NRS427A.125. Creation of Office; appointment; duties.

  

      1.  The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is hereby created within the Division.

      2.  The Administrator shall appoint the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to advocate for the protection of the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents of facilities for long-term care. The Ombudsman is in the classified service of the State. The Ombudsman shall, under direction of the Administrator:

      (a) Train advocates to:

             (1) Receive, investigate and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of facilities for long-term care.

             (2) Investigate acts, practices, policies or procedures of any facility for long-term care or any governmental agency which relates to such care and may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or civil rights of residents of such facilities, and report the results of the investigations to the Ombudsman and the Administrator.

             (3) Record and analyze information and complaints about facilities for long-term care to identify problems affecting their residents.

             (4) Provide for the support and development of resident and family councils to protect the well-being and rights of residents of facilities for long-term care.

      (b) Coordinate services within the Department which may affect residents and prospective residents of facilities for long-term care to ensure that such services are made available to eligible persons.

      (c) Recommend and review policies, legislation and regulations, both in effect and proposed, which affect facilities for long-term care.

      (d) Upon request, advise and assist the Governor, the Legislature and public and private groups in formulating and putting into effect policies which affect facilities for long-term care and their residents.

      (e) Provide information to interested persons and to the general public concerning the functions and activities of the Ombudsman.

      (f) Report annually to the Administrator.

      (Added to NRS by 1983, 1026; A 1993, 115; 2009, 41)