Header:
TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 40. SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE
PART 1. DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES
CHAPTER 92. LICENSING STANDARDS FOR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
SUBCHAPTER E. INSPECTIONS, SURVEYS, AND VISITS
Date:
08/31/2009
Document:
40 TAC § 92.81 (2011)
§ 92.81. Inspections and Surveys
(a) Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) inspection and survey personnel will perform inspections and surveys, follow-up visits, complaint investigations, investigations of abuse or neglect, and other contact visits from time to time as they deem appropriate or as required for carrying out the responsibilities of licensing.
(b) An inspection may be conducted by an individual surveyor or by a team, depending on the purpose of the inspection or survey, size of facility, and service provided by the facility, and other factors.
(c) To determine standard compliance which cannot be verified during regular working hours, night or weekend inspections may be conducted to cover specific segments of operation and will be completed with the least possible interference to staff and residents.
(d) Generally, all inspections, surveys, complaint investigations and other visits, whether routine or nonroutine, made for the purpose of determining the appropriateness of resident care and day-to-day operations of a facility will be unannounced; any exceptions must be justified.
(e) Certain visits may be announced, including, but not limited to, conditions when certain emergencies arise, such as fire, windstorm, or malfunctioning or nonfunctioning of electrical or mechanical systems.
(f) The facility must make all books, records, and other documents maintained by or on behalf of a facility accessible to DHS upon request.
(1) DHS is authorized to photocopy documents, photograph residents, and use any other available recording devices to preserve all relevant evidence of conditions found during an inspection, survey, or investigation that DHS reasonably believes threaten the health and safety of a resident.
(2) Records and documents which may be requested and photocopied or otherwise reproduced include, but are not limited to, admission sheets, medication profiles, observation notes, medication refusal notes, and menu records.
(3) When the facility is requested to furnish the copies, the facility may charge DHS at the rate not to exceed the rate charged by DHS for copies. Collection must be by billing DHS. The procedure of copying is the responsibility of the administrator or his designee. If copying requires removal of the records from the facility, a representative of the facility will be expected to accompany the records and assure their order and preservation.
(4) DHS will protect the copies for privacy and confidentiality in accordance with recognized standards of medical records practice, applicable state laws, and DHS policy.
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