(a)  Complaints regarding a nursing facility that do not constitute patient abuse, neglect or mistreatment, as regulated under chapter 17.8 of this title, shall be investigated and evaluated by the department as follows:

(1)  The investigation and evaluation shall be made within twenty-four (24) hours if the department has reasonable cause to believe the patient’s or resident’s health or safety is in “immediate jeopardy”; within seven (7) days for reports — deemed by the department to be of “non-immediate jeopardy — high potential for harm”; within twenty-one (21) days for reports deemed by the department to be of “non-immediate jeopardy — medium potential for harm”; and within sixty (60) days for reports deemed by the department to be of “non-immediate jeopardy — low potential for harm.”

(2)  The investigation shall include a visit to the facility.

(3)  Reports of complaint investigations shall be governed in accordance with chapter 17.8 of this title.

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(b) Definitions.  For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1)  “Immediate jeopardy” means a situation in which the nursing facility’s alleged noncompliance with one or more state or federal requirements or conditions has caused, or is likely to cause serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident; or shall be defined in accordance with 42 C.F.R. § part 489 or any subsequent applicable federal regulations.

(2)  “Non-immediate jeopardy — high potential for harm” means a situation in which a nursing facility’s alleged noncompliance with one or more state or federal requirements or conditions may have caused harm that negatively impacts the individual’s mental, physical and/or psychosocial status; or shall be defined in accordance with 42 C.F.R. § part 489 or any subsequent applicable federal regulations.

(3)  “Non-immediate jeopardy — medium potential for harm” means a situation in which a nursing facility’s alleged noncompliance with one or more state or federal requirements or conditions has caused or may have caused harm that is of limited consequence and does not significantly impair the individual’s mental, physical and/or psychosocial status to function; or shall be defined in accordance with 42 C.F.R. § part 489 or any subsequent applicable federal regulations.

(4)  “Non-immediate jeopardy — low potential for harm” means a situation in which a nursing facility’s alleged noncompliance with one or more state or federal requirements or conditions may have caused mental, physical and/or psychosocial discomfort that does not constitute injury or damage; or shall be defined in accordance with 42 C.F.R. § part 489 or any subsequent applicable federal regulations.

(c) Avoidance of conflict.  The department shall establish procedures to insure that the prioritization and classification of complaints received in accordance with section (a) above, and chapter 17.8 of this title, shall be independent of other nursing facility regulatory functions. The department shall include procedures to assure that no employee or agent of the department shall be participating in or supervising a complaint investigation concerning any facility to which that employee has any ownership, employment, or consultant arrangement. The restrictions imposed by the department under this subsection shall be in addition to, and not in place of, the requirements of chapter 14 of Title 36.

(d) Interagency agreements.  The department shall enter into interagency agreements with any other departments or agents of state government clarifying roles and responsibilities for the receipt and investigation of complaints regarding nursing facility care, including guidelines to allow an exchange of data unless such exchange is explicitly prohibited by law.