CMS SOM App. H, Tag V758

interdisciplinary team are available to meet patient clinical needs;

Interpretive Guidance § 494.180(b)(1):

A dialysis patient’s clinical needs may change rapidly, necessitating attention and intervention

from the members of the IDT. When a dialysis facility has staffing limitations that impact the

patient’s access to care, the governing body is expected to make diligent efforts to secure

appropriate staffing. If the nurse manager, social worker, dietitian or other required or

necessary position not available, the governing body must make some provision for temporary

coverage in order to ensure patient clinical needs are met. If the facility “shares” the social

worker or dietitian with multiple clinics, or requires professional staff to perform non-clinical

tasks, it must not negatively impact the time available to provide the clinical interventions

required to achieve the goals identified in the patient’s plan of care. The facility CEO or

administrator is responsible to ensure the professional support staff members have sufficient

time available in the facility to meet the clinical needs of in-center and home dialysis patients.