BY STEPHENIE STEITZER
SEPTEMBER 17, 2010
Gov. Steve Beshear directed his administration Friday to immediately implement nearly two-dozen reforms aimed at combating nursing home abuse and neglect.
The recommendations are the result of a review of the state's handling of reports of abuse and neglect in nursing homes.
Beshear ordered the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to conduct the review after the Lexington Herald-Leader examined 107 citations issued by the agency over a three-year period in instances where a resident's life or safety has been endangered.
The newspaper found that only seven of the 107 cases of nursing home deaths or abuse were prosecuted as crimes and that police and coroners are rarely notified of nursing home deaths or serious injuries.
“This review will be an essential document to guide the many groups that have an interest in maintaining safe nursing homes, and to ensure that proper procedures and accountability are maintained when investigations are required for suspected cases of neglect or abuse,” Beshear said in a statement.
The citations reviewed included 18 deaths, 30 hospitalizations, five broken bones and two amputations that resulted from violations of state regulations, the newspaper reported. Thirteen residents were injured because of lapses by staff members, according to the citations.
Beshear asked cabinet Secretary Janie Miller to review state agencies' coordination with local prosecutors and law enforcement to handle the reports, the newspaper reported.
Representatives from the industry, law enforcement and victim advocates were involved in the review.
Miller said the review found, for example, that law enforcement officials sometimes weren't certain who to contact at the cabinet regarding abuse and neglect cases.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Courier Journal
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