Training and education program for staff of long-term care facilities

Section 72DD. (a) The division of health care facility licensure and certification shall establish and implement a process and program for providing training and education to staff of long-term care facilities licensed by the department pursuant to section 71. The training and education program may include, but shall not be limited to: (i) infection prevention and control; (ii) development, implementation, adherence and review of comprehensive resident care plans; (iii) falls prevention; (iv) procedures to ensure timely notification of changes in a resident's condition to the resident's primary care physician; (v) prevention of abuse and neglect; (vi) development and implementation of a program to ensure staff safety; and (vii) review of the inspection process established in section 72. (b) The training and education program shall be interactive and shall include, but shall not be limited to: (i) an annual training for long-term care facility supervisory and leadership staff on the licensure and certification process, including, but not limited to, the department's interpretation of the General Laws and relevant changes or additions to applicable rules, regulations, procedures and policies concerning the licensure and certification process for long-term care facilities; and (ii) a biannual training of staff of long-term care facilities on the most frequently cited deficiencies, identified deficiency trends, both state and federal, and best practices to ensure resident quality of care. (c) The department may consult with industry trade associations before issuing or promulgating guidance, regulations, interpretations, program letters, memoranda or any other materials used in inspector training for the inspection of long-term care facilities pursuant to section 72.