50.065(4m)(b)5.
5. That, in the case of a position for which the person must be credentialed by the department of regulation and licensing, the person's credential is not current or is limited so as to restrict the person from providing adequate care to a client.
50.065(4m)(c)
(c) If the background information form completed by a person under
sub. (6) (am) indicates that the person is not ineligible to be employed or contracted with for a reason specified in
par. (b) 1. to
5., an entity may employ or contract with the person for not more than 60 days pending the receipt of the information sought under
sub. (2) (b). If the background information form completed by a person under
sub. (6) (am) indicates that the person is not ineligible to be permitted to reside at an entity for a reason specified in
par. (b) 1. to
5. and if an entity otherwise has no reason to believe that the person is ineligible to be permitted to reside at an entity for any of those reasons, the entity may permit the person to reside at the entity for not more than 60 days pending receipt of the information sought under
sub. (2) (am). An entity shall provide supervision for a person who is employed or contracted with or permitted to reside as permitted under this paragraph.
50.065(5)
(5) The department may license, certify, issue a certificate of approval to or register to operate an entity a person who otherwise may not be licensed, certified, issued a certificate of approval or registered for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (a) 1. to
5., and an entity may employ, contract with or permit to reside at the entity a person who otherwise may not be employed, contracted with or permitted to reside at the entity for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (b) 1. to
5., if the person demonstrates to the department, or, in the case of an entity that is located within the boundaries of a reservation, to the person or body designated by the tribe under
sub. (5d) (a) 3., by clear and convincing evidence and in accordance with procedures established by the department by rule, or by the tribe, that he or she has been rehabilitated.
50.065(5c)
(5c) Any person who is permitted but fails under
sub. (5) to demonstrate to the department that he or she has been rehabilitated may appeal to the secretary of health and family services or his or her designee. Any person who is adversely affected by a decision of the secretary or his or her designee under this subsection has a right to a contested case hearing under
ch. 227.
50.065(5d)(a)(a) Any tribe that chooses to conduct rehabilitation reviews under
sub. (5) shall submit to the department a rehabilitation review plan that includes all of the following:
50.065(5d)(a)1.
1. The criteria to be used to determine if a person has been rehabilitated.
50.065(5d)(a)2.
2. The title of the person or body designated by the tribe to whom a request for review must be made.
50.065(5d)(a)3.
3. The title of the person or body designated by the tribe to determine whether a person has been rehabilitated.
50.065(5d)(a)3m.
3m. The title of the person or body designated by the tribe to whom a person may appeal an adverse decision made by the person specified under
subd. 3. and whether the tribe provides any further rights of appeal.
50.065(5d)(a)4.
4. The manner in which the tribe will submit information relating to a rehabilitation review to the department so that the department may include that information in its report to the legislature required under
sub. (5g).
50.065(5d)(a)5.
5. A copy of the form to be used to request a review and a copy of the form on which a written decision is to be made regarding whether a person has demonstrated rehabilitation.
50.065(5d)(b)
(b) If, within 90 days after receiving the plan, the department does not disapprove the plan, the plan shall be considered approved. If, within 90 days after receiving the plan, the department disapproves the plan, the department shall provide notice of that disapproval to the tribe in writing, together with the reasons for the disapproval. The department may not disapprove a plan unless the department finds that the plan is not rationally related to the protection of clients. If the department disapproves the plan, the tribe may, within 30 days after receiving notice of the disapproval, request that the secretary review the department's decision. A final decision under this paragraph is not subject to further review under
ch. 227.
50.065(5g)
(5g) Beginning on January 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit a report to the legislature under
s. 13.172 (2) that specifies the number of persons in the previous year who have requested to demonstrate to the department that they have been rehabilitated under
sub. (5), the number of persons who successfully demonstrated that they have been rehabilitated under
sub. (5) and the reasons for the success or failure of a person who has attempted to demonstrate that he or she has been rehabilitated.
50.065(5m)
(5m) Notwithstanding
s. 111.335, the department may refuse to license, certify or register, or issue a certificate of approval to, a caregiver and an entity may refuse to employ or contract with a caregiver or to permit a nonclient resident to reside at the entity, if the caregiver or nonclient resident has been convicted of an offense that is not a serious crime, but that is, in the estimation of the department or entity, substantially related to the care of a client.
