R500-3-18. Routine Visits

(1) Each local ombudsman entity shall complete routine visits to long-term care facilities at least quarterly. (a) A routine visit may be unannounced. (b) Each routine visit shall be staggered to ensure that the long-term care facility cannot predict when a routine visit may occur. (c) A local ombudsman entity shall increase routine visits to any long-term care facility that has a history of serious or frequent complaints. (2) During a routine visit, each local ombudsman entity shall provide information regarding ombudsman program services to each resident, family, and staff member. (3) During a routine visit, each local ombudsman entity shall observe the conditions of the long-term care facility that affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of each resident. (4) During a routine visit, each local ombudsman entity shall ensure that each long-term care facility posts information on posters or other mediums regarding the ombudsman program in an area visible to each resident, family, and staff member.