Long-Term Care Licensure Regulations Under the Pennsylvania Code
All long-term care facilities including hospitals need to abide by the PA code to avoid being cited, or even closed down. A few of the guidelines these facilities are required to follow are shared below to help you better understand what type of care your family member is required to be given, not expected.
- §211.10(a) Resident Care Policies
- “Resident care policies shall be available to admitting physicians, sponsoring agencies, residents and the public, shall reflect an awareness of, and provision for, meeting the total medical and psychosocial needs of residents. The needs include admission, transfer and discharge planning.”
This means that the residents staying within these nursing homes and other long-term care providers need to insure that their occupants receive the best possible care, and the environment provided is healthy, safe, and comfortable for them.
- § 211.12(g) Nursing Services
- (g) At least one nursing staff employee must be on duty per every 20 residents.
Facility-wide requirements of residents and staff are as follows:
1-20 patients = 1 nursing staff
21-40 = 2 nursing staff
41-60 = 3 nursing staff
61-80 = 4 nursing staff
These nurses must be on duty when handling the number of patients identified above. If a facility fails to comply with this regulation, patient care declines and someone is at risk of getting hurt as there may not be anyone available to assist them at the time they need the help.
As per, § 211.12(l), the department could request that more nurses come on duty if the physical or mental condition of the patients or the location demand it.
Has Your Relative Been Neglected, Malnourished, or Mistreated?
There are several different types of nursing home abuse and all deserve to be brought to light when a staff member commits an unethical or unlawful act. USAttorneys can help you get in contact with trustworthy Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyers who can help you get this accomplished.
