New Florida Regulation Alert: What the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act Means for Assisted Living Facilities
A new Florida law, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, was recently signed to improve awareness and education around deadly blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
While much of this legislation focuses on hospitals and statewide data tracking, assisted living facilities are impacted in one very specific and important way — and it applies to every licensed ALF in Florida.
The One Requirement That Applies to Assisted Living Facilities
Under this law, assisted living facilities must provide blood clot educational information to residents at the time of admission.
That’s it.
There are no new reporting obligations, no screening mandates, and no medical treatment requirements placed on ALFs by this Act. The responsibility is strictly educational and occurs upon admission.
What Information Must Be Provided
At admission, residents (or their legal representatives) must receive consumer-friendly information that explains:
- What blood clots are
- Common risk factors
- Warning signs and symptoms to watch for
This information is intended to increase awareness and help residents and families recognize potential concerns early.
For assisted living providers, this means your admissions packet must include this educational material moving forward.
Why This Matters for Assisted Living Operators
Although the requirement is simple, it is still a statutory obligation. During surveys or record reviews, facilities may be asked to demonstrate that required admission materials are being provided consistently.
From a practical standpoint, this requirement also:
- Supports resident and family education
- Aligns with informed consent and transparency
- Reinforces your facility’s commitment to resident safety
This is not about diagnosing or treating medical conditions — it is about ensuring residents receive clear, standardized information at the start of care.
How Facilities Should Handle Compliance
Facilities should ensure that:
- The blood clot information is included in the admission packet
- Staff responsible for admissions know when and how the material is provided
- Documentation reflects that admission materials were given
That’s the full scope of the requirement.
Downloadable Admission Materials
To make compliance easy, we’ve created downloadable materials specifically for assisted living facilities, including:
- A resident-friendly blood clot information handout
- An admission acknowledgment form for documentation purposes
These materials are designed to be clear, simple, and appropriate for assisted living settings.
👉 [Download the Assisted Living Admission Materials Here]
Final Takeaway
The Emily Adkins Family Protection Act introduces one clear responsibility for assisted living facilities:
Provide blood clot educational information to residents upon admission.
No added medical duties.
No reporting requirements.
Just clear information, provided at the right time.
If you have questions about updating your admission packet or want help customizing these materials for your facility, reach out — I’m happy to help.