role of medical director of nursing home

Introduction

from ref

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

• organize comprehensive medical services
• ensure that primary care physicians fulfil their obligations to their residents & the facility
• monitor & continually attempt to improve quality of medical services
  • establish ongoing relationships with primary & consultative medical staff
  • quality assurance activities
    • infection control
    • autopsies
    • pharmacy
    • safety committees
• collaborate with administrators & other department heads to develop & implement appropriate policies & procedures
• oversee the employee health program
• assist in the development, organization & presentation of educational activities for staff, residents & families
• act as a spokesperson for the facility, its staff & residents to the community & other health care agencies
• facilitate appropriate research by reviewing protocols, discussing them with staff, & monitoring their implementation