Nursing home citations climb by 22%

More nursing homes are being cited forserious violations as inspectors face increasing pressure to crack downon dangerous conditions, a USA TODAY analysis shows.  From 2000 through 2006, the number of citationsfor putting patients in “immediate jeopardy” increased 22%, accordingto the records from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices, which regulates nursing homes. Those citations are the mostserious reprimand inspectors can issue and often follow cases in whichpatients were physically or sexually abused or left without medications.  The increase came as many states stepped upnursing home inspections. Homes that put their patients in immediatejeopardy risk fines or being told they cannot accept new Medicaidpatients, a major source of their income.  “It doesn’t necessarily mean things are gettingworse. It means we’re finding more of the problems,” said RichardMollot, executive director of Long Term Care Community Coalition, whichadvocates for nursing home patients.  Inspectors found nearly 2,000 violations lastyear that jeopardized patients at nearly 850 of the nation’s 16,000nursing homes, according to the records. They account for about 6% ofthe total violations uncovered in nursing homes.

Source/more: USA Today, http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-12-18-nursinghomes_N.htm