F577 – The Right to Examine Survey Results

According to the State Operations Manual, Appendix PP under F577 in the resident rights section, the resident has the right to examine the results of the most recent survey conducted by Federal or State surveyors which includes the plan of correction in effect with respect to the individual nursing home. With the nursing home survey results you must:

• Post these results in a place that is readily accessible to residents, family members, and legal representatives the results of the most recent survey in the nursing home.
• Have reports with respect to any survey, certification, and complaint investigations made available respecting the nursing home during the preceding three years, and any plan of corrections in effect with respect to the individual available for any individual to review upon request.
• Post a notice that these reports are available in an area that is prominent and accessible to the public.
• Any information regarding complainants or residents must be confidential.

Additionally, the nursing home must ensure that the residents are able to receive information from agencies acting as advocates to the residents and be afforded the opportunity to contact these agencies (such as protection and advocacy departments, state long-term care ombudsman, etc).

The interpretative guidance for this regulation includes that a readily accessible place includes lobbies or other areas frequented by most residents, visitors, and/or other individuals where individuals wishing to examine the survey findings don’t have to ask to see them. The surveys include life safety code surveys in addition to the health inspections.

In order to check for compliance for this regulation, providers should look at their posting to ensure that it is easily accessible for all, including those in wheelchairs. Additionally, providers should ensure that survey results include all surveys (including life safety code, complaints, and incidents, with plans of correction) for the last three years.