Inspector General Issues Report on NYS Nursing Homes
An August 2019 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that New York did not ensure that selected nursing homes in the state that participated in the Medicare or Medicaid programs complied with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for life safety and emergency preparedness.
The report identified deficiencies in areas related to life safety and emergency preparedness at all 20 nursing homes reviewed. Specifically, 205 areas of noncompliance with life safety requirements related to building exits and fire barriers, fire detection and suppression systems, carbon monoxide detectors, hazardous storage, smoking policies and fire drills, and elevator and electrical equipment testing and maintenance were found. The areas of noncompliance with emergency preparedness requirements related to written emergency plans; emergency supplies and power; plans for evacuation, sheltering in place, and tracking residents and staff; emergency communications; and emergency plan training. As a result, according to the report, residents at the 20 nursing homes were at increased risk of injury or death during a fire or other emergency.
To assist members to better understand the complex compliance issues involved in the Life Safety Code and emergency preparedness requirements, LeadingAge NY will host an audio program on Tues., Oct. 29th entitled Top 10 Life Safety Deficiencies and How to Not Let Them Happen to You. Registration information will be available shortly.
Contact: Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832