Democrats Seek (withheld) Info on Bad Nursing Homes

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: NYT/AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 11, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Bush administration to disclose the identity of more troubled nursing homes, saying earlier efforts to alert consumers did not go far enough.

About six weeks ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services took the unprecedented step of publishing the names of 54 nursing homes that ranked among the worst in their state. The idea was to goad them into improving care. The homes selected were among 128 identified as meriting more oversight. Such homes, called special focus facilities, undergo inspections at six month intervals rather than once a year. The move initially generated praise. But others soon asked the question: Why not identify all 128?

''Choosing a nursing home or long term care facility is one of the most important decisions seniors and their families can make,'' said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. ''They deserve to know everything that CMS knows.''

Clinton and Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, introduced a bill last month that would require CMS to reveal the names of all nursing homes that get the special focus designation. Nine senators, including Harkin, also urged Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to immediately release the full list. They said in a letter that the administration's policy was ''potentially endangering the health and safety of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens.''

So far, the administration has resisted publicizing the names of all 128 nursing homes. The homes that CMS listed fared poorly on an inspection after they had been named a special focus facility....

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Nursing-homes-Disclosure.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[seafan]

1. Shhhh. Carlyle Group just bought 29 nursing homes in Florida.

Sharks need to keep swimming, ya know.



January 9, 2008. By Gordon Gibb

Just prior to Christmas, it was revealed that serious reprimands for dangerous conditions at nursing homes had increased 22 per cent over a six-year period ending in 2006. These citations can run the gamut from not providing patients their necessary meds, to cases of physical and sexual abuse of residents.

The data, obtained through records from the US Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS, the authority which regulates nursing homes in the United States) for a study sponsored by the publication USA Today, does not specify if such cases of abuse are between residents, or between residents and staff.

.....

.... private investment firms are eyeing nursing homes as targets for acquisition. Case in point: the recent purchase of HCR Manor Care by a private equity firm for $4.9 million dollars. The Carlyle Group now owns 29 nursing homes throughout Florida, and is awaiting the arrival of a nursing home license in order to carry on operations.

While the purchase may be good news for Manor Care and its residents, some aren't so sure. Some Manor Care properties have been previously cited by a nursing home watch list in Florida, for providing inadequate care for nursing home patients. The arrival of a new owner could signal pending improvements in service.

However, others are afraid that such purchases are made for the quick buck, where a new owner will gloss over problems and cut costs in order to improve profitability, then sell for a tidy sum.

Nursing home ownership is trending towards the privately held, corporate model.

.....

Hhhmmmm, ....gloss over problems and cut costs in order to improve profitability, then sell for a tidy sum....

That's what Carlyle Group does BEST.



Democrats Seek Info on Bad Nursing Homes, AP. January 11, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Bush administration to disclose the identity of more troubled nursing homes, saying earlier efforts to alert consumers did not go far enough.

About six weeks ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services took the unprecedented step of publishing the names of 54 nursing homes that ranked among the worst in their state. The idea was to goad them into improving care.

The homes selected were among 128 identified as meriting more oversight. Such homes, called special focus facilities, undergo inspections at six month intervals rather than once a year. The move initially generated praise. But others soon asked the question: Why not identify all 128?

.....

So far, the administration has resisted publicizing the names of all 128 nursing homes. The homes that CMS listed fared poorly on an inspection after they had been named a special focus facility.

.....

Wonder how many of these substandard nursing homes are in Florida... and just WHO is convinced that The Carlyle Group's first priority is high quality care for our older citizens?


Didn't think so.



When will we drag these thieves and liars out of office?

[flashl]

2. Why not enjoy the feast of Medicare Fraud Central?

[Miss Chybil]

3. Google is amazing. The ad on this thread is for Depends.

As for publishing the names - it's a crime not to.

[ismnotwasm]

4. Weird.

You have the right to read surveys of nursing homes, and they must be prominently posted. Despite this, many people aren't sure what to look for, they don't know, and are easily fooled. Also, some medicare or insurance coverage have only certain SNF's they'll cover. You're options are limited.

You can also access on-line information on nursing homes, including nurse to patient ratio, how many beds, what type of therapy is available, all that.

I have no idea why they wouldn't post this information. Surveys have letter designations for types of infractions. "Potential injury" is a level F, (if I recall) "Actual injury" is a level G. You get two or more level G's and your ass is grass as far as medicare funds. But you always have a chance to "improve" within a certain amount of days.

I left long term care a while back, after 11 years because the system, including the survery system, is broken. Before considering placing a loved one, inspect every nook and cranny.

One of my "rules" is if you walk in and smell urine, turn around and walk back out.

[davidinalameda]

5. the last law firm I worked at had nursing homes as clients

let's just say that I wouldn't put a dog into them

[martymar64]

6. The nursing homes should just send Hillary a big check

That's a sure fire way to shut her up. Give her campaign $ and she'll be praising those guys on the Senate floor.

[FooFootheSnoo]

7. the results of inspection reports

are available on the Medicare website. They don't go into detail, but they list the number of citations and what category they fell under. They also list patient staff ratio and other information about the homes.

I'd like to get up on my soapbox here for a moment. I work in a nursing home and have worked in several throughout my life. The indignities and insensitivity that the elderly and disabled have to endure in these places is terrible. I would always recommend looking at alternatives to a nursing home or an Assisted Living Facility. I firmly believe the outcome for most of the people I take care of would be much better if they were taken care of by people who loved them. I know sometimes relatives cannot be cared for at home and have to be placed in a nursing home. In that situation, I would recommend that you visit your relatives at least every other day.