Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 114 - LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN
Division 5 - ACCESS, INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING PROCEDURES
Section 114-005-0000 - Access to Long Term Care Facilities

(1) Upon entering a long term care facility, the Ombudsman or designee shall present identification provided by the Ombudsman Program to the specified staff person and request that the Ombudsman or designee be directed to the person in charge. The Ombudsman or designee shall show I.D. to the person in charge. If the person in charge is not available, the Ombudsman or designee may proceed to fulfill the Ombudsman or designee's duties.

(2) The Ombudsman or designee is not required to inform the long term care facility of the specific nature of the visit. The Ombudsman or designee may generally inform the long term care facility as to whether or not the visit is a routine visit or complaint investigation, but shall not offer any information that would enable a person to determine the name of the complainant, witness or witnesses or alleged victims.

(3) The Ombudsman or designee is not required to give prior notification before visiting a long term care facility.

(4) The Ombudsman or designee is not required to conform to any policy of a long term care facility that in any way limits access rights established by ORS 441.117 and this rule.

(5) During any visit to a long term care facility, the Ombudsman or designee shall have access, without accompaniment of long term care facility staff, to all public or common areas and to resident rooms with the consent of the resident or the resident's legal guardian. For the purpose of investigating or resolving complaints, the Ombudsman or designee shall have access to laundry rooms, kitchens, linen closets, shower rooms and other service areas of a long term care facility that are relevant to any matter under investigation.

(6) The Ombudsman or designee may obtain access to a long term care facility at any time considered necessary and reasonable by the Ombudsman or designee for the purpose of performing the duties of the Ombudsman or designee.