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According to a federal audit released in April 2018 by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the OIG found “…the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration did not always verify nursing homes’ correction of deficiencies identified during surveys in 2015 in accordance with Federal requirements. For the 100 sampled deficiencies, the State agency verified the correction of 82 nursing home deficiencies but did not obtain evidence of correction or retain sufficient evidence for the remaining 18 deficiencies. On the basis of our sample results, we estimated that the State agency did not obtain the nursing homes’ evidence of correction for 455 of 2,381 of the deficiencies. We also estimated that the State agency could not provide sufficient evidence that corrective actions had been taken by nursing homes for 130 of 2,381 of the deficiencies.”

Fort Myers Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer, Randall Spivey says, “The failure on the part of the Florida agency tasked with the responsibility of safe-guarding our seniors it not acceptable. Our seniors and their families deserve better. Over our many years of experience, we have seen the devastation caused by the abuse and neglect of our seniors in nursing homes. We fight for their rights to be safe, comfortable and well-cared for which is what families expect when looking for a home for their senior members.”

The OIG made the following recommendations to the State agency:

(1) improve its practices for verifying nursing homes’ correction of identified deficiencies by obtaining nursing homes’ evidence of correction for less serious deficiencies and

(2) update information system controls to ensure that survey system data is protected against unauthorized or unintended modification or loss.

There has been communications between OIG and Florida regarding the OIG report and the agency’s recommendations.

How to check on the safety of a nursing home or skilled nursing facility?

One source is through Medicare.gov Nursing Home Compare.  This website provides information on:

• General information about nursing homes
• Star ratings
• Health and fire safety inspections
• Staffing
• Quality of resident care
• Penalties

In addition to reviewing the above helpful information, nothing takes the place of observant family members and friends who visit regularly and watch for signs of abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions.

Seniors and others who are residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities have rights. To review these rights go to Who Protects Nursing Home-Assisted Living Resident Rights?

Fort Myers Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%)percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.