AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
May 28, 2004
ADSA: BH #2004-008
RESIDENT ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE
Dear Boarding Home Provider:
Recently, the Department has become aware of incidents in which residents in a long-term care facility were not provided necessary medical care. In at least three of these cases, the residents died. The purpose of this letter is to remind you that a boarding home is responsible for providing necessary care and services, including medical care and access to emergency medical treatment, to every resident at all times.
In each of the incidents involving a resident death, the facility failed to adequately evaluate significant changes in the resident’s condition. The facility also failed to act on the resident’s and/or family’s repeated requests to see a physician and specific requests to be transported to the emergency room. Whether or not timely access to medical care would have changed the ultimate outcome cannot be determined. Nevertheless, these incidents demonstrate the potential for serious harm and even death if residents are not provided appropriate medical care and services.
The following rules and regulations address the boarding home requirements:
- RCW 18.20.280 requires a boarding home to assume general responsibility for its residents and to promote each resident’s health, safety, and well-being consistent with the resident’s negotiated care plan. The boarding home is also required to observe the resident and respond appropriately to any changes in the resident’s overall functioning.
- RCW 70.129. 030 (6), requires immediate consultation with the resident’s physician if there is a significant change in the resident’s physical, mental, or psychosocial status.
- WAC 388-78A-055 (1) (n), requires a boarding home to establish and observe policies and procedures on emergency medical care and first aid.
Please bring this information to the attention of your staff to ensure compliance with the above noted requirements and to promote quality of life and quality of care for all residents.
If you have any questions please contact your local Residential Care Services Field Manager.
Sincerely,
Patricia K. Lashway, Director
Residential Care Services
