The National Private Duty Association has just approved for release the Best Practices for Business Operations guide developed by the Standards and Ethics Committee. This document was created to provide members with parameters and guidelines for the day-to-day operations of a private duty home care agency.
The document outlines best practices and suggestions for running an agency. According to Gloria Horton, chair of the Standards and Ethics Committee, this document assists members in management and also works to set standards for the private duty industry – setting NPDA members apart from the competition.
The newly published document is located in the Members Only section of the NPDA website. You’ll need your username and password to log in and access.
To assist members in implementing and using this document, the NPDA is offering a free instructional webinar on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Christina Chartrand, Standards & Ethics Committee Member, will be hosting an interactive presentation on the document. For registration details, click here or call the NPDA at (317) 663-3637.
They document 30 specific Best Practices that all private duty companies should demonstrate. As we reviewed the Best Practices, there are a number of them that stand out as being especially important. For example:
The agency should …
- have a current policy and procedure manual for operation of all business practices
- have a policy and procedure for handling complaints
- have a policy and procedure for handling incidents
- have a disaster plan
- have an infection control plan
- brochures and marketing materials available to all staff
- carry professional liability insurance and workers compensation
- have an employee handbook and personnel policies available or all staff
- perform criminal background checks
- provide periodic continuing education for staff
These are just a few of the best practices developed by the NPDA Standards and Ethics committee. For a copy of the full list of the 30 Best Practices, go to the NPDA web site. You’ll need to be a member to access this and many other tools to help you operate our business more effectively.
Note: Leading Home Care is an associate member of NPDA, and we frequently contribute to their ongoing educational programs.
