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role of medical director of nursing home

from ref [2] 1) physician leadership - ensure appropriate physician & healthcare provider coverage & services - assist in development of a process for reviewing physician & healthcare provider credentials - guidance for physician performance expectations - help ensure a system is in place for monitoring performance of healthcare providers - facilitate feedback to physicians & other healthcare providers on performances & practices 2) patient care - clinical leadership - participate in administrative decisions & in development of policies & procedures related to patient care - help develop, approve & implement specific clinical practices into policies & procedures, including those required by law or other regulations - develop procedures & guidance for staff regarding contacting practitioners, including information gathering & presentation, change in condition assessment,& when to contact the medical director - review, consider, &/or implement consultant recommendations that affect resident care policies & procedures or care of an individual resident - review, respond to & participate in external surverys & inspections - help review policies & procedures regarding adequate protection of patient'e rights, advance care planning & other ethical issues 3) quality of care - help establish systems & methods for reviewing quality of care & other health-related services & provide feedback - participate in the quality improvement process - advise on infection control issues & approve infection control policies - help provide a safe, caring environment - help promote employee health & safety - assist in development & implementation of employee health policies & programs 4) education, information & communication - promote a learning culture within the facility by educating, informing & communicating - provide information to ensure pratices consistent with the standard of care - help develop medical information & communication systems with staff, families & others - represent the facility on medical & patient care issues - maintain knowledge of the changing social, regulatory, political & economic factors that affect health services for long-term care residents - help establish relationships with other healthcare organizations from ref [1] 1) organize comprehensive medical services 2) ensure that primary care physicians fulfil their obligations to their residents & the facility 3) monitor & continually attempt to improve quality of medical services a) establish ongoing relationships with primary & consultative medical staff b) quality assurance activities 1] infection control 2] autopsies 3] pharmacy 4] safety committees 4) collaborate with administrators & other department heads to develop & implement appropriate policies & procedures 5) oversee the employee health program 6) assist in the development, organization & presentation of educational activities for staff, residents & families 7) act as a spokesperson for the facility, its staff & residents to the community & other health care agencies 8) facilitate appropriate research by reviewing protocols, discussing them with staff, & monitoring their implementation

References

  1. Ouslander JG Medical care in the nursing home. JAMA 262:2582, 1989 PMID: 2572706
  2. Geriatric Review Syllabus, 8th edition (GRS8) Durso SC and Sullivan GN (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2013