Elder Law

State Taking Steps To Improve Nursing Home Regulation

By Levin & Perconti

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One state is taking new steps to better inform the public of nursing home violations It is hoped that the effort will help consumers make informed choices about what facilities to use when extra care is needed for their loved one.

The Kentucky Lexington Herald-Leader reports on the new steps being taken by state officials to better report and respond to allegations of nursing home abuse and neglect. Specifically the regulatory body has adopted a more rigorous meeting schedule to track the claims of abuse at state nursing homes. Additionally, they are increasing the training for the employees who conduct the on-site nursing home investigations. Standardized forms for abuse reporting are also in the works

For the first time the issuance of the most serious citations will be put online, allowing easy access to those interested in keeping tabs on negligent and abusive facilities. All of this will likely increase the flow of information about the quality of nursing home care to the general public.

The new steps are being undertaken following a series of investigative reports by the publication that exposed the lax follow-up of most of these claims of problematic care. Last year there were 107 Type A citations but only 7 were ever prosecuted by the Attorney General?s office. Several of those citations were never even given to the legal office to explore possible criminal ramifications.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on January 03, 2011 (boomark / email).