The facility must maintain required records in a manner that makes such records readily available at the licensee’s physical address for review by a legally authorized entity. If records are maintained in an electronic format, facility staff must be readily available to access the data and produce the requested information. For purposes of this section, “”readily available”” means the ability to immediately produce documents, records, or other such data, either in electronic or paper format, upon request.

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Terms Used In Florida Regulations 59A-36.015

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
    (1) FACILITY RECORDS. Facility records must include:
    (a) The facility’s license displayed in a conspicuous and public place within the facility.
    (b) An up-to-date admission and discharge log listing the names of all residents and each resident’s:
    1. Date of admission, the facility or place from which the resident was admitted, and if applicable, a notation indicating that the resident was admitted with a stage 2 pressure sore; and,
    2. Date of discharge, reason for discharge, and identification of the facility or home address to which the resident was discharged. Readmission of a resident to the facility after discharge requires a new entry in the log. Discharge of a resident is not required if the facility is holding a bed for a resident who is out of the facility but intending to return pursuant to Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.018 If the resident dies while in the care of the facility, the log must indicate the date of death.
    (c) A log listing the names of all temporary emergency placement and respite care residents if not included on the log described in paragraph (b).
    (d) The facility’s emergency management plan, with documentation of review and approval by the county emergency management agency, as described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.019, that must be readily available by facility staff.
    (e) The facility’s liability insurance policy required in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.013
    (f) For facilities that have a surety bond, a copy of the surety bond currently in effect as required by Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.013
    (g) The admission package presented to new or prospective residents (less the resident’s contract) described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.006
    (h) If the facility advertises that it provides special care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders, a copy of all such facility advertisements as required by Florida Statutes § 429.177
    (i) A grievance procedure for receiving and responding to resident complaints and recommendations as described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007
    (j) All food service records required in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.012, including menus planned and served and county health department inspection reports. Facilities that contract for food services, must include a copy of the contract for food services and the food service contractor’s license or certificate to operate.
    (k) All fire safety inspection reports issued by the local authority or the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Florida Statutes § 429.435, and rule Fl. Admin. Code Chapter 69A-40, issued within the last 2 years.
    (l) All sanitation inspection reports issued by the county health department pursuant to Florida Statutes § 381.031, and Fl. Admin. Code Chapter 64E-12, issued within the last 2 years.
    (m) Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 429.35, all completed survey, inspection and complaint investigation reports, and notices of sanctions and moratoriums issued by the agency within the last 5 years.
    (n) The facility’s resident elopement response policies and procedures.
    (o) The facility’s documented resident elopement response drills.
    (p) The facility’s policies and procedures pursuant to subsection 59A-36.007(10), F.A.C.;
    (q) The facility’s abuse prevention policies and procedures;
    (r) The facility’s medication practices;
    (s) The facility’s policy on physical restraints;
    (t) The facility’s policy on assistive devices;
    (u) The facility’s policy on third-party providers;
    (v) The facility’s policy on visitation pursuant to Section 408.823(2)(a), F.S.;
    (w) For facilities licensed as limited mental health, extended congregate care, or limited nursing services, records required as stated in Rules 59A-36.020, 59A-36.021 and 59A-36.022, F.A.C., respectively.
    (2) STAFF RECORDS.
    (a) Personnel records for each staff member must contain, at a minimum, a copy of the employment application, with references furnished, and documentation verifying freedom from signs or symptoms of communicable disease. In addition, records must contain the following, as applicable:
    1. Documentation of compliance with all staff training and continuing education required by Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.011,
    2. Copies of all licenses or certifications for all staff providing services that require licensing or certification,
    3. Documentation of compliance with level 2 background screening for all staff subject to screening requirements as specified in Florida Statutes § 429.174, and Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.010,
    4. For facilities with a licensed capacity of 17 or more residents, a copy of the job description given to each staff member pursuant to Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.010,
    5. Documentation verifying direct care staff and administrator participation in resident elopement drills pursuant to Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007(8)(c)
    (b) The facility is not required to maintain personnel records for staff provided by a licensed staffing agency or staff employed by an entity contracting to provide direct or indirect services to residents and the facility. However, the facility must maintain a copy of the contract between the facility and the staffing agency or contractor as described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.010
    (c) The facility must maintain the written work schedules and staff time sheets for the most current 6 months as required by Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.010
    (3) RESIDENT RECORDS. Resident records must be maintained on the premises and include:
    (a) Resident demographic data as follows:
    1. Name,
    2. Sex,
    3. Race,
    4. Date of birth,
    5. Place of birth, if known,
    6. Social security number,
    7. Medicaid and/or Medicare number, or name of other health insurance carrier,
    8. Name, address, and telephone number of next of kin, legal representative, or individual designated by the resident for notification in case of an emergency; and,
