Transfer of Clients
policy
Avenue Home Care will transfer clients to other agencies when it is unable to meet the client’s needs or when the client or family requests a transfer of services. A completed discharge summary with full information will be provided to ensure continuity of care for the client.
purpose
To define the criteria for the transfer of clients.
To ensure continuity of care.
Procedure
1. Clients will be transferred to another community agency or facility when:
(a) There is not adequate staff to meet the client’s need for services.
(b) The skills, abilities, and resources of the agency are not adequate to meet the needs of the client.
(c) The supervising nurse or the owner/administrator does not believe that the client’s care needs can be safely met by the agency.
(d) The client and/or family request a transfer to another provider.
(e) The client is transferred to a hospital, nursing home, or other facility.
(f) The client moves out of the service area covered by the agency. The agency will send a summary of the clinical record, and the current plan of care to the receiving agency or facility to aid in the transfer within three working days.
2. In the event that the agency cannot meet the client’s needs, the client wishes to transfer to another agency, or the agency ceases service, the client and/or their families will be given a list of the agencies in their area that can provide the needed services.
3. The client and/or family will receive written notification by hand or mail of an impending transfer from services with a minimum of a five-day notice unless it has been judged that the staff is at risk. In this case, services may be terminated immediately and followed with a written statement regarding the cause of termination of services. If the written notice is delivered by mail it must be mailed at least eight working days before the date of transfer and the agency must speak with the client by telephone or in person to ensure the client’s knowledge of the transfer at least five days before the date of discharge or transfer.
4. Once the agency is selected, an initial telephone report will be made to the receiving agency to inform them of the client’s condition and needs with a written report if requested.
5. The agency will keep the following in the client’s file:
6. Copy of the written notification provided to the client.
7. Documentation of the personal contact with the client if the required notice was delivered by mail.
8. Documentation that the client’s attending physician was notified of the date of transfer if he/she is involved with the agency’s care of the client.