The Office of the Long-Term Care Patient Representative

Under state law (Health and Safety Code section 1418.8), skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities may convene an interdisciplinary team to make medical decisions for residents who lack capacity and have no legal surrogate. These teams include the resident’s physician, a registered nurse responsible for the resident’s care, and other appropriate staff. In the past, the teams also sometimes included patient representatives, but this was not required. As the result of a court case, skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities will be required to include a patient representative when they convene an interdisciplinary team. This new requirement became effective January 27, 2023.

Under the new requirements, facilities are responsible for identifying a friend, relative, or someone else to serve as a patient representative when an interdisciplinary team is convened. If the facility is unable to identify a representative, the OLTCPR will provide a public patient representative who has completed required training and passed a criminal background check.

To request a public patient representative, click the California Patient Representative Information System (CAPRIS) button:

CAPRIS

You must be registered to access CAPRIS. To request access to CAPRIS, please complete the CAPRIS User Action Request Form and submit via email to the Office of the Patient Representative at OPR@aging.ca.gov

Designated Public Patient Representatives	Coverage Area
Office of the Long-Term Care Patient Representative California Department of Aging 2880 Gateway Blvd, Ste. 200 Sacramento, CA 95833 (916) 800-5084 OPR@aging.ca.gov	All counties, with the exception of those below
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Gilda Ramos Assistant Division Chief 510 S. Vermont Ave. 19th fl. Los Angeles, CA 90020 (213) 974-0515 gramos@dmh.lacounty.gov	Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino Counties
SistahFriends Yolanda Whittington 3756 Santa Rosalia Drive, Suite 219 Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 291-0191 yolanda@sistahfriends.org	Orange County

For questions about the new program, email OPR@aging.ca.gov or call (916) 800-5084.