Long Term Care Om budsm an San Diego County 4/ 26/ 2016
The mission of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is to advocate for dignity, quality of life, and quality of care for all residents in long-term care facilities Mission Statement 4/ 26/ 2016
Major Growth in Nursing Home Industry • 1965 Medicare & Medicaid provided public money for care What was happening? • Abuse, neglect, substandard care • Fires resulting in deaths • Publicity about poor care and owner profits • Apparent that systems to protect individuals had failed • Improvements in quality of care were needed Program History 4/ 26/ 2016
1978-all states were required to operate a Ombudsman Program The Ombudsman Program operates in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam Every state has an Office of the State LTC Ombudsman to guide statewide efforts In California, there are 35 local Ombudsman programs that collectively cover all counties in the state with the state office in Sacramento Program History 4/ 26/ 2016
90 Skilled nursing facilities 659 Residential care facilities for the elderly 1340 estimated total of all facilities in San Diego County RCFE’s, ARF’s, ADHC The Ombudsman Program is divided into 5 regions 1. South 2. Central 3. East 4. North Coastal 5. North Inland Program Jurisdiction 4/ 26/ 2016
There are approximately 80 certified volunteer Ombudsman 11 full time staff members Volunteers: Complete a 36 hour training course Minimum of 10 hours of mentoring Physical and background check to become certified ◦ 12 hours of continuing education annually Volunteers 4/ 26/ 2016
Receive, investigate and resolve complaints Investigate issues of elder abuse in facilities Ensure a regular presence in skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly Advocate for residents rights & resident safety Educate residents and families about their rights, facility obligations, regulations, and encourage self- advocacy Coordinate with licensing agencies, protective services agencies, and community resources Role of Ombudsman: What we do . . . 4/ 26/ 2016
July-June 2015 … Ombudsman have conducted 6,818 facility visits ◦ Skilled Nursing Beds-9,291 ◦ Assisted Living/RCFE Beds-18,860 Received and investigated at least 2,637 complaints ◦ Skilled Nursing-1,502 ◦ Assisted Living-712 ◦ ARF’s-423 Witnessed over 400 advanced healthcare directives Promoting Quality Long Term Care 4/ 26/ 2016
Facility poster & license is clearly displayed Safety hazards Temperature of facility Clean and odor free Medications & Chemicals are locked/stored safely Resident’s are clean and well groomed Visible injuries (i.e. bruising, skin tears, sores) Adequate food supply Emergency disaster plan What do Ombudsman look for during facility visits ? 4/ 26/ 2016
Be treated with respect and dignity Be free from chemical and physical restraint To be free from verbal or physical abuse and neglect Right to Self determination (right to choose and refuse) To be involved with their care decisions Voice grievance or complaints without fear of retaliation Enjoy privacy in association/communication with anyone of their choosing Privacy/access to receive and make confidential phone calls Send and receive mail (unopened) Resident Rights 4/ 26/ 2016
Discharge/Eviction/poor discharge planning Quality of Care Inadequate supervision/staffing Food quality/selection/diet Theft-financial and property Allegations of Elder Abuse-physical, financial, emotional etc. Fear of retaliation Common Problems and Complaints 4/ 26/ 2016
Reports can be received 24-hours a day . Ombudsman office hours are Monday-Friday 8-5pm Phone number to Crisis line is provided for after hours and weekends when reports are needed to be made. All reports made to the Ombudsman office are confidential 4/ 26/ 2016
LTC Ombudsman Program 1-800-640-4661 858-560-2507 QUESTIONS 4/ 26/ 2016
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