Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007
ONTARIO REGULATION 79/10
GENERAL
Consolidation Period: From November 1, 2011 to the e-Laws currency date.
Last amendment: O. Reg. 363/11.
This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.
CONTENTS
PART I | |
Definitions | |
“Abuse” — definition | |
“Accommodation” — definition | |
“Drug” — definition | |
“Neglect” — definition | |
“Regular nursing staff” — definition | |
“Veteran” — definition | |
Policies, etc., to be followed, and records | |
PART II | |
Doors in a home | |
Elevators | |
Floor space | |
Furnishings | |
Privacy curtains | |
Shower grab bars | |
Bed rails | |
Windows | |
Communication and response system | |
Lighting | |
Generators | |
Cooling requirements | |
Air temperature | |
Plumbing | |
Compliance with manufacturers’ instructions | |
24-hour admission care plan | |
Initial plan of care | |
Plan of care | |
Care conference | |
Plan of care, transitional | |
Changes in plan of care, consent | |
General requirements | |
Nursing and personal support services | |
Personal care | |
Bathing | |
Oral care | |
Foot care and nail care | |
Transferring and positioning techniques | |
Personal items and personal aids | |
Notification re personal belongings, etc. | |
Mobility devices | |
Dress | |
Bedtime and rest routines | |
End-of-life care | |
Communication methods | |
Availability of supplies | |
24-hour nursing care — exceptions | |
Certification of nurses | |
Qualifications of personal support workers | |
Required programs | |
Falls prevention and management | |
Skin and wound care | |
Continence care and bowel management | |
Pain management | |
Responsive behaviours | |
Altercations and other interactions between residents | |
Behaviours and altercations | |
Restorative care | |
Integrating restorative care into programs | |
Transferring and positioning | |
Therapy services | |
Space and supplies — therapy services | |
Therapy services staff qualifications | |
Social work and social services work | |
Social work and social services work qualifications | |
Designated lead | |
Recreational and social activities program | |
Designated lead | |
Recreational and social activities qualifications | |
Nutrition care and hydration programs | |
Weight changes | |
Dietary services | |
Menu planning | |
Food production | |
Dining and snack service | |
Registered dietitian | |
Nutrition manager | |
Cooks | |
Food service workers, minimums | |
Training and qualifications | |
Medical services program | |
Availability of medical services | |
Individualized medical directives and orders | |
Attending physician or RN (EC) | |
Agreement with attending physician | |
Agreement with registered nurse in extended class | |
Religious and spiritual practices | |
Accommodation services programs | |
Housekeeping | |
Pest control | |
Laundry service | |
Maintenance services | |
Hazardous substances | |
Designated lead — housekeeping, laundry, maintenance | |
Pets | |
Volunteer program | |
Designated lead | |
Policy to promote zero tolerance | |
Notification re incidents | |
Police notification | |
Evaluation | |
Complaints procedure: licensee | |
Dealing with complaints | |
Transitional, complaints | |
Complaints — reporting certain matters to Director | |
Licensees who report investigations under s. 23 (2) of Act | |
Non-application re certain staff | |
Transitional, investigation and reports | |
Reports re critical incidents | |
Misuse of funding | |
Policy to minimize restraining of residents, etc. | |
Requirements relating to restraining by a physical device | |
Requirements relating to the use of a PASD | |
Prohibited devices that limit movement | |
Evaluation | |
Medication management system | |
Quarterly evaluation | |
Annual evaluation | |
Medical directives and orders — drugs | |
Information in every resident home area or unit | |
Retaining of pharmacy service provider | |
Responsibilities of pharmacy service provider | |
System for notifying pharmacy service provider | |
Purchasing and handling of drugs | |
Emergency drug supply | |
Drug supply | |
Monitored dosage system | |
Packaging of drugs | |
Changes in directions for administration | |
Sending of drugs with a resident | |
Safe storage of drugs | |
Security of drug supply | |
Administration of drugs | |
Natural health products | |
Drug record (ordering and receiving) | |
Residents’ drug regimes | |
Medication incidents and adverse drug reactions | |
Drug destruction and disposal | |
Restraining by administration of drug, etc., under common law duty | |
Absences | |
Absent residents | |
Recording of absences | |
Licensee to stay in contact | |
Care during absence | |
Where interim bed resident considered to be long-stay resident | |
Restriction on discharge | |
When licensee may discharge | |
When licensee shall discharge | |
Discharge when beds closed | |
Requirements on licensee before discharging a resident | |
Responsibility of placement co-ordinator | |
Licensee to assist with alternatives to long-term care home | |
Transitional, absences and discharges due to absences | |
PART III | |
Definition | |
Ineligibility to be placement co-ordinator | |
Information to be provided by placement co-ordinator | |
Criteria for eligibility, long-stay | |
Same, short-stay admission, respite care and convalescent care programs | |
Same, spouse or partner | |
Same, veterans | |
Same, redevelopment transfers | |
Application for determination of eligibility | |
Application for authorization of admission | |
Approval by licensee | |
Exceptions | |
Limit on waiting lists | |
Keeping of waiting lists | |
Requirements to be placed on waiting list | |
Removal from waiting list, long-stay | |
Removal from waiting list, short-stay | |
Application — short-stay | |
Application — long-stay | |
Crisis category | |
Spouse/partner reunification | |
Religious, ethnic or linguistic origin | |
Others | |
Veteran category | |
Exchange category | |
Re-admission category | |
Related temporary long-term care home category | |
Re-opened long-term care home category | |
Replacement long-term care home category | |
Ranking of categories | |
Ranking within categories | |
Change of category | |
Withdrawal of approval by licensee | |
Authorization of admission | |
Duty to inform placement co-ordinator of vacancies | |
Reserving ahead — short-stay respite care | |
Length of short-stay, respite care and convalescent care | |
Keeping of waiting list, interim beds | |
Approval by licensee, interim beds | |
Limit on waiting lists, interim beds | |
Requirements to be placed on waiting list, interim beds | |
Ranking on waiting list, interim beds | |
Removal from waiting list, interim beds | |
Authorization of admission, interim beds | |
Length of interim bed stay and other rules | |
Removal from long-stay waiting list of interim bed resident | |
Designation of specialized units | |
Agreement with LHIN | |
Keeping of waiting list, specialized unit | |
Requirements to be placed on waiting list, specialized unit | |
Waiting list categories and ranking | |
Authorization of admission, specialized unit | |
Reassessment | |
Transfer, specialized units | |
Revocation of designation of specialized unit | |
Transfer list | |
Admissions process, special circumstances | |
Transitional, admissions | |
Transitional, short-stay residents | |
Transitional, residents in interim beds | |
PART IV | |
Detailed allocation | |
PART V | |
Administrator | |
Director of Nursing and Personal Care | |
Medical Director | |
Criminal reference check | |
Training and orientation program | |
Designated lead | |
Orientation | |
Retraining | |
Transition | |
Additional training — direct care staff | |
Exemptions, training | |
Orientation for volunteers | |
Information for residents, etc. | |
Posting of information | |
Transitional, information and posting | |
Regulated documents | |
Continuous quality improvement | |
Infection prevention and control program | |
Emergency plans | |
Resident records | |
Records of current residents | |
Retention of resident records | |
Staff records | |
Records of current staff | |
Retention of staff records | |
Records, revocation of licence | |
Transitional, records | |
Annual reports | |
Reports re key personnel | |
Trust accounts | |
Transitional, trust accounts | |
PART VI | |
Reconciliation and recovery | |
Transitional, reconciliation and recovery | |
Non-allowable resident charges | |
Determination of payments | |
Maximum amounts of payments | |
Term | |
Annual net income | |
Private policy of insurance | |
Dependant | |
Dependant annual net income | |
Reduction in basic accommodation charge | |
Restriction, interest charges | |
Resident in interim bed | |
Payment for first and last day | |
Payment for day following discharge | |
Responsibility for payment during absence | |
Notice of accommodation charge increase | |
Preferred accommodation maximum | |
Statements | |
Licensee to retain records | |
Requirements for records | |
Transitional, records | |
Non-arm’s length transactions | |
PART VII | |
Definition | |
Premises that do not require licence | |
Public interest: need | |
Non-profit and for-profit | |
Limits on eligibility for licence | |
Non-profit to for-profit circumstances | |
Limits on share transfers: non-profit subsidiaries | |
Public meetings | |
Person with security interest operating home through management contract | |
Approval of gaining controlling interest | |
Requirements for management contracts | |
Temporary licences and temporary emergency licences — exemptions | |
Temporary emergency licences | |
Short-term authorizations | |
Amendments with consent | |
Licence with beds of different terms | |
PART VIII | |
Definition | |
Application of Act to Part VIII homes | |
Composition of committees of management | |
Application of Part VII of Regulation | |
Application and interpretation | |
Objects | |
Established as corporation | |
Rights, powers, etc. | |
Requirements for members | |
Membership —- general | |
Quorum | |
Chair | |
Notice | |
Apportionments by boards of management | |
Division of territorial districts | |
Transitional, boards of management | |
PART IX | |
Where notice may be given of inspection | |
Factors to be taken into account | |
Reasonable compensation | |
Protection of privacy in reports | |
Transitional, compliance and enforcement | |
PART X | |
Service and notice | |
Notice of indirect collection | |
Construction, renovation, etc., of homes | |
Closure of beds | |
Transfer, closed beds | |
Closure of a home, notice to Director | |
Closure of home, notice to residents and applicants | |
Closure plans and closure agreements | |
Shorter notice periods and deadlines | |
Closure of home under temporary emergency licence | |
Special rules re Part VIII homes | |
Fees | |
Fees for audits and financial reviews | |
Exemptions, certain homes | |
Exemptions, homes with EldCap beds | |
Exemptions, alternative settings | |
One home, one replacement licence | |
Request for classification review | |
Development and redevelopment agreements | |
Licensee obligations under service agreements | |
Transitional, interim beds | |
Transitional, short-term authorizations | |
Transitional, transfer applications | |
Transitional, share transfers | |
Transitional, management contracts | |
Transitional, beds in abeyance | |
Transitional, closing of homes and beds | |
Transitional, certain HARHA agreements | |
Transitional, security interests | |
Transitional, notice | |
Transitional, committees of management | |
The board of management for the district of algoma | |
The board of management for the district of kenora | |
The board of management for the district of manitoulin | |
The board of management for the district of nipissing east | |
The board of management for the district of nipissing west | |
The board of management for the district of parry sound east | |
The board of management for the district of parry sound west | |
Definitions
1. In this Regulation,
“1999 design manual” means the document titled “Long-Term Care Facility Design Manual”, published by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and dated May, 1999, and which is available from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; (“manuel de conception de 1999”)
“2009 design manual” means the document titled “Long-Term Care Home Design Manual, 2009”, published by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and which is available from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; (“manuel de conception de 2009”)
“adverse drug reaction” means a harmful and unintended response by a resident to a drug or combination of drugs which occurs at doses normally used or tested for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a disease or the modification of an organic function; (“réaction indésirable à un médicament”)
“appropriate placement co-ordinator” means the appropriate placement co-ordinator as defined in subsection 44 (2) of the Act; (“coordonnateur des placements compétent”)
“business day” means a day that is not a holiday; (“jour ouvrable”)
“casual absence” means an absence of a resident from a long-term care home for a period not exceeding 48 hours for a purpose other than receiving medical or psychiatric care or undergoing medical or psychiatric assessment; (“absence occasionnelle”)
“continuum of care applicant”, in relation to a continuum of care long-term care home, means a person who resides in a project set out opposite the long-term care home in Column 2 of the Continuum of Care Table and has resided there as of a date earlier than July 1, 1994; (“auteur d’une demande de continuum de soins”)
“continuum of care long-term care home” means a long-term care home set out in Column 1 of the Continuum of Care Table; (“foyer de soins de longue durée offrant un continuum de soins”)
“Continuum of Care Table” means the table available from the Ministry that is titled “Continuum of Care Table” and that is dated March 2010; (“tableau de continuum de soins”)
“controlled substance” means a controlled substance within the meaning of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada); (“substance désignée”)
“food service worker” means a member of staff in a long-term care home who is routinely involved in the storage, preparation, cooking, delivery or serving of food, the cleaning of kitchen equipment and utensils or the maintaining of the kitchen and serveries in a clean and sanitary condition, but does not include a nutrition manager for the home; (“préposé au service d’alimentation”)
“holiday” means,
(a) Saturday,
(b) Sunday,
(c) New Year’s Day,
(d) Family Day,
(e) Good Friday,
(f) Victoria Day,
(g) Canada Day,
(h) the first Monday in August,
(i) Labour Day,
(j) Thanksgiving Day,
(k) Christmas Day,
(l) Boxing Day,
(m) if New Year’s Day or Canada Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday,
(n) if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday and Tuesday,
(o) if Christmas Day falls on a Friday, the following Monday, and
(p) any special holiday proclaimed by the Governor General or the Lieutenant Governor; (“jour férié”)
“interim bed” means a bed in a long-term care home under the interim bed short-stay program; (“lit provisoire”)
“licensed bed capacity” means the total licensed or approved beds in the home, excluding,
(a) beds that are not available for occupancy under a written permission of the Director under subsection 104 (3) of the Act,
(b) beds that are the subject of a temporary emergency licence under clause 112 (1) (b) of the Act, and
(c) beds that are the subject of a short term authorization under section 113 of the Act; (“capacité en lits autorisés”)
“long-stay program” means a program which is not a short-stay program; (“programme de séjour de longue durée”)
“long-stay resident” means a resident who has been admitted to a long-stay program; (“résident en séjour de longue durée”)
“medical absence” means an absence of a resident from a long-term care home for the purpose of receiving medical care other than psychiatric care or for the purpose of undergoing medical assessment other than psychiatric assessment; (“absence médicale”)
“medication incident” means a preventable event associated with the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, storing, labelling, administering or distributing of a drug, or the transcribing of a prescription, and includes,
(a) an act of omission or commission, whether or not it results in harm, injury or death to a resident, or
(b) a near miss event where an incident does not reach a resident but had it done so, harm, injury or death could have resulted; (“incident lié à un médicament”)
“pharmacist” means a member of the Ontario College of Pharmacists who holds a certificate of registration as a pharmacist; (“pharmacien”)
“pharmacy service provider” means the pharmacy service provider referred to in section 119; (“fournisseur de services pharmaceutiques”)
“prescribed”, when used with reference to a drug, means that a prescriber has directed the dispensing of the drug to the resident; (“prescrit”)
“prescriber” means a person who is authorized under a health profession Act as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 to prescribe a drug within the meaning of that Act; (“personne autorisée à prescrire des médicaments”)
“prescription” means a direction from a prescriber directing the dispensing of any drug or drugs for a resident; (“ordonnance”)
“private accommodation”, in relation to a long-term care home, means lodging in a private room in the home, housekeeping services, maintenance and use of the home, dietary services, laundry and linen services, administrative services and raw food; (“hébergement individuel”)
“private room” means,
(a) in the case of a long-term care home to which the 1999 design manual, the 2009 design manual or the retrofit manual applies, a room with one bed that has a private ensuite washroom, other than a room that is designated by a licensee as a standard room, or
(b) in the case of all other long-term care homes, a room with one bed, other than a room that is designated by a licensee as a standard room; (“chambre individuelle”)
“psychiatric absence” means an absence of a resident from a long-term care home for the purpose of receiving psychiatric care or undergoing psychiatric assessment; (“absence psychiatrique”)
“record” means a record as defined in subsection 147 (8) of the Act; (“dossier”)
“registered dietitian” means a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario who holds a general certificate of registration under the Dietetics Act, 1991; (“diététiste agréé”)
“registered nursing staff” means those members of staff who are,
(a) registered nurses, or
(b) registered practical nurses; (“personnel infirmier autorisé”)
“regulated health profession” means a health profession set out in Schedule 1 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991; (“profession de la santé réglementée”)
“related temporary long-term care home” means, where all or some of the beds in a long-term care home are to be temporarily or permanently closed, another long-term care home, if any, that is operated by the same licensee and is to provide beds to residents of the original long-term care home on a temporary basis until beds in the re-opened long-term care home or replacement long-term care home are available for those residents; (“foyer de soins de longue durée temporaire lié”)
“re-opened long-term care home” means, where all or some of the beds in a long-term care home are to be temporarily closed, the same long-term care home once those beds are re-opened; (“foyer de soins de longue durée réouvert”)
“replacement long-term care home” means, where all or some of the beds in a long-term care home are to be permanently closed, the new long-term care home, if any, to be operated by the same licensee and to serve as a replacement for the beds being closed in the original long-term care home; (“foyer de soins de longue durée de remplacement”)
“responsive behaviours” means behaviours that often indicate,
(a) an unmet need in a person, whether cognitive, physical, emotional, social, environmental or other, or
(b) a response to circumstances within the social or physical environment that may be frustrating, frightening or confusing to a person; (“comportements réactifs”)
“retrofit manual” means the document titled “Long-Term Care ‘D’ Facility Retrofit Design Manual”, published by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and dated January, 2002, and which is available from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; (“manuel de réfection”)
“semi-private accommodation”, in relation to a long-term care home, means lodging in a semi-private room in the home, housekeeping services, maintenance and use of the home, dietary services, laundry and linen services, administrative services and raw food; (“hébergement à deux lits”)
“semi-private room” means,
(a) in the case of a long-term care home to which the 1999 design manual, the 2009 design manual or the retrofit manual applies, a room with one bed connected to another room with one bed by an ensuite washroom, other than a room that is designated by a licensee as a standard room, or
(b) in the case of all other long-term care homes, a room with two beds, other than a room that is designated by a licensee as a standard room; (“chambre à deux lits”)
“short-stay program” means a program in which a person is admitted to a long-term care home for a definite number of days; (“programme de séjour de courte durée”)
“short-stay resident” means a resident who has been admitted to a short-stay program; (“résident en séjour de courte durée”)
“standard room” means,
(a) in the case of a long-term care home to which the 1999 design manual, 2009 design manual or the retrofit manual applies, a room with one or two beds that affords privacy to each resident, that has an ensuite washroom, and that is designated by a licensee as a standard room, or
(b) in the case of all other long-term care homes,
(i) a room with three or more beds,
(i.1) a room with two beds that is occupied by spouses on or after April 1, 2011, so long as the room continues to be occupied by the spouses, or
(ii) a room with less than three beds that is designated by a licensee as a standard room; (“chambre standard”)
“topical” means a drug in the form of a liquid, cream, gel, lotion, ointment, spray or powder that is applied to an area of the skin and is intended to affect only the local area to which it is applied; (“médicament topique”)
“vacation absence” means an absence of a resident from a long-term care home for a period exceeding 48 hours for a purpose other than receiving medical or psychiatric care or undergoing medical or psychiatric assessment; (“absence pour vacances”)
“veterans’ priority access bed” means a bed that has been designated as a veterans’ priority access bed under section 51 of the Act. (“lit d’accès prioritaire aux anciens combattants”) O. Reg. 79/10, s. 1; O. Reg. 138/11, s. 1.
“Abuse” — definition
2. (1) For the purposes of the definition of “abuse” in subsection 2 (1) of the Act,
“emotional abuse” means,
(a) any threatening, insulting, intimidating or humiliating gestures, actions, behaviour or remarks, including imposed social isolation, shunning, ignoring, lack of acknowledgement or infantilization that are performed by anyone other than a resident, or
(b) any threatening or intimidating gestures, actions, behaviour or remarks by a resident that causes alarm or fear to another resident where the resident performing the gestures, actions, behaviour or remarks understands and appreciates their consequences; (“mauvais traitement d’ordre affectif”)
“financial abuse” means any misappropriation or misuse of a resident’s money or property; (“exploitation financière”)
“physical abuse” means, subject to subsection (2),
(a) the use of physical force by anyone other than a resident that causes physical injury or pain,
(b) administering or withholding a drug for an inappropriate purpose, or
(c) the use of physical force by a resident that causes physical injury to another resident; (“mauvais traitement d’ordre physique”)
“sexual abuse” means,
(a) subject to subsection (3), any consensual or non-consensual touching, behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature or sexual exploitation that is directed towards a resident by a licensee or staff member, or
(b) any non-consensual touching, behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature or sexual exploitation directed towards a resident by a person other than a licensee or staff member; (“mauvais traitement d’ordre sexuel”)
“verbal abuse” means,
(a) any form of verbal communication of a threatening or intimidating nature or any form of verbal communication of a belittling or degrading nature which diminishes a resident’s sense of well-being, dignity or self-worth, that is made by anyone other than a resident, or
(b) any form of verbal communication of a threatening or intimidating nature made by a resident that leads another resident to fear for his or her safety where the resident making the communication understands and appreciates its consequences. (“mauvais traitement d’ordre verbal”) O. Reg. 79/10, s. 2 (1).
(2) For the purposes of clause (a) of the definition of “physical abuse” in subsection (1), physical abuse does not include the use of force that is appropriate to the provision of care or assisting a resident with activities of daily living, unless the force used is excessive in the circumstances. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 2 (2).
(3) For the purposes of the definition of “sexual abuse” in subsection (1), sexual abuse does not include,
(a) touching, behaviour or remarks of a clinical nature that are appropriate to the provision of care or assisting a resident with activities of daily living; or
(b) consensual touching, behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature between a resident and a licensee or staff member that is in the course of a sexual relationship that began before the resident was admitted to the long-term care home or before the licensee or staff member became a licensee or staff member. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 2 (3).
