WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 411

(a)  The Department shall adopt rules and regulations that
set standards for the care, treatment, health, safety, welfare,
and comfort of patients of home health agencies.

(b)  The rules and regulations shall provide for the
licensing of home health agencies and annual license renewal, and
shall establish standards that require as a minimum, that all
home health agencies:

(1) WITHIN 10 DAYS OF ACCEPTANCE OF A PATIENT FOR
SKILLED CARE, MAKE AND RECORD ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO CONTACT A
PHYSICIAN TO OBTAIN THE SIGNED ORDER REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH
(2);

[(1)] (2) That accept patients for skilled care do so
only on the signed order of a physician obtained within [10] 28
days after acceptance;

[(2)] (3) Provide skilled nursing services, home
health aid services, and at least one other defined service;

[(3)] (4) Adopt procedures for the administration of
drugs and biologicals;

[(4)] (5) Maintain clinical records on all patients
accepted for skilled care;

[(5)] (6) Establish patient care policies and
personnel policies;

[(6)] (7) Have services available at least 8 hours a
day, 5 days a week, and available on an emergency basis 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week;

[(7)] (8) Make service available to an individual in
need within 24 hours of a referral when stipulated by a
physician's order;

[(8)] (9) Have a designated supervisor of patient
care who is a full-time employee of the agency and is available
at all times during operating hours and additionally as needed;
and

[(9)] (10) Have as the administrator of the agency a
person who has at least 1 year of supervisory experience in
hospital management, home health management, or public health
program management and who is:

(i) A licensed physician;

(ii) A registered nurse; or

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