Initiation of Care and the Initial Evaluation Visit
Sets the Agency’s time frame for starting care after a referral is accepted, requires a registered nurse to make the initial evaluation visit for every patient, explains what happens at that visit, and sets out what staff do when the visit cannot be made on time, when the physician’s plan must be changed after the evaluation, and when care is put on hold.
About this policy
- Policy number
- GA-HH-ADM-02
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-31-.08(a)
- Library
- Georgia home health · 56 policies
- Category
- Service delivery
- Sections
- 19
In short
- A registered nurse makes the first visit for every new patient, even if only therapy is ordered.
- The first visit happens within 48 hours of receiving the referral, or on the date the doctor orders.
- If the first visit may be late, tell the supervising nurse at once. The doctor must be told about any delay.
- If the doctor’s orders do not fit what the patient needs, call the doctor the same day. Do not start care that has not been ordered.
What's inside
19 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-31-.08(a))
- 5. Time Frames That Apply
- 6. Who Makes the Visit
- 7. At the Initial Evaluation Visit
- 8. When the Physician’s Plan Must Change After the Evaluation
- 9. When the Visit Cannot Be Made on Time
- 10. If the Patient’s Needs Cannot Be Met
- 11. Holds and Resumption of Care
- 12. Responsibilities
- 13. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 14. Staff Training
- 15. References
- 16. Related Policies and Forms
- 17. Approval
- 18. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- What is your time frame for the first visit after a referral? How do you track it?
- Who makes the initial evaluation visit? Show me one for a therapy-only patient.
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