“Accommodation” — definition
3. For the purposes of the Act and this Regulation,
“accommodation”, in relation to a long-term care home, means basic accommodation in the home or preferred accommodation in the home; (“hébergement”)
“basic accommodation”, in relation to a long-term care home, means lodging in a standard room in the home, housekeeping services, maintenance and use of the home, dietary services, laundry and linen services, administrative services and raw food; (“hébergement avec services de base”)
“preferred accommodation”, in relation to a long-term care home, means private accommodation in the home or semi-private accommodation in the home. (“hébergement avec services privilégiés”) O. Reg. 79/10, s. 3.
“Drug” — definition
4. For the purposes of the Act and this Regulation,
“drug” means a substance or a preparation containing a substance referred to in clauses (a) through (d) of the definition of “drug” in subsection 1 (1) of the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, including a substance that would be excluded from that definition by virtue of clauses (f) to (i) of that definition, but does not include a substance referred to in clause (e) of that definition. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 4.
“Neglect” — definition
5. For the purposes of the Act and this Regulation,
“neglect” means the failure to provide a resident with the treatment, care, services or assistance required for health, safety or well-being, and includes inaction or a pattern of inaction that jeopardizes the health, safety or well-being of one or more residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 5.
“Regular nursing staff” — definition
6. For the purposes of subsection 8 (3) of the Act and this Regulation,
“regular nursing staff” means a member of the registered nursing staff who works in a long-term care home at fixed or prearranged intervals. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 6.
“Veteran” — definition
7. For the purposes of section 51 of the Act and this Regulation,
“veteran” means a veteran as defined in subsection 2 (1) of the War Veterans Allowance Act (Canada). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 7.
Policies, etc., to be followed, and records
8. (1) Where the Act or this Regulation requires the licensee of a long-term care home to have, institute or otherwise put in place any plan, policy, protocol, procedure, strategy or system, the licensee is required to ensure that the plan, policy, protocol, procedure, strategy or system,
(a) is in compliance with and is implemented in accordance with all applicable requirements under the Act; and
(b) is complied with. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 8 (1).
(2) Where the Act or this Regulation requires the licensee to keep a record, the licensee shall ensure that the record is kept in a readable and useable format that allows a complete copy of the record to be readily produced. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 8 (2).
PART II
RESIDENTS: RIGHTS, CARE AND SERVICES
Doors in a home
9. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the following rules are complied with:
1. All doors leading to stairways and the outside of the home other than doors leading to secure outside areas that preclude exit by a resident, including balconies and terraces, or doors that residents do not have access to must be,
i. kept closed and locked,
ii. equipped with a door access control system that is kept on at all times, and
iii. equipped with an audible door alarm that allows calls to be cancelled only at the point of activation and,
A. is connected to the resident-staff communication and response system, or
B. is connected to an audio visual enunciator that is connected to the nurses’ station nearest to the door and has a manual reset switch at each door.
1.1 All doors leading to secure outside areas that preclude exit by a resident, including balconies and terraces, must be equipped with locks to restrict unsupervised access to those areas by residents.
2. All doors leading to non-residential areas must be equipped with locks to restrict unsupervised access to those areas by residents.
3. Any locks on bedrooms, washrooms, toilet or shower rooms must be designed and maintained so they can be readily released from the outside in an emergency.
4. All alarms for doors leading to the outside must be connected to a back-up power supply, unless the home is not served by a generator, in which case the staff of the home shall monitor the doors leading to the outside in accordance with the procedures set out in the home’s emergency plans. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 9; O. Reg. 363/11, s. 1 (1, 2).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that there is a written policy that deals with when doors leading to secure outside areas must be unlocked or locked to permit or restrict unsupervised access to those areas by residents. O. Reg. 363/11, s. 1 (3).
Elevators
10. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that any elevators in the home are equipped to restrict resident access to areas that are not to be accessed by residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 10 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a licensee,
(a) until 12 months after the day this section comes into force; or
(b) until December 31, 2014 if the licensee has obtained approval for the redevelopment of the home under Phase 1 of the program of the Ministry known as the “Long-Term Care Home Renewal Strategy”. O. Reg. 363/11, s. 2.
Floor space
11. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each floor of the home on which residents reside has adequate space for,
(a) completion of documentation by staff; and
(b) secure storage of resident records. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 11.
Furnishings
12. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the home has sufficient indoor and outdoor furnishings, including tables, sofas, chairs and lamps, to meet the needs of residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 12 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that,
(a) resident beds have a firm, comfortable mattress that is at least 10.16 centimetres thick unless contraindicated as set out in the resident’s plan of care;
(b) resident beds are capable of being elevated at the head and have a headboard and a footboard;
(c) roll-away beds, day beds, double deck beds, or cots are not used as sleeping accommodation for a resident, except in an emergency;
(d) a bedside table is provided for every resident;
(e) a comfortable easy chair is provided for every resident in the resident’s bedroom, or that a resident who wishes to provide their own comfortable easy chair is accommodated in doing so; and
(f) a clothes closet is provided for every resident in the resident’s bedroom. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 12 (2).
Privacy curtains
13. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that every resident bedroom occupied by more than one resident has sufficient privacy curtains to provide privacy. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 13.
Shower grab bars
14. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that every resident shower has at least two easily accessible grab bars, with at least one grab bar being located on the same wall as the faucet and at least one grab bar being located on an adjacent wall. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 14.
Bed rails
15. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that where bed rails are used,
(a) the resident is assessed and his or her bed system is evaluated in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices, to minimize risk to the resident;
(b) steps are taken to prevent resident entrapment, taking into consideration all potential zones of entrapment; and
(c) other safety issues related to the use of bed rails are addressed, including height and latch reliability. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 15 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) applies in addition to any requirements that apply where bed rails are used as a physical device to restrain under section 31 of the Act or as a PASD under section 33 of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 15 (2).
Windows
16. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that every window in the home that opens to the outdoors and is accessible to residents has a screen and cannot be opened more than 15 centimetres. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 16; O. Reg. 363/11, s. 3.
Communication and response system
17. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the home is equipped with a resident-staff communication and response system that,
(a) can be easily seen, accessed and used by residents, staff and visitors at all times;
(b) is on at all times;
(c) allows calls to be cancelled only at the point of activation;
(d) is available at each bed, toilet, bath and shower location used by residents;
(e) is available in every area accessible by residents;
(f) clearly indicates when activated where the signal is coming from; and
(g) in the case of a system that uses sound to alert staff, is properly calibrated so that the level of sound is audible to staff. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 17 (1).
(2) A licensee is not required to comply with clause (1) (e) until 12 months after the coming into force of this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 17 (2).
Lighting
18. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the lighting requirements set out in the Table to this section are maintained. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 18.
TABLE
Homes to which the 2009 design manual applies | |
Location |
Lux |
Enclosed Stairways |
Minimum levels of 322.92 lux continuous consistent lighting throughout |
All corridors |
Minimum levels of 322.92 lux continuous consistent lighting throughout |
In all other areas of the home, including resident bedrooms and vestibules, washrooms, and tub and shower rooms. |
Minimum levels of 322.92 lux |
All other homes | |
Location |
Lux |
Stairways |
Minimum levels of 322.92 lux continuous consistent lighting throughout |
All corridors |
Minimum levels of 215.28 lux continuous consistent lighting throughout |
In all other areas of the home |
Minimum levels of 215.28 lux |
Each drug cabinet |
Minimum levels of 1,076.39 lux |
At the bed of each resident when the bed is at the reading position |
Minimum levels of 376.73 lux |
O. Reg. 79/10, s. 18, Table; O. Reg. 363/11, s. 4.
Generators
19. (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the home is served by a generator that is available at all times and that has the capacity to maintain, in the event of a power outage,
(a) the heating system;
(b) emergency lighting in hallways, corridors, stairways and exits; and
(c) essential services, including dietary services equipment required to store food at safe temperatures and prepare and deliver meals and snacks, the resident-staff communication and response system, elevators and life support, safety and emergency equipment. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 19 (1).
(1.1) The licensee of a home with new beds or class A beds within the meaning of subsection 187 (18) of the Act is not required to comply with clause (1) (c) until July 1, 2012, unless the licensee was in compliance with clause (1) (c) on July 1, 2010. O. Reg. 363/11, s. 5.
(2) The following rules apply with respect to a home that has Class B or C beds within the meaning of subsection 187 (18) of the Act, or D beds within the meaning of that subsection that were upgraded in accordance with the Upgrade Option Guidelines:
1. Subject to paragraph 2, the licensee is not required to comply with subsection (1) until December 31, 2016.
2. If the home is redeveloped under the program of the Ministry known as the “Long-Term Care Home Renewal Strategy”, and the redevelopment is completed before December 31, 2016, the licensee is required to comply with subsection (1) as of the day the redevelopment is complete. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 19 (2).
(3) The licensee of a home with Class D beds within the meaning of subsection 187 (18) of the Act that were not upgraded in accordance with the Upgrade Option Guidelines is not required to comply with subsection (1). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 19 (3).
(4) The licensee of a home to which subsection (2) or (3) applies shall ensure, not later than six months after the day this section comes into force, that the home has guaranteed access to a generator that will be operational within three hours of a power outage and that can maintain everything required under clauses (1) (a), (b) and (c). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 19 (4).
Cooling requirements
20. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a written hot weather related illness prevention and management plan for the home that meets the needs of the residents is developed in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices and is implemented when required to address the adverse effects on residents related to heat. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 20 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that, if central air conditioning is not available in the home, the home has at least one separate designated cooling area for every 40 residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 20 (2).
Air temperature
21. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the home is maintained at a minimum temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 21.
Plumbing
22. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that all plumbing fixtures in the home with hose attachments are equipped with a back flow device. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 22.
Compliance with manufacturers’ instructions
23. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that staff use all equipment, supplies, devices, assistive aids and positioning aids in the home in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 23.
24-hour admission care plan
24. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a 24-hour admission care plan is developed for each resident and communicated to direct care staff within 24 hours of the resident’s admission to the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (1).
(2) The care plan must identify the resident and must include, at a minimum, the following with respect to the resident:
1. Any risks the resident may pose to himself or herself, including any risk of falling, and interventions to mitigate those risks.
2. Any risks the resident may pose to others, including any potential behavioural triggers, and safety measures to mitigate those risks.
3. The type and level of assistance required relating to activities of daily living.
4. Customary routines and comfort requirements.
5. Drugs and treatments required.
6. Known health conditions, including allergies and other conditions of which the licensee should be aware upon admission, including interventions.
7. Skin condition, including interventions.
8. Diet orders, including food texture, fluid consistencies and food restrictions. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that the care plan sets out,
(a) the planned care for the resident; and
(b) clear directions to staff and others who provide direct care to the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (3).
(4) The licensee shall ensure that the care set out in the care plan is based on an assessment of the resident and the needs and preferences of that resident and on the assessment, reassessments and information provided by the placement co-ordinator under section 44 of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (4).
(5) The licensee shall ensure that the resident, the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and any other persons designated by the resident or substitute decision-maker are given an opportunity to participate to the extent possible in the development and implementation of the resident’s care plan, and in reviews and revisions of the care plan. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (5).
(6) The licensee shall ensure that the care set out in the care plan is provided to the resident as specified in the plan. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (6).
(7) The licensee shall ensure that the staff and others who provide direct care to a resident are kept aware of the contents of the resident’s care plan and have convenient and immediate access to it. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (7).
(8) The licensee shall ensure that the provision and outcomes of the care set out in the care plan are documented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (8).
(9) The licensee shall ensure that the resident is reassessed and the care plan is reviewed and revised when,
(a) the resident’s care needs change;
(b) the care set out in the plan is no longer necessary; or
(c) the care set out in the plan has not been effective. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (9).
(10) When the care plan is being revised because care set out in the plan has not been effective, the licensee shall ensure that different approaches are considered in the revision of the care plan. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (10).
(11) The licensee shall ensure that the resident, the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and any other persons designated by the resident or substitute decision-maker are given an explanation of the care plan. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (11).
(12) Subsection (11) does not require the disclosure of information if access to a record of the information could be refused under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (12).
(13) Nothing in this section limits a right of access to a care plan under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (13).
(14) The following provisions of the Act and this Regulation apply to a care plan under this section as if the care plan were a plan of care under section 6 of the Act:
1. Paragraph 11 of subsection 3 (1) of the Act.
2. Subsection 30 (4) of the Act.
3. Subsections 31 (1) and (2) of the Act.
4. Subsections 33 (3) and (4) of the Act.
5. Section 29 of this Regulation.
6. Subsection 34 (2) of this Regulation.
7. Clause 51 (2) (b) of this Regulation.
8. Clause 117 (a) of this Regulation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (14).
(15) This section ceases to apply with respect to a resident when a plan of care is developed for the resident under section 6 of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (15).
(16) A licensee is exempt from this section with respect to a resident,
(a) who is being relocated to another long-term care home operated by the same licensee and section 208 of this Regulation applies; or
(b) who is transferring to a related temporary long-term care home, a re-opened long-term care home or a replacement long-term care home operated by the same licensee. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 24 (16).
Initial plan of care
25. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) the assessments necessary to develop an initial plan of care under subsection 6 (6) of the Act are completed within 14 days of the resident’s admission; and
(b) the initial plan of care is developed within 21 days of the admission. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 25 (1).
(2) A licensee is exempt from subsection 6 (6) of the Act and this section with respect to a resident,
(a) who is being relocated to another long-term care home operated by the same licensee and section 208 of this Regulation applies; or
(b) who is transferring to a related temporary long-term care home, a re-opened long-term care home or a replacement long-term care home operated by the same licensee. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 25 (2).
(3) A licensee is exempt from section 6 of the Act and from this section with respect to a resident who is admitted to the short-stay respite care program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 25 (3).
(4) For greater clarity, an initial plan of care is a “plan of care” for the purposes of the Act and this Regulation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 25 (4).
Plan of care
26. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the requirements of this section are met with respect to every plan of care. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 26 (1).
(2) A plan of care,
(a) must identify the resident and include the resident’s demographic information; and
(b) must identify all the persons who participated in the development of the plan of care, and the dates on which they participated. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 26 (2).
(3) A plan of care must be based on, at a minimum, interdisciplinary assessment of the following with respect to the resident:
1. Customary routines.
2. Cognition ability.
3. Communication abilities, including hearing and language.
4. Vision.
5. Mood and behaviour patterns, including wandering, any identified responsive behaviours, any potential behavioural triggers and variations in resident functioning at different times of the day.
6. Psychological well-being.
7. Physical functioning, and the type and level of assistance that is required relating to activities of daily living, including hygiene and grooming.
8. Continence, including bladder and bowel elimination.
9. Disease diagnosis.
10. Health conditions, including allergies, pain, risk of falls and other special needs.
11. Seasonal risk relating to hot weather.
12. Dental and oral status, including oral hygiene.
13. Nutritional status, including height, weight and any risks relating to nutrition care.
14. Hydration status and any risks relating to hydration.
15. Skin condition, including altered skin integrity and foot conditions.
16. Activity patterns and pursuits.
17. Drugs and treatments.
18. Special treatments and interventions.
19. Safety risks.
20. Nausea and vomiting.
21. Sleep patterns and preferences.
22. Cultural, spiritual and religious preferences and age-related needs and preferences.
23. Potential for discharge. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 26 (3).
(4) The licensee shall ensure that a registered dietitian who is a member of the staff of the home,
(a) completes a nutritional assessment for all residents on admission and whenever there is a significant change in a resident’s health condition; and
(b) assesses the matters referred to in paragraphs 13 and 14 of subsection (3). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 26 (4).
(5) A licensee is exempt from this section with respect to a resident who is admitted to the short-stay respite care program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 26 (5).
Care conference
27. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) a care conference of the interdisciplinary team providing a resident’s care is held within six weeks following the resident’s admission and at least annually after that to discuss the plan of care and any other matters of importance to the resident and his or her substitute decision-maker, if any;
(b) the resident, the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and any person that either of them may direct are given an opportunity to participate fully in the conferences; and
(c) a record is kept of the date, the participants and the results of the conferences. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 27 (1).
(2) Where the resident was admitted to the home under the Nursing Homes Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act, the licensee shall ensure that a care conference is held in accordance with the following:
1. Where, within 12 months before this section came into force, a conference for the resident was held under subsection 127 (2) of Regulation 832 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Nursing Homes Act, subsection 68 (2) of Regulation 637 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act or subsection 58 (2) of Regulation 69 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Charitable Institutions Act, a care conference shall be held within 12 months of the last conference.
2. Where no conference referred to in paragraph 1 was held within 12 months before this section came into force, a care conference shall be held when the resident is reassessed and the resident’s plan of care is revised under clause 28 (a). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 27 (2).
(3) A licensee is exempt from the requirement under clause (1) (a) to hold a care conference within six weeks of admission with respect to a resident,
(a) who is being relocated to another long-term care home operated by the same licensee and section 208 of this Regulation applies; or
(b) who is transferring to a related temporary long-term care home, a re-opened long-term care home or a replacement long-term care home operated by the same licensee. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 27 (3).
(4) A licensee is exempt from this section with respect to a resident who is admitted to the short-stay respite care program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 27 (4).
Plan of care, transitional
28. Where, immediately before the coming into force of this section, there is a plan of care in place with respect to a resident, the licensee of the long-term care home shall ensure,
(a) that the resident is reassessed and the plan of care is revised to comply with section 6 of the Act and section 26 of this Regulation within six months of the coming into force of section 6 of the Act; and
(b) that the plan of care is reviewed during that six months if the resident’s needs change, the care in the plan of care is no longer necessary or the care in the plan of care has not been effective. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 28.
Changes in plan of care, consent
29. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a resident is reassessed and the resident’s plan of care is reviewed and revised under subsection 6 (10) of the Act, any consent or directive with respect to “treatment” as defined in the Health Care Consent Act, 1996, including a consent or directive with respect to a “course of treatment” or a “plan of treatment” under that Act, that is relevant, including a regulated document under paragraph 2 of subsection 227 (1) of this Regulation, is reviewed and, if required, revised. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 29.
General Requirements for Programs
General requirements
30. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the following is complied with in respect of each of the organized programs required under sections 8 to 16 of the Act and each of the interdisciplinary programs required under section 48 of this Regulation:
1. There must be a written description of the program that includes its goals and objectives and relevant policies, procedures and protocols and provides for methods to reduce risk and monitor outcomes, including protocols for the referral of residents to specialized resources where required.
2. Where, under the program, staff use any equipment, supplies, devices, assistive aids or positioning aids with respect to a resident, the equipment, supplies, devices or aids are appropriate for the resident based on the resident’s condition.
3. The program must be evaluated and updated at least annually in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices.
4. The licensee shall keep a written record relating to each evaluation under paragraph 3 that includes the date of the evaluation, the names of the persons who participated in the evaluation, a summary of the changes made and the date that those changes were implemented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 30 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that any actions taken with respect to a resident under a program, including assessments, reassessments, interventions and the resident’s responses to interventions are documented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 30 (2).
Nursing and Personal Support Services
Nursing and personal support services
31. (1) This section and sections 32 to 47 apply to,
(a) the organized program of nursing services required under clause 8 (1) (a) of the Act; and
(b) the organized program of personal support services required under clause 8 (1) (b) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 31 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there is a written staffing plan for the programs referred to in clauses (1) (a) and (b). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 31 (2).
(3) The staffing plan must,
(a) provide for a staffing mix that is consistent with residents’ assessed care and safety needs and that meets the requirements set out in the Act and this Regulation;
(b) set out the organization and scheduling of staff shifts;
(c) promote continuity of care by minimizing the number of different staff members who provide nursing and personal support services to each resident;
(d) include a back-up plan for nursing and personal care staffing that addresses situations when staff, including the staff who must provide the nursing coverage required under subsection 8 (3) of the Act, cannot come to work; and
(e) be evaluated and updated at least annually in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 31 (3).
(4) The licensee shall keep a written record relating to each evaluation under clause (3) (e) that includes the date of the evaluation, the names of the persons who participated in the evaluation, a summary of the changes made and the date that those changes were implemented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 31 (4).
Personal care
32. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each resident of the home receives individualized personal care, including hygiene care and grooming, on a daily basis. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 32.
Bathing
33. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each resident of the home is bathed, at a minimum, twice a week by the method of his or her choice and more frequently as determined by the resident’s hygiene requirements, unless contraindicated by a medical condition. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 33 (1).
(2) For the purposes of this section, “bathing” includes tub baths, showers, and full body sponge baths. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 33 (2).
Oral care
34. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each resident of the home receives oral care to maintain the integrity of the oral tissue that includes,
(a) mouth care in the morning and evening, including the cleaning of dentures;
(b) physical assistance or cuing to help a resident who cannot, for any reason, brush his or her own teeth; and
(c) an offer of an annual dental assessment and other preventive dental services, subject to payment being authorized by the resident or the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if payment is required. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 34 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that each resident receives assistance, if required, to insert dentures prior to meals and at any other time as requested by the resident or required by the resident’s plan of care. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 34 (2).
Foot care and nail care
35. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each resident of the home receives preventive and basic foot care services, including the cutting of toenails, to ensure comfort and prevent infection. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 35 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each resident of the home receives fingernail care, including the cutting of fingernails. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 35 (2).
