Section 7.12.519. Home health aide services.

	(a)  If a home health agency provides home health aide services, those services must be provided  
		(1) by a home health aide who  
			(A) is a nurse aide certified by the Board of Nursing under AS 08.68.331 - 08.68.336;  
			(B) does not appear in the registry of certified nurse aides under AS 08.68.333 as having committed abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property in connection with employment as a nurse aide;  
			(C) has a valid criminal history check under AS 47.05.300 - 47.05.390 and 7 AAC 10.900 - 7 AAC 10.990, unless a variance is granted under 7 AAC 10.935; and  
			(D) meets home health requirements and has completed the competency evaluation requirements in (f) of this section;  
		(2) in accordance with a plan of care; and  
		(3) in accordance with written instructions prepared by a registered nurse, or appropriate therapist providing therapy under 7 AAC 12.521, that specify each task to be completed during a home visit.  
	(b)  A home health aide employed by a home health agency shall  
		(1) follow a current written plan of care;  
		(2) perform simple procedures as an extension of therapy services;  
		(3) provide personal care, including bathing, hair care, oral hygiene, skin care, and hand and foot care;  
		(4) assist the patient with ambulation and exercise;  
		(5) assist with the nutritional needs of the patient;  
		(6) assist with patient administered, non-prescription and prescription medications, by handing the patient the medication bottle or medications prepared under the supervision of a registered nurse or a physician;  
		(7) report changes in the patient's condition and needs, and complete appropriate records; and  
		(8) take and record vital signs.  
	(c)  A home health agency shall provide and document orientation of a home health aide within the two weeks immediately following that aide's employment. Orientation must include information on the following matters:  
		(1) applicable state and federal law and the policies and procedures of the agency;  
		(2) duties of the home health aide;  
		(3) functions of other health personnel employed by the agency and how they relate to each other in the care of the patient;  
		(4) coordination of services within the agency and community services; and  
		(5) ethics and confidentiality.  
	(d)  A registered nurse, or therapist providing service under 7 AAC 12.521, shall make a supervisory visit to the patient's residence at least once every two weeks, either to observe and assist when the aide is present, or to assess relationships and determine whether goals identified in the plan of care are being met. The registered nurse or therapist must directly observe the in-home performance of each home health aide at least once every three months.  
	(e)  A home health agency shall provide a home health aide with 12 hours of inservice training each calendar year based on the training needs identified through supervisory visits and the needs of patients being served by the home health agency. A home health agency shall provide training for all care duties not included in the basic competency skills identified in (f) of this section.  
	(f)  A home health agency shall maintain sufficient documentation to demonstrate that an individual who furnishes home health aide services is competent in the skills identified in this subsection. Before providing services to patients, a home health aide shall be evaluated for competency in each of the following areas:  
		(1) communication;  
		(2) observation, reporting, and documentation of the patient care provided;  
		(3) maintenance of a clean, safe, and healthy environment;  
		(4) provision of basic infection control procedures;  
		(5) knowledge of basic nutrition and fluid intake, including food preparation techniques as appropriate;  
		(6) reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration;  
		(7) knowledge and observation of basic elements of body functioning and changes in body function that must be reported to an aide's supervisor;  
		(8) recognition of emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures;  
		(9) recognition of the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of, and ways to work with, the clients served by the home health agency, including respect for the patient, the patient's privacy, and the patient's property;  
		(10) use of appropriate and safe techniques of personal hygiene and grooming, including  
			(A) a bed bath;  
			(B) a sponge, tub, or shower bath;  
			(C) sink, tub, or bed shampooing;  
			(D) nail and skin care;  
			(E) oral hygiene; and  
			(F) toileting and elimination;  
		(11) safe transfer techniques and ambulation;  
		(12) normal range of motion and positioning;  
		(13) any other task that the home health agency may assign to the home health aide.  

Authorities

18.05.040;47.05.300;47.05.310;47.05.320;47.05.330;47.05.340;47.32.010;47.32.030;44.62.125

Notes

Authority

AS 18.05.040 AS 47.05.300 AS 47.05.310 AS 47.05.320 AS 47.05.330 AS 47.05.340 AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.030 Editor's note: As of Register 171 (October 2004), the regulations attorney made technical revisions under AS 44.62.125(b)(6) to reflect the name change of the Department of Community and Economic Development to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development made by ch. 47, SLA 2004 and the corresponding title change of the commissioner of community and economic development.

History

Eff. 9/6/96, Register 139; am 2/9/2007, Register 181