2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 70.129.030: Notice of rights and services — Admission of individuals.

(1) The facility must inform the resident both orally and in writing in a language that the resident understands of his or her rights and all rules and regulations governing resident conduct and responsibilities during the stay in the facility. The notification must be made prior to or upon admission. Receipt of the information must be acknowledged in writing.

     (2) The resident or his or her legal representative has the right:

     (a) Upon an oral or written request, to access all records pertaining to himself or herself including clinical records within twenty-four hours; and

     (b) After receipt of his or her records for inspection, to purchase at a cost not to exceed the community standard photocopies of the records or portions of them upon request and two working days' advance notice to the facility.

     (3) The facility shall only admit or retain individuals whose needs it can safely and appropriately serve in the facility with appropriate available staff and through the provision of reasonable accommodations required by state or federal law. Except in cases of genuine emergency, the facility shall not admit an individual before obtaining a thorough assessment of the resident's needs and preferences. The assessment shall contain, unless unavailable despite the best efforts of the facility, the resident applicant, and other interested parties, the following minimum information: Recent medical history; necessary and contraindicated medications; a licensed medical or other health professional's diagnosis, unless the individual objects for religious reasons; significant known behaviors or symptoms that may cause concern or require special care; mental illness, except where protected by confidentiality laws; level of personal care needs; activities and service preferences; and preferences regarding other issues important to the resident applicant, such as food and daily routine.

     (4) The facility must inform each resident in writing in a language the resident or his or her representative understands before admission, and at least once every twenty-four months thereafter of: (a) Services, items, and activities customarily available in the facility or arranged for by the facility as permitted by the facility's license; (b) charges for those services, items, and activities including charges for services, items, and activities not covered by the facility's per diem rate or applicable public benefit programs; and (c) the rules of facility operations required under RCW 70.129.140(2). Each resident and his or her representative must be informed in writing in advance of changes in the availability or the charges for services, items, or activities, or of changes in the facility's rules. Except in emergencies, thirty days' advance notice must be given prior to the change. However, for facilities licensed for six or fewer residents, if there has been a substantial and continuing change in the resident's condition necessitating substantially greater or lesser services, items, or activities, then the charges for those services, items, or activities may be changed upon fourteen days' advance written notice.

     (5) The facility must furnish a written description of residents rights that includes:

     (a) A description of the manner of protecting personal funds, under RCW 70.129.040;

     (b) A posting of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the state survey and certification agency, the state licensure office, the state ombudsmen program, and the protection and advocacy systems; and

     (c) A statement that the resident may file a complaint with the appropriate state licensing agency concerning alleged resident abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident property in the facility.

     (6) Notification of changes.

     (a) A facility must immediately consult with the resident's physician, and if known, make reasonable efforts to notify the resident's legal representative or an interested family member when there is:

     (i) An accident involving the resident which requires or has the potential for requiring physician intervention;

     (ii) A significant change in the resident's physical, mental, or psychosocial status (i.e., a deterioration in health, mental, or psychosocial status in either life-threatening conditions or clinical complications).

     (b) The facility must promptly notify the resident or the resident's representative shall make reasonable efforts to notify an interested family member, if known, when there is:

     (i) A change in room or roommate assignment; or

     (ii) A decision to transfer or discharge the resident from the facility.

     (c) The facility must record and update the address and phone number of the resident's representative or interested family member, upon receipt of notice from them.

[1998 c 272 § 5; 1997 c 386 § 31; 1994 c 214 § 4.]

Effective date -- 1998 c 272 § 5: "Section 5 of this act takes effect July 1, 1998." [1998 c 272 § 23.]      Application -- Effective date -- 1997 c 386: See notes following RCW 13.50.010.