The Nursing Home Licensure and Certification Section licenses nursing homes to operate in the state of North Carolina.
The section licenses some nursing homes as combination homes. These homes contain both adult care beds and nursing home beds.
A licensed nursing home may choose to apply for payment through Medicare and Medicaid under an agreement with the federal government. Most nursing homes in North Carolina are in the Medicare/Medicaid program.
Routine inspections take place in nursing homes that receive payment through Medicare and Medicaid every nine to 15 months. Nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and social workers who have passed a federal test conduct these inspections. The surveys involve the review of the following areas: resident rights; the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation; admission, transfer and discharge rights; resident assessments; comprehensive resident centered care plans; quality of life; quality of care; physician services; nursing services; behavioral health services; pharmacy services; laboratory, radiology, and other diagnostic services; dental services; food and nutrition services; specialized rehabilitative services; administration; quality assurance and performance improvement; infection control; physical environment; training requirements; and emergency preparedness.
Surveyors investigate complaints filed against a nursing home. This section receives about 3,000 nursing home complaints per year. Surveyors investigate complaints and the person who made the complaint receives a letter stating the findings from the investigation.
If the surveyors find a problem at the nursing home, they write a report called a "Statement of Deficiency." The home is required to provide a plan of correction for each problem cited. The home may be subject to other penalties. Surveyors follow up with the home to make sure the home corrected its problems.
Section Chief: Becky Wertz, [email protected]
Physical Address: 1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC 27607
Mailing Address: 2711 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2711
Telephone: 919-855-4520