Health, Department of

Veterans Home of Wyoming

Effective Date: 10/03/2022 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 048.0058.2.10032022

GENERAL OPERATION

Section 1. Authority.

This Chapter is promulgated by the Wyoming Department of Health pursuant to Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 25-9-101 through 25-9-106 and W.S. § 25-14-101 through 25-14-105.

Section 2. Purpose and Applicability.

The following rules will define the operation of Veterans' Home of Wyoming (VHW) and Wyoming Veterans' Skilled Nursing Facility (WVSNF) shall provide for the general operations of the VHW or the WVSNF.

Section 3. Administration.

(a) The VHW or the WVSNF is under the direction of the Department of Health and is supervised by the Facility Administrator. All programs and activities within the VHW or WVSNF shall be consistent with the Department of Health's direction.

(b) A comfortable and pleasant environment shall be a priority of the VHW and the WVSNF.

(c) The VHW or the WVSNF shall work closely with the Department of Veterans' Affairs, various community hospitals, and various state and local agencies in providing and coordinating services for residents.

(d) Services provided by the VHW or WVSNF shall comply with applicable state and federal standards governing the institution.

(e) The VHW and WVSNF shall maintain records for each resident and make those records available to the resident.

(f) The VHW and WVSNF shall establish a system for investigating and reporting incidents, accidents or injuries occurring after admission to the home.

(i) Written records shall be completed for each occurrence.

(ii) The system shall also address suspected incidents of resident neglect or abuse.

(iii) The VHW and WVSNF shall report any unusual deaths, serious incidents or accidents to the appropriate authorities, including the Office of Healthcare Licensing and Survey (OHLS) and the Department of Veteran Affairs.

(iv) The VHW and WVSNF shall establish a resident grievance method that complies with federal and state requirements.

Section 4. Care of Residents.

The VHW and WVSNF shall provide domiciliary and skilled nursing care to residents.

Section 5. Additional Care.

(a) The Facility Administrator may authorize the VHW or WVSNF to provide care to persons with conditions other than those specified in the provisions governing those state institutions in Title 25 of the Wyoming Statutes when the following conditions are met and documented:

(i) There is a need for such care;

(ii) The care can be provided effectively;

(iii) Sufficient number of qualified staff, with appropriate training to treat the residents, and who represent the various disciplines required for appropriate care.

Section 6. Residents Rights.

(a) For any code, standard, rule, or regulation incorporated by reference in these rules:

(i) The Department of Health has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules.

(ii) The incorporation by reference does not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter beyond the applicable date identified in this section; and

(iii) The incorporated code, standard, rule, or regulation is maintained at the Department of Health and is available for public inspection and copying at cost at the same location.

(iv) The Department incorporates the Veterans’ Home Wyoming Resident Manual and Bill of Rights adopted by the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming Revised 08/2021 found at: 700 Veterans’ Lane, Buffalo, Wyoming 82834, in the Administration Office.