Transferring and positioning techniques
36. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that staff use safe transferring and positioning devices or techniques when assisting residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 36.
Personal items and personal aids
37. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each resident of the home has his or her personal items, including personal aids such as dentures, glasses and hearing aids,
(a) labelled within 48 hours of admission and of acquiring, in the case of new items; and
(b) cleaned as required. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 37 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that each resident receives assistance, if required, to use personal aids. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 37 (2).
Notification re personal belongings, etc.
38. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a resident or the resident’s substitute decision-maker is notified when,
(a) the resident’s personal aids or equipment are not in good working order or require repair; or
(b) the resident requires new personal belongings. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 38.
Mobility devices
39. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that mobility devices, including wheelchairs, walkers and canes, are available at all times to residents who require them on a short-term basis. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 39.
Dress
40. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each resident of the home is assisted with getting dressed as required, and is dressed appropriately, suitable to the time of day and in keeping with his or her preferences, in his or her own clean clothing and in appropriate clean footwear. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 40.
Bedtime and rest routines
41. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each resident of the home has his or her desired bedtime and rest routines supported and individualized to promote comfort, rest and sleep. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 41.
End-of-life care
42. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that every resident receives end-of-life care when required in a manner that meets their needs. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 42.
Communication methods
43. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that strategies are developed and implemented to meet the needs of residents with compromised communication and verbalization skills, of residents with cognitive impairment and of residents who cannot communicate in the language or languages used in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 43.
Availability of supplies
44. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that supplies, equipment and devices are readily available at the home to meet the nursing and personal care needs of residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 44.
24-hour nursing care — exceptions
45. (1) The following are the exceptions to the requirement that at least one registered nurse who is both an employee of the licensee and a member of the regular nursing staff of the home is on duty and present in the home at all times, as required under subsection 8 (3) of the Act:
1. For homes with a licensed bed capacity of 64 beds or fewer,
i. a registered nurse who works at the home pursuant to a contract or agreement between the nurse and the licensee and who is a member of the regular nursing staff may be used,
ii. in the case of an emergency where the back-up plan referred to in clause 31 (3) (d) of this Regulation fails to ensure that the requirement under subsection 8 (3) of the Act is met,
A. a registered nurse who works at the home pursuant to a contract or agreement between the licensee and an employment agency or other third party may be used if the Director of Nursing and Personal Care or a registered nurse who is both an employee of the licensee and a member of the regular nursing staff is available by telephone, or
B. a registered practical nurse who is a member of the regular nursing staff may be used if the Director of Nursing and Personal Care or a registered nurse who is both an employee of the licensee and a member of the regular nursing staff is available by telephone.
2. For homes with a licensed bed capacity of more than 64 beds and fewer than 129 beds,
i. in the case of a planned or extended leave of absence of an employee of the licensee who is a registered nurse and a member of the regular nursing staff, a registered nurse who works at the home pursuant to a contract or agreement with the licensee and who is a member of the regular nursing staff may be used,
ii. in the case of an emergency where the back-up plan referred to in clause 31 (3) (d) of this Regulation fails to ensure that the requirement under subsection 8 (3) of the Act is met, a registered nurse who works at the home pursuant to a contract or agreement between the licensee and an employment agency or other third party may be used if,
A. the Director of Nursing and Personal Care or a registered nurse who is both an employee of the licensee and a member of the regular nursing staff is available by telephone, and
B. a registered practical nurse who is both an employee of the licensee and a member of the regular nursing staff is on duty and present in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 45 (1).
(2) In this section,
“emergency” means an unforeseen situation of a serious nature that prevents a registered nurse from getting to the long-term care home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 45 (2).
Certification of nurses
46. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that every member of the staff who performs duties in the capacity of registered nurse, registered practical nurse or registered nurse in the extended class has the appropriate current certificate of registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 46.
Qualifications of personal support workers
47. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that on and after the first anniversary of the coming into force of this section, every person hired by the licensee as a personal support worker or to provide personal support services, regardless of title, has successfully completed a personal support worker program that meets the requirements in subsection (2). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 47 (1).
(2) The personal support worker program,
(a) must meet,
(i) the vocational standards established by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities,
(ii) the standards established by the National Association of Career Colleges, or
(iii) the standards established by the Ontario Community Support Association; and
(b) must be a minimum of 600 hours in duration, counting both class time and practical experience time. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 47 (2).
(3) Despite subsection (1), a licensee may hire as a personal support worker or to provide personal support services,
(a) a registered nurse or registered practical nurse who, in the opinion of the Director of Nursing and Personal Care, has adequate skills and knowledge to perform the duties of a personal support worker;
(b) a person who was working or employed at a long-term care home at any time in the 12-month period preceding the first anniversary of the coming into force of this section as a personal support worker and who has at least three years of full-time experience, or the equivalent considering part-time experience, as a personal support worker;
(c) a student who is enrolled in an educational program for registered nurses or registered practical nurses and who, in the opinion of the Director of Nursing and Personal Care, has adequate skills and knowledge to perform the duties of a personal support worker; or
(d) a person who is enrolled in a program described in subsection (2) and who is completing the practical experience requirements of the program, but such a person must work under the supervision of a member of the registered nursing staff and an instructor from the program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 47 (3).
(4) The licensee shall cease to employ as a personal support worker, or as someone who provides personal support services, regardless of title, a person who was required to be enrolled in a program described in clause (3) (c) or (d) if the person ceases to be enrolled in the program or fails to successfully complete the program within five years of being hired. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 47 (4).
Required programs
48. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the following interdisciplinary programs are developed and implemented in the home:
1. A falls prevention and management program to reduce the incidence of falls and the risk of injury.
2. A skin and wound care program to promote skin integrity, prevent the development of wounds and pressure ulcers, and provide effective skin and wound care interventions.
3. A continence care and bowel management program to promote continence and to ensure that residents are clean, dry and comfortable.
4. A pain management program to identify pain in residents and manage pain. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 48 (1).
(2) Each program must, in addition to meeting the requirements set out in section 30,
(a) provide for screening protocols; and
(b) provide for assessment and reassessment instruments. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 48 (2).
Falls prevention and management
49. (1) The falls prevention and management program must, at a minimum, provide for strategies to reduce or mitigate falls, including the monitoring of residents, the review of residents’ drug regimes, the implementation of restorative care approaches and the use of equipment, supplies, devices and assistive aids. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 49 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a resident has fallen, the resident is assessed and that where the condition or circumstances of the resident require, a post-fall assessment is conducted using a clinically appropriate assessment instrument that is specifically designed for falls. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 49 (2).
(3) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the equipment, supplies, devices and assistive aids referred to in subsection (1) are readily available at the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 49 (3).
Skin and wound care
50. (1) The skin and wound care program must, at a minimum, provide for the following:
1. The provision of routine skin care to maintain skin integrity and prevent wounds.
2. Strategies to promote resident comfort and mobility and promote the prevention of infection, including the monitoring of residents.
3. Strategies to transfer and position residents to reduce and prevent skin breakdown and reduce and relieve pressure, including the use of equipment, supplies, devices and positioning aids.
4. Treatments and interventions, including physiotherapy and nutrition care. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 50 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) a resident at risk of altered skin integrity receives a skin assessment by a member of the registered nursing staff,
(i) within 24 hours of the resident’s admission,
(ii) upon any return of the resident from hospital, and
(iii) upon any return of the resident from an absence of greater than 24 hours;
(b) a resident exhibiting altered skin integrity, including skin breakdown, pressure ulcers, skin tears or wounds,
(i) receives a skin assessment by a member of the registered nursing staff, using a clinically appropriate assessment instrument that is specifically designed for skin and wound assessment,
(ii) receives immediate treatment and interventions to reduce or relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent infection, as required,
(iii) is assessed by a registered dietitian who is a member of the staff of the home, and any changes made to the resident’s plan of care relating to nutrition and hydration are implemented, and
(iv) is reassessed at least weekly by a member of the registered nursing staff, if clinically indicated;
(c) the equipment, supplies, devices and positioning aids referred to in subsection (1) are readily available at the home as required to relieve pressure, treat pressure ulcers, skin tears or wounds and promote healing; and
(d) any resident who is dependent on staff for repositioning is repositioned every two hours or more frequently as required depending upon the resident’s condition and tolerance of tissue load, except that a resident shall only be repositioned while asleep if clinically indicated. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 50 (2).
(3) In this section,
“altered skin integrity” means potential or actual disruption of epidermal or dermal tissue. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 50 (3).
Continence care and bowel management
51. (1) The continence care and bowel management program must, at a minimum, provide for the following:
1. Treatments and interventions to promote continence.
2. Treatments and interventions to prevent constipation, including nutrition and hydration protocols.
3. Toileting programs, including protocols for bowel management.
4. Strategies to maximize residents’ independence, comfort and dignity, including equipment, supplies, devices and assistive aids.
5. Annual evaluation of residents’ satisfaction with the range of continence care products in consultation with residents, substitute decision-makers and direct care staff, with the evaluation being taken into account by the licensee when making purchasing decisions, including when vendor contracts are negotiated or renegotiated. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 51 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) each resident who is incontinent receives an assessment that includes identification of causal factors, patterns, type of incontinence and potential to restore function with specific interventions, and that where the condition or circumstances of the resident require, an assessment is conducted using a clinically appropriate assessment instrument that is specifically designed for assessment of incontinence;
(b) each resident who is incontinent has an individualized plan, as part of his or her plan of care, to promote and manage bowel and bladder continence based on the assessment and that the plan is implemented;
(c) each resident who is unable to toilet independently some or all of the time receives assistance from staff to manage and maintain continence;
(d) each resident who is incontinent and has been assessed as being potentially continent or continent some of the time receives the assistance and support from staff to become continent or continent some of the time;
(e) continence care products are not used as an alternative to providing assistance to a person to toilet;
(f) there are a range of continence care products available and accessible to residents and staff at all times, and in sufficient quantities for all required changes;
(g) residents who require continence care products have sufficient changes to remain clean, dry and comfortable; and
(h) residents are provided with a range of continence care products that,
(i) are based on their individual assessed needs,
(ii) properly fit the residents,
(iii) promote resident comfort, ease of use, dignity and good skin integrity,
(iv) promote continued independence wherever possible, and
(v) are appropriate for the time of day, and for the individual resident’s type of incontinence. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 51 (2).
Pain management
52. (1) The pain management program must, at a minimum, provide for the following:
1. Communication and assessment methods for residents who are unable to communicate their pain or who are cognitively impaired.
2. Strategies to manage pain, including non-pharmacologic interventions, equipment, supplies, devices and assistive aids.
3. Comfort care measures.
4. Monitoring of residents’ responses to, and the effectiveness of, the pain management strategies. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 52 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a resident’s pain is not relieved by initial interventions, the resident is assessed using a clinically appropriate assessment instrument specifically designed for this purpose. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 52 (2).
Responsive behaviours
53. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the following are developed to meet the needs of residents with responsive behaviours:
1. Written approaches to care, including screening protocols, assessment, reassessment and identification of behavioural triggers that may result in responsive behaviours, whether cognitive, physical, emotional, social, environmental or other.
2. Written strategies, including techniques and interventions, to prevent, minimize or respond to the responsive behaviours.
3. Resident monitoring and internal reporting protocols.
4. Protocols for the referral of residents to specialized resources where required. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 53 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that, for all programs and services, the matters referred to in subsection (1) are,
(a) integrated into the care that is provided to all residents;
(b) based on the assessed needs of residents with responsive behaviours; and
(c) co-ordinated and implemented on an interdisciplinary basis. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 53 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that,
(a) the matters referred to in subsection (1) are developed and implemented in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices;
(b) at least annually, the matters referred to in subsection (1) are evaluated and updated in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices; and
(c) a written record is kept relating to each evaluation under clause (b) that includes the date of the evaluation, the names of the persons who participated in the evaluation, a summary of the changes made and the date that those changes were implemented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 53 (3).
(4) The licensee shall ensure that, for each resident demonstrating responsive behaviours,
(a) the behavioural triggers for the resident are identified, where possible;
(b) strategies are developed and implemented to respond to these behaviours, where possible; and
(c) actions are taken to respond to the needs of the resident, including assessments, reassessments and interventions and that the resident’s responses to interventions are documented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 53 (4).
Altercations and Other Interactions
Altercations and other interactions between residents
54. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that steps are taken to minimize the risk of altercations and potentially harmful interactions between and among residents, including,
(a) identifying factors, based on an interdisciplinary assessment and on information provided to the licensee or staff or through observation, that could potentially trigger such altercations; and
(b) identifying and implementing interventions. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 54.
Behaviours and altercations
55. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) procedures and interventions are developed and implemented to assist residents and staff who are at risk of harm or who are harmed as a result of a resident’s behaviours, including responsive behaviours, and to minimize the risk of altercations and potentially harmful interactions between and among residents; and
(b) all direct care staff are advised at the beginning of every shift of each resident whose behaviours, including responsive behaviours, require heightened monitoring because those behaviours pose a potential risk to the resident or others. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 55.
Restorative care
56. Sections 57 to 64 apply to the organized interdisciplinary program with a restorative care philosophy required under subsection 9 (1) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 56.
Integrating restorative care into programs
57. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) restorative care approaches are integrated into the care that is provided to all residents; and
(b) the restorative care approaches are co-ordinated to ensure that each resident is able to maintain or improve his or her functional and cognitive capacities in all aspects of daily living, to the extent of his or her abilities. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 57.
Transferring and positioning
58. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when transferring and positioning residents, staff shall use devices and techniques that maintain or improve, wherever possible, residents’ weight bearing capability, endurance and range of motion. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 58.
Therapy services
59. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that therapy services for residents of the home are arranged or provided under section 9 of the Act that include,
(a) on-site physiotherapy provided to residents on an individualized basis or in a group setting based on residents’ assessed care needs; and
(b) occupational therapy and speech-language therapy. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 59.
Space and supplies — therapy services
60. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there is safe and appropriate space in the home for the provision of therapy services. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 60 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that there is a sufficient supply of therapy equipment available at all times to meet the needs of residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 60 (2).
Therapy services staff qualifications
61. (1) Subject to subsection (2), every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the therapy services referred to in section 59 of this Regulation and that the licensee arranges or provides under section 9 of the Act are only provided by therapists who have a current certificate of registration with the appropriate college of a regulated health profession. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 61 (1).
(2) Therapy services provided by the licensee may be provided by support personnel who are members of the staff of the home who work under the direction of a member of the appropriate regulated health profession and the supervision of the designated lead required under section 64 and who,
(a) subject to subsection (3), have successfully completed a training program in restorative care, or are enrolled in such a program; or
(b) have successfully completed a relevant training course provided by the licensee that is designed and supervised by a qualified therapist who is a member of the appropriate college of a regulated health profession. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 61 (2).
(3) The licensee shall cease to employ as support personnel a person who was required to be enrolled in a program described in clause (2) (a) if the person ceases to be enrolled in the program or fails to successfully complete the program within three years of being hired. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 61 (3).
(4) Subsections (2) and (3) apply with respect to support personnel who provided therapy services at the home before the coming into force of this section, but for such persons, the three-year period referred to in subsection (3) begins when this section comes into force, not when the person first provided therapy services. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 61 (4).
(5) Therapy services arranged by the licensee may be provided by support personnel of a regulated health professional referred to in subsection (1) working under the direction and supervision of that regulated health professional. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 61 (5).
Social work and social services work
62. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there is a written description of the social work and social services work provided in the home and that the work meets the residents’ needs. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 62.
Social work and social services work qualifications
63. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that social workers or social service workers who provide services in the home are registered under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 63.
Designated lead
64. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the home’s restorative care program, including the services of social workers and social service workers, are co-ordinated by a designated lead. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 64 (1).
(2) The designated lead,
(a) must have a current general certificate of registration with a college of a regulated health profession or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers; or
(b) must have,
(i) a post-secondary diploma or degree in recreation and leisure studies, kinesiology, therapeutic recreation or other related field from a community college or university, and
(ii) at least one year of experience in a health care setting. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 64 (2).
Recreational and Social Activities
Recreational and social activities program
65. (1) This section and sections 66 and 67 apply to the organized recreational and social activities program for the home required under subsection 10 (1) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 65 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the program includes,
(a) the provision of supplies and appropriate equipment for the program;
(b) the development, implementation and communication to all residents and families of a schedule of recreation and social activities that are offered during days, evenings and weekends;
(c) recreation and social activities that include a range of indoor and outdoor recreation, leisure and outings that are of a frequency and type to benefit all residents of the home and reflect their interests;
(d) opportunities for resident and family input into the development and scheduling of recreation and social activities;
(e) the provision of information to residents about community activities that may be of interest to them; and
(f) assistance and support to permit residents to participate in activities that may be of interest to them if they are not able to do so independently. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 65 (2).
Designated lead
66. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there is a designated lead for the recreational and social activities program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 66 (1).
(2) The designated lead must have,
(a) a post-secondary diploma or degree in recreation and leisure studies, therapeutic recreation, kinesiology or other related field from a community college or university; and
(b) at least one year of experience in a health care setting. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 66 (2).
(3) Subsection (2) only applies with respect to designated leads designated after the coming into force of this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 66 (3).
Recreational and social activities qualifications
67. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that staff members providing recreational and social activities in the home,
(a) have a post-secondary diploma or degree in recreation and leisure studies, therapeutic recreation, kinesiology or other related field from a community college or university; or
(b) are enrolled in a community college or university in a diploma or degree program in such a field. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 67 (1).
(2) The licensee shall cease to employ as a recreational and social activities staff member a person who was required to be enrolled in a program described in clause (1) (b) if the person ceases to be enrolled in the program or fails to successfully complete the program within three years of being hired. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 67 (2).
(3) This section does not apply with respect to a staff member who was providing recreational and social activities in the home immediately before the coming into force of this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 67 (3).
Nutrition Care and Hydration Programs
Nutrition care and hydration programs
68. (1) This section and sections 69 to 78 apply to,
(a) the organized program of nutrition care and dietary services required under clause 11 (1) (a) of the Act; and
(b) the organized program of hydration required under clause 11 (1) (b) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 68 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the programs include,
(a) the development and implementation, in consultation with a registered dietitian who is a member of the staff of the home, of policies and procedures relating to nutrition care and dietary services and hydration;
(b) the identification of any risks related to nutrition care and dietary services and hydration;
(c) the implementation of interventions to mitigate and manage those risks;
(d) a system to monitor and evaluate the food and fluid intake of residents with identified risks related to nutrition and hydration; and
(e) a weight monitoring system to measure and record with respect to each resident,
(i) weight on admission and monthly thereafter, and
(ii) body mass index and height upon admission and annually thereafter. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 68 (2).
Weight changes
69. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that residents with the following weight changes are assessed using an interdisciplinary approach, and that actions are taken and outcomes are evaluated:
1. A change of 5 per cent of body weight, or more, over one month.
2. A change of 7.5 per cent of body weight, or more, over three months.
3. A change of 10 per cent of body weight, or more, over 6 months.
4. Any other weight change that compromises the resident’s health status. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 69.
Dietary services
70. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the dietary services component of the nutrition care and dietary services program includes,
(a) menu planning;
(b) food production;
(c) dining and snack service; and
(d) availability of supplies and equipment for food production and dining and snack service. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 70.
Menu planning
71. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the home’s menu cycle,
(a) is a minimum of 21 days in duration;
(b) includes menus for regular, therapeutic and texture modified diets for both meals and snacks;
(c) includes alternative choices of entrees, vegetables and desserts at lunch and dinner;
(d) includes alternative beverage choices at meals and snacks;
(e) is approved by a registered dietitian who is a member of the staff of the home;
(f) is reviewed by the Residents’ Council for the home; and
(g) is reviewed and updated at least annually. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 71 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that each menu,
(a) provides for adequate nutrients, fibre and energy for the residents based on the current Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) established in the reports overseen by the United States National Academies and published by National Academy Press, as they may exist from time to time; and
(b) provides for a variety of foods, including fresh seasonal foods, each day from all food groups in keeping with Canada’s Food Guide as it exists from time to time. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 71 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that each resident is offered a minimum of,
(a) three meals daily;
(b) a between-meal beverage in the morning and afternoon and a beverage in the evening after dinner; and
(c) a snack in the afternoon and evening. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 71 (3).
(4) The licensee shall ensure that the planned menu items are offered and available at each meal and snack. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 71 (4).
(5) The licensee shall ensure that an individualized menu is developed for each resident whose needs cannot be met through the home’s menu cycle. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 71 (5).
(6) The licensee shall ensure that a full breakfast is available to residents up to at least 8:30 a.m. and that the evening meal is not served before 5:00 p.m. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 71 (6).
(7) The licensee shall ensure that food and beverages that are appropriate for the residents’ diets are accessible to staff and available to residents on a 24-hour basis. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 71 (7).
Food production
72. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there is an organized food production system in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 72 (1).
(2) The food production system must, at a minimum, provide for,
(a) a 24-hour supply of perishable and a three-day supply of non-perishable foods;
(b) a three-day supply of nutritional supplements, enteral or parenteral formulas as applicable;
(c) standardized recipes and production sheets for all menus;
(d) preparation of all menu items according to the planned menu;
(e) menu substitutions that are comparable to the planned menu;
(f) communication to residents and staff of any menu substitutions; and
(g) documentation on the production sheet of any menu substitutions. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 72 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that all food and fluids in the food production system are prepared, stored, and served using methods to,
(a) preserve taste, nutritive value, appearance and food quality; and
(b) prevent adulteration, contamination and food borne illness. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 72 (3).
