AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

2006 NH "Dear Administrator" Letters

November 30, 2006

ADSA NH # 2006-032
Pilot Program - Centralized Informal Dispute Resolution Process

Dear Nursing Home/Facility Administrator:

Residential Care Services (RCS) is introducing a pilot project to centralize the Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process for nursing homes. RCS headquarters program manager Denny McKee will conduct all nursing home IDRs for surveys completed on or after December 1, 2006

The laws or rules, and the general processes or timeframes for requesting and conducting the IDRs will not change. Beginning December 1, 2006 all survey letters will include the address for the centralized IDR Program Manager and RCS field staff will coordinate with headquarters on any IDR requests that come to them during the transition. For your convenience, here is the address:

Denny McKee, Nursing Home IDR Program Manager
Residential Care Services, ADSA
PO Box 45600
Olympia, WA 98504-5600

IDRs will continue to be held face-to-face, conducted by telephone, or be based upon record/documentation review. While the provider will have the option of which type of IDR they would prefer, given budgetary limitations, the department will hold all face-to-face IDRs at RCS headquarters in Lacey, Washington.

The following concepts reiterate the department’s position. An IDR (including the centralized IDR) gives:

• The provider one opportunity to informally refute cited deficiencies from any survey;

• The department an opportunity to gather additional information from the provider, involved resident(s) or resident representative;
• The department the ability to do some trending of data.

All participants in the IDR, regardless of type, will receive a postcard survey at the time of the IDR to assess the centralized process. Please complete the survey and return the postage paid card to assist in evaluating the centralized process.

If you have any questions regarding the centralized IDR process please contact Denny McKee, IDR Project Manager at (360) 725-2590.

Thank you for your commitment to the residents who need long-term care in Washington State.

Sincerely,

Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services