173-14-17 Referral of complaints to the state long-term care ombudsman.

(A) Representatives of the office shall refer to the SLTCO, in a manner established by the SLTCO, any complaints:

(1) That pose a conflict of interest to the representative or the regional program that cannot be remedied by reassigning the complaint to another representative;

(2) That the client has chosen to have handled by the SLTCO;

(3) That are frivolous, vexatious, or not made in good faith;

(4) That were made so long after the actual occurrence that it is no longer reasonable to conduct an investigation;

(5) For which an adequate investigation cannot be conducted because of insufficient funds, staff, expertise, or other factor that could result in an inadequate investigation despite a good faith effort by the representatives; or,

(6) For which an injunction is sought against a long-term care facility for a violation of the residents' bill of rights pursuant to sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code.

(B) The SLTCO shall provide updates on the progress and disposition of a case to the referring regional program. For those complaints which the SLTCO determines do not warrant handling, the SLTCO shall notify the client and/or complainant, if possible, and the regional program of the reasons the complaint will not be handled.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/09/2010 and 11/05/2015
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 173.02, 173.20
Rule Amplifies: 173.15, 173.20
Prior Effective Dates: 06/15/1991, 12/27/2001, 12/28/2006