CMS SOM App. U, Tag R100

An RNHCI must protect and promote each patient’s rights.

Interpretive Guidelines: §403.730

The RNHCI must inform each of its patients, or the patient’s representative, of their

rights as an RNHCI patient. Further, all of the RNHCI’s policies, procedures and actions

must be consistent with the protection of the patients’ rights articulated in this Condition.

The RNHCI must actively promote the patient’s exercise of their rights.

This includes

anyone who faces barriers (such as communication problems, hearing problems, and

cognition limits) in the exercise of these rights. All patients in RNHCIs have rights

guaranteed under Federal and State law. The RNHCI should also verify with the patient

or via documentation, that an individual is the patient’s authorized representative.

Survey Procedures:

• Determine whether the RNHCI provides patients (or their representatives, as

applicable), with notice of their rights, consistent with the standards under this

condition.

• Surveyors should consider the review of documentation (the RNHCI’s policies

and procedures on patient rights) as well as an interview of a patient to determine

compliance.