Ohio Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

Within what time frame should medical records be made available upon request in a nursing home?

1. 12 hours

2. 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays

3. 48 hours

4. 72 hours

The correct answer is: 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays

The correct answer is that medical records should be made available within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. This time frame is aligned with regulations and standards that govern health information access in nursing homes, ensuring that residents and authorized parties can obtain necessary information swiftly while allowing for reasonable operating conditions within the facility. This timeframe is designed to balance the need for prompt access to vital information with consideration for the operational challenges facilities may face. During weekends and holidays, many staff members may not be present to retrieve records, hence the regulation allows for those times to be excluded from the counting of hours. Providing access to medical records in this manner supports the principles of transparency and patient rights within healthcare settings, contributing to informed decision-making for residents and their families.