A plan of care is an important document for patients in nursing homes. In this article, we’ll define the term “plan of care” and explain how it relates to nursing home abuse. 

Key Takeaways

• A plan of care is a document describing the services and support a patient will receive
• To receive Medicare-covered home health care, a patient must have a doctor-approved plan of care from their home health agency
• Nursing homes must create plans of care for their residents based on thorough assessment and reevaluate them periodically
• Plans of care may become important pieces of evidence in a nursing home abuse lawsuit

What Is a Plan of Care?

In healthcare, a plan of care is a document describing the services and support a patient is or will be receiving. They are based on thorough assessment and review of the patient, their history, and their care needs. The patient must agree to the plan of care.

Plans of Care and Medicare

In order for a patient to receive Medicare-covered home health care, the home health agency must create a plan of care. This will list:

• The predicted outcomes of treatment
• How often the patient will receive services
• The types of health services and items the patient needs

The patient’s doctor must sign the plan of care at the beginning of the care or soon after it starts. This document is often paired with a home health certification form that a doctor must sign to show that the patient needs care. 

The initial plan of care and certification last 60 days. If the patient needs additional care, the plan of care and certification must be renewed for as many 60-day periods as necessary, as long as the doctor continues to sign them. 

It is important that the plan of care is approved by the doctor and contains everything the patient needs.

Plans of Care and Nursing Homes

It is standard for nursing home residents to receive a plan of care created on the basis of a thorough assessment. This plan of care is used as a summary of the patient’s care requirements and covers all health, personal, and social care needs. It details the actions staff will take to ensure appropriate attention to the patient and their needs. 

Nursing home residents must approve and sign off on the plan of care to give informed consent. When this is not possible, a relative or other representative who can represent the patient’s interests will need to sign the plan.

According to federal law, nursing home plans of care must:

• Have measurable objectives
• Be specific
• Be in writing
• Include timetables
• Reflect the resident’s needs and concerns
• Periodically be reassessed and revised

Plans of Care and Nursing Home Abuse

The plan of care is an important document used when investigating possible cases of nursing home abuse. A nursing home failing to properly assess a patient and create an appropriate plan of care is considered negligent. 

When there is a plan of care, attorneys will look it over to determine whether a nursing home can be held liable for a patient’s injuries. They will investigate whether or not the plan of care was appropriate for the patient’s needs and if the staff properly followed the plan of care.

If you or a loved one have been a victim of nursing home abuse, an experienced lawyer will be able to review your case and help you seek justice.