Section 1421 Of Chapter 2.4. Quality Of Long-term Health Facilities From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 2.4.
1421
. (a) Any duly authorized officer, employee, or agent of the
state department may enter and inspect any long-term health care
facility, including, but not limited to, interviewing residents and
reviewing records, at any time to enforce any provision of this
chapter.
(b) Patients shall be treated with consideration, respect, and
full recognition of dignity during the course of the investigation or
inspection.
(c) Inspections conducted pursuant to complaints filed with the
state department shall be conducted in such a manner as to ensure
maximum effectiveness while respecting the rights of patients in the
facility. No advance notice shall be given of any inspection
conducted pursuant to this chapter unless previously and specifically
authorized by the director or required by federal law.
(d) Any public employee giving any advance notice in violation of
this section shall be deemed to be in violation of subdivision (t) of
Section 19572 of the Government Code and shall be suspended from all
duties without pay for a period determined by the director.
(e) Except as otherwise specified by law, any duly authorized
officer, employee, or agent of the state department shall not limit
the scope of practice of registered nurses acting under Section 2725
of the Business and Professions Code. Further, these agents shall not
prohibit the performing of functions by registered nurses when those
nurses are performing under standardized procedures, where their
activity is consistent with the scope of nursing practice, as set
forth in Section 2725 of the Business and Professions Code.