Continuing care – Mandatory reporting

Overview

Continuing care operators, supportive living accommodation operators and home and community care providers in Alberta must report specific events, incidents and changes to the Alberta government. There are 2 main reporting mechanisms:

• Duty to Notify
• Notice to Director

The requirements for both are established in the Continuing Care Act and regulations. Additional expectations are outlined in the provincial accommodation standards and the Continuing Care Health Service Standards.

Duty to Notify

Operators and providers must notify the Continuing Care Licensing Office as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than within 48 hours of specific serious circumstances, including those that are a health or safety risk to clients or residents, or may jeopardize the ability of the operator or provider to provide care.

How to determine if an incident is reportable

Use the Duty to Notify Decision Guide to determine if an incident is reportable.

The submission form includes a detailed list of Duty to Notify incidents that must be reported. Examples may include:

• death (not including natural causes)
• serious harm (both alleged abuse and not)
• extensive damage to accommodation
• unplanned activation of a contingency plan
• resident unaccounted for
• other situations (examples, but not limited to, strike action, event with potential to generate media attention, significant breach in confidentiality with significant consequences)
• offences under the act and regulations, the Nursing Homes Act, the Protection for Persons in Care Act, the Public Health Act, the Supportive Living Accommodation Licensing Act or the Criminal Code of Canada
• termination of a type 2 home and community care provider terminating a home and community care agreement

How to report an event

Step 1. Fill out the form

Operators and providers must report any Duty to Notify event or incident using the Duty to Notify form.

The form is an interactive PDF and can be filled out electronically.

Operators and providers can add additional recipients to the email as appropriate.

Do not include identifiable client or resident health and personal information on the form.

Step 2. Submit the form

Operators and providers can use the “submit” feature to send the form to the email address listed above.

If you are unsure if an incident should be reported

If an operator or provider is unsure if an event or incident should be reported, contact the Continuing Care Licensing Office at [email protected].

Notice to Director

Operators must use the Notice to Director form to inform the Continuing Care Licensing Office of substantial changes to the operation or ownership of a continuing care home or supportive living accommodation.

In all cases, a strategy for mitigating the effects of the events or circumstances for residents must be completed on the form. Incomplete forms will be rejected.

Changes in operation

Continuing care home or supportive living accommodation

Changes in the operation of a continuing care home or supportive living accommodation may include, but are not limited to:

• business name change (not a sale)
• licensee or site contact changes
• change in funding
• declaration of bankruptcy or filing for receivership
• change in ownership
• accommodation name change
• intent to cease operation of a continuing care home or supportive living accommodation

Facility-based care or supportive living services

Changes to the provision of facility-based care or supportive living services include changes in:

• contracted services provider
• services offered or provided
• maximum occupancy
• building layout
• resident population

Licensing requirements

Changes in licensing requirements include:

• licensee no longer holds valid municipal permits or zoning approvals
• licensee no longer maintains an insurance policy
• non-compliance under the Public Health Act and related regulations
• non-compliance under the Safety Codes Act
• unsatisfactory result of a fire inspection by an authorized fire inspector
• unsatisfactory result of a safety inspection by an authorized safety codes officer (Fire Group B1/B2)

Contact

Connect with the Continuing Care Licensing Office:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-644-8428
Fax: 780-644-8729
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Alberta Health
Continuing Care Licensing Office
PO Box 1360, Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2N3