(4) The licensee shall maintain, and keep for at least one year, a record of,
(a) purchases relating to the food production system, including food delivery receipts;
(b) the approved menu cycle; and
(c) menu substitutions. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 72 (4).
(5) If any food or beverages are prepared in the long-term care home for persons who are not residents of the home, the licensee shall maintain, and keep for at least seven years, records that specify for each week,
(a) the number of meals prepared for persons who are not residents of the home; and
(b) the revenue and internal recoveries made by the licensee relating to the sale or provision of any food and beverage prepared in the home, including revenue and internal recoveries made from cafeteria sales and catering. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 72 (5).
(6) The licensee shall ensure that the home has,
(a) sufficient storage capacity to support the home’s menu requirements;
(b) institutional food service equipment with adequate capacity to prepare, transport and hold perishable hot and cold food at safe temperatures; and
(c) institutional food service equipment with adequate capacity to clean and sanitize all dishes, utensils and equipment related to food production and dining and snack service. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 72 (6).
(7) The licensee shall ensure that the home has and that the staff of the home comply with,
(a) policies and procedures for the safe operation and cleaning of equipment related to the food production system and dining and snack service;
(b) a cleaning schedule for all the equipment; and
(c) a cleaning schedule for the food production, servery and dishwashing areas. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 72 (7).
Dining and snack service
73. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the home has a dining and snack service that includes, at a minimum, the following elements:
1. Communication of the seven-day and daily menus to residents.
2. Review, subject to compliance with subsection 71 (6), of meal and snack times by the Residents’ Council.
3. Meal service in a congregate dining setting unless a resident’s assessed needs indicate otherwise.
4. Monitoring of all residents during meals.
5. A process to ensure that food service workers and other staff assisting residents are aware of the residents’ diets, special needs and preferences.
6. Food and fluids being served at a temperature that is both safe and palatable to the residents.
7. Sufficient time for every resident to eat at his or her own pace.
8. Course by course service of meals for each resident, unless otherwise indicated by the resident or by the resident’s assessed needs.
9. Providing residents with any eating aids, assistive devices, personal assistance and encouragement required to safely eat and drink as comfortably and independently as possible.
10. Proper techniques to assist residents with eating, including safe positioning of residents who require assistance.
11. Appropriate furnishings and equipment in resident dining areas, including comfortable dining room chairs and dining room tables at an appropriate height to meet the needs of all residents and appropriate seating for staff who are assisting residents to eat. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 73 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that,
(a) no person simultaneously assists more than two residents who need total assistance with eating or drinking; and
(b) no resident who requires assistance with eating or drinking is served a meal until someone is available to provide the assistance required by the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 73 (2).
Registered dietitian
74. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there is at least one registered dietitian for the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 74 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that a registered dietitian who is a member of the staff of the home is on site at the home for a minimum of 30 minutes per resident per month to carry out clinical and nutrition care duties. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 74 (2).
(3) Where a registered dietitian for the home is also a nutrition manager for the home, any time spent working in the capacity of nutrition manager does not count toward the time requirements under subsection (2). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 74 (3).
Nutrition manager
75. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there is at least one nutrition manager for the home, one of whom shall lead the nutrition care and dietary services program for the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 75 (1).
(2) A person hired as a nutrition manager after the coming into force of this section must be a member of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management or a registered dietitian. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 75 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that a nutrition manager is on site at the home working in the capacity of nutrition manager for the minimum number of hours per week calculated under subsection (4), without including any hours spent fulfilling other responsibilities. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 75 (3).
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), but subject to subsection (5), the minimum number of hours per week shall be calculated as follows:
M = A × 8 ÷ 25
where,
“M” is the minimum number of hours per week, and
“A” is,
(a) if the occupancy of the home is 97 per cent or more, the licensed bed capacity of the home for the week, or
(b) if the occupancy of the home is less than 97 per cent, the number of residents residing in the home for the week, including absent residents.
O. Reg. 79/10, s. 75 (4).
(5) The Director may take into consideration the hours in a week, if any, devoted to producing meals and other food and beverages for non-residents for the sole purpose of determining,
(a) whether the licensee is in compliance with subsection (3); and
(b) whether any of the minimum staffing hours under subsection (3) are being devoted to producing meals and other food and beverages for non-residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 75 (5).
(6) A licensee of a long-term care home that was operated under the Nursing Homes Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act immediately before the coming into force of this section is not required to comply with subsection (3) until six months after the day this section comes into force, but until the licensee is in compliance, the licensee is required to continue to comply with the applicable requirements under,
(a) sections 61 and 61.1 of Regulation 832 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Nursing Homes Act;
(b) sections 3.1 and 3.2 of Regulation 637 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act; or
(c) sections 17.1 and 17.2 of Regulation 69 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Charitable Institutions Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 75 (6).
Cooks
76. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there is at least one cook who works at least 35 hours per week in that position on site at the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 76 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that the cook referred to in subsection (1), if hired on or after the day this section comes into force,
(a) has a chef training or culinary management diploma or certificate,
(i) granted by a college established under the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002, or
(ii) granted by a registered private career college, for successfully completing a program approved by the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005;
(b) has a diploma or certificate granted in another jurisdiction and has a set of skills that, in the reasonable opinion of the licensee, is equivalent to those that the licensee would expect of a person who has a diploma or certificate provided for in clause (a);
(c) has a certificate of qualification as a Cook issued by the Director of Apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998, or after Part III of the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 comes into force, by the Registrar of the College under that Act; or
(d) meets the requirement set out in clause 78 (4) (c). O. Reg. 249/10, s. 1.
(3) The licensee shall ensure that the cook referred to in subsection (1), if employed at the home before this subsection came into force,
(a) meets the qualifications required under subsection (2);
(b) has successfully completed a Food Service Worker program at a college established under the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 or a Food Service Worker program provided by a registered private career college and approved by the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005; or
(c) completes a food handler training program as defined in subsection 78 (5) within three months after the coming into force of this subsection unless he or she meets the requirements under clause (a) or (b) sooner. O. Reg. 249/10, s. 1.
Food service workers, minimums
77. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there are sufficient food service workers for the home to meet the minimum staffing hours as calculated under subsection (2) for,
(a) the preparation of resident meals and snacks;
(b) the distribution and service of resident meals;
(c) the receiving, storing and managing of the inventory of resident food and food service supplies; and
(d) the daily cleaning and sanitizing of dishes, utensils and equipment used for resident meal preparation, delivery and service. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 77 (1).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), but subject to subsection (3), the minimum staffing hours shall be calculated as follows:
M = A × 7 × 0.45
where,
“M” is the minimum number of staffing hours per week, and
“A” is,
(a) if the occupancy of the home is 97 per cent or more, the licensed bed capacity in the home for the week, or
(b) if the occupancy of the home is less than 97 per cent, the number of residents residing in the home for the week, including absent residents.
O. Reg. 79/10, s. 77 (2).
(3) The Director may take into consideration the hours in a week, if any, devoted to producing meals and other food and beverages for non-residents for the sole purpose of determining,
(a) whether the licensee is in compliance with subsection (1); and
(b) whether any of the minimum staffing hours under subsection (1) are being devoted to producing meals and other food and beverages for non-residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 77 (3).
(4) A licensee of a long-term care home that was operated under the Nursing Homes Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act immediately before the coming into force of this section is not required to comply with subsection (1) until six months after the day this section comes into force, but until the licensee is in compliance, the licensee is required to continue to comply with the applicable requirements under,
(a) sections 61 and 61.1 of Regulation 832 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Nursing Homes Act;
(b) sections 3.1 and 3.2 of Regulation 637 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act; or
(c) sections 17.1 and 17.2 of Regulation 69 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Charitable Institutions Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 77 (4).
Training and qualifications
78. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that food service workers hired on or after the day this section comes into force, other than cooks to whom section 76 applies, have successfully completed or are enrolled in a Food Service Worker program at a college established under the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 or a Food Service Worker program provided by a registered private career college and approved by the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005. O. Reg. 249/10, s. 2.
(2) The licensee shall cease to employ as a food service worker a person who was required to be enrolled in a program described in subsection (1) if the person ceases to be enrolled in the program or fails to successfully complete the program within three years of being hired. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 78 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that food service workers who were employed at the home before this section came into force, and who do not have the qualifications required under subsection (1), complete a food handler training program within three months after the coming into force of this section, unless they meet the requirements under subsection (1) sooner. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 78 (3).
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to,
(a) students hired on a seasonal or part-time basis, who have successfully completed a food handler training program;
(b) persons who meet the qualifications in subsection 75 (2) or 76 (2); or
(c) persons who have a post-secondary diploma in food and nutrition management or a post-secondary degree in food and nutrition. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 78 (4).
(5) In this section,
“food handler training program” means the food handler training program offered or approved by the board of health for the public health unit in which the long-term care home is located. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 78 (5).
Medical services program
79. Sections 80 to 84 apply to the organized program of medical services for the home required under section 12 of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 79.
Availability of medical services
80. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that residents have access to medical services in the home 24 hours a day. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 80.
Individualized medical directives and orders
81. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that no medical directive or order is used with respect to a resident unless it is individualized to the resident’s condition and needs. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 81.
Attending Physicians and RNs (EC)
Attending physician or RN (EC)
82. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that either a physician or a registered nurse in the extended class,
(a) conducts a physical examination of each resident upon admission and an annual physical examination annually thereafter, and produces a written report of the findings of the examination;
(b) attends regularly at the home to provide services, including assessments; and
(c) participates in the provision of after-hours coverage and on-call coverage. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 82 (1).
(2) The resident or the resident’s substitute decision-maker may retain a physician or registered nurse in the extended class to perform the services required under subsection (1). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 82 (2).
(3) If the resident or substitute decision-maker does not retain a physician or a registered nurse in the extended class, the licensee shall appoint one for the resident, in consultation with the Medical Director, the resident, and the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 82 (3).
(4) The licensee shall enter into the appropriate written agreement under section 83 or 84 with every physician or registered nurse in the extended class retained or appointed under subsection (2) or (3). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 82 (4).
Agreement with attending physician
83. Where a written agreement between a licensee and a physician is required under subsection 82 (4), the agreement must provide for, at a minimum,
(a) the term of the agreement;
(b) the responsibilities of the licensee; and
(c) the responsibilities or duties of the physician, including,
(i) accountability to the Medical Director for meeting the home’s policies, procedures and protocols for medical services,
(ii) provision of medical services, and
(iii) provision of after-hours coverage and on-call coverage. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 83.
Agreement with registered nurse in extended class
84. Where a written agreement between a licensee and a registered nurse in the extended class is required under subsection 82 (4), the agreement must provide for, at a minimum,
(a) the term of the agreement;
(b) the responsibilities of the licensee; and
(c) the responsibilities or duties of the registered nurse in the extended class, including,
(i) accountability to the Medical Director for meeting the home’s policies, procedures and protocols for medical services,
(ii) provision of services,
(iii) informing the licensee of the name of the physician with whom the registered nurse in the extended class has a consultative relationship, and
(iv) provision of after-hours coverage and on-call coverage. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 84.
Religious and Spiritual Practices
Religious and spiritual practices
85. (1) This section applies to the organized program for the home to give residents reasonable opportunity to practise their religious and spiritual beliefs required under section 14 of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 85 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the program includes arrangements to provide worship services, resources and non-denominational spiritual counselling on a regular basis for all residents who desire them based on availability within the community. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 85 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that,
(a) mechanisms are in place to support and facilitate residents’ participation in the program;
(b) arrangements are made for one-to-one visitation, according to the resident’s wishes, based on availability within the community; and
(c) arrangements are made to facilitate the participation in the program of residents who have hearing or visual impairments, based on availability within the community. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 85 (3).
(4) The licensee shall ensure that there is a designated lead for the program who has sufficient knowledge and experience to co-ordinate religious services and spiritual care in a multi-faith setting. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 85 (4).
Accommodation services programs
86. (1) This section and sections 87 to 92 apply to the organized programs required under subsection 15 (1) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 86 (1).
(2) Where services under any of the programs are provided by a service provider who is not an employee of the licensee, the licensee shall ensure that there is in place a written agreement with the service provider that sets out the service expectations. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 86 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that there are written policies and procedures to monitor and supervise persons who provide occasional maintenance or repair services to the home pursuant to the agreement referred to in subsection (2). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 86 (3).
(4) The licensee’s policies and procedures under subsection (3) may take into account whether the person is subject to the requirements for a criminal reference check and declarations set out in subsections 215 (1) to (5). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 86 (4).
Housekeeping
87. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that housekeeping services are provided seven days per week. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 87 (1).
(2) As part of the organized program of housekeeping under clause 15 (1) (a) of the Act, the licensee shall ensure that procedures are developed and implemented for,
(a) cleaning of the home, including,
(i) resident bedrooms, including floors, carpets, furnishings, privacy curtains, contact surfaces and wall surfaces, and
(ii) common areas and staff areas, including floors, carpets, furnishings, contact surfaces and wall surfaces;
(b) cleaning and disinfection of the following in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and using, at a minimum, a low level disinfectant in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices:
(i) resident care equipment, such as whirlpools, tubs, shower chairs and lift chairs,
(ii) supplies and devices, including personal assistance services devices, assistive aids and positioning aids, and
(iii) contact surfaces;
(c) removal and safe disposal of dry and wet garbage; and
(d) addressing incidents of lingering offensive odours. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 87 (2); O. Reg. 363/11, s. 6 (1).
(2.1) The licensee shall ensure that the staff member designated under subsection 229 (3) to co-ordinate the infection prevention and control program is involved in selecting the disinfectant referred to in clause (2) (b). O. Reg. 363/11, s. 6 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that a sufficient supply of housekeeping equipment and cleaning supplies is readily available to all staff at the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 87 (3).
Pest control
88. (1) As part of organized programs of housekeeping and maintenance services under clauses 15 (1) (a) and (c) of the Act, every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that an organized preventive pest control program using the services of a licensed pest controller is in place at the home, including records indicating the dates of visits and actions taken. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 88 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that immediate action is taken to deal with pests. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 88 (2).
Laundry service
89. (1) As part of the organized program of laundry services under clause 15 (1) (b) of the Act, every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) procedures are developed and implemented to ensure that,
(i) residents’ linens are changed at least once a week and more often as needed,
(ii) residents’ personal items and clothing are labelled in a dignified manner within 48 hours of admission and of acquiring, in the case of new clothing,
(iii) residents’ soiled clothes are collected, sorted, cleaned and delivered to the resident, and
(iv) there is a process to report and locate residents’ lost clothing and personal items;
(b) a sufficient supply of clean linen, face cloths and bath towels are always available in the home for use by residents;
(c) linen, face cloths and bath towels are kept clean and sanitary and are maintained in a good state of repair, free from stains and odours; and
(d) industrial washers and dryers are used for the washing and drying of all laundry. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 89 (1).
(2) Despite clause (1) (d), the licensee may provide residential washers and dryers within the home that are,
(a) accessible to residents and family members; and
(b) available to address the laundry needs arising from programs if industrial sanitation is not necessary to meet those needs. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 89 (2).
Maintenance services
90. (1) As part of the organized program of maintenance services under clause 15 (1) (c) of the Act, every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) maintenance services in the home are available seven days per week to ensure that the building, including both interior and exterior areas, and its operational systems are maintained in good repair; and
(b) there are schedules and procedures in place for routine, preventive and remedial maintenance. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 90 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that procedures are developed and implemented to ensure that,
(a) electrical and non-electrical equipment, including mechanical lifts, are kept in good repair, and maintained and cleaned at a level that meets manufacturer specifications, at a minimum;
(b) all equipment, devices, assistive aids and positioning aids in the home are kept in good repair, excluding the residents’ personal aids or equipment;
(c) heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are cleaned and in good state of repair and inspected at least every six months by a certified individual, and that documentation is kept of the inspection;
(d) all plumbing fixtures, toilets, sinks, grab bars and washroom fixtures and accessories are maintained and kept free of corrosion and cracks;
(e) gas or electric fireplaces and heat generating equipment other than the heating system referred to in clause (c) are inspected by a qualified individual at least annually, and that documentation is kept of the inspection;
(f) hot water boilers and hot water holding tanks are serviced at least annually, and that documentation is kept of the service;
(g) the temperature of the water serving all bathtubs, showers, and hand basins used by residents does not exceed 49 degrees Celsius, and is controlled by a device, inaccessible to residents, that regulates the temperature;
(h) immediate action is taken to reduce the water temperature in the event that it exceeds 49 degrees Celsius;
(i) the temperature of the hot water serving all bathtubs and showers used by residents is maintained at a temperature of at least 40 degrees Celsius;
(j) if the home is using a computerized system to monitor the water temperature, the system is checked daily to ensure that it is in good working order; and
(k) if the home is not using a computerized system to monitor the water temperature, the water temperature is monitored once per shift in random locations where residents have access to hot water. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 90 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that the home’s mechanical ventilation systems are functioning at all times except when the home is operating on power from an emergency generator. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 90 (3).
Hazardous substances
91. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that all hazardous substances at the home are labelled properly and are kept inaccessible to residents at all times. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 91.
Designated lead — housekeeping, laundry, maintenance
92. (1) The licensee shall ensure that there is a designated lead for each of the housekeeping, laundry services and maintenance services programs, but the same person may be the designated lead for more than one program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 92 (1).
(2) The designated lead must have,
(a) a post-secondary degree or diploma;
(b) knowledge of evidence-based practices and, if there are none, prevailing practices relating to housekeeping, laundry and maintenance, as applicable; and
(c) a minimum of two years experience in a managerial or supervisory capacity. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 92 (2).
(3) Subsection (2) only applies with respect to designated leads designated after the coming into force of this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 92 (3).
Pets
93. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that there are in place written policies respecting pets in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 93.
Volunteer program
94. (1) This section and section 95 apply to the organized volunteer program required under subsection 16 (1) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 94 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a staff member monitors or directs a volunteer whenever it is necessary to ensure the safety of a resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 94 (2).
Designated lead
95. (1) The licensee shall ensure that there is a designated lead for the volunteer program who is a member of the staff. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 95 (1).
(2) The designated lead must have,
(a) at least one year of experience with seniors in an organized program or one year of experience with persons in a health care setting; and
(b) experience or knowledge in recruitment, selection, orientation, placement and supervision of volunteers. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 95 (2).
Prevention of Abuse and Neglect
Policy to promote zero tolerance
96. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the licensee’s written policy under section 20 of the Act to promote zero tolerance of abuse and neglect of residents,
(a) contains procedures and interventions to assist and support residents who have been abused or neglected or allegedly abused or neglected;
(b) contains procedures and interventions to deal with persons who have abused or neglected or allegedly abused or neglected residents, as appropriate;
(c) identifies measures and strategies to prevent abuse and neglect;
(d) identifies the manner in which allegations of abuse and neglect will be investigated, including who will undertake the investigation and who will be informed of the investigation; and
(e) identifies the training and retraining requirements for all staff, including,
(i) training on the relationship between power imbalances between staff and residents and the potential for abuse and neglect by those in a position of trust, power and responsibility for resident care, and
(ii) situations that may lead to abuse and neglect and how to avoid such situations. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 96.
Notification re incidents
97. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and any other person specified by the resident,
(a) are notified immediately upon the licensee becoming aware of an alleged, suspected or witnessed incident of abuse or neglect of the resident that has resulted in a physical injury or pain to the resident or that causes distress to the resident that could potentially be detrimental to the resident’s health or well-being; and
(b) are notified within 12 hours upon the licensee becoming aware of any other alleged, suspected or witnessed incident of abuse or neglect of the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 97 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that the resident and the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, are notified of the results of the investigation required under subsection 23 (1) of the Act, immediately upon the completion of the investigation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 97 (2).
(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), a licensee is not required to, but may, notify a person of anything under this section if the licensee has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is responsible for the alleged, suspected or witnessed incident of abuse or neglect of the resident. O. Reg. 363/11, s. 7.
Police notification
98. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the appropriate police force is immediately notified of any alleged, suspected or witnessed incident of abuse or neglect of a resident that the licensee suspects may constitute a criminal offence. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 98.
Evaluation
99. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure,
(a) that an analysis of every incident of abuse or neglect of a resident at the home is undertaken promptly after the licensee becomes aware of it;
(b) that at least once in every calendar year, an evaluation is made to determine the effectiveness of the licensee’s policy under section 20 of the Act to promote zero tolerance of abuse and neglect of residents, and what changes and improvements are required to prevent further occurrences;
(c) that the results of the analysis undertaken under clause (a) are considered in the evaluation;
(d) that the changes and improvements under clause (b) are promptly implemented; and
(e) that a written record of everything provided for in clauses (b) and (d) and the date of the evaluation, the names of the persons who participated in the evaluation and the date that the changes and improvements were implemented is promptly prepared. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 99.
Complaints procedure: licensee
100. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the written procedures required under section 21 of the Act incorporate the requirements set out in section 101. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 100.
