R432-750-15. Physician Services

(1) Each patient admitted for hospice services shall be under the care of a licensed physician.

(2) The physician shall provide the following:

(a) approval for hospice care;

(b) admitting diagnosis and prognosis;

(c) current medical findings;

(d) medications and treatment orders; and

(e) pertinent orders regarding the patient's terminal condition.

(3) The administrator shall appoint in writing a licensed physician to be the medical director. The Medical Director must be knowledgeable about the psychosocial and medical aspects of hospice care, on the basis of training, experience and interest. The medical director shall:

(a) act as a medical resource to the interdisciplinary team;

(b) coordinate services with each attending physician to ensure continuity in the services provided in the event the attending physician is unable to retain responsibility for patient care; and

(c) act as liaison with physicians in the community.