Section 50.095. Resident's right to know; nursing home reports.

 

(1)  Every resident in or prospective resident of a nursing home has the right to know certain information from the nursing home which would aid an individual in assessing the quality of care provided by a nursing home.

(2)  The department may request from a nursing home information necessary for preparation of a report under sub. (3) , and the nursing home, if so requested, shall provide the information.

(3)  By July 1, 1998, and annually thereafter, the department shall provide each nursing home and the office of the long-term care ombudsman with a report that includes the following information for the nursing home:

(am) The ratio of nursing staff available to residents per shift at each skill level for the previous year for the nursing home, under criteria that the department shall promulgate as rules.

(b) The staff replacement rates for full-time and part-time nursing staff, nurse aides, and administrators for the previous year for the nursing home and for all similar nursing homes in the same geographical area, as determined by the department.

(c) Violations of statutes or rules by the nursing home during the previous year for the nursing home and for all similar nursing homes in the same geographical area, as determined by the department.

(3m)  The department shall prepare a simplified summary of the information required under sub. (3) (am) to (c) , as specified by rule by the department. The summary shall be on one sheet of paper and shall be in language that is easily understood by laypersons. The summary shall state that a complete copy of the most recent report of inspection of the nursing home is available from the department, upon request, for a minimal fee.

(4)  Upon receipt of a report under sub. (3) , the nursing home shall make the report available to any person requesting the report. Upon receipt of a summary under sub. (3m) , the nursing home shall provide a copy of the summary to every resident of the nursing home and his or her guardian, if any, to every prospective resident of the nursing home, if any, and to every person who accompanies a prospective resident or acts as the prospective resident's representative, as defined in s. 655.001 (12) , if any.

1987 a. 27 , 127 ; 1997 a. 114 ss. 20 to 25 ; 1997 a. 237 ; 2007 a. 153 .