NURSING HOMES-GHOST SCHEDULE

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall conduct 3 unannounced visits to a facility per quarter to determine bedside care staffing levels. Provides that a facility that does not meet established bedside care staffing levels has committed a type "B" violation and is subject to a fine under the Act. Provides that the Department shall conduct a physical roll call during an inspection. Provides that employee identification cards must belong to the employee with the identification in the employee's possession. The employees present at the facility must match the published shift schedule. Provides that management shall not be considered as part of a shift schedule, unless the manager was added to the schedule no later than the start of the shift or in the case of an emergency and a manager is needed for bedside care. Provides that, for a facility that is not in compliance, the Department may remove the facility operator or assess a fine of no more than $10,000. Provides that an operator of a facility that is not in compliance must submit a plan of correction to the Department which the Department shall consider upon review of the facility's noncompliance. Provides that the Department shall post a notice about ghost schedules on its public Internet website and in common areas of a facility that is not compliant. Effective immediately.