Dealing with complaints
101. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that every written or verbal complaint made to the licensee or a staff member concerning the care of a resident or operation of the home is dealt with as follows:
1. The complaint shall be investigated and resolved where possible, and a response that complies with paragraph 3 provided within 10 business days of the receipt of the complaint, and where the complaint alleges harm or risk of harm to one or more residents, the investigation shall be commenced immediately.
2. For those complaints that cannot be investigated and resolved within 10 business days, an acknowledgement of receipt of the complaint shall be provided within 10 business days of receipt of the complaint including the date by which the complainant can reasonably expect a resolution, and a follow-up response that complies with paragraph 3 shall be provided as soon as possible in the circumstances.
3. A response shall be made to the person who made the complaint, indicating,
i. what the licensee has done to resolve the complaint, or
ii. that the licensee believes the complaint to be unfounded and the reasons for the belief. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 101 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that a documented record is kept in the home that includes,
(a) the nature of each verbal or written complaint;
(b) the date the complaint was received;
(c) the type of action taken to resolve the complaint, including the date of the action, time frames for actions to be taken and any follow-up action required;
(d) the final resolution, if any;
(e) every date on which any response was provided to the complainant and a description of the response; and
(f) any response made in turn by the complainant. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 101 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that,
(a) the documented record is reviewed and analyzed for trends at least quarterly;
(b) the results of the review and analysis are taken into account in determining what improvements are required in the home; and
(c) a written record is kept of each review and of the improvements made in response. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 101 (3).
(4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply with respect to verbal complaints that the licensee is able to resolve within 24 hours of the complaint being received. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 101 (4).
Transitional, complaints
102. Where a complaint was made before the coming into force of this section, but not finally dealt with, the complaint shall be dealt with as provided for in section 101 to the extent possible. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 102.
Complaints — reporting certain matters to Director
103. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home who receives a written complaint with respect to a matter that the licensee reports or reported to the Director under section 24 of the Act shall submit a copy of the complaint to the Director along with a written report documenting the response the licensee made to the complainant under subsection 101 (1). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 103 (1).
(2) The licensee shall comply with subsection (1) immediately upon completing the licensee’s investigation into the complaint, or at an earlier date if required by the Director. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 103 (2).
Licensees who report investigations under s. 23 (2) of Act
104. (1) In making a report to the Director under subsection 23 (2) of the Act, the licensee shall include the following material in writing with respect to the alleged, suspected or witnessed incident of abuse of a resident by anyone or neglect of a resident by the licensee or staff that led to the report:
1. A description of the incident, including the type of incident, the area or location of the incident, the date and time of the incident and the events leading up to the incident.
2. A description of the individuals involved in the incident, including,
i. names of all residents involved in the incident,
ii. names of any staff members or other persons who were present at or discovered the incident, and
iii. names of staff members who responded or are responding to the incident.
3. Actions taken in response to the incident, including,
i. what care was given or action taken as a result of the incident, and by whom,
ii. whether a physician or registered nurse in the extended class was contacted,
iii. what other authorities were contacted about the incident, if any,
iv. whether a family member, person of importance or a substitute decision-maker of any resident involved in the incident was contacted and the name of such person or persons, and
v. the outcome or current status of the individual or individuals who were involved in the incident.
4. Analysis and follow-up action, including,
i. the immediate actions that have been taken to prevent recurrence, and
ii. the long-term actions planned to correct the situation and prevent recurrence.
5. The name and title of the person making the report to the Director, the date of the report and whether an inspector has been contacted and, if so, the date of the contact and the name of the inspector. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 104 (1).
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the licensee shall make the report within 10 days of becoming aware of the alleged, suspected or witnessed incident, or at an earlier date if required by the Director. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 104 (2).
(3) If not everything required under subsection (1) can be provided in a report within 10 days, the licensee shall make a preliminary report to the Director within 10 days and provide a final report to the Director within a period of time specified by the Director. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 104 (3).
Non-application re certain staff
105. Paragraph 4 of subsection 24 (5) of the Act does not apply to a staff member who,
(a) falls under clause (b) or (c) of the definition of “staff” in subsection 2 (1) of the Act;
(b) only provides occasional maintenance or repair services to the home; and
(c) does not provide direct care to residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 105.
Transitional, investigation and reports
106. (1) Section 23 of the Act and section 104 of this Regulation apply with respect to incidents that the licensee knew of or that were reported to the licensee after the coming into force of this section, even if the incident occurred before the coming into force, unless the incident was investigated and resolved before the coming into force. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 106 (1).
(2) Section 24 of the Act applies only with respect to matters that occur or may occur after that section comes into force. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 106 (2).
(3) Section 25 of the Act applies with respect to information received by the Director after that section comes into force, even if the information is with regard to a matter that occurred before that section came into force. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 106 (3).
(4) Section 26 of the Act applies with respect to retaliation that occurs after the coming into force of that section, even if the retaliation relates to something that was disclosed or given in evidence before the coming into force of that section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 106 (4).
Reports re critical incidents
107. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the Director is immediately informed, in as much detail as is possible in the circumstances, of each of the following incidents in the home, followed by the report required under subsection (4):
1. An emergency, including loss of essential services, fire, unplanned evacuation, intake of evacuees or flooding.
2. An unexpected or sudden death, including a death resulting from an accident or suicide.
3. A resident who is missing for three hours or more.
4. Any missing resident who returns to the home with an injury or any adverse change in condition regardless of the length of time the resident was missing.
5. An outbreak of a reportable disease or communicable disease as defined in the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
6. Contamination of the drinking water supply. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 107 (1).
(2) Where a licensee is required to make a report immediately under subsection (1) and it is after normal business hours, the licensee shall make the report using the Ministry’s method for after hours emergency contact. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 107 (2).
(3) The licensee shall ensure that the Director is informed of the following incidents in the home no later than one business day after the occurrence of the incident, followed by the report required under subsection (4):
1. A resident who is missing for less than three hours and who returns to the home with no injury or adverse change in condition.
2. An environmental hazard, including a breakdown or failure of the security system or a breakdown of major equipment or a system in the home that affects the provision of care or the safety, security or well-being of residents for a period greater than six hours.
3. A missing or unaccounted for controlled substance.
4. An injury in respect of which a person is taken to hospital.
5. A medication incident or adverse drug reaction in respect of which a resident is taken to hospital. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 107 (3); O. Reg. 363/11, s. 8.
(4) A licensee who is required to inform the Director of an incident under subsection (1) or (3) shall, within 10 days of becoming aware of the incident, or sooner if required by the Director, make a report in writing to the Director setting out the following with respect to the incident:
1. A description of the incident, including the type of incident, the area or location of the incident, the date and time of the incident and the events leading up to the incident.
2. A description of the individuals involved in the incident, including,
i. names of any residents involved in the incident,
ii. names of any staff members or other persons who were present at or discovered the incident, and
iii. names of staff members who responded or are responding to the incident.
3. Actions taken in response to the incident, including,
i. what care was given or action taken as a result of the incident, and by whom,
ii. whether a physician or registered nurse in the extended class was contacted,
iii. what other authorities were contacted about the incident, if any,
iv. for incidents involving a resident, whether a family member, person of importance or a substitute decision-maker of the resident was contacted and the name of such person or persons, and
v. the outcome or current status of the individual or individuals who were involved in the incident.
4. Analysis and follow-up action, including,
i. the immediate actions that have been taken to prevent recurrence, and
ii. the long-term actions planned to correct the situation and prevent recurrence.
5. The name and title of the person who made the initial report to the Director under subsection (1) or (3), the date of the report and whether an inspector has been contacted and, if so, the date of the contact and the name of the inspector. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 107 (4).
(5) The licensee shall ensure that the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, or any person designated by the substitute decision-maker and any other person designated by the resident are promptly notified of a serious injury or serious illness of the resident, in accordance with any instructions provided by the person or persons who are to be so notified. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 107 (5).
(6) Where a matter occurred before the coming into force of this section and the matter was required to be reported to the Director as an occurrence or unusual occurrence under any of the following, the licensee shall report the matter to the Director in accordance with the requirements that existed at the time the matter occurred:
1. Section 96 of Regulation 832 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Nursing Homes Act.
2. Section 31.1 of Regulation 69 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Charitable Institutions Act.
3. Section 25.1 of Regulation 637 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act.
4. An agreement made under an Act mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 107 (6).
Misuse of funding
108. For the purposes of paragraph 5 of subsection 24 (1) and paragraph 6 of subsection 25 (1) of the Act, “misuse” of funding means the use of funding provided by either the Ministry or a local health integration network,
(a) for a purpose other than a purpose that was specified as a condition of the funding; or
(b) in a manner that is not permitted under a restriction that was specified as a condition of the funding. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 108.
Policy to minimize restraining of residents, etc.
109. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the home’s written policy under section 29 of the Act deals with,
(a) use of physical devices;
(b) duties and responsibilities of staff, including,
(i) who has the authority to apply a physical device to restrain a resident or release a resident from a physical device,
(ii) ensuring that all appropriate staff are aware at all times of when a resident is being restrained by use of a physical device;
(c) restraining under the common law duty pursuant to subsection 36 (1) of the Act when immediate action is necessary to prevent serious bodily harm to the person or others;
(d) types of physical devices permitted to be used;
(e) how consent to the use of physical devices as set out in section 31 of the Act and the use of PASDs as set out in section 33 of the Act is to be obtained and documented;
(f) alternatives to the use of physical devices, including how these alternatives are planned, developed and implemented, using an interdisciplinary approach; and
(g) how the use of restraining in the home will be evaluated to ensure minimizing of restraining and to ensure that any restraining that is necessary is done in accordance with the Act and this Regulation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 109.
Requirements relating to restraining by a physical device
110. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the following requirements are met with respect to the restraining of a resident by a physical device under section 31 or section 36 of the Act:
1. Staff apply the physical device in accordance with any manufacturer’s instructions.
2. The physical device is well maintained.
3. The physical device is not altered except for routine adjustments in accordance with any manufacturer’s instructions. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 110 (1).
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that the following requirements are met where a resident is being restrained by a physical device under section 31 of the Act:
1. That staff only apply the physical device that has been ordered or approved by a physician or registered nurse in the extended class.
2. That staff apply the physical device in accordance with any instructions specified by the physician or registered nurse in the extended class.
3. That the resident is monitored while restrained at least every hour by a member of the registered nursing staff or by another member of staff as authorized by a member of the registered nursing staff for that purpose.
4. That the resident is released from the physical device and repositioned at least once every two hours. (This requirement does not apply when bed rails are being used if the resident is able to reposition himself or herself.)
5. That the resident is released and repositioned any other time when necessary based on the resident’s condition or circumstances.
6. That the resident’s condition is reassessed and the effectiveness of the restraining evaluated only by a physician, a registered nurse in the extended class attending the resident or a member of the registered nursing staff, at least every eight hours, and at any other time when necessary based on the resident’s condition or circumstances. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 110 (2).
(3) Where a resident is being restrained by a physical device when immediate action is necessary to prevent serious bodily harm to the resident or to others pursuant to the common law duty described in section 36 of the Act, the licensee shall ensure that,
(a) the resident is monitored or supervised on an ongoing basis and released from the physical device and repositioned when necessary based on the resident’s condition or circumstances;
(b) the resident’s condition is reassessed only by a physician, a registered nurse in the extended class attending the resident or a member of the registered nursing staff, at least every 15 minutes, and at any other time when reassessment is necessary based on the resident’s condition or circumstances; and
(c) the provisions of section 31 of the Act are complied with before continuing to restrain a resident by a physical device when the immediate action is no longer necessary. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 110 (3).
(4) Following the application of a physical device pursuant to the common law duty referred to in section 36 of the Act, the licensee shall explain to the resident, or the resident’s substitute decision-maker where the resident is incapable, the reason for the use of the physical device. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 110 (4).
(5) Where a resident has been restrained by a physical device under section 31 of the Act, or pursuant to the common law duty referred to in section 36 of the Act, and the resident is released from the physical device or the use of the physical device is being discontinued, the licensee shall ensure that appropriate post-restraining care is provided to ensure the safety and comfort of the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 110 (5).
(6) Every licensee shall ensure that no physical device is applied under section 31 of the Act to restrain a resident who is in bed, except,
(a) to allow for a clinical intervention that requires the resident’s body or a part of the resident’s body to be stationary; or
(b) if the physical device is a bed rail used in accordance with section 15. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 110 (6); O. Reg. 363/11, s. 9.
(7) Every licensee shall ensure that every use of a physical device to restrain a resident under section 31 of the Act is documented and, without limiting the generality of this requirement, the licensee shall ensure that the following are documented:
1. The circumstances precipitating the application of the physical device.
2. What alternatives were considered and why those alternatives were inappropriate.
3. The person who made the order, what device was ordered, and any instructions relating to the order.
4. Consent.
5. The person who applied the device and the time of application.
6. All assessment, reassessment and monitoring, including the resident’s response.
7. Every release of the device and all repositioning.
8. The removal or discontinuance of the device, including time of removal or discontinuance and the post-restraining care. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 110 (7).
(8) Every licensee shall ensure that every use of a physical device to restrain a resident pursuant to the common law duty referred to in section 36 of the Act is documented and, without limiting the generality of this requirement, the licensee shall ensure that the following are documented:
1. The circumstances precipitating the application of the physical device.
2. The person who made the order, what device was ordered, and any instructions relating to the order.
3. The person who applied the device and the time of application.
4. All assessment, reassessment and monitoring, including the resident’s response.
5. Every release of the device and all repositioning.
6. The removal or discontinuance of the device, including time of removal or discontinuance and the post-restraining care. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 110 (8).
Requirements relating to the use of a PASD
111. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a PASD used under section 33 of the Act to assist a resident with a routine activity of living is removed as soon as it is no longer required to provide such assistance, unless the resident requests that it be retained. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 111 (1).
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that a PASD used under section 33 of the Act,
(a) is well maintained;
(b) is applied by staff in accordance with any manufacturer’s instructions; and
(c) is not altered except for routine adjustments in accordance with any manufacturer’s instructions. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 111 (2).
Prohibited devices that limit movement
112. For the purposes of section 35 of the Act, every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the following devices are not used in the home:
1. Roller bars on wheelchairs and commodes or toilets.
2. Vest or jacket restraints.
3. Any device with locks that can only be released by a separate device, such as a key or magnet.
4. Four point extremity restraints.
5. Any device used to restrain a resident to a commode or toilet.
6. Any device that cannot be immediately released by staff.
7. Sheets, wraps, tensors or other types of strips or bandages used other than for a therapeutic purpose. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 112.
Evaluation
113. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure,
(a) that an analysis of the restraining of residents by use of a physical device under section 31 of the Act or pursuant to the common law duty referred to in section 36 of the Act is undertaken on a monthly basis;
(b) that at least once in every calendar year, an evaluation is made to determine the effectiveness of the licensee’s policy under section 29 of the Act, and what changes and improvements are required to minimize restraining and to ensure that any restraining that is necessary is done in accordance with the Act and this Regulation;
(c) that the results of the analysis undertaken under clause (a) are considered in the evaluation;
(d) that the changes or improvements under clause (b) are promptly implemented; and
(e) that a written record of everything provided for in clauses (a), (b) and (d) and the date of the evaluation, the names of the persons who participated in the evaluation and the date that the changes were implemented is promptly prepared. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 113.
Medication management system
114. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall develop an interdisciplinary medication management system that provides safe medication management and optimizes effective drug therapy outcomes for residents. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 114 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that written policies and protocols are developed for the medication management system to ensure the accurate acquisition, dispensing, receipt, storage, administration, and destruction and disposal of all drugs used in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 114 (2).
(3) The written policies and protocols must be,
(a) developed, implemented, evaluated and updated in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices; and
(b) reviewed and approved by the Director of Nursing and Personal Care and the pharmacy service provider and, where appropriate, the Medical Director. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 114 (3).
Quarterly evaluation
115. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that an interdisciplinary team, which must include the Medical Director, the Administrator, the Director of Nursing and Personal Care and the pharmacy service provider, meets at least quarterly to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication management system in the home and to recommend any changes necessary to improve the system. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 115 (1).
(2) Where the pharmacy service provider is a corporation, the licensee shall ensure that a pharmacist from the pharmacy service provider participates in the quarterly evaluation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 115 (2).
(3) The quarterly evaluation of the medication management system must include at least,
(a) reviewing drug utilization trends and drug utilization patterns in the home, including the use of any drug or combination of drugs, including psychotropic drugs, that could potentially place residents at risk;
(b) reviewing reports of any medication incidents and adverse drug reactions referred to in subsections 135 (2) and (3) and all instances of the restraining of residents by the administration of a drug when immediate action is necessary to prevent serious bodily harm to a resident or to others pursuant to the common law duty referred to in section 36 of the Act; and
(c) identifying changes to improve the system in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 115 (3).
(4) The licensee shall ensure that the changes identified in the quarterly evaluation are implemented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 115 (4).
(5) The licensee shall ensure that a written record is kept of the results of the quarterly evaluation and of any changes that were implemented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 115 (5).
Annual evaluation
116. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that an interdisciplinary team, which must include the Medical Director, the Administrator, the Director of Nursing and Personal Care, the pharmacy service provider and a registered dietitian who is a member of the staff of the home, meets annually to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication management system in the home and to recommend any changes necessary to improve the system. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 116 (1).
(2) Where the pharmacy service provider is a corporation, the licensee shall ensure that a pharmacist from the pharmacy service provider participates in the annual evaluation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 116 (2).
(3) The annual evaluation of the medication management system must,
(a) include a review of the quarterly evaluations in the previous year as referred to in section 115;
(b) be undertaken using an assessment instrument designed specifically for this purpose; and
(c) identify changes to improve the system in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 116 (3).
(4) The licensee shall ensure that the changes identified in the annual evaluation are implemented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 116 (4).
(5) The licensee shall ensure that a written record is kept of the results of the annual evaluation and of any changes that were implemented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 116 (5).
Medical directives and orders — drugs
117. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) all medical directives or orders for the administration of a drug to a resident are reviewed at any time when the resident’s condition is assessed or reassessed in developing or revising the resident’s plan of care as required under section 6 of the Act; and
(b) no medical directive or order for the administration of a drug to a resident is used unless it is individualized to the resident’s condition and needs. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 117.
Information in every resident home area or unit
118. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the following are available in every resident home area or unit in the home:
1. Recent and relevant drug reference materials.
2. The pharmacy service provider’s contact information.
3. The contact information for at least one poison control centre or similar body. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 118.
Retaining of pharmacy service provider
119. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall retain a pharmacy service provider for the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 119 (1).
(2) The pharmacy service provider must be the holder of a certificate of accreditation for the operation of a pharmacy under section 139 of the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 119 (2).
(3) There must be a written contract between the licensee and the pharmacy service provider setting out the responsibilities of the pharmacy service provider. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 119 (3).
(4) The written contract must provide that the pharmacy service provider shall,
(a) provide drugs to the home on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, or arrange for their provision by another holder of a certificate of accreditation for the operation of a pharmacy under section 139 of the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act; and
(b) perform all the other responsibilities of the pharmacy service provider under this Regulation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 119 (4).
(5) If, on the day this section comes into force, a licensee’s pharmacy service provider does not meet the requirement in subsection (2), the licensee shall retain a pharmacy service provider that meets the requirement within three months of the coming into force of this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 119 (5).
Responsibilities of pharmacy service provider
120. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the pharmacy service provider participates in the following activities:
1. For each resident of the home, the development of medication assessments, medication administration records and records for medication reassessment, and the maintenance of medication profiles.
2. Evaluation of therapeutic outcomes of drugs for residents.
3. Risk management and quality improvement activities, including review of medication incidents, adverse drug reactions and drug utilization.
4. Developing audit protocols for the pharmacy service provider to evaluate the medication management system.
5. Educational support to the staff of the home in relation to drugs.
6. Drug destruction and disposal under clause 136 (3) (a) if required by the licensee’s policy. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 120.
System for notifying pharmacy service provider
121. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a system is developed for notifying the pharmacy service provider within 24 hours of the admission, medical absence, psychiatric absence, discharge, and death of a resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 121.
Purchasing and handling of drugs
122. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that no drug is acquired, received or stored by or in the home or kept by a resident under subsection 131 (7) unless the drug,
(a) has been prescribed for a resident or obtained for the purposes of the emergency drug supply referred to in section 123; and
(b) has been provided by, or through an arrangement made by, the pharmacy service provider or the Government of Ontario. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 122 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where exceptional circumstances exist such that a drug prescribed for a resident cannot be provided by, or through an arrangement made by, the pharmacy service provider. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 122 (2).
Emergency drug supply
123. Every licensee of a long-term care home who maintains an emergency drug supply for the home shall ensure,
(a) that only drugs approved for this purpose by the Medical Director in collaboration with the pharmacy service provider, the Director of Nursing and Personal Care and the Administrator are kept;
(b) that a written policy is in place to address the location of the supply, procedures and timing for reordering drugs, access to the supply, use of drugs in the supply and tracking and documentation with respect to the drugs maintained in the supply;
(c) that, at least annually, there is an evaluation done by the persons referred to in clause (a) of the utilization of drugs kept in the emergency drug supply in order to determine the need for the drugs; and
(d) that any recommended changes resulting from the evaluation are implemented. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 123.
Drug supply
124. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that drugs obtained for use in the home, except drugs obtained for any emergency drug supply, are obtained based on resident usage, and that no more than a three-month supply is kept in the home at any time. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 124.
