Virginia Law

A. The organization shall provide a program of home health services that shall include one or more of the following:

1. Nursing services;

2. Physical therapy services;

3. Occupational therapy services;

4. Speech therapy services;

5. Respiratory therapy services; or

6. Medical social services.

B. All skilled services delivered shall be prescribed in a medical plan of care that contains at least the following information:

1. Diagnosis and prognosis;

2. Functional limitations;

3. Orders for all skilled services, including: (i) specific procedures, (ii) treatment modalities, and (iii) frequency and duration of the services ordered;

4. Orders for medications, when applicable; and

5. Orders for special dietary or nutritional needs, when applicable.

The medical plan of care shall be approved and signed by the client's primary care physician.

C. Verbal orders shall be documented within 24 consecutive hours in the client's record by the health care professional receiving the order and shall be countersigned by the prescribing person.

D. The primary care physician shall be notified immediately of any changes in the client's condition that indicates a need to alter the medical plan of care.

E. The medical plan of care shall be reviewed, approved, and signed by the primary care physician at least every 60 days.

F. There shall be a director of skilled services, who shall be a physician licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine or a registered nurse, responsible for the overall direction and management of skilled services including the availability of services, the quality of services and appropriate staffing. The individual shall have the appropriate experience for the scope of services provided by the organization.

G. The organization shall develop and implement policies and procedures for the handling of drugs and biologicals, including procurement, storage, administration, self-administration, and disposal of drugs and shall allow clients to procure their medications from a pharmacy of their choice.

H. All prescription drugs shall be prescribed and properly dispensed to clients according to the provisions of Chapters 33 (§ 54.1-3300 et seq.) and 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, except for prescription drugs authorized by § 54.1-3408 of the Drug Control Act, such as epinephrine for emergency administration, normal saline and heparin flushes for the maintenance of IV lines, and adult immunizations, which may be given by a nurse pursuant to established protocol.