Resident Rights: Caring for Patients in Long-term Care Facilities (1.0 CE for Nurses and Nursing Home Administrators)

09-28-2018 02:20 AM

Course Description

All residents have important rights that are protected under federal and state laws. This program describes those rights and illustrates appropriate methods personnel can use to safeguard them while providing quality care. 

It is the responsibility of the staff to protect and promote the following important rights: 

  • The right to a dignified existence  

  • The right to make decisions that affect their own lives 

  • The right to communication with and access to persons and services inside and outside the facility 

  • The right to quality care 

The purpose of this program is to provide nurses with an understanding of how to identify and safeguard the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. These rights are guaranteed by law.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the learner will be able to:

  • Identify the specific rights that are protected by federal and state law.
  • Discuss the importance of the individual resident's right to be informed both orally and in writing and when this should occur.
  • Describe how the right to self-determination and the right to association and communication can be implemented.
  • Discuss circumstances when the right to privacy must be protected.
  • Identify personnel's responsibilities to ensure the resident's right to freedom from abuse and restraint.
  • List the areas of personal care that a resident should receive to ensure the quality of care and dignity.
Intended Audience

This educational activity was developed for nurses.

CE Information

This course is approved for 1.0 contact hours by the the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) and by the Florida and California State Boards of Nursing. 

Course Authors

This course was developed by Medcom, Inc. and edited by Brenda Kozak, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE.

Brenda has over 20 years of clinical experience in nursing practice and is a certified nurse educator. She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice along with a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on education.

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