Monitored dosage system
125. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a monitored dosage system is used in the home for the administration of drugs. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 125 (1).
(2) The monitored dosage system must promote the ease and accuracy of the administration of drugs to residents and support monitoring and drug verification activities. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 125 (2).
Packaging of drugs
126. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that drugs remain in the original labelled container or package provided by the pharmacy service provider or the Government of Ontario until administered to a resident or destroyed. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 126.
Changes in directions for administration
127. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a policy is developed and approved by the Director of Nursing and Personal Care and the pharmacy service provider and, where appropriate, the Medical Director, to govern changes in the administration of a drug due to modifications of directions for use made by a prescriber, including temporary discontinuation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 127.
Sending of drugs with a resident
128. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a policy is developed and approved by the Director of Nursing and Personal Care and the pharmacy service provider and, where appropriate, the Medical Director, to govern the sending of a drug that has been prescribed for a resident with him or her when he or she leaves the home on a temporary basis or is discharged. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 128.
Safe storage of drugs
129. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) drugs are stored in an area or a medication cart,
(i) that is used exclusively for drugs and drug-related supplies,
(ii) that is secure and locked,
(iii) that protects the drugs from heat, light, humidity or other environmental conditions in order to maintain efficacy, and
(iv) that complies with manufacturer’s instructions for the storage of the drugs; and
(b) controlled substances are stored in a separate, double-locked stationary cupboard in the locked area or stored in a separate locked area within the locked medication cart. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 129 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to drugs that a resident is permitted to keep on his or her person or in his or her room in accordance with subsection 131 (7). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 129 (2).
Security of drug supply
130. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that steps are taken to ensure the security of the drug supply, including the following:
1. All areas where drugs are stored shall be kept locked at all times, when not in use.
2. Access to these areas shall be restricted to,
i. persons who may dispense, prescribe or administer drugs in the home, and
ii. the Administrator.
3. A monthly audit shall be undertaken of the daily count sheets of controlled substances to determine if there are any discrepancies and that immediate action is taken if any discrepancies are discovered. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 130.
Administration of drugs
131. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that no drug is used by or administered to a resident in the home unless the drug has been prescribed for the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 131 (1).
(2) The licensee shall ensure that drugs are administered to residents in accordance with the directions for use specified by the prescriber. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 131 (2).
(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), the licensee shall ensure that no person administers a drug to a resident in the home unless that person is a physician, dentist, registered nurse or a registered practical nurse. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 131 (3).
(4) A member of the registered nursing staff may permit a staff member who is not otherwise permitted to administer a drug to a resident to administer a topical, if,
(a) the staff member has been trained by a member of the registered nursing staff in the administration of topicals;
(b) the member of the registered nursing staff who is permitting the administration is satisfied that the staff member can safely administer the topical; and
(c) the staff member who administers the topical does so under the supervision of the member of the registered nursing staff. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 131 (4).
(5) The licensee shall ensure that no resident administers a drug to himself or herself unless the administration has been approved by the prescriber in consultation with the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 131 (5).
(6) Where a resident of the home is permitted to administer a drug to himself or herself under subsection (5), the licensee shall ensure that there are written policies to ensure that the residents who do so understand,
(a) the use of the drug;
(b) the need for the drug;
(c) the need for monitoring and documentation of the use of the drug; and
(d) the necessity for safekeeping of the drug by the resident where the resident is permitted to keep the drug on his or her person or in his or her room under subsection (7). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 131 (6).
(7) The licensee shall ensure that no resident who is permitted to administer a drug to himself or herself under subsection (5) keeps the drug on his or her person or in his or her room except,
(a) as authorized by a physician, registered nurse in the extended class or other prescriber who attends the resident; and
(b) in accordance with any conditions that are imposed by the physician, the registered nurse in the extended class or other prescriber. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 131 (7).
(8) In this section,
“dentist” means a member of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 131 (8).
Natural health products
132. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that where a resident wishes to use a drug that is a natural health product and that has not been prescribed, there are written policies and procedures to govern the use, administration and storage of the natural health product. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 132 (1).
(2) Nothing in this Regulation prevents a resident from using, in accordance with the licensee’s policies and procedures as required by subsection (1), a natural health product that has not been prescribed. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 132 (2).
(3) Sections 114 to 131 and 133 to 137 do not apply with respect to a natural health product that has not been prescribed. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 132 (3).
(4) In this section,
“natural health product” means natural health product, as that term is defined from time to time by the Natural Health Products Regulations under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada), other than a product that is a substance that has been identified in the regulations made under the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act as being a drug for the purposes of that Act despite clause (f) of the definition of “drug” in subsection 1 (1) of that Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 132 (4).
Drug record (ordering and receiving)
133. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that a drug record is established, maintained and kept in the home for at least two years, in which is recorded the following information, in respect of every drug that is ordered and received in the home:
1. The date the drug is ordered.
2. The signature of the person placing the order.
3. The name, strength and quantity of the drug.
4. The name of the place from which the drug is ordered.
5. The name of the resident for whom the drug is prescribed, where applicable.
6. The prescription number, where applicable.
7. The date the drug is received in the home.
8. The signature of the person acknowledging receipt of the drug on behalf of the home.
9. Where applicable, the information required under subsection 136 (4). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 133.
Residents’ drug regimes
134. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that,
(a) when a resident is taking any drug or combination of drugs, including psychotropic drugs, there is monitoring and documentation of the resident’s response and the effectiveness of the drugs appropriate to the risk level of the drugs;
(b) appropriate actions are taken in response to any medication incident involving a resident and any adverse drug reaction to a drug or combination of drugs, including psychotropic drugs; and
(c) there is, at least quarterly, a documented reassessment of each resident’s drug regime. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 134.
Medication incidents and adverse drug reactions
135. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that every medication incident involving a resident and every adverse drug reaction is,
(a) documented, together with a record of the immediate actions taken to assess and maintain the resident’s health; and
(b) reported to the resident, the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, the Director of Nursing and Personal Care, the Medical Director, the prescriber of the drug, the resident’s attending physician or the registered nurse in the extended class attending the resident and the pharmacy service provider. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 135 (1).
(2) In addition to the requirement under clause (1) (a), the licensee shall ensure that,
(a) all medication incidents and adverse drug reactions are documented, reviewed and analyzed;
(b) corrective action is taken as necessary; and
(c) a written record is kept of everything required under clauses (a) and (b). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 135 (2).
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that,
(a) a quarterly review is undertaken of all medication incidents and adverse drug reactions that have occurred in the home since the time of the last review in order to reduce and prevent medication incidents and adverse drug reactions;
(b) any changes and improvements identified in the review are implemented; and
(c) a written record is kept of everything provided for in clauses (a) and (b). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 135 (3).
Drug destruction and disposal
136. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure, as part of the medication management system, that a written policy is developed in the home that provides for the ongoing identification, destruction and disposal of,
(a) all expired drugs;
(b) all drugs with illegible labels;
(c) all drugs that are in containers that do not meet the requirements for marking containers specified under subsection 156 (3) of the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act; and
(d) a resident’s drugs where,
(i) the prescriber attending the resident orders that the use of the drug be discontinued,
(ii) the resident dies, subject to obtaining the written approval of the person who has signed the medical certificate of death under the Vital Statistics Act or the resident’s attending physician, or
(iii) the resident is discharged and the drugs prescribed for the resident are not sent with the resident under section 128. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 136 (1).
(2) The drug destruction and disposal policy must also provide for the following:
1. That drugs that are to be destroyed and disposed of shall be stored safely and securely within the home, separate from drugs that are available for administration to a resident, until the destruction and disposal occurs.
2. That any controlled substance that is to be destroyed and disposed of shall be stored in a double-locked storage area within the home, separate from any controlled substance that is available for administration to a resident, until the destruction and disposal occurs.
3. That drugs are destroyed and disposed of in a safe and environmentally appropriate manner in accordance with evidence-based practices and, if there are none, in accordance with prevailing practices.
4. That drugs that are to be destroyed are destroyed in accordance with subsection (3). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 136 (2).
(3) The drugs must be destroyed by a team acting together and composed of,
(a) in the case of a controlled substance, subject to any applicable requirements under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada),
(i) one member of the registered nursing staff appointed by the Director of Nursing and Personal Care, and
(ii) a physician or a pharmacist; and
(b) in every other case,
(i) one member of the registered nursing staff appointed by the Director of Nursing and Personal Care, and
(ii) one other staff member appointed by the Director of Nursing and Personal Care. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 136 (3).
(4) Where a drug that is to be destroyed is a controlled substance, the drug destruction and disposal policy must provide that the team composed of the persons referred to in clause (3) (a) shall document the following in the drug record:
1. The date of removal of the drug from the drug storage area.
2. The name of the resident for whom the drug was prescribed, where applicable.
3. The prescription number of the drug, where applicable.
4. The drug’s name, strength and quantity.
5. The reason for destruction.
6. The date when the drug was destroyed.
7. The names of the members of the team who destroyed the drug.
8. The manner of destruction of the drug. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 136 (4).
(5) The licensee shall ensure,
(a) that the drug destruction and disposal system is audited at least annually to verify that the licensee’s procedures are being followed and are effective;
(b) that any changes identified in the audit are implemented; and
(c) that a written record is kept of everything provided for in clauses (a) and (b). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 136 (5).
(6) For the purposes of this section a drug is considered to be destroyed when it is altered or denatured to such an extent that its consumption is rendered impossible or improbable. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 136 (6).
Restraining by administration of drug, etc., under common law duty
137. (1) A registered nurse may order the administration of a drug for the purposes of subsection 36 (3) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 137 (1).
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that every administration of a drug to restrain a resident when immediate action is necessary to prevent serious bodily harm to the resident or to others pursuant to the common law duty described in section 36 of the Act is documented, and without limiting the generality of this requirement, the licensee shall ensure that the following are documented:
1. Circumstances precipitating the administration of the drug.
2. Who made the order, what drug was administered, the dosage given, by what means the drug was administered, the time or times when the drug was administered and who administered the drug.
3. The resident’s response to the drug.
4. All assessments, reassessments and monitoring of the resident.
5. Discussions with the resident or, where the resident is incapable, the resident’s substitute decision-maker, following the administration of the drug to explain the reasons for the use of the drug. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 137 (2).
Absences
138. (1) If the requirements set out in subsection (2) are met, but subject to subsection (3), a licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a long-stay resident of the home returns from a medical absence, psychiatric absence, casual absence, or vacation absence, the resident receives the same class of accommodation, the same room, and the same bed in the room, that the resident had before the absence. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (1).
(2) The requirements referred to in subsection (1) are,
(a) in the case of a medical absence, that the length of the medical absence does not exceed 30 days;
(b) in the case of a psychiatric absence, that the length of the psychiatric absence does not exceed 60 days;
(c) in the case of a casual absence during the period between midnight on a Saturday and midnight on the following Saturday, that the total length of the resident’s casual absences during the period does not exceed 48 hours;
(d) in the case of a vacation absence, that the total length of the resident’s vacation absences during the calendar year does not exceed 21 days. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (2).
(3) A licensee may arrange for the long-stay resident to receive a different bed or room where the resident’s needs have changed and as a result a different bed or room is necessary. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (3).
(4) If the requirements set out in subsection (5) are met, a licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a short-stay resident of the home returns from a medical absence, psychiatric absence or casual absence, the resident receives the same class of accommodation that the resident had before the absence. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (4).
(5) The requirements referred to in subsection (4) are,
(a) in the case of a medical or psychiatric absence,
(i) that the length of the medical or psychiatric absence does not exceed 14 days, and
(ii) that the resident returns to the home before the end of the period for which the resident was admitted to the home; and
(b) in the case of a casual absence of a resident during the period between midnight on a Saturday and midnight on the following Saturday,
(i) that the total length of the resident’s casual absences during the period does not exceed 48 hours, and
(ii) that the resident returns to the home before the end of the period for which the resident was admitted to the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (5).
(6) A licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that before a resident of the home leaves for a medical absence or a psychiatric absence,
(a) except in an emergency, a physician or a registered nurse in the extended class attending the resident authorizes the absence in writing; and
(b) notice of the resident’s medical absence or psychiatric absence is given to the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and to such other person as the resident or substitute decision-maker designates,
(i) at least 24 hours before the resident leaves the home, or
(ii) if circumstances do not permit 24 hours notice, as soon as possible. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (6).
(7) A licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a resident of the home leaves for a medical absence or a psychiatric absence, information about the resident’s drug regime, known allergies, diagnosis and care requirements is provided to the resident’s health care provider during the absence. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (7).
Absent residents
139. The requirements under this Regulation respecting the care and treatment of a resident do not apply with respect to a resident who is on a medical absence, a psychiatric absence, a casual absence or a vacation absence. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 139.
Recording of absences
140. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that each medical absence, psychiatric absence, casual absence and vacation absence of a resident of the home is recorded. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 140.
Licensee to stay in contact
141. (1) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall maintain contact with a resident who is on a medical absence or psychiatric absence or with the resident’s health care provider in order to determine when the resident will be returning to the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 141 (1).
(2) Every licensee of a long-term care home shall be in contact with a long-stay resident of the home who is on a vacation absence in order to determine when the resident will be returning to the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 141 (2).
Care during absence
142. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that before a long-stay resident of the home leaves for a casual absence or a vacation absence and before a short-stay resident of the home leaves for a casual absence,
(a) a physician or a registered nurse in the extended class attending the resident or a member of the registered nursing staff of the home sets out in writing the care required to be given to the resident during the absence; and
(b) a member of the licensee’s staff communicates to the resident, or the resident’s substitute decision-maker,
(i) the need to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the care required to be given to the resident is received by the resident during the absence,
(ii) that the licensee will not be responsible for the care, safety and well-being of the resident during the absence and that the resident or the resident’s substitute decision-maker assumes full responsibility for the care, safety and well-being of the resident during the absence, and
(iii) the need to notify the Administrator of the home if the resident is admitted to a hospital during the absence or if the date of the resident’s return changes. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 142.
Where interim bed resident considered to be long-stay resident
143. For the purposes of the following provisions of this Regulation, a resident in the interim bed short-stay program shall be considered to be a long-stay resident:
1. Section 138.
2. Subsection 141 (2).
3. Section 142. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 143.
Restriction on discharge
144. No licensee of a long-term care home shall discharge a resident from the long-term care home unless permitted or required to do so by this Regulation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 144.
When licensee may discharge
145. (1) A licensee of a long-term care home may discharge a resident if the licensee is informed by someone permitted to do so under subsection (2) that the resident’s requirements for care have changed and that, as a result, the home cannot provide a sufficiently secure environment to ensure the safety of the resident or the safety of persons who come into contact with the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 145 (1).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the licensee shall be informed by,
(a) in the case of a resident who is at the home, the Director of Nursing and Personal Care, the resident’s physician or a registered nurse in the extended class attending the resident, after consultation with the interdisciplinary team providing the resident’s care; or
(b) in the case of a resident who is absent from the home, the resident’s physician or a registered nurse in the extended class attending the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 145 (2).
(3) A licensee of a long-term care home may discharge a resident if,
(a) the resident decides to leave the home and signs a request to be discharged;
(b) the resident leaves the home and informs the Administrator that he or she will not be returning to the home;
(c) the resident is absent from the home for a period exceeding seven days and the resident has not informed the Administrator of his or her whereabouts, and the Administrator has been unable to locate the resident;
(d) in the case of a long-stay resident, the total length of the resident’s casual absences during the period between midnight on a Saturday and midnight on the following Saturday exceeds 48 hours and the resident does not have any remaining vacation absence days available in the calendar year; or
(e) in the case of a short-stay resident, the total length of the resident’s casual absences during the period between midnight on Saturday and midnight on the following Saturday exceeds 48 hours. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 145 (3).
(4) Clause (3) (e) does not apply to a resident in the interim bed short-stay program and the resident shall be considered to be a long-stay resident for the purposes of clause (3) (d). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 145 (4).
When licensee shall discharge
146. (1) A licensee of a long-term care home shall discharge a short-stay resident from the home at the end of the period for which the resident was admitted to the home, unless the resident is in the interim bed short-stay program and the placement co-ordinator has authorized, or has advised the licensee that it will be authorizing, an extension of the resident’s admission under section 196. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (1).
(2) A licensee shall not discharge under subsection (1) a resident who is in the interim bed short-stay program without first confirming with the placement co-ordinator whether the placement co-ordinator intends to authorize an extension. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (2).
(3) A licensee shall discharge a short-stay resident if,
(a) the resident is on a medical absence or a psychiatric absence that exceeds 14 days;
(b) the resident is on a vacation absence; or
(c) the long-term care home is being closed. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (3).
(4) A licensee shall discharge a long-stay resident if,
(a) the resident is on a medical absence that exceeds 30 days;
(b) the resident is on a psychiatric absence that exceeds 60 days;
(c) the total length of the resident’s vacation absences during the calendar year exceeds 21 days; or
(d) the long-term care home is being closed. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (4).
(5) A licensee shall not discharge a resident under clause (3) (a) or (4) (a) or (b),
(a) if the resident is unable to return to the home because of an emergency in the home or an outbreak of disease; or
(b) if the resident or the resident’s substitute decision-maker or other person acting on the resident’s behalf has notified the Administrator that the resident intends to return to the home but the resident is unable to do so due to an emergency or natural disaster in the community that prevents the immediate return of the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (5).
(6) A licensee shall not discharge a resident under clause (4) (c),
(a) if the resident is unable to return to the home because of an outbreak of disease in the home or an emergency in the home; or
(b) if the resident or the resident’s substitute decision-maker or other person acting on the resident’s behalf has notified the Administrator that the resident intends to return to the home but the resident is unable to do so due to an emergency or natural disaster in the community or a short-term illness or injury of the resident that prevents the immediate return of the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (6).
(7) A licensee of a long-term care home shall discharge a resident from a specialized unit if,
(a) the interdisciplinary reassessment required under section 204 indicates that the resident no longer requires and benefits from the accommodation, care, services, programs and goods provided in the specialized unit; and
(b) alternative arrangements have been made for the accommodation, care, services, programs and goods required by the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (7).
(8) A licensee shall discharge a resident when the licensee is aware that the resident has died, and the resident shall be deemed to have been discharged on the date of death. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (8).
(9) Subsection (3) does not apply to a resident in the interim bed short-stay program and the resident shall be considered to be a long-stay resident for the purposes of subsection (4). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 146 (9).
Discharge when beds closed
147. (1) A licensee may discharge a resident whose bed is closed if it is not possible to transfer the resident to another bed in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 147 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if,
(a) notice was required under section 306 but that section was not complied with;
(b) the Director agreed, under subsection 306 (7), to a shorter notice period, or to dispensing with notice and, as a result, less than 16 weeks notice was given to the persons described in clause 306 (3) (a); or
(c) section 307 applied when the resident was transferred to the bed but that section was not complied with. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 147 (2).
Requirements on licensee before discharging a resident
148. (1) Except in the case of a discharge due to a resident’s death, every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that, before a resident is discharged, notice of the discharge is given to the resident, the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and to any other person either of them may direct,
(a) as far in advance of the discharge as possible; or
(b) if circumstances do not permit notice to be given before the discharge, as soon as possible after the discharge. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 148 (1).
(2) Before discharging a resident under subsection 145 (1), the licensee shall,
(a) ensure that alternatives to discharge have been considered and, where appropriate, tried;
(b) in collaboration with the appropriate placement co-ordinator and other health service organizations, make alternative arrangements for the accommodation, care and secure environment required by the resident;
(c) ensure the resident and the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and any person either of them may direct is kept informed and given an opportunity to participate in the discharge planning and that his or her wishes are taken into consideration; and
(d) provide a written notice to the resident, the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and any person either of them may direct, setting out a detailed explanation of the supporting facts, as they relate both to the home and to the resident’s condition and requirements for care, that justify the licensee’s decision to discharge the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 148 (2).
(3) Before discharging a resident from the home under clause 145 (3) (a), (b) or (d), the licensee shall offer to,
(a) assist the resident in planning for discharge by identifying alternative accommodation, health service organizations and other resources in the community; and
(b) contact appropriate health service organizations and other resources in the community or refer the resident to such organizations and resources. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 148 (3).
Responsibility of placement co-ordinator
149. The appropriate placement co-ordinator shall, if a resident to whom subsection 145 (1) or clause 146 (7) (a) applies so desires, assist in arranging alternative accommodation, care or services for the resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 149.
Licensee to assist with alternatives to long-term care home
150. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall offer to contact the appropriate placement co-ordinator for the purpose of providing information about alternatives to living in a long-term care home to a resident whose condition has improved to the extent that he or she no longer requires the care and services provided by the long-term care home, as set out in the resident’s plan of care. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 150.
Transitional, absences and discharges due to absences
151. (1) Where, during the calendar year that this section comes into force, a resident of a home under the Nursing Homes Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act has taken vacation absences or casual absences in accordance with the regulations under those Acts before the coming into force of this section, the absences shall be counted as if they had been taken while this Regulation was in force. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 151 (1).
(2) Where a long-stay resident was on a psychiatric absence from a home in accordance with the regulations under the Nursing Homes Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act immediately before the coming into force of this section,
(a) the duration of the absence before the coming into force of this section shall be counted for the purposes of the discharge provisions of this Regulation; and
(b) no bed-holding amount is payable for the days of the absence after the coming into force of this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 151 (2).
