Kan. Admin. Regs. § 28-39-147 - Rights of residents in adult care homes licensed as nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, residential health care facilities, home plus, boarding care homes and adult day care facilities

Each resident shall have a right to a dignified existence, self-determination, and communication with and access to persons and services inside and outside the adult care home. Each adult care home shall protect and promote the rights of each resident as set forth in this regulation.

(a) Exercise of rights.

(1) The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to exercise his or her rights as a resident of the adult care home and as a citizen.

(2) The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to be free from interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal from the adult care home in exercising the resident's rights.

(3) If a resident is adjudged incompetent under the laws of the state of Kansas, the legal representative of the resident shall have the power to exercise rights on behalf of the resident.

(4) In the case of a resident who has executed a durable power of attorney for health care decisions, the agent may exercise the rights of the resident to the extent provided by K.S.A. 58-625 through 632.

(b) Notice of rights and services.

(1) Before admission, the adult care home shall inform each resident or resident's legal representative, both orally and in writing, in a language the resident understands, of the following:

(A) The rights of residents;

(B) the rules governing resident conduct and responsibility; and

(C) the rates and services.

(2) Each resident shall be notified in writing of any changes in charges or services which occur after admission and at least 30 days before the effective date of the change. The changes shall not take place until notice is given.

(c) Inspection of records. The adult care home shall afford each resident or resident's legal representative the right to inspect records pertaining to the resident. The adult care home shall provide photocopies of the resident's record to each resident or resident's legal representative who submits a written request. The adult care home shall provide the photocopies within two working days of the request. The adult care home may charge a fee for the copies which shall not exceed community standards.

(d) The adult care home shall afford the resident the right to be fully informed of the resident's total health status including the resident's medical condition.

(e) Free choice. The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to:

(1) Choose a personal attending physician;

(2) participate in the development of an individual care plan or negotiated service agreement;

(3) refuse treatment;

(4) refuse to participate in experimental research; and

(5) choose the pharmacy where prescribed medications are purchased. When the adult care home uses a unit dose or similar medication distribution system, the resident shall have the right to choose among pharmacies that offer or are willing to offer the same or a compatible system.

(f) Management of financial affairs. The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to manage personal financial affairs and the adult care home shall not require any resident to deposit personal funds with the adult care home.

(g) Notification of changes.

(1) An adult care home shall immediately inform the resident, consult with the resident's physician, and, if known, notify the resident's legal representative or designated family member when there is:

(A) An accident involving the resident which results in injury and has the potential for requiring a physician's intervention;

(B) a significant change in the resident's physical, mental, or psychosocial status;

(C) a need to alter treatment significantly; or

(D) a decision to transfer or discharge the resident from the adult care home.

(2) The adult care home shall promptly notify the resident, the resident's legal representative, or designated family member when there is a change in room or roommate assignment.

(h) Privacy and confidentiality. Each resident shall have the right to personal privacy and confidentiality of personal and clinical records.

(1) The adult care home shall provide privacy during medical and nursing treatment, written and telephone communications, personal care, visits, and meetings of family and resident groups.

(2) The adult care home shall ensure that personal and clinical records of the resident are maintained in a confidential manner.

(3) The adult care home shall obtain a release signed by the resident or the resident's legal representative before the release of records to anyone outside the adult care home, except in the case of transfer to another health care institution or as required by law.

(i) Grievances. The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to:

(1) Voice grievances with respect to treatment or care that was or was not furnished;

(2) be free from discrimination or reprisal for voicing the grievances; and

(3) receive prompt efforts by the adult care home to resolve grievances the resident may have, including any grievance with respect to the behavior of other residents.

(j) Work.

(1) The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to refuse to perform services for the adult care home.

(2) A resident may perform services for the adult care home, if the resident wishes, when:

(A) the adult care home has documented the need or desire for work in the plan of care or negotiated service agreement;

(B) the plan or agreement specifies the nature of the services performed and whether the services are voluntary or paid; and

(C) the resident or legal representative of the resident has signed a written agreement assenting to the work arrangement described in the plan of care or negotiated service agreement.

(k) Mail. The adult care home shall afford the resident the right to privacy in written communications, including the right to:

(1) Send and receive unopened mail promptly;

(2) have access to stationery, postage and writing implements at the resident's own expense; and

(3) have outgoing mail mailed promptly.

(l) Access and visitation rights.

(1) The adult care home shall provide immediate access to any resident by:

(A) Any representative of the secretary of the Kansas department of health and environment;

(B) the resident's individual physician;

(C) the state long-term care ombudsman;

(D) any representative of the secretary of the Kansas department of social and rehabilitation services;

(E) immediate family or other relatives of the resident; and

(F) others who are visiting with the consent of the resident subject to reasonable restrictions.

(2) The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to deny or withdraw consent for visitation by any person at anytime.

(m) Telephone. The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to reasonable access to a telephone in a place where calls can be made without being overheard.

(n) Personal property. The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to retain and use personal possessions, including furnishings and appropriate clothing as space permits, unless doing so would infringe upon the rights or health and safety of other residents.

(o) Married couples. The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to share a room with the resident's spouse when married residents live in the same adult care home and both spouses consent.

(p) Self-administration of drugs. The adult care home shall afford each resident the right to self-administer drugs in a nursing facility unless the resident's attending physician and the interdisciplinary team has determined that this practice is unsafe. In assisted living, residential health care, home plus and adult day care facilities, a resident may self-administer drugs unless a registered professional nurse or a physician has determined that this practice is unsafe.

Notes

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 28-39-147

Authorized by and implementing K.S.A. 39-932; effective Nov. 1, 1993; amended Feb. 21, 1997.