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WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care)

WashingtonregulationWashington State Department of Health· effective 2018-04-06

What this rule requires your agency to do

  • 1For one-time visits, provide the documentation in WAC 246-335-440(5) in lieu of subsection (3) requirements (subsec. (4)).(WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care))
  • 2Upon request and per agency policy, provide client information or a summary of care when the client is transferred or discharged (subsec. (6)).(WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care))
  • 3Store records safely and securely, maintain/release per chapter 70.02 RCW, and after ceasing operation retain or dispose of records confidentially per the subsection (7) time frames (subsec. (8)).(WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care))
  • 4Maintain a current record for each client consistent with chapter 70.02 RCW (subsec. (1)).(WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care))
  • 5Ensure client records are accessible in the office for review by direct care personnel, volunteers, contractors, and the department; legible/electronically retrievable; on standardized forms; confidential; chronological; fastened together; and kept current per agency time frames (subsec. (2)(a)-(h)).(WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care))
  • 6Document in each record the client's identifying data, consent for services, payment source and responsibility, plan of care per WAC 246-335-440, dated notes describing services at each contact, supervision per WAC 246-335-445, and other required documentation (subsec. (3)).(WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care))
  • 7Consider records the property of the licensee and allow the client access to his or her own record (subsec. (5)).(WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care))
  • 8Keep client records for the retention periods specified: adults three years post-termination; minors three years past age 18 or five years post-discharge (whichever is longer); client death three years post-termination (subsec. (7)).(WAC 246-335-450 — Client records (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Care))

Applies to: personal care

Requires home care licensees to maintain a current, confidential, accessible record for each client with specified content (consent, payment, plan of care, dated service notes, supervision), and sets record retention periods and storage/disposal duties. Framework topic: Clinical Records / Documentation.

Regulatory information, not legal advice — always confirm against the cited official source. Verification reduces error; it does not certify compliance.