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
Epilogue language was approved by Joint Finance Committee (JFC) members during JFC Mark-up Meeting in May 2023 for FY 24 (HB 195) which states:
Section 187. Long-term care facilities must continue to provide 3.28 hours of direct care per resident per day. However, the staffing ratios required in 16 Del. C. § 1162 are hereby suspended until July 1, 2024.
As a result, a DNHRQAC Subcommittee was established to create a formalized nursing home staffing ratio waiver process relating to Eagles Law and applicable policies & procedures.
In May 2024, the following epilogue language was approved by JFC members during JFC Mark-Up (SB 325) which states:
Section 192. Long-term care facilities must continue to provide 3.28 hours of direct care per resident per day. However, the staffing ratios required in 16 Del. C. § 1162 are hereby suspended until January 1, 2025.
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