    9. Name, address, and telephone number of the resident’s health care practioner and case manager, if applicable.
    (b) A copy of the Resident Health Assessment form, AHCA Form 1823 or the health care practitioner’s medical examination form described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.006
    (c) Any orders for medications, nursing services, therapeutic diets, do not resuscitate orders, or other services to be provided, supervised, or implemented by the facility that require a health care provider’s order.
    (d) Documentation of a resident’s refusal of a therapeutic diet pursuant to Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.012, if applicable.
    (e) The resident care record described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007(1)(f)
    (f) A weight record that is initiated on admission. Information may be taken from AHCA Form 1823 or the resident’s health assessment. Residents receiving assistance with the activities of daily living must have their weight recorded semi-annually. This subsection does not apply to residents who are receiving licensed hospice services when such residents, their representatives, or their physicians request in writing that weights not be taken.
    (g) For facilities that will have unlicensed staff assisting the resident with the self-administration of medication, a copy of the written informed consent described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.006, if such consent is not included in the resident’s contract.
    (h) For facilities that manage a pill organizer, assist with self-administration of medications or administer medications for a resident, copies of the required medication records maintained pursuant to Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.008
    (i) A copy of the resident’s contract with the facility, including any addendums to the contract as described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.018
    (j) For a facility whose owner, administrator, staff, or representative thereof, serves as an attorney in fact for a resident, a copy of the monthly written statement of any transaction made on behalf of the resident as required in Florida Statutes § 429.27
    (k) For any facility that maintains a separate trust fund to receive funds or other property belonging to or due a resident, a copy of the quarterly written statement of funds or other property disbursed as required in Florida Statutes § 429.27
    (l) If the resident is an OSS recipient, a copy of the Department of Children and Families form Alternate Care Certification for Optional State Supplementation (OSS), CF-ES 1006, October 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference and available for review at: http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04004. The absence of this form will not be the basis for administrative action against a facility if the facility can demonstrate that it has made a good faith effort to obtain the required documentation from the Department of Children and Families.
    (m) Documentation of the appointment of a health care surrogate, health care proxy, guardian, or the existence of a power of attorney, where applicable.
    (n) For hospice patients, the interdisciplinary care plan and other documentation that the resident is a hospice patient as required in Fl. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.006
    (o) The resident’s Do Not Resuscitate Order, DH Form 1896, if applicable.
    (p) For independent living residents who receive meals and occupy beds included within the licensed capacity of an assisted living facility, but who are not receiving any personal, limited nursing, or extended congregate care services, record keeping may be limited to a log listing the names of residents participating in this arrangement.
    (q) Except for resident contracts, which must be retained for 5 years, all resident records must be retained for 2 years following the departure of a resident from the facility unless it is required by contract to retain the records for a longer period of time. Upon request, residents must be provided with a copy of their records upon departure from the facility.
    (r) Additional resident records requirements for facilities holding a limited mental health, extended congregate care, or limited nursing services license are provided in Rules 59A-36.020, 59A-36.021 and 59A-36.022, F.A.C., respectively.
    (4) RECORD INSPECTION.
    (a) The resident’s records must be available to the resident; the resident’s legal representative, designee, surrogate, guardian, attorney in fact, or case manager; or the resident’s estate, and such additional parties as authorized in writing or by law.
    (b) Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 429.35, agency reports that pertain to any agency survey, inspection, or monitoring visit must be available to the residents and the public. In facilities that are co-located with a licensed nursing home, the inspection of record for all common areas is the nursing home inspection report.
Rulemaking Authority 429.41, 429.275 FS. Law Implemented 429.24, 429.255, 429.256, 429.26, 429.27, 429.275, 429.35, 429.41, 429.52 FS. History-New 5-14-81, Amended 1-6-82, 5-19-83, 9-17-84, Formerly 10A-5.24, Amended 10-20-86, 6-21-88, 8-15-90, 9-30-92, Formerly 10A-5.024, Amended 10-30-95, 4-20-98, 11-2-98, 10-17-99, 7-30-06, 10-9-06, 4-17-14, Formerly 58A-5.024, Amended 3-23-23.