D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-B10119

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 22-B10119 - COMPANIONS

10119.1

Pursuant to § 701(a) of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 44-107.01(a) ), the ALA shall be responsible for all personnel and services within the ALR, and shall cause all companions that provide companion services on the ALR's premises to comply with the requirements of this section as a condition of providing service on the ALR's premises.

10119.2

A companion shall not be permitted to provide any healthcare services to a resident or perform any services that constitute hands-on care of the resident.

10119.3

A companion may provide companion services, including but not limited tocooking, housekeeping, errands, and providing social interaction with a resident. The ALR shall obtain a written description of the type and frequency of services to be delivered to the resident, review the information to determine if the services are acceptable based on the resident's care needs, and notify the companion if the services to be provided are unacceptable.

10119.4

An ALR shall require that, prior to performing companion services for a resident, any companionwith direct resident access must provide to the ALR:

(a) A completed criminal background check for unlicensed professionals performed in accordance with D.C. Official Code §§ 44-551et seq. and 22-B DCMR §§ 4700 et seq., which shall be free from conviction of an offense listed in 22-B DCMR § 4705.1, or their equivalents, within seven (7) years prior to the criminal background check unless permitted under § 22-B DCMR § 4705.2;

(b) A healthcare practitioner's written statement as to whether the companion bears any communicable diseases, including communicable tuberculosis; and

(c) A signed and dated description of the type and frequency of services to be delivered to the resident, approved pursuant to § 10119.3.

10119.5

A companion shall be subject to immediate removal from the ALR premises upon determination by the ALA or designee that he or she has, or is suspected to have, a communicable diseasepresents a risk to the health and safety of the residents, is mentally or physically incapable of performing his or her duties, or otherwise presents a risk to the health and safety of the residents. An ALR shall permit a resident (or surrogate) to appeal the removal of his or her companion in accordance with the ALR's internal grievance procedures required by § 10110.2 of this chapter.

10119.6

An ALR shall have a written agreement with each companion providing companion services on the ALR's premises, or the agency that employs him or her, if applicable, requiring the companion to report abuse, neglect, exploitation, or unusual incidents, such as changes in the resident's condition, to the ALR and describing the procedure by which such reporting shall occur.

10119.7

Pursuant to §607(a)(1) of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 44-106.07(a)(1) ), the ALR shall be responsible for the safety and well-being of its residents, including residents receiving companion services from companions on the ALR's premises.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-B10119

Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 005591 (June 8, 2007); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 3717 (4/3/2020)