care plan notices

[crissrn27, RN]

Does anyone know of a specific reg that says the SW (or whoever does the notifications) have to send a letter out about the careplan date? Our SW does phone calls and some of the team are unhappy about that. I've read the CMS MDS 2.0 manual until I think my eyes are bleeding, lol. Any help would be great.

[edhcinc]

hi--the som (state operations manual) notes ltc survey requirement/regulations and the surveyor's interpretive guidelines.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/downloads/som107c08.pdf it is a rather large file, 4.7 mb.

attached are the few pages regarding care planning.

page 102 of the som discusses medically related social services---

"medically-related social services" means services provided by the facility's staff to

assist residents in maintaining or improving their ability to manage their everyday

physical, mental, and psychosocial needs. these services might include, for example:

* making arrangements for obtaining needed adaptive equipment, clothing, and

personal items;

* maintaining contact with facility (with resident's permission) to report on

changes in health, current goals, discharge planning, and encouragement to

participate in care planning;

* assisting staff to inform residents and those they designate about the

resident's health status and health care choices and their ramifications;

the som does not say who must actually notify the resident/family of the care plan, or how to notify, or when to notify. there is also no reg that says that the notification must be documented.

if the method works, and your residents/families/ombudsman are happy with the process, ask/tell your staff/team "...don't worry...be happy...":onbch:

CP Pages from SOM.pdf

[catnip3]

One of the secretaries sends case conference invitations to families via mail. Also, our social worker gives the residents a cute personal invitation that looks like a party invitation. Our response is good, and I'd say in any given week, 50% or more of the people/families scheduled for case conference do attend.

[crissrn27, RN]

Thanks guys........glad to know that there is no actual reg. I personally am just happy to have a SW that will notify families of anything and I'm not about to complain about it being on the telephone and not on paper via USPS.

[edhcinc]

wow!!!

50% or more!! tis good to know that your processes do work!!

truly, that is a great response!!

[catnip3]

wow!!!

50% or more!! tis good to know that your processes do work!!

truly, that is a great response!!

it is a pleasure to have residents and families come.......most are very pleased with the care, and their input really helps our care planning.