La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-9877

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-9877 - Social Services

A. A nursing facility shall provide medically related social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.

B. It is the responsibility of the nursing facility to identify the medically-related social service needs of the resident and assure that the needs are met by the appropriate disciplines.

C. A nursing facility with more than 120 beds shall employ a qualified psychosocial worker on a full-time basis.

1. Qualifications of a Social Worker. A qualified social worker shall have:

a. a bachelors degree in social work or a bachelors degree in a human services field including but not limited to: sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology; and

b. one year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals.

D. A nursing facility with 120 beds or less shall designate at least one staff member as social services designee (SSD). The SSD is responsible for assuring that the medically-related social services needs of each resident are identified and met by the appropriate disciplines.

1. The individual responsible for provision of social services shall:

a. arrange for social services from outside sources or by furnishing the services directly;

b. integrate social services with other elements of the plan or care; and

c. complete a social history.

E. Social History. The SSD shall complete, date, and sign a social history on applicants/residents within seven days after their admission. The history shall include but shall not be limited to the following information:

1. background:

a. age, sex, and marital status;

b. birthplace;

c. religion;

d. cultural and ethnic background;

e. occupation;

f. education;

g. special training or skills; and

h. primary language; and

2. social functioning:

a. living situation and address before admission;

b. names and relationships with family and friends;

c. involvements with organizations and individuals within the community; and

d. feelings about admission to the nursing facility.

F. Social Needs Assessment

1. The SSD shall also identify and document the needs and medically related social/emotional problems within 14 days after admission.

2. The social services assessment shall become a component of the plan of care written in conjunction with other disciplines and shall be filed in the active medical record.

3. If the initial social assessment concludes that there are no problems or unmet social needs, the social assessment shall state that no social services are required.

G. Participation in Interdisciplinary Staffing. The SSD shall participate in the interdisciplinary staffing.

H. Social Services Progress Notes. Social services progress notes shall:

1. be recorded as often as necessary to document services provided, but at least every 90 days (quarterly) in nursing facilities and as often as necessary to describe changes in social conditions;

2. document the degree of involvement of family and friends, interaction with staff and other residents, and adjustment to the nursing facility and roommate(s);

3. reflect the social needs and functioning;

4. document services in the plan of care are actually being provided; and

5. remain in the active medical chart for three to six months.

I. Vision and Hearing. The nursing facility shall assist the resident in:

1. making appointments;

2. arranging for transportation to and from appointments; and

3. locating assistance from community and charitable organizations when payment is not available through Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance.

J. Dental

1. The nursing facility shall provide or obtain from an outside resource, the following dental services to meet the needs of each resident:

a. routine dental services to the extent covered under the state plan; and

b. emergency dental services.

2. The nursing facility shall, if necessary, assist the resident:

a. in making appointments;

b. in arranging for transportation to and from the dentists office; and

c. by promptly referring residents with lost or damaged dentures to a dentist.

K. The nursing facility shall establish policies and procedures for ensuring the confidentiality of all social information. Records shall reflect each referral to an outside agency and shall include the applicant/resident's written consent to release the information.

L. The same qualifications apply to Medicare skilled nursing facilities.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-9877

Promulgated by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 421923 11/1/2016).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:2009.1-2116.