PURPOSE: This rule establishes the requirements for social work services in a hospital.

1. (1) The program shall include: a method of screening to determine the social service needs of the patient; a method of providing appropriate social work interventions, including discharge planning and counseling; and a mechanism for referrals to community agencies when appropriate.
2. (2) The social service program shall be identified and integrated in the total hospital organizational plan. Social work services shall be provided under the direction of a qualified social services worker. When the individual is not a qualified social worker, a qualified social worker shall be employed on a parttime or consultant basis.
3. (3) Social work services including discharge planning shall be integrated with other direct patient-care services of the hospitals. The social work assessment and plan of action shall be implemented for each patient who has need for social services.
4. (4) Written policies and procedures relating to the quality and scope of social work services shall be kept current.

AUTHORITY: sections 192.006 and 197.080, RSMo 2000.* This rule previously filed as 19 CSR 30-20.021(3)(I). Original rule filed June 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. *Original authority: 192.006, RSMo 1993, amended 1995 and 197.080, RSMo 1953, amended 1993, 1995.