The Midwest region of the U.S. contains 12 states. Each state has a set of detailed guidelines and regulations for the expectations, requirements, and standards of care set forth for nursing homes in the state. Each state upholds similar fundamentals for preserving resident rights and promoting overall health and well-being. However, specific nursing home laws vary from state to state. To obtain a full copy of nursing home laws in each state, contact the appropriate agency in each state.
Midwest Nursing Home Laws
Illinois Nursing Home Laws
Illinois enacted a set of regulations called the Nursing Home Care Act. The Nursing Home Care Act aims to provide all nursing home residents with certain rights, particularly the right to be free of neglect and abuse. The Nursing Home Care Act also discusses the responsibilities of nursing home staff members in regards to standards of care for residents and facility operations. For more information on Illinois nursing homes, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Indiana Nursing Home Laws
The Indiana State Department of Health imposes and enforces Indiana nursing home laws. Under these Indiana nursing home laws, residents are required to receive no less than a 30-day notice of any facility changes in services or rates. Patients are entitled to maintain as much independence and privacy as is medically possible. This includes the right to participate in their own plan of care by making medical, social, and daily decisions.
Michigan Nursing Home Laws
Michigan nursing home laws assert that residents are entitled to be free from physical and chemical restraints. The exceptions to these regulations are when restraints are medically authorized by a physician or under emergency situations in order to protect the patient or other individuals. Residents are entitled to receive a written copy of their personal medical records. Residents may have private communications with their own personal physicians.
Ohio Nursing Home Laws
The Ohio Department of Health regulates nursing home laws in the state. The Division of Quality Assurance conducts on-site surveys and inspections to ensure state and federal facility requirements. Each resident must be provided with a plan of care upon which treatment is provided. This plan of care must be initiated when the resident is admitted to the facility. Within seven days of admission, the plan must be completed and implemented.
Wisconsin Nursing Home Laws
Wisconsin nursing home laws set forth guidelines for treatment of nursing home residents. These regulations include resident care, medical services, dietary services, nursing services, pharmaceutical services, social services, dental services, and activities. Residents have the right to remain free from discrimination that is based on the source of payment. To learn more about Wisconsin nursing home laws, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Nursing Home Laws in West North Central States
Kansas Nursing Home Laws
Kansas nursing home laws help to retain resident dignity and rights while setting guidelines for care. While receiving care, all residents are entitled to be informed of their medical state, care, and any changes that may have an impact on the residents’ health and well-being. Residents also have the right to refuse treatment. To learn more about Kansas nursing home laws and advocacy, contact the Kansas Department on Aging.
Minnesota Nursing Home Laws
The Minnesota nursing home bill of rights is among the most important Minnesota nursing home laws. Minnesota requires that complete copies of both state and federal rights are visibly and conspicuously posted in a public area of each nursing home facility. Upon admission into each facility, residents must be fully informed of their legal rights. All residents are entitled to treatment with courtesy and respect. For more information on Minnesota nursing home laws, contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Missouri Nursing Home Laws
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services oversees Missouri laws and regulations for senior citizen care such as nursing homes. Missouri nursing home laws provide detailed guidelines to ensure proper care and treatment of nursing home residents, such as fire safety, management of medication, dietary guidelines, and construction standards. Residents must have the option of participating in social activities to promote social, physical, and mental well-being.
Nebraska Nursing Home Laws
Nebraska has an extensive set of guidelines and regulations regarding nursing home administrators. These Nebraska nursing home laws include training and education requirements. Additionally, these regulations dictate which staff members are responsible for organizing, planning, controlling, and directing the operations in each facility. For a full list of Nebraska nursing home administrator laws, contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
North Dakota Nursing Home Laws
The North Dakota Health Department’s Division of Health Facilities is responsible for conducting Medicaid and Medicare certification surveys in facilities that participate in these programs. In order to receive federal funding, these nursing home facilities must abide by detailed nursing home laws. The Division of Health Facilities is also responsible for the registration of certified nursing assistants, or CNAs. By ensuring proper certification, nursing home residents are better protected across the state.
South Dakota Nursing Home Laws
The South Dakota Department of Health’s Board of Nursing Facility Administrators is in place to help maintain resident rights in South Dakota nursing homes. When a nursing home facility administrator violates South Dakota nursing home laws or jeopardizes the care and well-being of residents, the Board retains the right to take action against the license of the administrator. Residents or loved ones who are concerned about care should file a complaint with the Board as soon as possible.
Sources:
“Articles on Nursing Homes.” Illinois state Bar Association. Illinois state Bar Association. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://www.isba.org/ibj/subjects/nursinghomes>.
“Chapter BHS 132: Nursing Homes.” Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dhs/110/132.pdf>.
“Filing a Complaint about a Nursing Home Administrator.” South Dakota Department of Health. South Dakota Department of Health. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://doh.sd.gov/boards/nursingfacility/complaints.asp&xgt;.
“North Dakota Skilled Nursing Homes.” North Dakota Department of Health Health Facilities. North Dakota Department of Health. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://www.ndhealth.gov/hf/north_dakota_skilled_nursing_homes.htm>.
“Nursing Facilities.” Minnesota Department of Human Services. Minnesota Department of Human Services. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=id_008996>.
“Nursing Home Administration.” Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services . Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services . Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/crl_mhcs_nha_nha.asp&xgt;.
“Nursing Home Resident Rights.” ISDH. Indiana State Department of Health. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://www.in.gov/isdh/21582.htm>.
“Nursing Homes and Nursing Care Facilities.” MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. State of Michigan. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://www7.dleg.state.mi.us/orr/Files/AdminCode/103_76_AdminCode.pdf>.
“Nursing Homes and Other Care Options.” Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/lawsregs.php>.
“Nursing Homes and Residential Care Facilities.” Ohio Department of Health. Ohio Department of Health. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://www.odh.ohio.gov/en/rules/final/3701-10-19/f3701-17.asp&xgt;.
“Statutes and Regulations for the Licensure and Operation of Nursing Facilities.” Kansas Department on Aging. Kansas Department on Aging. Web. 27 Sep 2013. <http://www.aging.ks.gov/PolicyInfo_and_Regs/ACH_Current_Regs/NF_Regs_Complete.pdf>.