SECTION 770:10-5-6. Complaints

  Each Center shall make available to each resident or a family member or legal representative of the resident, or an advocate for the resident if no legal representative exists, a copy of the Center's complaint procedure. The Center shall ensure that all employees comply with the complaint procedure. The complaint procedure shall include at least the following requirements and shall be posted in a conspicuous place outside the administrator's office:

(1)   The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of facility staff persons designated to receive complaints for the facility, along with the name, address, and telephone number for the central office of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and the Oklahoma long-term care ombudsman.

(2)   Notice that a good faith complaint made against the Center shall not result in reprisal against the person making the complaint; and

(3)   Notice that any person with a complaint is encouraged to attempt to resolve the complaint with the Center's designated complaint staff, but that the person may submit a complaint to the central office of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, the Oklahoma State Department of Health or the Oklahoma long-term care ombudsman without prior notice to the Center.

(4)   If a resident, a family member or legal representative of the resident, or an advocate for the resident if no legal representative exists, or a Center employee submits to the administrator or designated complaint staff a written complaint concerning resident abuse, neglect or misappropriation of resident's property, the Center shall comply with the Protective Services for Vulnerable Adults Act, Title 43A O.S. Sections 10-101 through 10-110.

[Source: Added at 31 Ok Reg 2476, eff 9-12-14]