Delaware Nursing Home Residents Quality Assurance Commission

Background

The commission was created in 1999. It is comprised of 13 members who work closely with reviewing policies and laws to implement changes/improvements for Delaware nursing home residents.

Commission Members

Mission

DNHRQAC's mission is to monitor Delaware's quality assurance system for nursing home residents inboth privately operated and state operated facilities so that complaints of abuse, neglect mistreatment, financial exploitation and other complaints are responded to in a timely manner so as to ensure the health and safety of nursing home residents.

Key Objectives:

• Examine the policies and procedures and evaluate the effectiveness of the quality assurance system for nursing home residents.
• Monitor data and analyze trends in the quality of care and life of individuals receiving long-term care in Delaware.
• Review and make recommendations to the Governor, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services and General Assembly concerning the quality assurance system and improvements to the overall quality of life and care of nursing home residents.
• Protect the privacy of nursing home residents.

By-Laws

DNHRQAC By-Laws PDF opens in new window (effective 5/19/2022)

Eagles Law Staffing Ratio Waiver

During FY 24 & FY 25 budget mark-up hearings, the Delaware Joint Finance Committee (JFC) added epilogue language suspending the staffing ratios per shift requirement in 16 Del. C. § 1162. As a result, DNHRQAC formed a subcommittee to develop a waiver application and review process.

Effective 1/1/2025, all Delaware Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) must be in compliance with 16 Del. C. § 1162.

If a Delaware SNF would like to be considered for a time limited staffing ratio waiver, they would need to complete a waiver application. DNHRQAC has the authority to grant or deny a waiver per 16 Del. C. § 1162.

Staffing Ratio Waiver Application Instuctions
Staffing Ratio Wavier Application

Eagles Law Waiver Subcommittee Meetings: Meeting Calendar: State of Delaware.

Legislation/Advocacy

DNHRQAC created a legislative/advocacy subcommittee to comment on legislation, regulations or other items on behalf of the Commission. DNHRQAC Legislative/Advocacy Subcommittee meetings are open to the public and posted to the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

Please note DNHRQAC's response to the CMS Proposed Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting—submitted October 31, 2023

Staffing Models

DNHRQAC created a Staffing Model Subcommittee to study long term care staffing models in Delaware. DNHRQAC Staffing Model Subcommittee meetings are open to the public and posted to the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

More About DNHRQAC & Facility Visits

Please note, for more information about DNHRQAC, we've created an Introduction brochure to assist with commonly asked questions.

In addition, DNHRQAC commissioners and staff visit long term care facilities to monitor the quality assurance system. Please read our brochure, Facility Visits, for more information about long-term care and assisted living facility visits.

Facility Visit Rubric Document opens in new window

• Meetings and Future Events
• Meeting Minutes

View current and past annual reports.

Residents Rights 
Licensed Nursing Homes in Delaware
Delaware Nursing Home Regulations
Licensed Assisted Living Facilities in Delaware
Delaware Assisted Living Facility Regulations
Nursing Home Compare (CMS)