Kan. Admin. Regs. § 26-39-103 - Resident rights in adult care homes

(a) Protection and promotion of resident rights. Each administrator or operator shall ensure the protection and promotion of the rights of each resident as set forth in this regulation. 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.

(b) Exercise of rights.

(1) The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to exercise the resident's rights as a resident of the adult care home and as a citizen.

(2) The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to be free from interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal from adult care home staff in exercising the resident's rights.

(3) If a resident is adjudged incompetent under the laws of the state of Kansas, the resident's legal representative 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 et seq. and amendments thereto.

(c) Notice of rights and services.

(1) Before admission, the administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident or the resident's legal representative is informed, both orally and in writing, of the following in a language the resident or the resident's legal representative understands:

(A) The rights of the resident;

(B) the rules governing resident conduct and responsibility;

(C) the current rate for the level of care and services to be provided; and

(D) if applicable, any additional fees that will be charged for optional services.

(2) The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident or the resident's legal representative is notified in writing of any changes in charges or services that 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, unless the change is due to a change in level of care.

(d) Inspection of records.

(1) The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident or resident's legal representative is afforded the right to inspect records pertaining to the resident. The administrator or operator, or the designee, shall provide a photocopy of the resident's record or requested sections of the resident's record to each resident or resident's legal representative within two working days of the request. If a fee is charged for the copy, the fee shall be reasonable and not exceed actual cost, including staff time.

(2) The administrator or operator shall ensure access to each resident's records for inspection and photocopying by any representative of the department.

(e) Informed of health status. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident and the resident's legal representative are afforded the right to be fully informed of the resident's total health status, including the resident's medical condition.

(f) Free choice. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident, or resident's legal representative on behalf of the resident, is afforded the right to perform the following:

(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. If 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.

(g) Management of financial affairs. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to manage personal financial affairs and is not required to deposit personal funds with the adult care home.

(h) Notification of changes.

(1) The administrator or operator shall ensure that designated facility staff inform the resident, consult with the resident's physician, and notify the resident's legal representative or designated family member, if known, upon occurrence of any of the following:

(A) An accident involving the resident that 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 administrator or operator shall ensure that a designated staff member informs the resident, the resident's legal representative, or authorized family members whenever the designated staff member learns that the resident will have a change in room or roommate assignment.

(i) Privacy and confidentiality. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to personal privacy and confidentiality of personal and clinical records.

(1) The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is provided privacy during medical and nursing treatment, written and telephone communications, personal care, visits, and meetings of family and resident groups.

(2) The administrator or operator shall ensure that the personal and clinical records of the resident are maintained in a confidential manner.

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

(j) Grievances. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to the following:

(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 administrator or operator, or the designee, to resolve any grievances that the resident could have, including any grievance with respect to the behavior of other residents.

(k) Work.

(1) The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded 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 and if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The administrator or operator, or the designee, has documented the resident's need or desire for work in the plan of care or negotiated service agreement.

(B) The plan of care or negotiated service agreement specifies the nature of the services performed and whether the services are voluntary or paid.

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

(l) Mail. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to privacy in written communications, including the right to the following:

(1) Have unopened mail sent and received promptly; and

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

(m) Access and visitation rights.

(1) The administrator or operator shall ensure the provision of immediate access to any resident by the following:

(A) Any representative of the secretary of the Kansas department on aging;

(B) the resident's attending medical care provider;

(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 administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to deny or withdraw visitation consent for any person at any time.

(n) Telephone. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to reasonable access to a telephone in a place where calls can be made without being overheard.

(o) Personal property. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded 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.

(p) Married couples. The administrator or operator shall ensure that each resident is afforded the right to share a room with the resident's spouse if married residents live in the same adult care home and both spouses consent.

(q) Self-administration of medication. The administrator shall ensure that each resident in a nursing facility or a nursing facility for mental health is afforded the right to self-administer medications unless the resident's attending physician and the interdisciplinary team have determined that this practice is unsafe. In any assisted living facility, residential health care facility, home plus, or adult day care facility, a resident may self-administer medication if a licensed nurse has determined that the resident can perform this function safely and accurately.

Notes

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 26-39-103

Authorized by and implementing K.S.A. 39-932; effective May 22, 2009.