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24-Hour Availability, On-Call and Backup Services

Sets out how the Agency makes nursing, physician services and drugs available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, how patients are taught to reach the Agency after hours, how the on-call nurse responds, and how backup services are arranged when a scheduled staff member is not available.

Preview: full text with a package
About this policy
Policy number
TX-HSP-SVC-01
Version
1.0
Main rule
26 TAC §558.290
Library
Texas hospice · 59 policies
Category
Service delivery
Sections
20

In short

  • Nurses, a hospice doctor and medicines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Teach every family the after-hours number, (512) 555-0199, and to call us first for any problem.
  • When on call, call the patient back within 15 minutes of being paged, and visit whenever it is needed or asked for.
  • If you cannot make a visit, tell the scheduler at least 2 hours ahead so it can be covered.
  • Never pressure a family to cover a visit themselves. A family member who agrees must sign a backup agreement.

What's inside

20 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.

Full text with a package
  • Terms of Reference
  • 1. Purpose
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Policy Statement (26 TAC §558.290; §558.850(d)-(e))
  • 5. Teaching Patients How to Reach the Agency
  • 6. The On-Call System
  • 6.1 Response standards
  • 6.2 Handling the call
  • 6.3 Drugs, supplies and equipment after hours
  • 7. Emergencies in the Home
  • 8. Backup Services When Scheduled Staff Are Not Available
  • 9. Other Services Around the Clock
  • 10. Responsibilities
  • 11. Records and Compliance Monitoring
  • 12. Staff Training
  • 13. References
  • 14. Related Policies and Forms
  • 15. Approval
  • 16. Revision History

An inspector may ask

  • Call your after-hours number now. Who answers, and how quickly does a nurse call back?
  • How are patients taught to reach you after regular business hours?

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