Section 22-B3915. HOME HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE AIDE SERVICES

 

3915.1A home care agency may offer home health or personal care aide services and shall employ or contract with qualified home health or personal care aides to perform those services.

 

3915.2A home health aide or personal care aide shall be qualified by completing seventy-five (75) hours of classroom and supervised practical training, with at least sixteen (16) hours devoted to supervised practical training, and by passing a competency evaluation.

 

3915.3Sixteen (16) hours of classroom training must be completed before an individual receives supervised practical training.

 

3915.4A certified nurse aide shall be qualified as a home health aide upon satisfactory completion of a supplemental training program in home health care, consisting of at least twelve (12) hours of instruction in the following:

 

(a)Infection control in the home;

 

(b)Meal preparation and special diets;

 

(c)Home safety;

 

(d)Duties of a home health aide;

 

(e)Maintenance of a clean, safe, and healthy environment; and

 

(f)Documentation of patient status and care rendered.

 

3915.5Training may be provided by a community college or by another training program approved by the District of Columbia, by the National Foundation for Hospice and Home care, or by another state.

 

3915.6After the first year of service, each aide shall be required to obtain at least twelve (12) hours of continuing education or in-service training annually, which shall include information that will help maintain or improve his or her performance. This training shall include a component specifically related to the care of persons with disabilities.

 

3915.7Each home health or personal care aide shall be supervised by a registered nurse or other health professional for performing tasks specific to that profession. On-site supervision of skilled services shall take place at least once every two (2) weeks. On-site supervision of all other services shall take place at least once every sixty-two (62) calendar days.

 

3915.8Home health or personal care service activities that are performed by an aide shall be explained to the patient by the registered nurse or other health professional, as authorized by a physician and in accordance with the plan of care.

 

3915.9Each home care agency shall define the duties of home health aides and personal care aides.

 

3915.10Personal care aide duties may include the following:

 

(a)Basic personal care including bathing, grooming, and assistance with toileting or bedpan use;

 

(b)Changing urinary drainage bags;

 

(c)Assisting the patient with transfer, ambulation, and exercise as prescribed;

 

(d)Assisting the patient with self-administration of medication;

 

(e)Reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration;

 

(f)Observing, recording, and reporting the patient's physical condition, behavior, or appearance;

 

(g)Meal preparation in accordance with dietary guidelines, and assistance with eating;

 

(h)Infection control;

 

(i)Tasks related to keeping the patient's living area in a condition that promotes the patient's health and comfort;

 

(j)Accompanying the patient to medical and medically-related appointments, to the patient's place of employment, and to approved recreational activities;

 

(k)Assisting the patient at his or her place of employment; and

 

(l)Shopping for items related to promoting the patient's nutritional status and other health needs.

 

3915.11Home health aide duties may include the following:

 

(a)Basic personal care including bathing, grooming, and assistance with toileting or bedpan use;

 

(b)Changing urinary drainage bags;

 

(c)Assisting the patient with transfer, ambulation, and exercise as prescribed;

 

(d)Assisting the patient with self-administration of medication;

 

(e)Reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration;

 

(f)Observing, recording, and reporting the patient's physical condition, behavior, or appearance;

 

(g)Meal preparation in accordance with dietary guidelines, and assistance with eating;

 

(h)Infection control;

 

(i)Tasks related to keeping the patient's living area in a condition that promotes the patient's health and comfort;

 

(j)Simple dressing changes that do not require the skills of a licensed nurse;

 

(k)Assisting the patient with activities that are directly supportive of skilled therapy services; and

 

(l)Routine care of prosthetic and orthotic devices.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 2876 (March 19, 2004).