Nursing Home Abuse in Minnesota

Minnesota Nursing Home Laws and Regulations

Nursing home abuse and neglect are issues that have been a problem throughout the United States for many years. The federal government has worked on putting together laws to quell this problem, and they have gone a long way toward helping. However, each state has the right to put forth laws as well. Minnesota nursing home laws and regulations basically work as a way to ensure the rights of elderly patients are properly looked after at all times when they need to stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

All nursing homes and assisted living facilities, based on Minnesota nursing home laws and regulations, are required to post in an obvious area, the state and federal rights for patients who stay there.

The Minnesota Patient Bill of Rights

A great deal of the Minnesota nursing home laws and regulations are designed to protect patients’ rights. That’s why the state has a specific bill of rights, listing out exactly what patients have working for them. These include:

The patient has the right to proper, courteous care in a safe environment where they will maintain their dignity.
The patient has the right to private medical care as needed.
The patient has the right to choose their activities, including creating their own schedule and meeting their healthcare needs.
The patient has the right to medical care and personal care based on their individual needs.
The patient has the right to choose an outside medical provider if they would like.
The patient has the right to see their medical care records.
The patient has the right to be informed in advance of the care and treatment they will receive.
The patient also has the right to refuse any medical treatment.

These rights are a part of Minnesota nursing home laws and regulations. If you have a loved one who will be living in a nursing home or you are planning on moving to an assisted living facility, it is vital that you understand these rights to protect against abuse and neglect.

Minnesota Statutes

Minnesota law specifically outlines certain things all assisted living facilities and nursing homes must follow. These include: all assisted living facilities must provide basic care services, 24-hour on call nursing access, services like laundry, transportation, and meals, and finally, all facilities must provide at least three daily living activities for all residents.

Filing a Complaint

If you have reason to believe your loved one is a victim of abuse, neglect, or injury in a nursing home, then it is important that you report this. The state of Minnesota makes it easy to report this problem by having one method of contact through the Minnesota Department of Health. You can call 844-880-1574. This is a toll-free number to the Minnesota Adult Abuse and Reporting Center.

If you want to learn more about Minnesota nursing home laws and regulations, then you can do this too by visiting www.health.state.men.us. You can also call or email the Health Facility Office for their complaints department to ask any questions. You can reach them at 651-201-4201 or you can also email them at health.ohfc-complaints@state.mn.us.

Minnesota nursing home laws and regulations are put in place in order to protect patients from the problem of abuse and neglect. The state has taken steps to go beyond the laws put forth by the federal government in order to ensure patients always have rights as well as protection. Anytime you have reason to believe your loved one is being abused in any way in a nursing home, it is vital that you report this immediately and even consider contacting an attorney to get help as soon as possible.

Resources:

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/ohfcinfo/filecomp.htm

http://www.startribune.com/in-minnesota-personal-injury-abuse-lawsuits-die-with-the-victims/241031031/