f)  The hospice agency shall have a risk management program that includes procedures to investigate, analyze, and respond to client grievances related to client care.  
	(g)  The hospice agency shall develop and implement written policies and procedures consistent with this chapter that govern each service provided by the agency, including policies relating to confidentiality, training, and admissions. The policies and procedures must accurately describe the agency's goals, the methods by which the goals are achieved, and the mechanisms by which basic hospice care services are delivered. The agency shall review its policies and procedures at least annually. The program director shall document each review by dating and signing an attestation. The agency shall revise its policies and procedures if determined necessary by the agency or by the department to ensure that each policy and procedure is current and adequate for purposes of carrying out the agency's functions and maintaining consistency with this chapter.  

Authorities

47.32.010;47.32.020

Notes

Reference

7 AAC 12.335
7 AAC 12.349

Authority

AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.020

History

Eff. 5/24/2007, Register 182