1. (a) A home health agency shall develop and implement written policies and procedures that prohibit abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of patients.

2. (b) An agency shall

   1. (1) screen a potential employee or contractor to prevent the employment of an individual who has been convicted of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of another individual, or misappropriation of the property of a patient under the individual's care;
   2. (2) contact the appropriate licensing authority to verify the employment background of potential employees or contractors who are required to hold a license to practice;
   3. (3) report to the appropriate licensing authority any knowledge it has of an action by a court or other government agency against an individual that would indicate unfitness for holding a professional or occupational license;
   4. (4) report within 24 hours any suspected abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of a patient or misappropriation of a patient's property to state officials in accordance with AS 47.17.010, 47.17.020, and AS 47.24.010 and to the department in its capacity as the state survey agency;
   5. (5) review and document alleged incidents of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment;
   6. (6) take any necessary action to remove the potential for further abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of a patient or misappropriation of a patient's property while the investigation is in progress;
   7. (7) document the results of the investigation and the corrective action taken; and
   8. (8) assure that an employee or contractor does not obtain a patient's power of attorney in violation of AS 13.26.358.

(Eff. 9/6/96, Register 139; am 2/9/2007, Register 181; am 6/29/2017, Register 222)

Authority: AS 18.05.040, AS 47.05.320, AS 47.32.010, AS 47.05.300, AS 47.05.330, AS 47.32.030, AS 47.05.310, AS 47.05.340