N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43E-2.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 8:43E-2.3 - Informal dispute resolution

(a) A facility may request an opportunity to discuss the accuracy of survey findings with representatives of the Department in the following circumstances during a survey:

1. During the course of a survey to the extent such discussion does not interfere with the surveyor's ability to obtain full and objective information and to complete required survey tasks; or

2. During the exit interview or other summation of survey findings prior to the conclusion of the survey.

(b) Following completion of the survey, an acute care facility may contact the Inspections, Complaints and Compliance Program and a long term care facility may contact the Long Term Care Assessment Survey Program to request an informal review of deficiencies cited. The request must be made in writing within 10 business days of the receipt of the written survey findings. The written request must include:

1. A specific listing of the deficiencies for which informal review is requested; and

2. Documentation supporting any contention that a survey finding was in error.

(c) The review will be conducted within 10 business days of the request by supervisory staff of the Inspections, Complaints and Compliance Program or the Long Term Care Assessment Survey Program, as applicable, who did not directly participate in the survey. The review can be conducted in person at the offices of the Department or, by mutual agreement, solely by review of the documentation as submitted.

(d) A decision will be issued by the Department within seven business days of the conference or the review, and if the determination is to agree with the facility's contentions, the deficiencies will be removed from the record. If the decision is to disagree with the request to remove deficiencies, a plan of correction is required within five business days of receipt of the decision. The facility retains all other rights to appeal deficiencies and enforcement actions taken pursuant to these rules.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43E-2.3