Texas Nursing Home Regulations

Texas Nursing Home Regulations

Since the 1970's all nursing homes have been subject to federal guidelines to maintain the best care for their residents. The nursing homes in Texas are subject to a State Survey on a yearly basis and the findings are public records. Each Long Term Care Facility should have a copy of its survey available upon request.

Nursing homes in Texas are expected to provide the type of service and care that will help the resident maintain or improve their quality of life. A long term care home or an assisted living facility should strive to be free of dangerous, accident causing situations.

Texas nursing home regulations also speak to the maintenance and housekeeping care provided at the facility. A State of Texas licensed nursing home will be in good repair, and regularly cleaned and maintained. These rules pertain to all parts of the facility, including, but not limited to resident rooms, kitchen, dining and other common areas and facility support such as laundry and housekeeping areas.

Texas nursing home requirements state that a complete care plan for each resident will be developed within the first seven days after they become a resident. That care plan will address medical, social, physical and spiritual needs, with measurable bench marks. Texas nursing homes will keep on hand and keep accurate records of needed medications and supplies for each resident, and will administer them appropriately.

In order to document that Texas care homes meet the needs of their residents there will be daily nursing notes and charting on activities of daily living when Medicare review time-lines are reached. These activities of daily living demonstrate that Texas nursing homes are meeting the standards required by the state. They demonstrate whether or not the abilities of a resident are diminishing and provide a direction for a plan of action.

Like all states, the State of Texas wants to take good care of its elderly residents. The Department of Human Services and other nursing regulatory agencies monitor Texas Nursing homes and file survey reports which are public documents about each care home.