2017 Nebraska Revised Statutes
Chapter 81 - STATE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS
81-2250 Long-term care ombudsman program; established; contents.
81-2250. Long-term care ombudsman program; established; contents.
The department shall establish a long-term care ombudsman program consisting of the state long-term care ombudsman and any local long-term care ombudsman programs. The program, as approved and administered by the department, shall:
(1) Investigate and resolve complaints not reportable under the Adult Protective Services Act made by or on behalf of older individuals who are patients, residents, or clients of long-term care facilities relating to action, inaction, or decisions of providers of long-term care services or their representatives, of public agencies, or of social service agencies which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of such older individuals. The department shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations regarding the handling of complaints received under this section, including procedures for conducting investigations of complaints. The rules and regulations shall include procedures to ensure that no state long-term care ombudsman or ombudsman advocate investigates any complaint involving a provider with which the representative was once employed or associated;
(2) Provide for the training of the state long-term care ombudsman and ombudsman advocates and promote the development of citizen organizations to participate in the program, provide training to ombudsman advocates and staff of local long-term care ombudsman programs, issue certificates attesting to the successful completion of the prescribed training, and provide ongoing technical assistance to such local programs;
(3) Analyze and monitor the development and implementation of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies with respect to long-term care facilities and services and recommend any changes in such laws, regulations, and policies deemed by the long-term care ombudsman program to be appropriate;
(4) Establish a statewide, uniform reporting system to collect and analyze data relating to complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities for the purpose of identifying and resolving significant problems. The data shall be submitted to the department at least on an annual basis;
(5) Prepare reports as requested by the department and provide policy, regulatory, and legislative recommendations to solve problems, resolve complaints, and improve the quality of care and life in long-term care facilities;
(6) Provide for public forums to discuss concerns and problems relating to action, inaction, or decisions that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or civil rights of residents of long-term care facilities and their representatives, public agencies and entities, and social service agencies; and
(7) Provide information to public agencies, legislators, and others, as deemed necessary by the department, regarding the problems and concerns, including recommendations related to such problems and concerns, of older individuals residing in long-term care facilities.
Source
- Laws 1992, LB 677, § 14;
- Laws 1996, LB 1044, § 884;
- Laws 2007, LB296, § 769.
Cross References
- Adult Protective Services Act, see section 28-348.
