AOP.1.4 Assessments are completed in the time frame prescribed by the organization.
AOP.1.4.1 The initial medical and nursing assessments are completed within the first 24 hours after the patient’s admission as an inpatient or earlier as indicated by the patient’s condition or hospital policy.
AOP.1.5 Assessment findings are documented in the patient’s record and readily available to those responsible for the patient’s care.
AOP.1.5.1 The initial medical assessment is documented before anesthesia or surgical treatment.
AOP.1.6 Patients are screened for nutritional status and functional needs and are referred for further assessment and treatment when necessary.
AOP.1.7 All inpatients and outpatients are screened for pain and assessed when pain is present.
AOP.1.8 The organization conducts individualized initial assessments for special populations cared for by the organization.
AOP.1.9 Dying patients and their families are assessed and reassessed according to their individualized needs.
AOP.1.10 The initial assessment includes determining the need for additional specialized assessments.
AOP.1.11 The initial assessment includes determining the need for discharge planning.
AOP.2 All patients are reassessed at intervals based on their condition and treatment to determine their response to treatment and to plan for continued treatment or discharge.
AOP.3 Qualified individuals conduct the assessments and reassessments.
AOP.4 Physicians, nurses, and other individuals and services responsible for patient care collaborate to analyze and to integrate patient assessments.
AOP.4.1 The most urgent or important care needs are identified.
Laboratory Services
AOP.5 Laboratory services are available to meet patient needs, and all such services meet applicable local and national standards, laws, and regulations.
AOP.5.1 A laboratory safety program is in place, followed, and documented.
AOP.5.2 Individuals with proper qualifications and experience administer the tests and interpret the results.
AOP.5.3 Laboratory results are available in a timely way as defined by the organization.
AOP.5.3.1 There is a process for reporting critical results of diagnostic tests.
AOP.5.4 All equipment used for laboratory testing is regularly inspected, maintained, and calibrated, and appropriate records are maintained for these activities.