50.065(6)(a)(a) The department shall require any person who applies for issuance or continuation of a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration to operate an entity to complete a background information form that is provided by the department.
50.065(6)(am)
(am) Every 4 years an entity shall require its caregivers and nonclient residents to complete a background information form that is provided to the entity by the department.
50.065(6)(b)
(b) For caregivers who are licensed, issued a certificate of approval or certified by, or registered with, the department, for nonclient residents, and for other persons specified by the department by rule, the entity shall send the background information form to the department.
50.065(6)(c)
(c) A person who provides false information on a background information form required under this subsection may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000 and may be subject to other sanctions specified by the department by rule.
50.065(7)
(7) The department shall do all of the following:
50.065(7)(c)
(c) Conduct throughout the state periodic training sessions that cover criminal background investigations; reporting and investigating misappropriation of property or abuse or neglect of a client; and any other material that will better enable entities to comply with the requirements of this section.
50.065(7)(d)
(d) Provide a background information form that requires the person completing the form to include his or her date of birth on the form.
50.065(8)
(8) The department may charge a fee for obtaining the information required under
sub. (2) (am) or
(3) (a) or for providing information to an entity to enable the entity to comply with
sub. (2) (b) or
(3) (b). The fee may not exceed the reasonable cost of obtaining the information. No fee may be charged to a nurse's assistant, as defined in
s. 146.40 (1) (d), for obtaining or maintaining the information if to do so would be inconsistent with federal law.
50.07
50.07
Prohibited acts. 50.07(1)(a)
(a) Intentionally fail to correct or interfere with the correction of a class "A" or class "B" violation within the time specified on the notice of violation or approved plan of correction under
s. 50.04 as the maximum period given for correction, unless an extension is granted and the corrections are made before expiration of extension.
50.07(1)(b)
(b) Intentionally prevent, interfere with, or attempt to impede in any way the work of any duly authorized representative of the department in the investigation and enforcement of any provision of this subchapter.
50.07(1)(c)
(c) Intentionally prevent or attempt to prevent any such representative from examining any relevant books or records in the conduct of official duties under this subchapter.
50.07(1)(d)
(d) Intentionally prevent or interfere with any such representative in the preserving of evidence of any violation of any of the provisions of this subchapter or the rules promulgated under this subchapter.
50.07(1)(e)
(e) Intentionally retaliate or discriminate against any resident or employee for contacting or providing information to any state official, including any representative of the office of the long-term care ombudsman under
s. 16.009 (4), or for initiating, participating in, or testifying in an action for any remedy authorized under this subchapter.
50.07(1)(em)
(em) Intentionally retaliate or discriminate against any resident or employee on whose behalf another person contacted or provided information to any state official, including any representative of the office of the long-term care ombudsman under
s. 16.009 (4), or initiated, participated in or testified in an action for any remedy authorized under this subchapter.
50.07(1)(f)
(f) Intentionally destroy, change or otherwise modify an inspector's original report.
50.07(2)
(2) Violators of this section may be imprisoned up to 6 months or fined not more than $1,000 or both for each violation.
50.07(3)(b)(b) Any employee who is discharged or otherwise retaliated or discriminated against in violation of
sub. (1) (e) or
(em) may file a complaint with the department of workforce development under
s. 106.54 (5).
50.07(3)(c)
(c) Any person not described in
par. (b) who is retaliated or discriminated against in violation of
sub. (1) (e) or
(em) may commence an action in circuit court for damages incurred as a result of the violation.
50.07 Annotation
Sub. (1) (e) does not provide a remedy to a terminated employee and does not prevent a private action for wrongful termination to an employee who reports abuse. There is a public policy exception to the employment-at-will doctrine in this case. Hausman v. St. Croix Care Center, Inc.
