Section 270.1700  Admission Practices

a)         The facility shall establish admission criteria that provide for:

1)         The admission of patients with an expected stay of at least 10 days;

2)         The admission of patients who can be served by the facility; and

3)         The nondiscrimination of patients based on disability, race, religion, sex, source of payment, and any other basis recognized by applicable State and federal laws.

b)         The facility shall have a preadmission screening process to assure that the admission criteria are met.  Discharge planning shall be included in the preadmission screening.

c)         At the time each patient is admitted, the licensee must assure that the facility has conducted a nursing assessment and has appropriate physician orders for the patient's immediate care needs, which shall include at a minimum dietary, drugs (if necessary), and routine care to maintain or improve the patient's functional abilities until staff can conduct a comprehensive patient assessment and develop a comprehensive care plan.