(3) Where a long-stay resident was on a medical absence from a home in accordance with the regulations under the Nursing Homes Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act immediately before the coming into force of this section,
(a) a licensee shall not discharge the resident under clause 146 (4) (a) until the absence exceeds 51 consecutive days; and
(b) no bed-holding amount is payable for the days of the absence after the coming into force of this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 151 (3).
(4) Where a short-stay resident was on a medical absence from a home in accordance with the regulations under the Nursing Homes Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act immediately before the coming into force of this section, the days of the absence before the coming into force of this section shall be counted for the purposes of the discharge provisions of this Regulation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 151 (4).
PART III
ADMISSION OF RESIDENTS
Definition
152. In this Part,
“partner” means either of two persons who have lived together for at least one year and who have a close personal relationship that is of primary importance in both persons’ lives. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 152.
Ineligibility to be placement co-ordinator
153. Every person or entity that is not a community care access corporation within the meaning of the Community Care Access Corporations Act, 2001 is ineligible for designation as a placement co-ordinator. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 153.
Information to be provided by placement co-ordinator
154. (1) When a person who wishes to seek admission to a long-term care home contacts a placement co-ordinator, the placement co-ordinator shall provide the person with information about alternative services that the person may wish to consider. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 154 (1).
(2) The placement co-ordinator shall also provide the person with information about a resident’s responsibility for payment for charges for accommodation and the maximum amounts that may be charged by a licensee for accommodation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 154 (2).
(3) The placement co-ordinator shall advise the person that a resident may apply to the Director for a reduction in the charge for basic accommodation and that a resident who makes such an application is required to provide supporting documentation including the resident’s Notice of Assessment issued under the Income Tax Act (Canada) for the resident’s most recent taxation year. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 154 (3).
(4) When a person is determined eligible for admission, the placement co-ordinator shall provide the person with information about,
(a) the length of waiting lists and approximate times to admission for long-term care homes;
(b) vacancies in long-term care homes; and
(c) how to obtain information from the Ministry about long-term care homes. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 154 (4).
Criteria for eligibility, long-stay
155. (1) A placement co-ordinator shall determine a person to be eligible for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident only if,
(a) the person is at least 18 years old;
(b) the person is an insured person under the Health Insurance Act;
(c) the person,
(i) requires that nursing care be available on site 24 hours a day,
(ii) requires, at frequent intervals throughout the day, assistance with activities of daily living, or
(iii) requires, at frequent intervals throughout the day, on-site supervision or on-site monitoring to ensure his or her safety or well-being;
(d) the publicly-funded community-based services available to the person and the other caregiving, support or companionship arrangements available to the person are not sufficient, in any combination, to meet the person’s requirements; and
(e) the person’s care requirements can be met in a long-term care home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 155 (1).
(2) In this section,
“nursing care” means nursing and other personal care given by or under the supervision of a registered nurse or a registered practical nurse. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 155 (2).
Same, short-stay admission, respite care and convalescent care programs
156. (1) A placement co-ordinator shall determine a person to be eligible for long-term care home admission as a short-stay resident in the respite care program only if,
(a) the person,
(i) has a caregiver who requires temporary relief from his or her caregiving duties, or
(ii) requires temporary care in order to continue to reside in the community and is likely to benefit from a short stay in the home;
(b) it is anticipated that the person will be returning to his or her residence within 60 days after admission to the long-term care home; and
(c) the person meets the requirements of clauses 155 (1) (a), (b), (c) and (e). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 156 (1).
(2) A placement co-ordinator shall determine a person to be eligible for long-term care home admission as a short-stay resident in the convalescent care program only if,
(a) the person requires a period of time in which to recover strength, endurance or functioning and is likely to benefit from a short stay in a long-term care home;
(b) it is anticipated that the person will be returning to his or her residence within 90 days after admission to the long-term care home; and
(c) the person meets the requirements of clauses 155 (1) (a), (b), (c) and (e). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 156 (2).
Same, spouse or partner
157. (1) Despite clauses 155 (1) (c) and (d), a placement co-ordinator shall determine a person to be eligible for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident if,
(a) the person’s spouse or partner is,
(i) a long-stay resident, or
(ii) a person who has been determined by a placement co-ordinator to be eligible for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident; and
(b) the person meets the requirements of clauses 155 (1) (a), (b) and (e). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 157 (1).
(2) Despite anything else in this Regulation,
(a) a person described in subsection (1) may only be placed in a category set out in subsection 173 (3) or 174 (3); and
(b) a placement co-ordinator may not authorize the admission to a long-term care home of a person described in subsection (1) before the admission of their spouse or partner is authorized to that home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 157 (2).
Same, veterans
158. Despite clauses 155 (1) (c) and (d), a placement co-ordinator shall determine a person to be eligible for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident if the person is a veteran and an insured person under the Health Insurance Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 158.
Same, redevelopment transfers
159. (1) Despite section 155, a placement co-ordinator shall determine a person to be eligible for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident if the person is,
(a) a long-stay resident of a long-term care home immediately before the closure of his or her bed in the home who is requesting a transfer to a related temporary long-term care home;
(b) a long-stay resident who is requesting a transfer from a related temporary long-term care home to a replacement long-term care home or to a re-opened long-term care home operated by the same licensee as the related temporary long-term care home; or
(c) a long-stay resident of a long-term care home immediately before the closure of his or her bed in the home who is requesting a transfer to a replacement long-term care home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 159 (1).
(2) A placement co-ordinator acting under this section is exempt from complying with subsections 43 (4) and (6) and 44 (12) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 159 (2).
(3) For the purposes of this section, a resident of the interim bed short-stay program shall be considered to be a long-stay resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 159 (3).
Application for Determination of Eligibility
Application for determination of eligibility
160. (1) To apply for a determination respecting his or her eligibility for long-term care home admission, a person shall provide to a placement co-ordinator,
(a) a written request by the person for a determination of his or her eligibility, in the form provided by the placement co-ordinator;
(b) satisfactory evidence that the requirements in clauses 155 (1) (a) and (b) are met;
(c) an up-to-date assessment described in paragraph 1 of subsection 43 (4) of the Act;
(d) an up-to-date assessment described in paragraph 2 of subsection 43 (4) of the Act, made and signed by an employee or agent of the placement co-ordinator who is also,
(i) a registered nurse,
(ii) a social worker who is registered under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998,
(iii) a member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario,
(iv) a member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario,
(v) a speech-language pathologist who is a member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario, or
(vi) a registered dietitian; and
(e) any additional information and documentation necessary to establish whether the person meets the applicable eligibility criteria. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 160 (1).
(2) The form provided by the placement co-ordinator under clause (1) (a) must be a form provided by the Director. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 160 (2).
(3) Where a person who is a resident of a long-term care home seeks to transfer to another long-term care home,
(a) he or she shall submit a request for a determination of eligibility for long-term care home admission and provide the material referred to in subsection (1), unless there is an application pending for the authorization of admission of the person to any long-term care home; and
(b) the licensee of the person’s long-term care home shall assist the placement co-ordinator by providing information about the care that is being given to the person and information the licensee has that relates to the assessments mentioned in clauses (1) (c) and (d). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 160 (3).
(4) Despite subsections (1) and (3), a person referred to in subsection 159 (1) is not required to provide a request for a determination of eligibility in the form provided by the placement co-ordinator under clause (1) (a) or the material referred to in clauses (1) (b), (c) and (d). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 160 (4).
(5) A person who is in a jurisdiction outside of Ontario at the time of submitting his or her application is exempt from providing the assessments mentioned in clauses (1) (c) and (d) if the applicant submits substantially similar assessments, made by a person whose professional qualifications in that jurisdiction are equivalent to those of a person who could conduct such an assessment in Ontario, and if the placement co-ordinator is satisfied that those assessments are adequate under all the circumstances. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 160 (5).
(6) A placement co-ordinator acting under the circumstances set out in subsection (5) may make the eligibility determination under subsection 43 (4) of the Act based on the assessments provided. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 160 (6).
(7) The placement co-ordinator shall assist the person in obtaining anything that the person is required to provide to the placement co-ordinator under this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 160 (7).
Application for Authorization of Admission
Application for authorization of admission
161. (1) To apply for authorization of his or her admission to a long-term care home under section 44 of the Act, an applicant shall provide to the placement co-ordinator,
(a) a written request by the applicant for authorization of his or her admission to the home, made in the form provided by the placement co-ordinator;
(b) such additional information and documentation as is necessary to enable the placement co-ordinator to determine the category in which to place the applicant under sections 170 to 180;
(c) such additional information and documentation as is relevant in the opinion of the placement co-ordinator for the licensee to determine whether to give or withhold approval of the person’s admission; and
(d) copies of the assessments and reassessments referred to in clause 44 (11) (a) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 161 (1).
(2) Despite clause (1) (a), a person who is determined eligible for long-term care home admission under subsection 159 (1) is not required to provide a request for authorization of admission in writing. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 161 (2).
(3) The placement co-ordinator shall assist the applicant in obtaining anything that the applicant is required to provide to the placement co-ordinator under this section. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 161 (3).
Approval by licensee
162. (1) Subject to sections 163 and 164, when an applicant who has been determined by a placement co-ordinator to be eligible for long-term care home admission applies for authorization of his or her admission to a particular long-term care home, the appropriate placement co-ordinator shall,
(a) give the licensee of the home, in addition to the material required under subsection 44 (7) of the Act, any other information possessed by the placement co-ordinator that in the placement co-ordinator’s opinion is relevant to the licensee’s determination of whether to give or withhold approval for the applicant’s admission to the home; and
(b) request the licensee to determine whether to give or withhold approval for the applicant’s admission to the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 162 (1).
(2) The appropriate placement co-ordinator shall ensure that any assessment given to the licensee as part of the material mentioned in clause (1) (a) was made within the previous three months, and that if within the preceding three months there was a significant change in the applicant’s condition or circumstances, the assessment or reassessment that reflects those changes is included in the material. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 162 (2).
(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), the licensee shall, within five business days after receiving the request mentioned in clause (1) (b), do one of the following:
1. Give the appropriate placement co-ordinator the written notice required under subsection 44 (8) of the Act.
2. If the licensee is withholding approval for the applicant’s admission, give the written notice required under subsection 44 (9) of the Act to the persons mentioned in subsection 44 (10) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 162 (3).
(4) Where, within the five business days referred to in subsection (3), the licensee makes a request in writing to the appropriate placement co-ordinator for additional information that in the placement co-ordinator’s opinion is relevant to the licensee’s determination of whether to give or withhold approval for the applicant’s admission to the home, the placement co-ordinator shall provide the information to the licensee. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 162 (4).
(5) The licensee shall give the appropriate notice under paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection (3) within three business days of receiving the additional information provided under subsection (4). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 162 (5).
Exceptions
163. Subsections 44 (7), (8) and (14) of the Act and sections 162 and 184 of this Regulation do not apply with respect to an applicant who is eligible for long-term care home admission under subsection 159 (1), and the licensee of a related temporary long-term care home, a re-opened long-term care home or a replacement long-term care home shall be deemed to approve the admission to the home of such an applicant. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 163.
Limit on waiting lists
164. (1) A placement co-ordinator shall not provide the information and request referred to in subsection 162 (1) to a licensee if the result would be,
(a) that there are more than five requests outstanding relating to admission as a long-stay resident; or
(b) that there are more than five requests outstanding relating to admission as a short-stay resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 164 (1).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a request is outstanding if approval has been given or the licensee is still considering whether to give approval. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 164 (2).
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to a home that is not yet licensed or approved for the purposes of the Act and a request relating to such a home shall not be counted as a request that is outstanding. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 164 (3).
(4) This section does not apply to an applicant who will be placed in category 1 on the waiting list for the long-term care home if the licensee approves his or her admission to the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 164 (4).
Keeping of waiting lists
165. (1) Each placement co-ordinator shall keep a waiting list for admission to each of the long-term care homes for which the placement co-ordinator is designated. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 165 (1).
(2) In addition to the waiting lists under subsection (1), the placement co-ordinator shall, if applicable, keep a separate waiting list for each unit or area within a home that is primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons of a particular religion, ethnic origin or linguistic origin as referred to in clause 173 (1) (b). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 165 (2).
(3) Each placement co-ordinator shall also keep the waiting lists described in subsections (1) and (2) with respect to a long-term care home that is not yet licensed or approved, but that is, within 16 weeks of the creation of the list, expected to be licensed or approved and to be a long-term care home for which the placement co-ordinator is designated. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 165 (3).
(4) The appropriate placement co-ordinator shall place on the relevant waiting list, rank for admission, and remove from the list, in accordance with sections 166 to 182, any person described in section 166, other than a person who is to be placed on the waiting list for interim beds under section 192 or on the waiting list for a specialized unit under section 201. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 165 (4).
Requirements to be placed on waiting list
166. (1) The appropriate placement co-ordinator shall place a person on a waiting list only if,
(a) the person is determined by a placement co-ordinator to be eligible for long-term care home admission;
(b) the person applies in accordance with this Regulation for authorization of his or her admission to the home;
(c) the licensee of the home approves the person’s admission to the home; and
(d) subject to subsection (4), placing the person on the waiting list will not result in the total number of long-stay program waiting lists on which the person is placed exceeding five and the total number of short-stay program waiting lists on which the person is placed exceeding five. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 166 (1).
(2) Clause (1) (d) does not apply to a person who will be placed in category 1 on the waiting list for admission to a long-stay program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 166 (2).
(3) For the purposes of clause (1) (d), where a person will be placed in category 3A or 3B on the waiting list for a unit or area of a home that is primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons of a particular religion, ethnic origin or linguistic origin under section 173, or for a specialized unit in the home under section 201, and will also be placed on the waiting list for the home other than in the unit or area or specialized unit, all of the waiting lists will be counted as one list. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 166 (3).
(4) A waiting list referred to in subsection 165 (3) shall not be counted in the total number of waiting lists for the purposes of clause (1) (d) until the home is licensed or approved. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 166 (4).
Removal from waiting list, long-stay
167. (1) The appropriate placement co-ordinator shall remove an applicant from every waiting list the placement co-ordinator keeps for admission to a long-term care home as a long-stay resident, and make a record of the removal, if any placement co-ordinator offers to authorize the applicant’s admission to a long-term care home as a long-stay resident, and the applicant,
(a) refuses to consent to admission;
(b) refuses to enter into the agreement provided for in clause 185 (1) (f); or
(c) fails to move into the home on or before the fifth day following the day on which he or she is informed of the availability of accommodation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 167 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply,
(a) if the applicant occupies a bed in,
(i) a hospital under the Public Hospitals Act or a private hospital licensed under the Private Hospitals Act, or
(ii) a facility that is a psychiatric facility within the meaning of the Mental Health Act and that is required to provide in-patient services in accordance with that Act;
(b) if the reason the applicant acts in the manner described in clause (1) (a), (b) or (c) is that the applicant has a health condition, short-term illness or injury which,
(i) prevents the applicant from moving into the home at that time, or
(ii) would make moving into the home at that time detrimental to the applicant’s health; or
(c) if the reason the applicant acts in the manner described in clause (1) (a), (b) or (c) is that there is an emergency in the home or an outbreak of disease which prevents the applicant from moving into the home at that time. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 167 (2).
(3) If an applicant who is a long-stay resident of another long-term care home is removed from a waiting list under subsection (1), and subsequently wishes to seek admission to a long-term care home, the applicant must make a new application for a determination of eligibility for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 167 (3).
(4) An applicant who is removed from a waiting list under subsection (1), other than an applicant referred to in subsection (3), and who subsequently wishes to seek admission to a long-term care home, must make a new application for a determination of eligibility for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident, but any such application shall not be made earlier than 12 weeks or more after the day the applicant was removed from the waiting list, unless there has been a deterioration in the applicant’s condition or circumstances. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 167 (4).
Removal from waiting list, short-stay
168. (1) The appropriate placement co-ordinator may remove an applicant from the waiting list for a long-term care home to which the applicant is awaiting admission as a short-stay resident if the appropriate placement co-ordinator offers to authorize the applicant’s admission to the home and the applicant,
(a) refuses to consent to admission; or
(b) fails to move into the home on the day agreed to by the applicant. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 168 (1).
(2) An applicant who is removed from the waiting list for a long-term care home under subsection (1) and who subsequently wishes to seek admission to a long-term care home must make a new application for a determination of eligibility for long-term care home admission as a short-stay resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 168 (2).
Placement into Categories on Waiting List
Application — short-stay
169. An applicant for authorization of admission to a long-term care home as a short-stay resident in the respite care or convalescent care program shall be placed in the short-stay category on the waiting list for the long-term care home if the applicant meets the requirements in subsection 166 (1). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 169.
Application — long-stay
170. Sections 171 to 180 apply only to applicants who meet the requirements of section 166 and who apply for authorization of admission to a long-term care home as a long-stay resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 170.
Crisis category
171. (1) An applicant shall be placed in category 1 on the waiting list for a long-term care home if the applicant requires immediate admission as a result of a crisis arising from the applicant’s condition or circumstances. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 171 (1).
(2) An applicant shall be placed in category 1 on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) the applicant occupies a bed in,
(i) a hospital under the Public Hospitals Act or a private hospital licensed under the Private Hospitals Act, or
(ii) a facility that is a psychiatric facility within the meaning of the Mental Health Act and that is required to provide in-patient services in accordance with that Act; and
(b) there will be no bed for the applicant in the hospital or facility within 12 weeks as a result of,
(i) a permanent closure of all or some of the beds in the hospital or facility, or
(ii) a temporary closure of all or some of the beds in the hospital or facility due to an emergency or redevelopment. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 171 (2).
(3) An applicant shall be placed in category 1 on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) the applicant is a long-stay resident of another long-term care home; and
(b) there will be no bed for the applicant in the home within 12 weeks as a result of a permanent or temporary closure of all or some of the beds in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 171 (3).
(4) An applicant shall be placed in category 1 on the waiting list for a long-term care home if the applicant,
(a) occupies a bed in a hospital under the Public Hospitals Act, requires an alternate level of care and requires an immediate admission to a long-term care home;
(b) the hospital is experiencing severe capacity pressures; and
(c) the local health integration network for the geographic area in which the hospital is located has, taking into account consultation with the affected hospital and the appropriate placement co-ordinator, verified these pressures to the appropriate placement co-ordinator in writing and set out the time period for which the verification applies. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 171 (4).
Spouse/partner reunification
172. An applicant shall be placed in category 2 on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) the applicant does not meet the requirements for placement in category 1;
(b) the applicant’s spouse or partner is a long-stay resident of the long-term care home; and
(c) the applicant meets the eligibility criteria set out in subsection 155 (1). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 172.
Religious, ethnic or linguistic origin
173. (1) An applicant shall be placed in category 3A or 3B on the waiting list for a long-term care home or for a unit or area within a home if,
(a) the applicant does not meet the requirements for placement in category 1 or 2;
(b) the home or a unit or area within the home is primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons of a particular religion, ethnic origin or linguistic origin; and
(c) the applicant or the applicant’s spouse or partner is of the religion, ethnic origin or linguistic origin primarily served by the home or a unit or area within the home and the applicant is seeking to be admitted to that unit or area. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 173 (1).
(2) An applicant described in subsection (1) shall be placed in category 3A if,
(a) the applicant is not a resident of a long-term care home, and requires or is receiving high service levels under the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994;
(b) the applicant occupies a bed in a hospital under the Public Hospitals Act and requires an alternate level of care;
(c) the applicant is a long-stay resident of a long-term care home who is seeking to transfer to the home as his or her first choice of home; or
(d) the applicant is a short-stay resident of a long-term care home in the interim bed short-stay program and is seeking to transfer to the home as a long-stay resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 173 (2).
(3) An applicant described in subsection (1) who does not meet the criteria to be placed in category 3A shall be placed in category 3B. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 173 (3).
Others
174. (1) An applicant shall be placed in category 4A or 4B on the waiting list for a long-term care home if the applicant does not meet the requirements for placement in category 1, 2, 3A or 3B. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 174 (1).
(2) An applicant described in subsection (1) shall be placed in category 4A if,
(a) the applicant is not a resident of a long-term care home, and requires or is receiving high service levels under the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994;
(b) the applicant occupies a bed in a hospital under the Public Hospitals Act and requires an alternate level of care;
(c) the applicant is a long-stay resident of a long-term care home who is seeking to transfer to the home as his or her first choice of home; or
(d) the applicant is a short-stay resident of a long-term care home in the interim bed short-stay program and is seeking to transfer to the home as a long-stay resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 174 (2).
(3) An applicant described in subsection (1) who does not meet the criteria to be placed in category 4A shall be placed in category 4B. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 174 (3).
Veteran category
175. Despite sections 171 to 174, an applicant shall be placed in the veteran category on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) the home contains veterans’ priority access beds, and the applicant is a veteran who has applied for authorization of his or her admission to a veterans’ priority access bed; or
(b) the home is or will be a related temporary long-term care home, re-opened long-term care home or a replacement long-term care home that contains veterans’ priority access beds and the applicant,
(i) is a long-stay resident occupying a veterans’ priority access bed in a long-term care home and has applied for authorization of his or her admission to a veterans’ priority access bed, and
(ii) otherwise meets the applicable requirements of section 178, 179 or 180, as the case may be, with respect to the veterans’ priority access bed. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 175.
