<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".64" citation="COMAR 10.07.02.64" title_num="10" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="02" heading="Quality Assurance Program.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A nursing home shall establish an effective quality assurance program that includes components described in this regulation and Regulation .65 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The nursing home shall appoint a qualified individual to manage quality assurance activities within the nursing facility.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The nursing home shall establish a quality assurance committee that includes at least:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The nursing home director of nursing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The nursing home administrator;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A social worker;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The nursing home medical director;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A dietitian-nutritionist; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A geriatric nursing assistant at the nursing home.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Quality Assurance Committee. The quality assurance committee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Designate an individual to oversee committee activities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Meet monthly to carry out quality assurance activities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Help develop and approve the nursing home’s quality assurance plan;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Submit the quality assurance plan to the Department’s Office of Health Care Quality at the time of initial application for licensure;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Submit any changes to the quality assurance plan to the Office of Health Care Quality within 30 days of the changes;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Review and approve the facility's quality assurance plan at least yearly; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Prepare monthly reports for the ombudsman, family council, and residents' council.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Quality Assurance Records. For the purposes of ensuring implementation and effectiveness of the quality assurance program, the facility shall make quality assurance records and documents available to the Office of Health Care Quality.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Quality Assurance Committee — Non-members. Anyone not on the committee shall be informed of how to present and submit concerns to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The committee;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A member of the resident council; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A member of the family council if one exists.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>