HERON'S KEY

Honor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made.

Give residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges.

Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.

Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.

Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.

Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.