Section 481.53.5. Quality assurance and utilization review.

The hospice must have a written procedure for individual assessment of care provided, a process for identifying problems and a system to report findings and recommendations for improving the quality of care delivered to the governing body.

       53.5(1) At least quarterly, the medical director, patient coordinator and social worker used by the hospice program shall review a minimum of a 10 percent sample of combined active and inactive clinical records of care delivered to hospice patients and families. A written summary shall be prepared for each individual assessment, commenting on the amount and kind of care delivered and including statements addressing any unmet needs.

       53.5(2) At least quarterly, all summaries of individual assessments shall be reviewed by the people responsible for coordinating quality assurance. A written report will be prepared addressing any identified problems with care, treatment services, availability of services and methods of care delivery.

       53.5(3) The quality assurance reports shall be made available to the hospice administrator and governing body. The reports shall be reviewed by the governing body at least annually, and the review recorded in the governing body’s meeting minutes.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 135J.3(8).