(a) Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman staff:

• (1) identify significant problems by establishing a statewide reporting system including the collection and analysis of quarterly reports from area ombudsman staff;
• (2) receive and analyze reports from all state agencies receiving complaints on, or conducting surveys or inspections of long-term care facilities, in order to identify significant problems;
• (3) develop administrative and legislative proposals to resolve significant problems of residents, as reflected in complaint investigation and other data;
• (4) provide information and recommendations to involved agencies on significant issues, after monitoring conditions of long-term care facilities through the area program and collection and analysis of data; and 
• (5) compile information and annually prepare and disseminate a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program annual report.  The report contains data and findings regarding the types of problems experienced and complaints received by or on behalf of individuals residing in long-term care facilities, and provides policy, regulatory and legislative recommendations to resolve such problems and complaints and improve the quality of care and life in long-term care facilities.

(b) Area ombudsman staff:

• (1) collect and compile data from volunteer monthly reports and from other required Ombudsman Program activities into quarterly reports, which are submitted to state ombudsman staff;
• (2) monitor conditions in certain facilities for informal reporting on a follow up basis to state ombudsman staff; and
• (3) respond to requests from state ombudsman staff for reports or updates on local conditions relating to specific issues being addressed statewide.