Title Resident Care – Rights & Facility Procedures
Statute or Rule 58A-5.0182(6) FAC; 429.28(1-2) FS
58A-5.0182(6) RESIDENT RIGHTS AND FACILITY PROCEDURES.
(a) A copy of the Resident Bill of Rights as described in Section 429.28, F.S., or a summary provided by the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program must be posted in full view in a freely accessible resident area, and included in the admission package provided pursuant to Rule 58A-5.0181, F.A.C.
(b) In accordance with Section 429.28, F.S., the facility must have a written grievance procedure for receiving and responding to resident complaints, and for residents to recommend changes to facility policies and procedures. The facility must be able to demonstrate that such a procedure is implemented upon receipt of a complaint.
(c) The telephone number for lodging complaints against a facility or facility staff must be posted in full view in a common area accessible to all residents. The telephone numbers are: the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 1(888)831-0404; Disability Rights Florida, 1(800)342-0823; the Agency Consumer Hotline 1(888)419-3456, and the statewide toll-free telephone number of the Florida Abuse Hotline, 1(800)96-ABUSE or 1(800)962-2873. The telephone numbers must be posted in close proximity to a telephone accessible by residents and must be a minimum of 14-point font.
(d) The facility must have a written statement of its house rules and procedures that must be included in the admission package provided pursuant to Rule 58A-5.0181, F.A.C. The rules and procedures must at a minimum address the facility ‘ s policies regarding:
1. Resident responsibilities;
2. Alcohol and tobacco;
3. Medication storage;
4. Resident elopement;
5. Reporting resident abuse, neglect, and exploitation;
6. Administrative and housekeeping schedules and requirements;
7. Infection control, sanitation, and universal precautions; and
8. The requirements for coordinating the delivery of services to residents by third party providers.
(e) Residents may not be required to perform any work in the facility without compensation, unless the facility rules or the facility contract includes a requirement that residents be responsible for cleaning their own sleeping areas or apartments. If a resident is employed by the facility, the resident must be compensated in compliance with state and federal wage laws.
(f) The facility must provide residents with convenient access to a telephone to facilitate the resident ‘ s right to unrestricted and private communication, pursuant to Section 429.28(1)(d), F.S. The facility must not prohibit unidentified telephone calls to residents. For facilities with a licensed capacity of 17 or more residents in which residents do not have private telephones, there must be, at a minimum, a readily accessible telephone on each floor of each building where residents reside.
(g) In addition to the requirements of Section 429.41(1)
(k), F.S., the use of physical restraints by a facility must be reviewed by the resident ‘ s physician annually. Any device, including half-bed rails, which the resident chooses to use and can remove or avoid without assistance, is not considered a physical restraint.
429.28 Resident bill of rights.
– (1) No resident of a facility shall be deprived of any civil or legal rights, benefits, or privileges guaranteed by law, the Constitution of the State of Florida, or the Constitution of the United States as a resident of a facility. Every resident of a facility shall have the right to:
(a) Live in a safe and decent living environment, free from abuse and neglect.
(b) Be treated with consideration and respect and with due recognition of personal dignity, individuality, and the need for privacy
(c) Retain and use his or her own clothes and other personal property in his or her immediate living quarters, so as to maintain individuality and personal dignity, except when the facility can demonstrate that such would be unsafe, impractical, or an infringement upon the rights of other residents.
(d) Unrestricted private communication, including receiving and sending unopened correspondence, access to a telephone, and visiting with any person of his or her choice, at any time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at a minimum. Upon request, the facility shall make provisions to extend visiting hours for caregivers and out-of-town guests, and in other similar situations.
(e) Freedom to participate in and benefit from community services and activities and to achieve the highest possible level of independence, autonomy, and interaction within the community.
(f) Manage his or her financial affairs unless the resident or, if applicable, the resident’s representative, designee, surrogate, guardian, or attorney, in fact, authorize the administrator of the facility to provide safekeeping for funds as provided in s. 429.27.
(g) Share a room with his or her spouse if both are residents of the facility.
(h) A reasonable opportunity for regular exercise several times a week and to be outdoors at regular and frequent intervals except when prevented by inclement weather.
(i) Exercise civil and religious liberties, including the right to independent personal decisions. No religious beliefs or practices, nor any attendance at religious services, shall be imposed upon any resident.
(j) Access to adequate and appropriate health care consistent with established and recognized standards within the community.
(k) At least 45 days’ notice of revocation or termination of residency from the facility unless, for medical reasons, the resident is certified by a physician to require an emergency relocation to a facility providing a more skilled level of care or the resident engages in a pattern of conduct that is harmful or offensive to other residents. In the case of a resident who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated, the guardian shall be given at least 45 days’ notice of a nonemergency relocation or residency termination. Reasons for relocation shall be set forth in writing. In order for a facility to terminate the residency of an individual without notice as provided herein, the facility shall show good cause in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(l) Present grievances and recommend changes in policies, procedures, and services to the staff of the facility, governing officials, or any other person without restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal. Each facility shall establish a grievance procedure to facilitate the residents’ exercise of this right. This right includes access to ombudsman volunteers and advocates and the right to be a member of, to be active in, and to associate with advocacy or special interest groups.
(2) The administrator of a facility shall ensure that a written notice of the rights, obligations, and prohibitions set forth in this part is posted in a prominent place in each facility and read or explained to residents who cannot read. … The notice must state that a complaint made to the Office of State Long-Term Ombudsman or a local long-term care ombudsman council, the names and identity of complainants are kept confidential pursuant to s. 400.0077 and that retaliatory action cannot be taken against a resident for presenting grievances or for exercising any other resident right. The facility must ensure a resident’s access to a telephone to call the local ombudsman council, central abuse Hotmail, and Disability Rights Florida.