INDUSTRY NEWS
Connecticut launches comprehensive background check program for long-term care facilities
The Connecticut Department of Public Health recently announced the launch of the Applicant Background Check Management System (ABCMS), a comprehensive background check program for direct care employees and volunteers of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
The web-based program provides long-term care facilities and providers with a Web portal to submit information on prospective direct care employees and volunteers, conduct certain free registry checks and to process and track fingerprint-based criminal history record checks as required under the law.
Long-term care facilities subject to the background check program are required to register with the ABCMS. This new system became effective for nursing homes on Oct. 19, 2015, and will become effective for home health agencies on Feb. 8, 2016. There are no additional implementation dates available for other long-term care facilities at this time.
Under the new law and the accompanying regulation, facilities are permitted to utilize the services of a third-party vendor for background check processing purposes and may establish registration and user accounts for such a third party within the ABCMS.
For additional information on the Connecticut ABCMS, please visit: http://www.ct.gov/dph/ABCMS.
Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health