Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Nursing-home study: Inspection system 'broken and can't be fixed'

A leading nursing-home association is calling for an independent panel
to come up with new methods for overseeing nursing facilities
. The
association's task force issued 31 recommendations Tuesday,
highlighting steps that can be taken until such a panel can be convened.



"The frustration of good providers has reached a boiling point," said
Tim Veno, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Homes and
Services for the Aging, and a task force member. On Tuesday, the
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) issued
its report, "Broken and Beyond Repair: Recommendations to Reform the
Survey and Certification System."



"Our short-term suggestions alone won't bring the system back to the
intent of OBRA 87-achieving optimal, quality-based, resident-centered
care-but they will tide the system over until broad systemic change can
occur," said Bonnie Gauthier, CEO of Hebrew Health Care in West
Hartford, CT, and co-chair of the 20-member task force. Immediate
changes needed, according to report authors echoing years-long provider
sentiment, include better public reporting of survey results, joint
education of providers and surveyors, and greater overall consistency
in the process.



The 31 recommendations include short- and long-term goals, such as
improving communication to surveyors and providers about new
requirements and changes to the survey process; standardized job
descriptions for surveyors; and flexibility to adapt to culture change.
The full report can be found at: http://www.aahsa.org/advocacy/nursing_homes/documents/SCTF_Report_FINAL.pdf.

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