131E-124. Enforcement and investigation; confidentiality.
(a) The Department shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Part. The Department shall investigate complaints made to it and reply within a reasonable time, not to exceed 60 days, upon receipt of a complaint.
(a1) When the Department receives a complaint alleging a violation of the provisions of this Part pertaining to patient care or patient safety, the Department shall initiate an investigation as follows:
(1) Immediately upon receipt of the complaint if the complaint alleges a life-threatening situation.
(2) Within 24 hours if the complaint alleges abuse of a resident as defined by G.S. 131D-20(1).
(3) Within 48 hours if the complaint alleges neglect of a resident as defined by G.S. 131D-20(8).
(4) Within two weeks in all other situations.
(b) The Department is authorized to inspect patients' medical records maintained at the facility when necessary to investigate any alleged violation of this Part.
(c) The Department shall maintain the confidentiality of all persons who register complaints with the Department and of all medical records inspected by the Department. A person who has filed a complaint shall have access to information about a complaint investigation involving a specific resident if written authorization is obtained from the resident, legal representative, or responsible party. The designation of the responsible party shall be maintained by the nursing facility in the resident's medical record.
(d) Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1395 and G.S. 131E-127, a nursing home as defined in G.S. 131E-101(6), is not in violation of any applicable statute, rule, or regulation for any action taken pursuant to a physician's order when the physician has determined that the action is medically necessary. (1977, c. 897, s. 1; 1983, c. 775, s. 1; 1999-113, s. 3; 1999-334, s. 1.9.)
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.