24-Hour Availability, On-Call Nursing and Timely Services
Sets out the posted business hours Louisiana requires (at least 8 hours a day, 5 days a week between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.), the distinct telephone and answering service rules, 24-hour registered nurse, medication and supply availability, on-call RN triage (never an LPN as primary on-call), Agency response standards, the on-call log and handover, and how families are taught to call.
About this policy
- Policy number
- LA-HSP-SVC-01
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- LAC 48:I §8235.B
- Library
- Louisiana hospice · 60 policies
- Category
- Service delivery
- Sections
- 18
In short
- A registered nurse is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An LPN is never the primary on-call nurse.
- The on-call RN triages every call and may send another staff member when that is right.
- Return calls within 15 minutes, and be on the way within 1 hour for uncontrolled symptoms or a death (Agency standard).
- Record every call on the on-call log and hand over each morning.
- Teach families to call (225) 555-0199 first, before going to the hospital.
What's inside
18 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (LAC 48:I §8235.B)
- 5. Business Hours and Telephones
- 6. The On-Call System
- 7. Telephone Triage and On-Site Response
- 8. Physician, Pharmacy and Equipment Availability
- 9. The On-Call Log and Handover
- 10. Teaching Patients and Families
- 11. Responsibilities
- 12. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 13. Staff Training
- 14. References
- 15. Related Policies and Forms
- 16. Approval
- 17. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- What are your posted business hours, and where are they posted?
- Who is on call tonight, and who is the back-up?
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