Because nursing facilities are required by federal regulations to keep records concerning allegations of abuse or neglect, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently completed a study of facilities' records.
The study found that 85% of nursing facilities reported at least one allegation to OIG in 2012. It also found that only 76% of such facilities maintained policies regarding the federally required reporting, with only 61% of facilities retaining documentation of their compliance with the regulations. Finally, OIG concluded that a mere 53% of nursing facilities satisfied their obligation to report allegations of abuse or neglect.
OIG concluded its study with recommendations that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ensure that nursing facilities maintain policies, notify covered individuals of their obligation to report reasonable suspicions of crimes, and timely report allegations of abuse or neglect.
Nursing facilities can expect to see additional inspections as a result of this report.
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