Utah Admin. Code R432-104-8 - Admission and Discharge Policy

(1) The LTA C licensee shall implement an average inpatient length of stay greater than 25 days, in the admission policy of the hospital..

(2) Patients who have one or more of the following conditions may be admitted to an LTAC:

(a) medical instability due to chronic illness requiring weekly physician visits;

(b) a requirement of continuous drug therapy monitoring by a licensed healthcare professional;

(c) a condition that requires dangerous drug therapy, continuous use of a respirator or ventilator, or suctioning or nasopharyngeal aspiration at least once per nursing shift; or

(d) a condition that requires skilled nursing services and care that requires a registered nurse present for care 24 hours a day for at least three of the following treatments at the specified frequency:

(i) daily extensive dressings for deep decubiti, surgical wounds, or vascular ulcers;

(ii) 24-hour isolation for infectious disease;

(iii) suctioning three days per week;

(iv) occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech therapy five days per week;

(v) respiratory therapy;

(vi) daily special ostomy care;

(vii) daily oxygen;

(viii) traction; or

(ix) daily catheter or wound irrigation.

(3) Within 24 hours of admission, the attending physician shall document:

(a) the patient's current medical and respiratory status, including pertinent clinical parameters;

(b) treatment plan and goals;

(c) estimated length of stay; and

(d) anticipated discharge plan.

(4) The LTAC licensee shall discharge the patient from the facility if:

(a) the physician documents that the patient:

(i) requires additional intensive services in an acute hospital;

(ii) exhibits no evidence of progress toward current, documented goals over an eight-week period and a medically appropriate alternative for discharge exists; or

(iii) has met documented goals established at or modified following admission and medically appropriate alternatives for discharge exist; or

(b) the patient or caregiver exhibits the ability to care for the patient's physical needs.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R432-104-8

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2016-17, effective 8/3/2016 Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-07, effective 3/22/2023