Regulatory Compliance Flashcards
7 cards from real CALA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Regulatory Compliance flashcards as text
When a resident or their legal representative disagrees with a facility's care decisions, the regulatory process they may use to formally raise concerns is called a:
Answer: Grievance procedure
Facilities are required by regulation to have a formal grievance procedure that allows residents and representatives to raise concerns and receive written responses.
Which federal statute specifically prohibits the use of physical or chemical restraints in long-term care unless clinically justified and consented to?
Answer: OBRA 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act
OBRA 1987 established federal standards including prohibitions on inappropriate restraint use and the right to be free from chemical and physical restraints.
A new state regulation takes effect requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all resident rooms. An administrator's FIRST compliance step should be to:
Answer: Review the regulatory effective date and assess current detector coverage
Administrators must review new regulatory requirements, determine the compliance deadline, and assess the gap between current conditions and the new standard.
Which situation would most likely require an assisted living facility to obtain a variance or waiver from the state licensing agency?
Answer: Operating with a physical plant feature that cannot meet a specific code requirement
Variances are granted when a facility cannot meet a specific regulatory standard due to building or operational constraints, provided resident safety is maintained.
Under most state regulations, which record must be retained for the longest period after a resident's discharge or death?
Answer: Resident medical and care records
Resident medical and care records typically have the longest mandated retention period, often 5–7 years or longer after discharge or death, depending on state law.
An administrator receives a subpoena for a resident's medical records as part of a lawsuit. The correct action is to:
Answer: Consult with legal counsel before releasing any records
Administrators should consult legal counsel upon receiving a subpoena to ensure proper procedures are followed and HIPAA protections are appropriately applied.
Which of the following best defines 'substantial compliance' in the context of assisted living regulatory surveys?
Answer: Meeting regulatory standards to a degree that poses no risk of harm to residents
Substantial compliance means a facility meets regulations to a level where identified deficiencies do not pose actual or potential harm to residents.