131E-112.5. Secretary to establish visitation protocols during declared disasters and emergencies.
(a) As used in this section and G.S. 131E-112.6, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) Disaster declaration. - As defined in G.S. 166A-19.3(3).
(2) Emergency. - As defined in G.S. 166A-19.3(6).
(3) Facility. - A nursing home or combination home licensed under this Part.
(4) Normal visitation policy. - The visitation policy that was in effect at a facility on January 1, 2020.
(b) The Secretary shall, in consultation with licensed operators of nursing homes and combination homes, and any other stakeholders the Secretary deems relevant, establish visitation protocols for residents of these facilities that will become effective during a disaster declaration or emergency that results in the suspension or curtailment of a facility's normal visitation policy for any reason. The visitation protocols shall provide for at least the following:
(1) Each resident shall have the right to designate one preapproved visitor and one preapproved alternate visitor. The preapproved visitor, or if the preapproved visitor is unavailable, the preapproved alternate visitor, shall be allowed to visit the resident at least twice per month during any period of time during which the facility's normal visitation policy is suspended or curtailed for any reason during the declared disaster or emergency.
(2) Prior to admission, each facility shall explain and provide to each resident written notification of the visitation protocols established by the Secretary under this section.
(3) Visitation under these protocols shall be subject to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services directives and to the guidelines, conditions, and limitations established by the facility as part of its normal visitation policy. (2021-145, s. 2(a).)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 131E - Health Care Facilities and Services
Article 6 - Health Care Facility Licensure Act.
§ 131E-102 - Licensure requirements.
§ 131E-103 - Adverse action on a license.
§ 131E-104 - Rules and enforcement.
§ 131E-106 - Evaluation of residents in adult care homes.
§ 131E-107 - Quality assurance, medical, or peer review committees.
§ 131E-112 - Waiver of rules and increase in bed capacity during an emergency.
§ 131E-112.7 - Patient visitation rights for nursing home residents and combination home residents.
§ 131E-113 - Immunization of employees and residents.
§ 131E-114 - Special care units; disclosure of information required.
§ 131E-114.1 - Posting of information indicating number of staff on duty.
§ 131E-114.2 - Use of medication aides to perform technical aspects of medication administration.
§ 131E-114.3 - Smoking prohibited inside long-term care facilities; penalty.
§ 131E-115 - Legislative intent.
§ 131E-117 - Declaration of patient's rights.
§ 131E-118 - Transfer of management responsibilities.
§ 131E-119 - No waiver of rights.
§ 131E-120 - Notice to patient.
§ 131E-121 - Responsibility of administrator.
§ 131E-124 - Enforcement and investigation; confidentiality.
§ 131E-125 - Revocation of a license.
§ 131E-127 - No interference with practice of medicine or physician-patient relationship.
§ 131E-128 - Nursing home advisory committees.
§ 131E-128.1 - Nursing home medication management advisory committee.
§ 131E-128.3 - Staff orientation on medication error prevention.
§ 131E-128.4 - Nursing home pharmacy reports; duties of consultant pharmacist.
§ 131E-129 - Penalties; remedies.
§ 131E-130 - First available bed priority for certain nursing home patients.
§ 131E-131 - Rule-making authority; enforcement.
§ 131E-137 - Services to be provided in all counties.
§ 131E-138 - Licensure requirements.
§ 131E-139 - Adverse action on a license.
§ 131E-140 - Rules and enforcement.
§ 131E-141.1 - Penalties for violation.
§ 131E-143 - Smoking prohibited; penalty.
§ 131E-144.1 - Legislative intent.
§ 131E-144.3 - Declaration of home care clients' rights.
§ 131E-144.4 - Notice to client.
§ 131E-144.5 - Implementation.
§ 131E-144.6 - Enforcement and investigation.
§ 131E-144.7 - Confidentiality.
§ 131E-147 - Licensure requirement.
§ 131E-147.1 - Fair billing and collections practices for ambulatory surgical facilities.
§ 131E-148 - Adverse action on a license.
§ 131E-149 - Rules and enforcement.
§ 131E-154.1 - Title; purpose.
§ 131E-154.4 - Rules and enforcement.
§ 131E-154.6 - Adverse action on a license; appeal procedures.
§ 131E-154.8 - Confidentiality.