Absences
 138. (1) If the requirements set out in subsection (2) are met, but subject to subsection (3), a licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a long-stay resident of the home returns from a medical absence, psychiatric absence, casual absence, or vacation absence, the resident receives the same class of accommodation, the same room, and the same bed in the room, that the resident had before the absence.  O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (1). (2) The requirements referred to in subsection (1) are, (a) in the case of a medical absence, that the length of the medical absence does not exceed 30 days; (b) in the case of a psychiatric absence, that the length of the psychiatric absence does not exceed 60 days; (c) in the case of a casual absence during the period between midnight on a Saturday and midnight on the following Saturday, that the total length of the resident’s casual absences during the period does not exceed 48 hours; (d) in the case of a vacation absence, that the total length of the resident’s vacation absences during the calendar year does not exceed 21 days.  O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (2). (3) A licensee may arrange for the long-stay resident to receive a different bed or room where the resident’s needs have changed and as a result a different bed or room is necessary.  O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (3). (4) If the requirements set out in subsection (5) are met, a licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a short-stay resident of the home returns from a medical absence, psychiatric absence or casual absence, the resident receives the same class of accommodation that the resident had before the absence.  O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (4). (5) The requirements referred to in subsection (4) are, (a) in the case of a medical or psychiatric absence, (i) that the length of the medical or psychiatric absence does not exceed 14 days, and (ii) that the resident returns to the home before the end of the period for which the resident was admitted to the home; and (b) in the case of a casual absence of a resident during the period between midnight on a Saturday and midnight on the following Saturday, (i) that the total length of the resident’s casual absences during the period does not exceed 48 hours, and (ii) that the resident returns to the home before the end of the period for which the resident was admitted to the home. O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (5). (6) A licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that before a resident of the home leaves for a medical absence or a psychiatric absence, (a) except in an emergency, a physician or a registered nurse in the extended class attending the resident authorizes the absence in writing; and (b) notice of the resident’s medical absence or psychiatric absence is given to the resident’s substitute decision-maker, if any, and to such other person as the resident or substitute decision-maker designates, (i) at least 24 hours before the resident leaves the home, or (ii) if circumstances do not permit 24 hours notice, as soon as possible.  O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (6). (7) A licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that when a resident of the home leaves for a medical absence or a psychiatric absence, information about the resident’s drug regime, known allergies, diagnosis and care requirements is provided to the resident’s health care provider during the absence.  O. Reg. 79/10, s. 138 (7).