Ombudsman - Resident Rights


4015 Greenwood Rd Shreveport, LA 71109		1 (318) 632-2090 1 (800) 256-3003

WHAT ARE RESIDENT RIGHTS

They are rights that help ensure quality of care and quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities. These rights include the rights every other citizen enjoys, plus additional rights that have to do with life in a long-term care facility. Here is a partial listing of these additional rights:

HEALTH CARE

To receive adequate ad appropriate health care and protective and support services
To be free of physical restraints not documented as medically necessary
To have your choice of pharmacy and physician
To withhold payment for physician visitation if the physician did not examine you
To be transferred or discharged only after reasonable notice is given and only for medical reasons, the welfare of other residents or for non-payment
To be protected from transfer or discharge from a Title XIX certified facility solely because the source of payment changes.

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES

To exercise your civil and religious liberties
To exercise your rights as a resident and citizen
To complain and make suggestions without fear of coercion or retaliation
To be treated courteously, fairly an with the fullest measure of dignity
To be free of mental and physical abuse
To take part in various activities of the nursing home
To be free not to perform work
To choose a roommate, when possible
To have your own clothing and possessions
To manage your personal affairs, or if this is delegated to the facility, the receive an accounting report every three months upon request
To retire and rise in accord with reasonable requests
To consume a reasonable amount of alcoholic beverages, with some restrictions
To use tobacco in accord with applicable policies, rules and law
To have ample opportunity to visit with family and friends
To share a room with your spouse, if he/she is a resident of the same nursing home and both consent

INFORMATION

To be informed of your rights, the rules and regulations of the nursing home
To receive prompt response to all reasonable requests and inquiries
To have any significant change in your health status reported to you
To be informed of your condition and planned medical treatment, and to participate in or refuse that treatment
To examine the results of the most recent survey conducted by state and federal surveyors of the facility
To informed of the bed reservation policy for hospitalization
To be told of all services available and all costs, including charges covered and not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the basic per diem rate

PRIVACY

To be treated with consideration and respect for you personal privacy
To send and receive unopened mail
To receive visitors in privacy
To have your personal and medical records treated confidentially
To have regular access to private use of a telephone
To refuse to serve as a medical research subject

RESIDENT RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED BY LAW

The Federal Government protects the rights of residents through the constitution and other special laws, and sets of standards for residents' care.
Federal law: Medicaid requirements of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987: s1396r(c) Requirements relating to residents' rights.
Federal regulation: Medicare and Medicaid Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities, September 26, 1991
Each State also sets standards for residents' rights and care. The State licenses long-term care facilities, administrators and certain health-care workers, to help ensure the best care. In addition, local building, health and fire codes help maintain safety and quality of care.
State law R.S. 40:2010.8 Residents' bill of rights.
State regulation: Section IX, Applicant/Recipient Rights, Standards for Payment