214 Wis. 2d 654,
571 N.W.2d 393 (1997).
50.07 Annotation
This section is similar to a patient's bill of rights. Sub. (1) (e) protects both patients and employees. An insurance policy providing coverage to a nursing home for personal injuries interfering with rights provided by a patient's bill of rights was applicable to a wrongful discharge claim alleging interference with the plaintiff's rights under sub. (1) (e). St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. v. Hausman,
231 Wis. 2d 25,
604 N.W.2d 908 (Ct. App. 1999).
50.09
50.09
Rights of residents in certain facilities. 50.09(1)
(1)
Residents' rights. Every resident in a nursing home or community-based residential facility shall, except as provided in
sub. (5), have the right to:
50.09(1)(a)
(a) Private and unrestricted communications with the resident's family, physician, attorney and any other person, unless medically contraindicated as documented by the resident's physician in the resident's medical record, except that communications with public officials or with the resident's attorney shall not be restricted in any event. The right to private and unrestricted communications shall include, but is not limited to, the right to:
50.09(1)(a)1.
1. Receive, send and mail sealed, unopened correspondence, and no resident's incoming or outgoing correspondence shall be opened, delayed, held or censored.
50.09(1)(a)2.
2. Reasonable access to a telephone for private communications.
50.09(1)(b)
(b) Present grievances on the resident's own behalf or others to the facility's staff or administrator, to public officials or to any other person without justifiable fear of reprisal, and to join with other residents or individuals within or outside of the facility to work for improvements in resident care.
50.09(1)(c)
(c) Manage the resident's own financial affairs, including any personal allowances under federal or state programs, unless the resident delegates, in writing, such responsibility to the facility and the facility accepts the responsibility or unless the resident delegates to someone else of the resident's choosing and that person accepts the responsibility. The resident shall receive, upon written request by the resident or guardian, a written monthly account of any financial transactions made by the facility under such a delegation of responsibility.
50.09(1)(d)
(d) Be fully informed, in writing, prior to or at the time of admission of all services included in the per diem rate, other services available, the charges for such services, and be informed, in writing, during the resident's stay of any changes in services available or in charges for services.
50.09(1)(e)
(e) Be treated with courtesy, respect and full recognition of the resident's dignity and individuality, by all employees of the facility and licensed, certified or registered providers of health care and pharmacists with whom the resident comes in contact.
50.09(1)(f)
(f) Physical and emotional privacy in treatment, living arrangements and in caring for personal needs, including, but not limited to:
50.09(1)(f)1.
1. Privacy for visits by spouse. If both spouses are residents of the same facility, they shall be permitted to share a room unless medically contraindicated as documented by the resident's physician in the resident's medical record.
50.09(1)(f)2.
2. Privacy concerning health care. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and shall be conducted discreetly. Persons not directly involved in the resident's care shall require the resident's permission to authorize their presence.
50.09(1)(f)3.
3. Confidentiality of health and personal records, and the right to approve or refuse their release to any individual outside the facility, except in the case of the resident's transfer to another facility or as required by law or 3rd-party payment contracts and except as provided in
s. 146.82 (2) and
(3).
50.09(1)(g)
(g) Not to be required to perform services for the facility that are not included for therapeutic purposes in the resident's plan of care.
50.09(1)(h)
(h) Meet with, and participate in activities of social, religious and community groups at the resident's discretion, unless medically contraindicated as documented by the resident's physician in the resident's medical record.
50.09(1)(i)
(i) Retain and use personal clothing and effects and to retain, as space permits, other personal possessions in a reasonably secure manner.
50.09(1)(j)
(j) Be transferred or discharged, and be given reasonable advance notice of any planned transfer or discharge, and an explanation of the need for and alternatives to the transfer or discharge. The facility to which the resident is to be transferred must have accepted the resident for transfer, except in a medical emergency or if the transfer or discharge is for nonpayment of charges following a reasonable opportunity to pay a deficiency. No person may be involuntarily discharged for nonpayment under this paragraph if the person meets all of the following conditions:
50.09(1)(j)1.
1. He or she is in need of ongoing care and treatment and has not been accepted for ongoing care and treatment by another facility or through community support services.
50.09(1)(j)2.
2. The funding of his or her care in the nursing home or community-based residential facility under
s. 49.45 (6m) is reduced or terminated because of one of the following:
50.09(1)(j)2.a.
a. He or she requires a level or type of care which is not provided by the nursing home or community-based residential facility.
