10A NCAC 13G .0907      RESPITE CARE

(a)  For the purposes of this Subchapter, respite care is defined as supervision, personal care and services provided for persons admitted to a family care home on a temporary basis for temporary caregiver relief, not to exceed 30 days.

(b)  Respite care is not required as a condition of licensure. However, respite care is subject to the requirements of this Subchapter except for Rules .0703, .0705, .0801, .0802 and .1201.

(c)  The number of respite care residents and family care home residents shall not exceed the facility's licensed bed capacity.

(d)  The respite care resident contract shall specify the rates for respite care services and accommodations, the date of admission to the facility and the proposed date of discharge from the facility. The contract shall be signed by the administrator or designee and the respite care resident or his responsible person and a copy given to the resident and responsible person.

(e)  Upon admission of a respite care resident into the facility, the facility shall assure that the resident has a current FL-2 and been tested for tuberculosis disease according to Rule .0702 of this Subchapter and that there are current physician orders for any medications, treatments and special diets for inclusion in the respite care resident's record. The facility shall assure that the respite care resident's physician or prescribing practitioner is contacted for verification of orders if the orders are not signed and dated within seven calendar days prior to admission to the facility as a respite care resident or for clarification of orders if orders are not clear or complete.

(f)  The facility shall complete an assessment which allows for the development of a short-term care plan prior to or upon admission to the facility with input from the resident or responsible person. The assessment shall address respite resident needs, including identifying information, hearing, vision, cognitive ability, functional limitations, continence, special procedures and treatments as ordered by physician, skin conditions, behavior and mood, oral and nutritional status and medication regimen. The facility may use the Resident Register or an equivalent as the assessment instrument. The care plan shall be signed and dated by the facility's administrator or designated representative and the respite care resident or responsible person.

(g)  The respite care resident's record shall include a copy of the signed respite care contract; the FL-2; the assessment and care plan; documentation of a tuberculosis test according to Paragraph (e) of this Rule; documentation of any contacts (office, home or telephone) with the resident's physician or other licensed health professionals from outside the facility; physician orders; medication administration records; a statement, signed and dated by the resident or responsible person, indicating that information on the home as required in Rule .0704 of this Subchapter has been received; a written description of any acute changes in the resident's condition or any incidents or accidents resulting in injury to the respite care resident, and any action taken by the facility in response to the changes, incidents or accidents; and how the responsible person or his designated representative can be contacted in case of an emergency.

(h)  The respite care resident's responsible person or his designated representative shall be contacted and informed of the need to remove the resident from the facility if one or more of the following conditions exists:

(1)           the resident's condition is such that he is a danger to himself or poses a direct threat to the health of others as documented by a physician; or

(2)           the safety of individuals in the home is threatened by the behavior of the resident as documented by the facility.

Documentation of the emergency discharge shall be on file in the facility.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D-2.16; 143B-165;

Temporary Adoption Eff. November 1, 2000;

Eff. July 18, 2002;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2004;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2005;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. February 16, 2019.