R9-10-612. Hospice Services

A. An administrator shall ensure that the following are included in the hospice services provided by the hospice: 1. Medical services; 2. Nursing services; 3. Nutritional services, including menu planning and the designation of the kind and amount of food appropriate for a patient; 4. Medical social services, provided as follows by a personnel member: a. Qualified according to policies and procedures to coordinate medical social services; and b. Who is licensed under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 33, Article 5, if applicable; 5. Bereavement counseling for a patient’s family for at least one year after the death of the patient; and 6. Spiritual counseling services, consistent with a patient’s customs, religious preferences, cultural background, and ethnicity. B. In addition to the services specified in subsection (A), an administrator of a hospice service agency shall ensure that the following are included in the hospice services provided by the hospice: 1. Home health aide services; 2. Respite care services; and 3. Supportive services, as defined in A.R.S. § 36-151. C. An administrator shall ensure that the medical director provides direction for medical services provided by or through the hospice. D. A medical director shall ensure that: 1. A patient’s need for medical services is met, according to the patient’s care plan and the hospice’s scope of services; and 2. If a patient is receiving medical services not provided by or through the hospice, hospice services are coordinated with the physician providing medical services to the patient. E. A director of nursing shall ensure that: 1. A registered nurse or practical nurse provides nursing services according to the hospice’s policies and procedures; 2. A sufficient number of nurses are available to provide the nursing services identified in each patient’s care plan; 3. The care plan for a patient is implemented; 4. A personnel member is only assigned to provide services the personnel member can competently perform; 5. A registered nurse: a. Assigns tasks in writing to a home health aide who is providing home health aide service to a patient, b. Provides direction for the home health aide services provided to a patient, and c. Verifies the competency of the home health aide in performing assigned tasks; 6. A registered dietitian or a personnel member under the direction of a registered dietitian plans menus for a patient; 7. A patient’s condition and the services provided to the patient are documented in the patient’s medical record after each patient contact; 8. A patient’s physician is immediately informed of a change in the patient’s condition that requires medical services; and 9. The implementation of a patient’s care plan is coordinated among the personnel members providing hospice services to the patient.