(1) The department may inspect nursing homes at any time in order to determine compliance with the requirements of chapters 18.51 or 74.42 RCW and this chapter. Types of state inspections in nursing homes include preoccupancy, licensing, revisit, and complaint investigation. In the case of a medicaid or medicare contractor, or both, the department may also inspect medicare and medicaid certified nursing homes to determine compliance with the requirements of Title XVIII and/or XIX of the Social Security Act and federal medicare and medicaid regulations.

(2) The department will provide to the nursing home written documentation (notice) of the nursing home's deficiency(ies), the requirement that the deficiency(ies) violates, and the reasons for the determination of noncompliance with the requirements (RCW 18.51.091).

(3) The department may revisit the nursing home to confirm that corrections of deficiencies has been made. Revisits will be made:

(a) In accordance with RCW 74.39A.060 (5)(e);

(b) In the case of a medicare or medicaid contractor, or both, in accordance with the requirements of Title XVIII or XIX, or both of the Social Security Act and federal medicare and medicaid regulations; and

(c) At the department's discretion.

(4) The licensee or nursing home must:

(a) Ensure that department staff have access to the nursing home residents, staff and all resident records; and

(b) Not willfully interfere or fail to cooperate with department staff in the performance of official duties. Examples of willful interference or failure to cooperate include, but are not limited to, not allowing department staff to talk to residents or staff in private or not allowing department staff access to resident records.