Federal Nursing Home Regulations

The first set of federal nursing home regulations was authorized by Congress in 1967, with updates in 1980 and 1987. These nursing home regulations require that each facility provide services which allow patient access to quality care or, as the language of the law suggests, "to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being."

Additionally, nursing homes must allow patients a choice in activities, schedules, and health care, and must provide 24 hour licensed practical nurse care every day, with at least one RN on duty at least 8 hours every day. Violation of state or federal nursing home regulations can lead to the shutdown of the nursing home facilities, or in less extreme cases, punitive measures such as fines.

State Nursing Home Regulations

The federal nursing home regulations also mandate that the State must establish, monitor, and enforce state licensing and federal standards. In addition to federal nursing home regulations, many states and local authorities have their own specific nursing home regulations that are intended to protect the residents of nursing homes.

Nursing homes operating in violation of these federal and state regulations are risking their financial future, as well as the lives of those they are employed to care for and protect. As a result, the residents of these facilities may be entitled to compensation in accordance with their pain and suffering, as well as the costs incurred from transferring from one nursing care facility to another. Contact a qualified and experienced nursing home abuse lawyer immediately should you or a loved one be victimized by the unprincipled practices of nursing home officials and/or employees.