How do you unmask care provider identities in Ohio nursing homes? You have rights!
You can find out the names of caregivers of an Ohio nursing home resident from the nursing home by insisting they comply with Ohio’s Resident’s Rights law, Ohio Revised Code section 3721.13(A)(6), which says:
(A) The rights of residents of a home shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
* * *
(6) The right to obtain from the home, upon request, the name and any specialty of any physician or other person responsible for the resident’s care or for the coordination of care;
Under this law, every Ohio nursing home resident has the right to know the identity of their care providers.
If you are the power of attorney or guardian for a loved one, I would suggest writing a letter to the facility Administrator (the legal executive of the facility, sometimes called “Executive Director”), saying something to the effect of:
I am writing pursuant to Ohio’s Residents’ Rights law guaranteeing nursing home residents the “right to obtain from the home, upon request, the name and any specialty of any . . . person responsible for the resident’s care or for the coordination of care.” (Ohio Revised Code section 3721.13(A)(6).
As you know, as [name of resident]’s sponsor [and power of attorney or guardian if appropriate], I am empowered to “act on a resident’s behalf to assure that the home does not deny the residents’ rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code.”
Specifically, provide me with the full name of [description of person they should be able to use to identify them] within the next 10 days via an email to [your email address].
The term “Sponsor” means “an adult relative, friend, or guardian of a resident who has an interest or responsibility in the resident’s welfare.” This is according to Ohio Revised Code section 3721.10(D) (“Residents’ Rights Definitions”).
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