DHS 133.17(1) (1) Provision of services. When a home health agency provides or arranges for home health aide services, the services shall be given in accordance with the plan of care provided for under s. DHS 133.20, and shall be supervised by a registered nurse or, when appropriate, by a therapist.

DHS 133.17(2) (2) Duties. Home health aide services may include, but are not limited to:

DHS 133.17(2)(a) (a) Assisting patients with care of mouth, skin and hair, and bathing;

DHS 133.17(2)(b) (b) Assisting patients into and out of bed and assisting with ambulation;

DHS 133.17(2)(c) (c) Assisting with prescribed exercises which patients and home health aides have been taught by appropriate health personnel;

DHS 133.17(2)(d) (d) Preparing meals and assisting patients with eating;

DHS 133.17(2)(e) (e) Household services essential to health care at home;

DHS 133.17(2)(f) (f) Assisting patients to bathroom or in using bedpan;

DHS 133.17(2)(g) (g) Assisting patients with self-administration of medications;

DHS 133.17(2)(h) (h) Reporting changes in the patient’s condition and needs; and

DHS 133.17(2)(i) (i) Completing appropriate records.

DHS 133.17(3) (3) Assignments. Home health aides shall be assigned to specific patients by a registered nurse. Written instructions for patient care shall be prepared and updated for the aides at least each 60 days by a registered nurse or appropriate therapist, consistent with the plan of care under s. DHS 133.20. These instructions shall be reviewed by the immediate supervisors with their aides.

DHS 133.17(4) (4) Training of aides.

DHS 133.17(4)(a) (a) Curriculum. In addition to the orientation required by s. DHS 133.06 (4) (a), the agency shall ensure that all home health aides providing service have successfully completed a course of training covering at least the following subjects:

DHS 133.17(4)(a)1. 1. The role of the home health aide as a member of the health services team;

DHS 133.17(4)(a)2. 2. Instruction and supervised practice in in-home personal care of the sick, including personal hygiene and activities of daily living;

DHS 133.17(4)(a)3. 3. Principles of good nutrition and nutritional problems of the sick and elderly;

DHS 133.17(4)(a)4. 4. Preparation of meals, including special diets;

DHS 133.17(4)(a)5. 5. The needs and characteristics of the populations served, including the aged and disabled;

DHS 133.17(4)(a)6. 6. The emotional problems accompanying illness;

DHS 133.17(4)(a)7. 7. Principles and practices of maintaining a clean, healthy, and safe environment;

DHS 133.17(4)(a)8. 8. What, when and how to report to the supervisor; and

DHS 133.17(4)(a)9. 9. Record-keeping.

DHS 133.17(4)(b) (b) Training. Training, if provided by the agency, shall be directed by a registered nurse. Physicians, nutritionists, physical therapists, medical social workers, and other health personnel shall provide relevant training when pertinent to the duties to be assigned.

DHS 133.17 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1984, No. 341, eff. 6-1-84; CR 07-060: am. (1) and (3) Register November 2007 No. 623, eff. 12-1-07.

DHS 133.18 DHS 133.18 Supervisory visits.

DHS 133.18(1) (1) If a patient receives skilled nursing care, a registered nurse shall make a supervisory visit to each patient’s residence at least every 2 weeks. The visit may be made when the home health aide is present or when the home health aide is absent. If the patient is not receiving skilled nursing care, but is receiving another skilled service, the supervisory visit may be provided by the appropriate therapist providing a skilled service.

DHS 133.18(2) (2) If home health aide services are provided to a patient who is not receiving skilled nursing care, or physical, occupational or speech-language therapy, the registered nurse shall make a supervisory visit to the patient’s residence, when the home health aide is present or when the home health aide is absent, at least every 60 days to observe or assist, to assess relationships, and to determine whether goals are being met and whether home health services continue to be required.

DHS 133.18 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1984, No. 341, eff. 6-1-84; CR 07-060: r. and recr. Register November 2007 No. 623, eff. 12-1-07.