LPN's doing patient assessments??

[Donnamaejane]

I've been Director of Homecare for our agency for the past 4 years.I do all the case open paperwork and assessments.I just completed my first DOH audit and passed with flying colorr...well almost.I'm now waiting for the DOH to decide if its ok for an LPN to do the patient assessments.Does anyone know about this?I've been an LPN for 22 years and formarly functioned as triage nurse in an ER.I thought that was assessing the patient?Now I'm anxiously waiting to hear what will happen next.Any opinions?Thanks!!:)

[fairyprincess2003]

Hey there

I always learned that RN's are only supposed to assess, but I could be wrong. Good luck

J.

I've been Director of Homecare for our agency for the past 4 years.I do all the case open paperwork and assessments.I just completed my first DOH audit and passed with flying colorr...well almost.I'm now waiting for the DOH to decide if its ok for an LPN to do the patient assessments.Does anyone know about this?I've been an LPN for 22 years and formarly functioned as triage nurse in an ER.I thought that was assessing the patient?Now I'm anxiously waiting to hear what will happen next.Any opinions?Thanks!!:)

[nurseunderwater]

it is my understanding that rns have to do the initial admit assessment...after that an lpn can complete qshift assessments...Kate

[BRANDY LPN]

RN- intial assessment LPN- any after that, is the way we have always done them, but I am not in homehealth so may be a different animal all together.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Look at:

A. State Practice Act.

B. State Department of Health conditions of participation for home health agencies.

C. If a skilled care agency:

1. Medicare certification requires RN only performing assessments.

Conditions of Participation: Home Health Agencies

PART 484--CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: HOME HEALTH AGENCIES--Table of Contents

Subpart A--General Provisions

Sec. 484.4 Personnel qualifications.

Staff required to meet the conditions set forth in this part are

staff who meet the qualifications specified in this section.

Administrator, home health agency. A person who:

(a) Is a licensed physician; or

(b) Is a registered nurse; or

© Has training and experience in health service administration and at least 1

year of supervisory or administrative experience in home health care or related

health programs.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?TITLE=42&PART=484&SECTION=4&YEAR=1999&TYPE=TEXT

Sec. 484.30 Condition of participation: Skilled nursing services.

The HHA furnishes skilled nursing services by or under the

supervision of a registered nurse and in accordance with the plan of

care.

[[Page 442]]

(a) Standard: Duties of the registered nurse. The registered nurse

makes the initial evaluation visit, regularly reevaluates the patient's

nursing needs, initiates the plan of care and necessary revisions,

furnishes those services requiring substantial and specialized nursing

skill, initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing

procedures, prepares clinical and progress notes, coordinates services,

informs the physician and other personnel of changes in the patient's

condition and needs, counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing

and related needs, participates in in-service programs, and supervises

and teaches other nursing personnel.

(b) Standard: Duties of the licensed practical nurse. The licensed

practical nurse furnishes services in accordance with agency policies,

prepares clinical and progress notes, assists the physician and

registered nurse in performing specialized procedures, prepares

equipment and materials for treatments observing aseptic technique as

required, and assists the patient in learning appropriate self-care

techniques.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?TITLE=42&PART=484&SECTION=30&YEAR=1999&TYPE=TEXT

2. Medicaid only certified: follows Medicare rules.

At worst, agency Might wind up repaying all monies received for medicaid clients.

Available via PM for more info if desired.