Poland will require all public and private long-term care facilities to adopt uniform organizational standards by August 31, 2026, focusing on individualized care and patient rights.
New Rules for Long-Term Senior Care
New regulations mandate that all long-term care facilities – both public and private – implement unified organizational standards by the end of August. These new rules include preparing an individual care plan for each patient and ensuring pain management and accessibility.
Previously, there was no document requiring medical facilities to provide a uniform standard of long-term care. Existing regulations only addressed minimum staffing, equipment, and space requirements.
Organizational Standard Details
The organizational standard, an annex to the regulation, outlines the implementation of patient rights, care provided by personnel, the obligation to develop and implement a long-term care plan, pain management, preventative care, infection control, health education for patients and their families, and accessibility for individuals with special needs.
Individualized Care Plans
Each patient will have an individualized care plan that considers their health needs and other factors, including activities to promote their engagement. This plan will be regularly updated and discussed with the patient and their family.
Health Education and Pain Management
Facilities will be required to provide health education to patients and their families to increase awareness of their health status and available treatment options. The standard places particular emphasis on the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, as well as the obligation to manage pain.
Facilities must develop a written procedure for pain management, including assessing pain intensity and location, available methods for relief, access to pain medication, and its proper administration.
Addressing Patient Safety and Transfers
Long-term care facilities will monitor and assess the risk of violence and neglect towards patients. In cases of suspected abuse, they must implement legal procedures and provide psychological support. The regulation also outlines procedures for transferring patients to other facilities for continued treatment, placing the responsibility on the facility’s director to select a suitable facility, prepare medical documentation, and inform family members.