RCFE Upholding Resident Rights 2

Question 1

A family member of an RCFE resident demands to see the resident's private medical records. What must staff do?

Accepted Answer

Verify whether the family member has legal authorization (such as healthcare power of attorney) before releasing records

Answer

Provide full access immediately upon request

Answer

Refuse all family access to records under all circumstances

Answer

Contact CDSS before sharing any records with anyone

Question 2

Under Title 22, what right do RCFE residents have regarding their personal possessions?

Accepted Answer

Residents have the right to retain and use their personal possessions unless doing so creates a safety hazard or infringes on others' rights

Answer

Residents may bring only a small number of pre-approved items

Answer

All possessions become facility property upon admission

Answer

Residents may only keep items that fit in a standard bedside table

Question 3

What does the right to privacy mean for RCFE residents under California law?

Accepted Answer

Residents have the right to privacy in their room, during personal care, in communications, and in medical information

Answer

Residents must be alone at all times and cannot participate in group activities

Answer

Privacy applies only to financial records

Answer

Privacy rights can be waived by the facility administrator if operationally necessary

Question 4

An RCFE resident requests to leave the facility for a personal errand. What is the correct response?

Accepted Answer

Unless the resident is under a conservatorship restricting their movements, they have the right to leave and return as they choose

Answer

Residents are not permitted to leave the facility without physician authorization

Answer

The administrator must approve all resident outings in advance

Answer

Residents may only leave with a staff escort

Question 5

What must an RCFE do when a resident requests to file a complaint with CDSS about the facility?

Accepted Answer

Provide the resident with contact information for CDSS and assist them in accessing the complaint process if they request help

Answer

Attempt to resolve the complaint internally before allowing the resident to contact CDSS

Answer

Warn the resident about potential consequences of filing a complaint

Answer

Require the resident to submit the complaint in writing to the facility first

Question 6

What is the RCFE's obligation regarding a resident's advance directive (such as a POLST or DNR)?

Accepted Answer

The facility must honor legally valid advance directives and ensure staff are aware of and follow them

Answer

The facility may override advance directives in the interest of resident safety

Answer

Advance directives only apply in hospitals, not in RCFEs

Answer

The administrator must review and approve all advance directives before they take effect