Posted
by Erica Nochlin
on Mon Sep 29, 2008
Last updated
Sep 30, 2008
A new report released Monday shows more than 90 percent of Missouri nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards last year. The new numbers come from the Department of Health and Human Services, where federal officials cited poor scores across the country.
Typical deficiencies could include medicine mix-ups, infected bedsores, and patient neglect.
The typical nursing home in Missouri had around eight deficiencies last year -- an increase of two since 2005. Furthermore, almost every facility in the state - at more than 92 percent - had some sort of deficiency.
Jon Dolan with the MO Health Care Association, which represents the state's long-term facilities, says, "That's actually a great number because those deficiencies are not the major types."
He says the important number to look at is actually 17 - the much lower percentage listed in the report, showing the amount of homes in the U.S. cited for 'actual harm or immediate jeopardy deficiencies.'
Dolan says they believe some of the report's numbers are inaccurate because of some of the inspections.
"What we're finding more and more is less educated surveyors, more confrontational, and a gotchya mentality," Dolan says.
The report shows that for-profit nursing homes usually have more violations than not-for-profit homes. Some may argue that's because they want to make more money, while others like Dolan say it's because for-profit facilities are often the only ones willing to take Medicaid.
The Bush administration will start using a five-star program in December to rank the overall quality of care for the nation's nursing homes.
To see the full report, click the following link:
http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-08-00140.pdf
Local Nursing Home Follow-Up
Parkside Manor in Columbia has changed names and ownership since last year when it was listed as one of Missouri's worst nursing homes.
When ABC 17 asked, state inspectors say the home's last inspection was in August, where they found 11 deficiencies (Missouri 2007 average = 8.2) that were considered 'not causing harm.' The other 2008 inspection was in February, where the state found seven deficiencies. The nursing home is still considered a special focus facility, meaning it requires two inspections yearly instead of only one like others.
Employees at Parkside Manor say they think they'll get off that list soon. They've noticed significant improvements since the new owners, HSI, took over January 1 and feel they work for a good and caring facility. They say state inspectors told them they've noticed improvements each time they come (inspectors did not comment on that to ABC 17).
