Question

"lA long-term care facility acquired a hospice care agency, which provides in-home medical support including pain relief for dying patients. Care of terminally ill patients presents new risk management concerns for the facility.

What should be added to the facility's risk management plan to manage this new risk?
A.) Permit the use of restraints if a patient unexpectedly exhibits violent behavior
B.) Allow caregivers to communicate privileged information when abuse is suspected
C.) Create a procedure for storing controlled substances to prevent diversion by family members
D.) Provide guidance for staff in defining when family members can be present during treatment

Answer 1

To manage the new risk associated with acquiring a hospice care agency, the facility should create a procedure for storing controlled substances to prevent diversion by family members, ensuring proper medication management in home care settings.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a long-term care facility acquired a hospice care agency, it introduced new risk management needs associated with caring for terminally ill patients in a home setting. The facility's risk management plan should address these needs, which differ from those in a more controlled facility setting. To manage this new risk, option (C) Create a procedure for storing controlled substances to prevent diversion by family members is most appropriate. This addresses the specific concern of medication management in the home environment, where monitoring and control can be more challenging. This procedure should aim to prevent misuse or diversion of pain relief medications, which are commonly used in hospice care for comfort measures.