Using the NHRegulationsPlus Website

 

 

The main navigation on NHRegsPlus is shown above.

The Federal Regulations link brings users to the Federal Nursing Home regulations and related manuals and resources, including MDS materials. The Regulatory Process link at present opens up state-specific material on waivers or regulation.  (Other intended content will include:  Report Card systems, if applicable; State regulatory tags, if applicable; and civil monetary penalty uses.

The Art of the Possible is not yet populated, but is a place-holder for examples of exemplary practices within states and by topic.  These practices include facility designs and programs, and regulatory practices.

The Contact link offers formal ways for users to contact the website with questions or feedback.  We have collected those questions:  they provide an interesting window on how regulations are viewed.

The hearts of the website are the Regulation by State and the Regulation by Topic sections.  Each is discussed below.

Regulation by State

When searching by state, users are brought to a map or pull down menu so that they can select any state or DC.  Clicking a state will bring up the State Nursing Home Regulations with their headings on the left side of the screen.  Live links are available to the actual regulations in most states, and an entire PDF dated by the time it was uploaded can be opened for word searching or printing.  Links to other relevant state regulations are provided.  Links to the State regulations for nursing home administrator licensure are provided in all cases when a state has such regulations.  On the far right of the State Home Pages are links to the State regulatory agency. 

Shortly, we intend to add information about state culture change coalitions to each state page, as relevant.

Regulations by Topic

Topical searches are organized according to federal regulatory categories, and often with subheadings under the main heading.  For teach topic analyzed, the following format is used:

• Summary of the components and related F-tags.

• Précis of federal rules on the topic.

• Comparative narrative discussion of the differences in the way the topic is handled by states.  When a particular state is mentioned, it is hyperlinked to the actual content of the state's regulation on that topic.

• Occasional italicized editorial comments by NHRegsPlus as to the implications of particular content for culture change and resident quality of life and autonomy.

• A table briefly comparing the State regulations on the topic, with hyperlinks to actual state language.

• A bookmarked PDF of all State regulation on the topic with the relevant federal regulations at the end.

Diagram A shows the topics and subtopics that are treated in the website as of October 2007.  New subtopics may be added to major categories from time to time.  Diagram B breaks out the many topical subdivisions under Physical Environment.