Ch. 10, § 9. Non-Hospice Inpatient Respite Care Services

(a) Accepting clients for non-hospice respite care under this subsection is voluntary. (b) Hospice facilities that elect to provide non-hospice respite care services shall: (i) Provide medication administration in accordance with federal and state physician's orders; (ii) Provide activities and care in accordance with a plan of care developed by primary caregivers and hospice staff prior to admission. (c) The hospice providing non-hospice respite care services shall be staffed with qualified personnel including a registered nurse and any additional disciplines needed to ensure adequate care and services are provided. (d) The services shall include, but not be limited to: (i) assistance with activities of daily living; (ii) personal hygiene; (iii) provision of nourishments; (iv) appropriate recreational activities; and (v) medication management. (e) Non-hospice inpatient respite care services shall meet the following standards: (i) provide a clean environment free of obstacles that could pose a hazard to client health or safety; (ii) provide easily accessible toilet facilities, handwashing facilities, and paper towel dispensers in common areas; and (iii) be accessible to patients with supporting devices for ambulation and wheelchairs. (f) Non-hospice respite care services shall have written policies and procedures relevant to its operation. Such policies and procedures shall include, but not be limited to: (i) Admission criteria and physician's orders that qualify patients to be appropriately served in the hospice facility that include the primary physician's name and contact information; (ii) Meals and refreshments, including special diets that will be provided; (iii) Handling of medical emergencies and subsequent transfer to acute care facility; (iv) Infection control procedures; (v) Recordkeeping of all medications administered and any adverse events occurring; (vi) Safety interventions regarding potential elopement or wandering; (vii) Assessment and interventions for patients with behaviors, including wandering; (viii) Medication administration and monitoring; and (ix) Activities program to meet the needs of the patients. (g) The patient or responsible party and the hospice shall have a written, signed agreement outlining the respective rules of the hospice and responsibilities of each party.