Nursing Home Information for Residents and Caregivers

The Center for Health Facilities Regulation (CHFR) ensures that nursing homes are operated in accordance with State Laws and regulations regarding the operation, quality of care and quality of life for residents living in the facilities. We conduct unannounced on-site inspections annually and unannounced follow-up inspections when a facility has been cited for non-compliance or based on consumer complaints. We document problems found, if any in a "Statement of Deficiencies" (SOD) report.

Nursing home inspection reports, facility correction plans, and licensing information are available for each nursing home.

New Law on Electronic Monitoring in Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities

A new law is in place in Rhode Island related to the electronic monitoring of a resident’s room or private living unit in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The law allows for the use of electronic monitoring devices in residents’ rooms (provided that the resident or resident representative acting on behalf of the resident, as well as the resident’s roommate or roommate’s representative acting on behalf of the roommate, consent to such electronic monitoring in writing). While nothing previously prohibited the use of electronic monitoring devices in rooms, this law puts more structure around the use of such devices. For example, the law calls for the use of standard forms to indicate consent for the use of electronic monitoring devices.

RIDOH is in the process of developing these forms, and additional guidance for facilities on the implementation of this law. These forms will be provided to facilities in the coming weeks. Guidance will follow.

Medicare / Medicaid

Most nursing homes in the state accept Medicare and Medicaid payments. CHFR is the organization in the state that certifies that these facilities meet the federal standards associated with Medicare and Medicaid programs. As part of the certification process, we perform unannounced inspections every nine to fifteen months and short inspections to follow-up.

What You Should Do

• Choose the right nursing home for your, or your loved ones, needs. MORE
• Know you have the right to. . .
  • Participate in decisions about your care/treatment
  • Refuse treatment
  • Be free from abuse
  • Choose your physician
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Voice complaints
  • Have visitors
  • Retain and use personal possessions
  • Share a room with a spouse
  • Administer your own medication (if safe for you to do so)