Arizona nursing home abuse laws exist to protect the health, interest, and rights of residents. arizona nursing home abuseUnder a number of Arizona nursing home resident laws, residents must be treated with dignity, respect, and a certain standard of care. If a nursing home resident feels that misconduct or mistreatment has occurred, he or she retains the right to submit grievances without restraint. Residents or the resident’s family or representatives have the option to consult the Arizona Long-term Care Ombudsman Program to report concerns or issues.

Arizona Resident Rights

Arizona nursing home laws require that resident rights are clearly posted on each facility’s premises. Additionally, nursing home residents or their representative(s) must receive a copy of nursing home resident rights upon admission to the facility. The basis of Arizona nursing home resident rights states that all residents are entitled to certain privacies and should be treated with respect, dignity, and consideration.

Arizona nursing home resident rights include, but are not limited to, the right to:

  • Be free of abuse, neglect, exploitation, manipulation, coercion, seclusion, and unnecessary restraint
  • Receive aid from others in understanding, exercising, and protecting each resident’s rights
  • Be fully informed of each resident’s medical conditions and overall health status
  • Receive treatment that respects and supports each resident’s choices, individuality, abilities, and strengths
  • Withdraw consent or refuse treatment before it is initiated
  • Be informed of the facility’s complaint process and policies on health care directives
  • Receive a referral to an alternative facility if the current facility cannot provide proper physical or behavioral services

 

Requirements for Arizona Nursing Services

Arizona nursing home laws require that each facility has a director of nursing services. The director of nursing services must be responsible for establishing documented methods for identifying the quantity and types of personnel required to ensure that each resident receives proper individualized care. Individual care plans should be based on comprehensive assessments, behavioral or physical health services orders, and the facility’s scope of services.

Personalized Resident Care Plans

Each resident must receive a comprehensive assessment. This assessment should be coordinated or conducted by a registered nurse (RN) with collaboration from an interdisciplinary team. Care plans should be completed within 14 days of a resident’s admission to the facility. Reviews and updates to the care plan should be performed no later than one year after the last assessment, or when a significant health change occurs in the resident.

Food Services

Arizona nursing home laws require that all facility menus are reviewed by a registered dietician to ensure that they meet the nutritional needs of each resident. A director of food services or registered dietician must ensure that menus are prepared no later than one week in advance. Menus must include foods served each day, and must be posted no later than one day prior to the serving of the menu’s first meal.

Nursing Home Facility Requirements

Arizona nursing home laws impose certain guidelines and standards for maintenance, operation, and accommodations in each facility. Each facility should provide adequate space to conduct and accommodate day health services. These services include group and individual activities, special therapies, and quiet rest areas.

Other Arizona nursing home facility requirements include:

  • An adequate number and size of dining tables and chairs to accommodate all residents
  • Physical separation between food preparation areas and dining areas
  • Slip-resistant surfaces for flooring and where bathing facilities are provided
  • Bathrooms which contain one toilet and sink for every 10 residents
  • Maintenance of the facility’s temperature between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit
  • 40 or more square feet of indoor activity space for each resident
  • An accessible outside activity space that is free from hazards and contains a shaded area

 

Arizona Nursing Home Ombudsman

Arizona nursing home abuse laws provide a Long-term Care Ombudsman Program to aid in the protection and promotion of resident quality of life and rights. All current and prospective nursing home residents may utilize the state nursing home ombudsman program. A nursing home ombudsman can provide Arizona nursing home residents with advice, guidance, and assistance before and during residency.

A nursing home ombudsman can help residents:

  • Investigate and resolve complaints regarding facility services and treatment
  • Request improvements in individualized care for each resident
  • Communicate concerns and issues in a professional and confidential manner
  • Receive recommendations and feedback during the nursing home selection process

 

 

Sources:

“A Consumer’s Guide to Nursing Homes.” Arizona Department of Health Services. Arizona Department of Health Services. Web. 23 Sep 2013. <http://www.azdhs.gov/als/long-term-care/documents/consumers-guide-nursing-home.pdf>.

“Arizona Nursing Home Ombudsman Program.” Caregiver List. Caregiverlist, Inc. Web. 23 Sep 2013. <http://www.caregiverlist.com/Arizona/nursinghomeombudsman.asp&xgt>.

“Nursing Care Institution Rules.” Arizona Department of Health Services. Arizona Department of Health Services. Web. 23 Sep 2013. <http://www.azdhs.gov/als/long-term-care/documents/nursing-care-institution-rules.pdf>.