Exchange category
176. (1) Despite sections 171 to 174, an applicant shall be placed in the exchange category on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) the applicant,
(i) occupies a bed in a hospital under the Public Hospitals Act or a private hospital licensed under the Private Hospitals Act,
(ii) occupies a bed in a facility that is a psychiatric facility within the meaning of the Mental Health Act and that is required to provide in-patient services in accordance with that Act,
(iii) occupies a bed in a supported group living residence, an intensive support residence or a supported independent living residence under the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008,
(iv) resides in a supportive housing program that is funded by the Ministry or a local health integration network to provide personal support services and homemaking services to persons who require that such services be available on site 24 hours a day, or
(v) is a long-stay resident of another long-term care home;
(b) the applicant is the subject of an agreement between the long-term care home to which the applicant seeks admission, at least one hospital, facility, group home or program mentioned in subclauses (a) (i) to (iv) and possibly one or more other hospitals, facilities, group homes, programs or long-term care homes, to exchange identified residents or patients, in order to meet the specialized requirements of any of the exchanged residents or patients; and
(c) the result of the exchange will be that the applicant will become a resident of the long-term care home to which the applicant seeks admission and a resident of the long-term care home will be discharged. O. Reg. 79/10, ss. 176 (1), 334 (1).
(2) Despite sections 171 to 174, if a placement co-ordinator becomes aware of the opportunity to exchange a resident of one long-term care home who seeks admission to a second long-term care home and a resident of the second long-term care home who seeks admission to the first, each resident shall be placed in the exchange category of the appropriate waiting list. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 176 (2).
Re-admission category
177. (1) Despite sections 171 to 174, an applicant shall be placed in the re-admission category on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) he or she formerly occupied a bed in the long-term care home as a long-stay resident, but no longer does so because he or she was absent on a medical or psychiatric absence for a longer time than permitted under section 138 and was discharged by the licensee;
(b) he or she formerly occupied a bed in the long-term care home as a long-stay resident, but no longer does so because of an emergency in the long-term care home and he or she was discharged by the licensee;
(c) he or she is a resident of a specialized unit who is applying for admission to the long-term care home where he or she was a resident immediately prior to his or her admission to the specialized unit; or
(d) he or she was discharged from a specialized unit because he or she was absent on a medical or psychiatric absence for a longer time than permitted under section 138, and is applying for admission to the long-term care home where he or she was a resident immediately prior to his or her admission to the specialized unit. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 177 (1).
(2) An applicant to whom clause (1) (a) or (b) applies shall only be placed in the re-admission category on the waiting list for the home from which he or she was most recently discharged. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 177 (2).
Related temporary long-term care home category
178. Despite sections 171 to 174 and section 176 but subject to section 175, an applicant shall be placed in the related temporary long-term care home category on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) the long-term care home is or will be a related temporary long-term care home; and
(b) the applicant is a long-stay resident of the original long-term care home or was a long-stay resident of the original long-term care home immediately before the closure of his or her bed in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 178.
Re-opened long-term care home category
179. Despite sections 171 to 174 and section 176 but subject to section 175, an applicant shall be placed in the re-opened long-term care home category on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) the long-term care home is or will be a re-opened long-term care home; and
(b) the applicant,
(i) is a long-stay resident of the original long-term care home,
(ii) was a long-stay resident of the original long-term care home immediately before the temporary closure of his or her bed in the home, or
(iii) is a long-stay resident of the related temporary long-term care home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 179.
Replacement long-term care home category
180. Despite sections 171 to 174 and section 176 but subject to section 175, an applicant shall be placed in the replacement long-term care home category on the waiting list for a long-term care home if,
(a) the long-term care home is or will be a replacement long-term care home; and
(b) the applicant,
(i) is a long-stay resident of the original long-term care home,
(ii) was a long-stay resident of the original long-term care home immediately before the permanent closure of his or her bed in the home, or
(iii) is a long-stay resident of the related temporary long-term care home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 180.
Ranking of categories
181. For each class of beds set out in a column of the Table to this section, the categories on the waiting list shall be ranked in the order set out in the rows below that class of beds, such that a category mentioned in a higher row ranks ahead of a category mentioned in a lower row. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 181.
TABLE
RANKING OF WAITING LIST CATEGORIES (LONG-STAY)
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
Column 4 |
Column 5 |
Column 6 | |
Class of Beds |
Beds in a related temporary long-term care home, other than veterans’ priority access beds |
Beds in a re-opened long-term care home, other than veterans’ priority access beds |
Beds in a replacement long-term care home, other than veterans’ priority access beds |
Veterans’ priority access beds in a long-term care home, other than a related temporary, re-opened or replacement long-term care home |
Veterans’ priority access beds in a related temporary, re-opened or replacement long-term care home |
All other long-stay beds in a long-term care home |
Waiting List Categories |
Related temporary |
Re-opened |
Replacement |
Veteran |
Veteran under clause 175 (b) |
Exchange |
Exchange |
Exchange |
Exchange |
Exchange |
Veteran under clause 175 (a) |
Re-admission | |
Re-admission |
Re-admission |
Re-admission |
Re-admission |
Exchange |
1 | |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Re-admission |
2 | |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
3A | |
3A |
3A |
3A |
3A |
2 |
3B | |
3B |
3B |
3B |
3B |
3A |
4A | |
4A |
4A |
4A |
4A |
3B |
4B | |
4B |
4B |
4B |
4B |
4A |
||
4B |
O. Reg. 79/10, s. 181, Table.
Ranking within categories
182. (1) Within a waiting list category set out in Column 1 of the Table to this section, applicants shall be ranked for admission in accordance with the rules set out opposite the category in Columns 2 and 3 of the Table. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 182 (1).
(2) If, within six weeks after making his or her first application for authorization of admission to one or more long-term care homes as a long-stay resident, an applicant makes one or more additional applications for authorization of his or her admission to one or more long-term care homes as a long-stay resident, the additional applications made within the six-week period shall, for the purpose of the Table to this section, be deemed to have been made at the time that the first application was made. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 182 (2).
(3) If an applicant who was determined by a placement co-ordinator to be ineligible for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident is determined to be eligible for admission as a long-stay resident as a result of an application to the Appeal Board under subsection 43 (9) of the Act or an appeal to the Divisional Court under subsection 54 (1) of the Act, and if the applicant then makes an application for authorization of his or her admission to one or more long-term care homes as a long-stay resident,
(a) that application for authorization shall, for the purposes of the Table to this section, be deemed to have been made at the time that the placement co-ordinator determined that the applicant was ineligible for admission; and
(b) all additional applications for authorization of admission to one or more long-term care homes as a long-stay resident made by the applicant within six weeks after making the first application shall, for the purpose of the Table, be deemed to have been made at the time that the first application is deemed under clause (a) to have been made. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 182 (3).
TABLE
RULES FOR RANKING WITHIN CATEGORIES
Item |
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
Category |
Rules |
Additional Rules | |
1. |
Related temporary, re-opened and replacement long-term care home |
Applicants shall be ranked according to the date of their admission to the original long-term care home. Applicants who were not residents of the original long-term care home and who are seeking admission to a re-opened home or replacement home from a related temporary home shall be ranked according to the date of their admission to the related temporary home. |
If there are two or more applicants who are ranked in the same position, as between themselves they shall be ranked based on the earliest date on which they were determined eligible for admission to the original home or the related temporary home. |
2. |
Veteran |
Related temporary, re-opened or replacement homes (a) Veterans applying for veterans’ priority access beds in a related temporary, re-opened or replacement long-term care home shall be ranked according to the date of their admission to a veterans’ priority access bed in the original long-term care home or the related temporary home. |
If there are two or more veterans who are ranked in the same position, as between themselves they shall be ranked based on the earliest date on which they were determined eligible for admission to the original home or the related temporary home. |
Crisis (b) Veterans who are not mentioned in rule (a) of this category who require immediate admission as a result of a crisis arising from their condition or circumstances shall rank ahead of all other veterans. |
If there is more than one veteran in this situation at the same time, these veterans shall, among themselves, be ranked according to the urgency of their need for admission. | ||
Continuum of Care (c) Veterans who are not mentioned in rules (a) and (b) of this category but are continuum of care applicants on the waiting list for the continuum of care long-term care home shall rank ahead of all other veterans who are not mentioned in rules (a) and (b). |
If there is more than one veteran in this situation at the same time, these veterans shall, among themselves, be ranked according to the time at which they applied for authorization of their admission to the long-term care home. | ||
Other veterans (d) As among themselves, veterans who are not mentioned in rules (a), (b) and (c) of this category shall be ranked according to the time at which they applied for authorization of their admission to the long-term care home. |
If there are two or more veterans who are ranked in the same position, as between themselves, they shall be ranked based on the date on which they were determined eligible for admission. | ||
3. |
Exchange (but only applicants in the exchange category by virtue of subsection 176 (2)) |
Spousal/Partner Reunification (a) Applicants who are seeking admission to the long-term care home in which their spouse or partner is a long-stay resident and who meet the eligibility criteria set out in subsection 155 (1) shall rank ahead of all other applicants in the exchange category by virtue of subsection 176 (2). |
If there is more than one applicant in this situation at the same time, these applicants shall, among themselves, be ranked according to the date on which their spouses or partners were admitted to the long-term care home. |
Religion, Ethnic or Linguistic Origin (b) Applicants who are not mentioned in rule (a) of this category but who are of the religion, ethnic origin or linguistic origin primarily served by the long-term care home or a unit or area within the home shall rank ahead of all other applicants. |
If there is more than one applicant in this situation at the same time, these applicants shall, among themselves, be ranked according to the time at which they applied for authorization of their admission to the long-term care home or unit or area within the home. | ||
Other exchange in this category (c) As among themselves, applicants in the exchange category under subsection 176 (2) who are not mentioned in rules (a) and (b) of this category shall be ranked according to the time at which they applied for authorization of their admission to the long-term care home. |
|||
4. |
Re-admission |
Applicants shall be ranked according to the date of their original admission to the home. |
If there are two or more applicants who are ranked in the same position, as between themselves, they shall be ranked based on the date on which they were determined eligible for admission. |
5. |
1 (Crisis) |
Applicants shall be ranked according to the urgency of their need for admission. |
|
6. |
2 (Spousal/Partner Reunification) |
Applicants shall be ranked according to the date on which their spouses or partners were admitted to the long-term care home. |
|
7. |
3A, 3B (Religion, Ethnic or Linguistic Origin) 4A, 4B (Others) Exchange category by virtue of subsection 176 (1) |
Continuum of Care (a) Applicants who are continuum of care applicants on the waiting list for the continuum of care long-term care home shall rank ahead of all other applicants in the same category. |
If there is more than one applicant in this situation at the same time, these applicants shall, among themselves, be ranked according to the time at which they applied for authorization of their admission to the long-term care home. |
Applicants who are not continuum of care (b) As among themselves, applicants in the same category who are not continuum of care applicants shall be ranked according to the time at which they applied for authorization of their admission to the long-term care home. |
If there are two or more applicants who are ranked in the same position, as between themselves, they shall be ranked based on the date on which they were determined eligible for admission. | ||
8. |
Short-stay in the respite care and convalescent care programs |
Applicants shall be ranked according to the time at which they applied for authorization of their admission to the long-term care home. |
If there are two or more applicants who are ranked in the same position, as between themselves, they shall be ranked based on the date on which they were determined eligible for admission. |
O. Reg. 79/10, s. 182, Table.
Change of category
183. (1) If a placement co-ordinator knows of a change in the condition or circumstances of an applicant who is on a waiting list kept by the placement co-ordinator or knows of a change in a long-term care home for which the applicant is on the waiting list, and if the applicant should be placed in a different category on the waiting list under sections 170 to 180 as a result of the change in his or her condition or circumstances or as a result of the change in the home, the placement co-ordinator shall place the applicant in the different category. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 183 (1).
(2) If the placement co-ordinator becomes aware that an applicant on the waiting list should be placed in the exchange category referred to in subsection 176 (2), the placement co-ordinator shall place the applicant in the exchange category. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 183 (2).
Withdrawal of approval by licensee
184. (1) Subject to section 163, this section applies where a licensee of a long-term care home has approved an applicant’s admission to the home under section 162 and the applicant’s admission has not yet been authorized by the placement co-ordinator. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 184 (1).
(2) If information provided to the licensee by the placement co-ordinator indicates that there has been a change in the applicant’s condition and, as a result, a ground for withholding approval mentioned in subsection 44 (7) of the Act exists, the licensee may withdraw the approval of the applicant’s admission to the long-term care home in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of subsection 44 (14) of the Act. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 184 (2).
(3) Where the placement co-ordinator gives the licensee a copy of a reassessment in accordance with subsection 44 (14) of the Act, the placement co-ordinator shall request the licensee to determine whether to withdraw the approval for the admission in accordance with that subsection. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 184 (3).
(4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), the licensee shall, within one business day of receiving the request from the placement co-ordinator under subsection (3), review the material in accordance with subsection 44 (14) of the Act and do one of the following:
1. If the licensee decides not to withdraw the approval for the applicant’s admission, give the appropriate placement co-ordinator the written notice required under paragraph 2 of subsection 44 (14) of the Act.
2. If the licensee decides to withdraw the approval for the applicant’s admission, give the written notice referred to in paragraph 3 of subsection 44 (14) of the Act in accordance with the applicable requirements under that paragraph. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 184 (4).
(5) Where, within one business day of receiving the request from the placement co-ordinator under subsection (3), the licensee makes a request in writing to the appropriate placement co-ordinator for additional information that in the placement co-ordinator’s opinion is relevant to the determination of whether to withdraw approval for the applicant’s admission to the home, the placement co-ordinator shall provide the information to the licensee. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 184 (5).
(6) The licensee shall give the appropriate notice under paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection (4) within one business day of receiving the additional information requested under subsection (5). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 184 (6).
Authorization of admission
185. (1) The appropriate placement co-ordinator shall authorize the admission of an applicant to the long-term care home only if,
(a) the applicant has applied for authorization of admission to the home’s long-stay program or short-stay program, as the case may be, and the requirements set out in subsection 44 (11) of the Act are met;
(b) the licensee of the home has not withdrawn the approval of the applicant’s admission under section 184;
(c) the home has available the class of accommodation for which the applicant is recorded to be waiting;
(d) there is no one on the waiting list for the home who is recorded to be waiting for the class of accommodation that is available, who ranks ahead of the applicant, and whose admission may be authorized under this section;
(e) within 24 hours of being informed by the placement co-ordinator of the availability of accommodation in the home, the applicant consents to being admitted to the home; and
(f) in the case of an applicant who is applying for authorization of his or her admission to the home as a long-stay resident or an interim bed short-stay resident, the applicant agrees with the licensee of the home that,
(i) the applicant will move into the home before noon of the fifth day following the day on which he or she is informed of the availability of accommodation in the home, unless the applicant and the licensee agree to the applicant moving in at a later time on the fifth day,
(ii) the applicant will pay the accommodation charge that is required under subsections 91 (1) and (3) of the Act, for each of the five days provided for in subclause (i), whether or not the applicant moves into the home, and
(iii) if the applicant moves into the home on the day the applicant is informed of the availability of accommodation, the applicant will pay the accommodation charge that is required under subsections 91 (1) and (3) of the Act for that day. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 185 (1).
(2) For the purposes of clauses (1) (c) and (d), the following are the classes of accommodation for which an applicant may be recorded to be waiting:
1. Accommodation for a woman in a respite care or convalescent care program.
2. Accommodation for a man in a respite care or convalescent care program.
3. Basic accommodation for a woman in a long-stay program.
4. Basic accommodation for a man in a long-stay program.
5. Semi-private accommodation for a woman in a long-stay program.
6. Semi-private accommodation for a man in a long-stay program.
7. Private accommodation for a woman in a long-stay program.
8. Private accommodation for a man in a long-stay program.
9. Basic accommodation for a woman in the interim bed short-stay program.
10. Basic accommodation for a man in the interim bed short-stay program.
11. Semi-private accommodation for a woman in the interim bed short-stay program.
12. Semi-private accommodation for a man in the interim bed short-stay program.
13. Private accommodation for a woman in the interim bed short-stay program.
14. Private accommodation for a man in the interim bed short-stay program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 185 (2).
(3) A placement co-ordinator who authorizes an applicant’s admission to a long-term care home as a long-stay resident or an interim bed short-stay resident shall cancel the authorization if the applicant does not move into the home before noon of the fifth day following the day on which the applicant is informed of the availability of accommodation in the home or a later time on the fifth day as agreed to by the applicant and the licensee. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 185 (3).
(4) A placement co-ordinator who authorizes an applicant’s admission to a long-term care home as a short-stay resident in the respite care or convalescent care program may cancel the authorization if the applicant does not move into the home on the day agreed to by the applicant. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 185 (4).
(5) A placement co-ordinator is exempt from clauses 44 (11) (a) to (c) of the Act with respect to the authorization of an applicant’s admission if the applicant is a person mentioned in subsection 159 (1) of this Regulation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 185 (5).
Duty to inform placement co-ordinator of vacancies
186. Every licensee of a long-term care home shall, within 24 hours after a bed in the home is no longer occupied, inform the appropriate placement co-ordinator that the bed is no longer occupied, the class of accommodation of the bed and the date on which the bed will be available for occupation. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 186.
Reserving ahead — short-stay respite care
187. The appropriate placement co-ordinator may authorize the admission of an applicant to a long-term care home as a short-stay resident in the respite care program to be effective at a future time no more than one year from the date of the authorization. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 187.
Length of short-stay, respite care and convalescent care
188. (1) When a placement co-ordinator authorizes the admission of an applicant to a long-term care home as a short-stay resident in the respite care or convalescent care program, the placement co-ordinator shall indicate the length of the stay being authorized and the first day and last day of the stay. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 188 (1).
(2) No placement co-ordinator shall authorize the admission of an applicant to a long-term care home as a short-stay resident in the respite care program for a stay exceeding 60 continuous days. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 188 (2).
(3) No placement co-ordinator shall authorize the admission of an applicant to a long-term care home as a short-stay resident in the convalescent care program for a stay exceeding 90 continuous days. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 188 (3).
(4) No placement co-ordinator shall authorize the admission of an applicant to a long-term care home as a short-stay resident in the respite care program for a stay which, when added to the applicant’s other stays during the calendar year in the respite care program of a long-term care home, exceeds 90 days. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 188 (4).
(5) No placement co-ordinator shall authorize the admission of an applicant to a long-term care home as a short-stay resident in the convalescent care program for a stay which, when added to the applicant’s other stays during the calendar year in the convalescent care program of a long-term care home, exceeds 90 days. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 188 (5).
Interim Bed Short-Stay Program
Keeping of waiting list, interim beds
189. The appropriate placement co-ordinator for a long-term care home that has interim beds shall keep a waiting list for admission to the interim beds that is in addition to and separate from any waiting list that is required to be kept under section 165. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 189.
Approval by licensee, interim beds
190. The following modifications to section 162 apply with respect to an applicant for an interim bed:
1. The licensee’s notice under subsection 162 (3) approving or withholding approval of the applicant’s admission must be given within three business days of receiving the request under subsection 162 (1), not five business days.
2. Any request by the licensee under subsection 162 (4) for additional information shall be made within the three business days referred to in paragraph 1 and the licensee’s notice referred to in subsection 162 (5) shall be given within one business day of receiving the additional information provided. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 190.
Limit on waiting lists, interim beds
191. For the purposes of section 164, a request relating to admission to the interim bed short-stay program shall be treated as a request for admission as a short-stay resident. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 191.
Requirements to be placed on waiting list, interim beds
192. (1) The appropriate placement co-ordinator shall place a person on the waiting list for admission to interim beds in a long-term care home if,
(a) the person occupies a bed in a hospital under the Public Hospitals Act and requires an alternate level of care;
(b) a physician has determined that the person does not require the acute care services provided by the hospital;
(c) the person is determined by a placement co-ordinator to be eligible for long-term care home admission as a long-stay resident under section 155;
(d) the person is on at least one waiting list for admission to a bed in a long-stay program of a long-term care home;
(e) placing the person on the waiting list will not result in the total number of short-stay waiting lists on which the person is placed exceeding five;
(f) the person applies in accordance with this Regulation for authorization of his or her admission to an interim bed in the home; and
(g) the licensee of the home approves the person’s admission to an interim bed in the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 192 (1).
(2) Section 166 does not apply to placement on a waiting list for interim beds. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 192 (2).
Ranking on waiting list, interim beds
193. (1) Sections 169 to 181 and subsection 182 (1) do not apply with respect to an application for admission to a long-term care home as a resident in the interim bed short-stay program. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 193 (1).
(2) Applicants on a waiting list for interim beds for a long-term care home shall be ranked for admission according to the time at which they applied for authorization of their admission to an interim bed in that home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 193 (2).
(3) Subsections 182 (2) and (3) apply with the following modifications to the ranking of applicants on a waiting list for interim beds for a long-term care home:
1. References to a “long-stay resident” shall be read as references to a short-stay interim bed resident.
2. References to “the Table to this section” or “the Table” shall be read as references to subsection 193 (2). O. Reg. 79/10, s. 193 (3).
Removal from waiting list, interim beds
194. Section 167 rather than s