50.09(1)(k)
(k) Be free from mental and physical abuse, and be free from chemical and physical restraints except as authorized in writing by a physician for a specified and limited period of time and documented in the resident's medical record. Physical restraints may be used in an emergency when necessary to protect the resident from injury to himself or herself or others or to property. However, authorization for continuing use of the physical restraints shall be secured from a physician within 12 hours. Any use of physical restraints shall be noted in the resident's medical records. "Physical restraints" includes, but is not limited to, any article, device or garment which interferes with the free movement of the resident and which the resident is unable to remove easily, and confinement in a locked room.
50.09(1)(L)
(L) Receive adequate and appropriate care within the capacity of the facility.
50.09(1)(m)
(m) Use the licensed, certified or registered provider of health care and pharmacist of the resident's choice.
50.09(1)(n)
(n) Be fully informed of the resident's treatment and care and participate in the planning of the resident's treatment and care.
50.09(2)
(2) The department, in establishing standards for nursing homes and community-based residential facilities may establish, by rule, rights in addition to those specified in
sub. (1) for residents in such facilities.
50.09(3)
(3) If the resident is adjudged to be incompetent under
ch. 51 or
880 and not restored to legal capacity, the rights and responsibilities established under this section which the resident is not competent to exercise shall devolve upon the resident's guardian.
50.09(4)
(4) Each facility shall make available a copy of the rights and responsibilities established under this section and the facility's rules to each resident and each resident's legal representative, if any, at or prior to the time of admission to the facility, to each person who is a resident of the facility and to each member of the facility's staff. The rights, responsibilities and rules shall be posted in a prominent place in each facility. Each facility shall prepare a written plan and provide appropriate staff training to implement each resident's rights established under this section.
50.09(5)
(5) Rights established under this section shall not, except as determined by the department of corrections, be applicable to residents in such facilities, if the resident is in the legal custody of the department of corrections and is a correctional client in such a facility.
50.09(6)(a)(a) Each facility shall establish a system of reviewing complaints and allegations of violations of residents' rights established under this section. The facility shall designate a specific individual who, for the purposes of effectuating this section, shall report to the administrator.
50.09(6)(b)
(b) Allegations of violations of such rights by persons licensed, certified or registered under
chs. 441,
446 to
450,
455 and
456 shall be promptly reported by the facility to the appropriate licensing, examining or affiliated credentialing board and to the person against whom the allegation has been made. Any employee of the facility and any person licensed, certified or registered under
chs. 441,
446 to
450,
455 and
456 may also report such allegations to the board. Such board may make further investigation and take such disciplinary action, within the board's statutory authority, as the case requires.
50.09(6)(c)
(c) No person who files a report as required in
par. (b) or who participates, in good faith, in the review system established under
par. (a) shall be liable for civil damages for such acts.
50.09(6)(d)
(d) The facility shall attach a statement, which summarizes complaints or allegations of violations of rights established under this section, to the report required under
s. 50.03 (4) (c) 1. or
2. The statement shall contain the date of the complaint or allegation, the name of the persons involved, the disposition of the matter and the date of disposition. The department shall consider the statement in reviewing the report.
50.09 Annotation
A resident's right under sub. (1) (e) to be treated with respect is not waived by misbehavior. Hacker v. DHSS,
189 Wis. 2d 328,
525 N.W.2d 364 (Ct. App. 1994).
50.09 Annotation
Abuse and Neglect in Long-term Care Facilities: The Civil Justice System's Response. Studinski. Wis. Law. Aug. 2004.
50.09 Annotation
Preventing Abuse and Neglect in Health Care Settings: The Regulatory Agency's Responsibility. Dawson. Wis. Law. Aug. 2004.
50.09 Annotation
Seeking Justice in Death's Waiting Room: Barriers to Effectively Prosecuting Crime in Long-term Care Facilities. Hanrahan. Wis. Law. Aug. 2004.
50.095
50.095
Resident's right to know; nursing home reports. 50.095(1)(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.
50.095(2)
(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.
50.095(3)
(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:
50.095(3)(am)
(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.
50.095(3)(b)
(b) The staff replacement rates for full-time and part-time nursing staff, nurse's assistants 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.
50.095(3)(c)
(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.
50.095(3m)
(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.
