Q: If a patient is in the hospital for the last part of their certification period, should the patient be discharged effective the end of the certification date or effective the date of the last visit made?
A: An agency is free to establish its own policy for determining the date of discharge. It might choose the date of the last visit, the transfer date, the last date of the certification period (in this example), or another date. However, in the situation where the patient is in the hospital at the end of the certification period, a discharge OASIS comprehensive assessment is not required. The transfer assessment (RFA 6 or 7) completed when the patient was admitted to the inpatient facility is all that is needed. Any agency-specific requirements for discharge would be completed and then a new start of care assessment performed if the patient resumes services in the future.
Mon, Mar 8, 2010
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