Home Heath

Hello,

When a Home Health Agency is at capacity or on delay for accepting new referrals, what is the documentation expectation for timeliness of care?

Additionally, if the referral source agrees to a specific date for the Start of Care, what should be documented in the referral intake notes to ensure compliance?

Thank you!

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Tracy Stewart, MSN, RN
Carilion Clinic Home Care and Hospice

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Our State surveyors are adamant that an agency should not accept a referral if they cannot staff it timely, and the regs are clear that a physician-ordered start of care date is not to be used to accommodate agency staffing. That said, plans do change (DC date delayed or services added, for example) and we find ourselves in a difficult staffing situation. I, too, am curious to know how others are handling that while remaining compliant. 

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Holly Johnson
Columbine Poudre Home Care
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