New Rules Governing Assisted Living
Posted by Patti on March 22nd, 2005 / Print This Post
Virginia is about to see new rules and regulations govern assisted living facilities.
Key ChangesAmong the changes affecting Virginia’s assisted living industry:
• Administrators at facilities must be licensed by the state’s Department of Health Professionals.
• Staff members who administer medication must be registered with the state’s Board of Nursing and receive more training.
• Applicants seeking licenses to operate facilities must undergo background checks.
• Facilities unable to meet minimum state standards must display a copy of their “provisional” licenses.
• Regulators can more quickly suspend operations at a troubled facility.
• Maximum penalties for infractions increase from $500 to $10,000. Homes with unpaid fines cannot get their licenses renewed.
• Facilities “substantially out of compliance” with licensing requirements may be prohibited from receiving public funds.
• New regulations and training requirements for “direct care” staff will be developed.
Go read the rest if you live there. It’s about time AL came under some regualtions, I hate to say. Far too many issues have arisen, life and death problems and poor care.