Inspector General's Report Finds 92 Percent of Nursing Homes Cited for Deficiencies
A government report found extensive problems in America's nursing homes. According to the study, nearly one in five of the nearly 15,000 nursing homes examined were cited for violations that put patients in immediate harm in 2007. A total of 92 percent were cited for some type of deficiencies during each of the last three years.
From treating bed sores to preventing urinary tract infections, the quality of care in nursing homes was usually the focus of those deficiencies, the report found. Experts also found that on a typical day, far too many residents waited too long to get the help they needed.
Despite the report's findings, critics said just issuing "deficiency citations" won't change anything.
Wes Bledsoe, founder of A Perfect Cause, a non-profit group that advocates for the reform in long-term care said: "Very few of these deficiencies ever result in a financial penalty, And if they do, they are not collected. The system has no teeth."
The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General issued new voluntary guidelines to help nursing homes improve the quality of their care. According to HHS, the guidelines will address staffing issues, the management of medications and resident safety, among several other concerns.
Full Article and Source:
Are Nursing Homes Neglecting Mom and Dad?
A government report found extensive problems in America's nursing homes. According to the study, nearly one in five of the nearly 15,000 nursing homes examined were cited for violations that put patients in immediate harm in 2007. A total of 92 percent were cited for some type of deficiencies during each of the last three years.
From treating bed sores to preventing urinary tract infections, the quality of care in nursing homes was usually the focus of those deficiencies, the report found. Experts also found that on a typical day, far too many residents waited too long to get the help they needed.
Despite the report's findings, critics said just issuing "deficiency citations" won't change anything.
Wes Bledsoe, founder of A Perfect Cause, a non-profit group that advocates for the reform in long-term care said: "Very few of these deficiencies ever result in a financial penalty, And if they do, they are not collected. The system has no teeth."
The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General issued new voluntary guidelines to help nursing homes improve the quality of their care. According to HHS, the guidelines will address staffing issues, the management of medications and resident safety, among several other concerns.
Full Article and Source:
Are Nursing Homes Neglecting Mom and Dad?
3 comments:
I agree, deficiency citations won't change anything.
Fines might -- ranging from expensive fines for life threatening and dangerous violations down to lesser amounts for lesser violations.
The money could go to non-profits advocating for nursing home reform!
Respect for life; respect for human beings is the root of the problem.
Nursing home neglect won't be stopped until there are controls over contributions to politicians!
Post a Comment