Rule 173-14-17 | Referral of complaints to the state long-term care ombudsman.
(A) A regional program director or designee shall refer any of the following complaints to the SLTCO:
(1) A complaint posing a conflict of interest that cannot be remedied by reassigning the complaint to another ombudsman.
(2) A complaint the client wants the SLTCO to investigate.
(3) A complaint that is identified as frivolous, vexatious, or not made in good faith.
(4) A complaint made so long after the actual occurrence that it is no longer reasonable to investigate.
(5) A complaint for which an adequate investigation cannot be conducted because of insufficient funds, staff, expertise, or similar factor that could result in an inadequate investigation.
(6) A complaint 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 3721.18 of the Revised Code.
(B) The SLTCO shall determine whether referred complaints warrant investigation. The SLTCO's determination in this matter is final.
(C) 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 investigation, the SLTCO shall notify the client and/or complainant, if possible, and the regional program of the reasons to not investigate the complaint.
Last updated November 12, 2025 at 7:57 AM
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