The Code of Federal Regulations for assisted living is an extensive set of guidelines covering every aspect of skilled nursing and nursing facilities. It was implemented to protect facilities and their patients and to establish a strict framework of care.
Skilled Nursing Facility Structure
Verbiage regarding a medical facility is somewhat complex, but federal regulations require a strict chain-of-command. Each medical institution is permitted only one additional skilled nursing facility, and all facilities require administrators and medical directors to be held accountable by institutional management. In addition, facilities are required to be financially integrated with the medical institution as an additional checks-and-balance measure.
Facility Requirements
Facilities are required to notify the patient in writing of any physical changes or billing issues. A patient cannot be transferred to another facility unless significant reason is documented, and a facility is only permitted to charge additional fees for miscellaneous items requested by the patient. Routine nursing services and personal hygiene products paid under medicare or medicaid cannot be billed to the patient.
Patient Rights
Patients have the right to view their personal medical records within 24 hours of requesting them, the right to legal counsel and the right to full disclosure of courses of medical treatment. Patients also have the right to refuse any treatment and are not required to undergo any experimental treatment without written consent. Facilities must keep updated legal contacts for patients at all times.
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