Hospital Information for the Public

Assessment of Patients

The goal of the patient assessment function is to determine what kind of care is required to meet a patient’s initial needs as well as his or her needs as they change in response to care.

Each patient’s physical, psychological, and social status are addressed.

Each patient is reassessed at points designated in hospital policy.

Staff members integrate the information from various assessments of the patient to identify and assign priorities to his or her care needs.

The hospital has defined patient assessment performed by each discipline.

The assessment process for an infant, child, or adolescent patient is individualized.

Patients who are receiving treatment for emotional or behavioral disorders have special needs relative to the assessment process.

The assessment and reassessment of patients receiving treatment for alcoholism or other drug dependencies include specific historical and cultural information.

Patients who are possible victims of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect have special needs relative to the assessment process.

Initial Assessment Procedures

This area reflects an evaluation of how the hospital performs initial assessment procedures to determine each patient's needs. These procedures include a physical examination and health history, appropriate diagnostic tests, screening for other needs such as nutritional support, and special assessments related to planned surgery or anesthesia.

Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Services

This area reflects an evaluation of such services and whether they are readily available and provided by trained and qualified staff with appropriate quality control checks. Note: This area addresses only the least complex laboratory testing. More complex laboratory testing is examined by surveyors using a separate set of standards.

Reassessment Procedures

This area reflects an evaluation of reassessment procedures used by the hospital when a patient's condition or diagnosis changes and those used at regular intervals to determine each patient's response to care.

Processes for Patient Care Decisions

This area reflects an evaluation of processes used that are based on assessment information and that identify each patient's priority needs.

Relevant Policies

This area reflects an evaluation of protocols, guidelines, and policies to ensure that physicians, nurses, and other qualified, appropriate staff gathers the right information to understand a patient's needs.

Needs Assessment for Specific Patient Populations

This area reflects an evaluation of how the hospital identifies special assessment considerations due to a patient's age, disability, or condition. Included are assessment requirements for children, patients with emotional and behavioral disorders, patients treated for alcoholism or other drug dependencies and possible victims of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect.

Highlights

Hospital Performance Measurement and Reporting

Hospital Surveys and Incident and Events Reporting:
Final Report to the General Assembly

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