An overview of regulations pertaining to Nursing Homes in United
States of America. Please answer with in 10 days.

Hi! Thanks for the question.

The Nursing Home Alert website provides an excellent overview of
regulations which pertains to nursing homes in the US. It lists
different regulations and the federal laws that go with it.

“Federal Regulations and Nursing Homes”
http://www.nursinghomealert.com/stoppingabuse/federalregulations.html

The same website also has a good overview of different patient’s
rights which you can choose on the right sidebar. The patient’s rights
are as follows:

1. Access to information
2. Participation in care
3. Ability to make choices
4. Privacy and confidentiality
5. Dignity, respect and freedom
6. Security for possessions
7. Transfers and discharges
8. Concerns and complaints

Patient Rights and Nursing Homes
http://www.nursinghomealert.com/stoppingabuse/patientrights.html 

Our next links meanwhile are general overviews of  “The 1987 Nursing
Home Reform Act”.

“AARP Research | The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act”
http://research.aarp.org/health/fs84_reform.html 

“NMHA Position Statement - Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987”
http://www.nmha.org/position/ps10.cfm 

Search terms used: 
“nursing homes” regulations

I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.

Thanks for visiting us.

Regards,
Easterangel-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by myresearch77-ga on 04 Dec 2002 18:24 PST

Is it possible to have some kind of introduction, content and
conclusion for the regulatory environment of nursing homes ?

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Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 04 Dec 2002 19:00 PST

Hi! Thanks for asking a clarification before making a rating. What
specifically are your requirements. Do you want this in paragraph
form? Just let me know.

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Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 04 Dec 2002 22:53 PST

Hi! I’m back. I will go ahead with the paragraph form in case this is
the one you need.

Introduction:

The 1980s brought about different incidences of neglect and abuse to
those who avail of nursing home services. In response to this,
legislative action was taken to control the situation. The result was
the passage of the Nursing Home Reform Act, which was included in the
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987.

Content:

The Nursing Home Reform Act makes it clear that nursing home
facilities must have adequate staff and equipment that could fully
contribute to the physical, mental and psychosocial well being of the
resident.

Such parameters that the facility should provide are from having
adequate staff to providing a comprehensive care plan. The residents
are also protected by the law, requiring the facilities to have
adequate devices, monitor status of each individual’s health aspects
and with the goals of maintaining the functional capabilities of the
resident like grooming one’s self. A database record of each resident
must also be kept by the facility.

The law also provides certain rights to patients.  Such rights consist
of having access to information about the facility. They could also
participate or have a voice in the way they are taken cared of. They
are also free to choose certain things, preferred physician and the
activities they want to engage into within the facilities. Other
rights consist of the usual ones given to a person.

- Privacy and confidentiality 
- Dignity, respect and freedom 
- Security for possessions 
- Transfers and discharges
-  Concerns and complaints 

Conclusion:

The federal law on nursing homes overall seeks the protection of the
resident’s health and dignity. This is very important for somebody who
cannot anymore provide for all his basic and even simple physical
needs. It will contribute to somebody in such a situation to lead a
happy and productive life.

I hope that this time I have provided the answer in the proper form
that you require. Thanks for visiting us.

Regards,
Easterangel-ga