What kind of plan is the POC considered to be?

The Plan of Care (POC) is fundamentally a planning document. It serves as a comprehensive outline that details the specific goals, strategies, and methods to deliver care tailored to an individual's needs. This document is essential for coordinating efforts among healthcare providers and ensuring that everyone involved in the patient's care is aligned on the objectives and methods to achieve optimal outcomes.

As a planning document, the POC provides a framework for assessing the patient's condition, identifying necessary interventions, and monitoring progress over time. It is central to delivering consistent and effective care, making it a vital component of clinical practice. The emphasis here is on planning, which encompasses not only current needs but also anticipates future changes in the patient's condition or circumstances.

Other types of plans, such as financial authorizations, regulatory requirements, or emergency intervention plans, serve different purposes and do not encapsulate the broad, ongoing nature of the POC. The POC's primary function is to guide and direct care processes systematically, which is why it is categorized as a planning document.