How much harassment is too much, so that we could or should discipline an employee in a position of power? There are federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination against protected categories, such as race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, workers who want to form a union, and persons convicted of a crime.…
We have been accused of admitting residents who do not really need skilled care. As a non-clinician in charge of making sure we are not defrauding the government, how can I/we make sure certain staff are not getting overzealous in a quest to keep census high? Your question raises serious concerns and potential liabilities for…
A nurse manager had her laptop stolen. The police found it abandoned within a day. There is no indication that they accessed or used the laptop. Do we have an obligation to notify patients whose records were on the laptop? In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It protects the…
We want to make sure our staff is fully connected by text for scheduling and other updates. Can we make employee use of personal phones a condition of employment? How do we respect privacy issues of the residents and the employer? It is lawful under federal law to impose restrictions on phones for work-related…
“That kind” of billboard has sprung up in our area. Lawyers soliciting calls from anyone who believes they or a family member have been aggrieved by a provider. What are our options, now that we seem to be under attack? There are very few legal options to prevent or remove such billboards. Lawyers have the…
Litigation risks will increase under PDPM because the individuals you serve will be more medically complex. Also, many lawyers will monitor the documented care prior to and after PDPM participation. Plaintiffs’ attorneys often try to establish that you did not provide the most appropriate level or type of care.
We allow small dogs and cats in our CCRC. What are the legal ramifications for our parent company and pet owners? Residents like to pet the animals and on occasion, could get bit or otherwise injured.
If the family has control over the resident’s assets, then your best approach is to make a claim against the resident’s estate. There are local rules related to when you can file such a claim.
We are thinking of using Lyft or Uber for our residents. Are there legal issues we should consider?
What do you recommend to mitigate or deter harassment between or by employees or volunteers in our building?
