The Joint Commission has released its top five most challenging requirements for 2023 for home health care organizations.
 
They include a requirement that the organization “uses standard precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment, to reduce the risk of infection.”
 
Also on the list: The written plan of care is based on the patient’s goals and the time frames, settings, and services required to meet those goals.
 
The rest of the top five are below. See the full list at https://tinyurl.com/4de5a72j.
 
The patient record contains the following clinical information:
  • Any medications administered, including dose.
  • Any activity restrictions.
  • Any changes in the patient’s condition.
  • Any summaries of the patient’s care, treatment, or services furnished to the patient’s physician or allowed practitioner.
  • The patient’s medical history.
  • Any allergies to medications.
  • Any adverse drug reactions.
  • The patient’s functional status.
  • Any diet information or any dietary restrictions.
  • Diagnostic and therapeutic tests, procedures, and treatments, and their results.
  • Any specific notes on care, treatment, or services.
  • The patient’s response to care, treatment, or services.
  • Any assessments relevant to care, treatment, or services.
  • Physician or allowed practitioner orders.
  • Any information required by organization policy, in accordance with law and regulation.
  • A list of medications, including dose, strength, frequency, route, date and time of administration for prescription and nonprescription medications, herbal products, and home remedies that relate to the patient’s care, treatment, or services.
  • The plan(s) of care.
  • For DMEPOS suppliers serving Medicare beneficiaries: The DMEPOS prescription, any certificates of medical necessity (CMN), and pertinent documentation from the beneficiary’s prescribing physician or allowed practitioner.
For home health agencies that elect to use The Joint Commission deemed status option: The individualized plan of care specifies the care and services necessary to meet the needs identified in the comprehensive assessment and addresses the following:
  • All pertinent diagnoses.
  • Mental, psychosocial, and cognitive status.
  • Types of services, supplies, and equipment required.
  • The frequency and duration of visits.
  • The patient’s prognosis.
  • The patient’s potential for rehabilitation.
  • The patient’s functional limitations.
  • The patient’s permitted activities.
  • The patient’s nutritional requirements.
  • All medications and treatments.
  • Safety measures to protect against injury.
  • A description of the patient’s risk for emergency department visits and hospital readmission, and all necessary interventions to address the underlying risk factors.
  • Patient-specific interventions and education.
  • Measurable outcomes and goals identified by the organization and patient as a result of implementing and coordinating the plan of care.
  • Patient and caregiver education and training to facilitate timely discharge.
  • Information related to any advance directives.
  • Identification of the disciplines involved in providing care.
  • Any other relevant items, including additions, revisions, and deletions that the home health agency, physician, or allowed practitioner may choose to include.
Leaders review, approve, and manage the implementation of policies and procedures that guide and support patient care, treatment, or services.