SECTION 554.911. Rapid Response Teams

(a) A rapid response team is comprised of one or more Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) quality-of-care monitors and visits a facility that:

(1) is identified as high risk through the early warning system described in §19.910 of this subchapter (relating to Quality Assurance Early Warning System); or

(2) has committed three violations that constitute an immediate threat to health and safety relating to abuse or neglect of a resident as described in §19.2107 of this chapter (relating to Revocation of a License by the HHSC Executive Commissioner).

(b) A facility must cooperate with a rapid response team to improve the quality of care provided at the facility by:

(1) providing immediate access to all the parts of the building;

(2) providing immediate access to residents, staff, contractors and reasonable access to volunteers;

(3) providing access to all documents maintained by or on behalf of the facility upon request from the rapid response team;

(4) allowing the rapid response team to copy documents, photograph residents, and use any other available recording devices in accordance with §19.2002(h) of this chapter (relating to Procedural Requirements--Licensure Inspections and Surveys); and

(5) not interfering with the work of the rapid response team during a visit.

(c) In determining whether a facility has demonstrated improvement in the quality of care, the rapid response team may consider factors such as implementation of the team's recommendation or guidance.

(d) A rapid response team may visit a facility that requests assistance from HHSC. A visit under this subsection may not occur until at least 60 days after the date of an exit interview following an inspection.

(e) A rapid response team may not be deployed for the purpose of helping a facility prepare for an inspection or survey.

Source Note: The provisions of this §554.911 adopted to be effective May 1, 2002, 27 TexReg 3207; amended to be effective June 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 4458; amended to be effective March 27, 2017, 42 TexReg 1575; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871