Recommended Policies

Local public health agencies should have written comprehensive policies and procedures. There should be policies and procedures for clinical activities, as well as other issues. Each agency should determine what policies are necessary to manage specific problems and issues. It is recommended, the following nursing related policies are developed in each local public health agency:

Risk Management: Procedure to follow when a risk situation such as needle stick, medication errors or an injury to accident occurs.

Actions Requiring an Order From a Physician: Identification of activities that can be done without an order from a physician. such as home visits.

Reporting of Abuse and Neglect: Procedure to follow when staff suspects a child or adult is the victim of abuse and/or neglect.

Reporting Incompetent, Unethical, or Illegal Behavior: Procedure to follow to report incompetent, unethical, or illegal behavior of co-worker.

Professional Development: Policy stating the requirements for continuing education of professional nurses.

Services Provided by Agency: Procedure/guidelines for determining if requested services will be provided by the agency. Includes things such as level of care or type of service required, skills and competencies of staff, and type of reimbursement available.

Admission and Discharge of Clients: Procedure to follow when admitting clients or discharging clients from service.

Documentation: Policy regarding requirements for documentation in client record, including who must document, what should be documented, where documentation is made, format of documentation, time limits, and approved abbreviations and acronyms.

Release of Information: Policy stating when to obtain release of information and procedure to follow within the agency.

Informed Consent: Policy stating when to obtain informed consent and procedure to follow within the agency.

Student Nurses: Policy regarding students working in agency, including responsibilities of staff, confidentiality statements, and responsibility of faculty.

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