no more warning before inspections

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

House OKs bill to penalize nursing home tipsters

01/28/2004

Associated Press

Tipping off a nursing home of an impending state inspection would become a felony under a bill that sailed through the Kentucky House on Wednesday.

All inspections of long-term care facilities by the Cabinet for Health Services are to be unannounced.

"Only by ensuring the integrity of the long-term care and nursing home inspection process will we ever be able to ensure the safety of the residents there," said Rep. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, the bill's sponsor.

The bill, which passed 94-0, now heads to the Senate.

It would make it a felony to intentionally inform a long-term care facility of an impending inspection. A conviction could carry a prison sentence of one to five years. Offenders also would face civil penalties of $5,000 to $10,000 for each offense.

Tipping off a nursing home became an issue in an investigation of former Gov. Paul Patton because Tina Conner, a former nursing home operator with whom Patton had a two-year affair, claimed someone in Patton's office alerted her to an inspection. Patton denied it.

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[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

This no tip off policy should be instituted in every state and in every type of medical institution. Maybe then the public would get some realistic picture of what is going on in the healthcare field.

[Dragonnurse1, ASN, RN]

They need to do the same for hospitals. No more knowing when Jacho is coming...whoa....wonder if any hospital would pass?

[sharann, BSN, RN]

If the hospitals wanted JCHO approval they would always be up to standards. Why are they not up to par every day? Because they get away with annonced pre-determined surveys. The hospitals and JAHCO are in bed together.

[Speculating]

Originally posted by sharann

If the hospitals wanted JCHO approval they would always be up to standards. Why are they not up to par every day? Because they get away with annonced pre-determined surveys. The hospitals and JAHCO are in bed together.

JCAHO and the hospitals in bed together please! say it isn't so. If that disappoints you then I best not tell you the little known fact that hospitals pay JCAHO to inspect their hospitals. Being JCAHO certified smells like a bad piece of fish to me. I'm trying to think of a word - "corruption", no that's not the word I'm thinking of. "Consumer Report" has more scruples than JCAHO does, but that's just my opinion!

[starryx2]

Hello All, I am absolutly in aggreance that the hospital should not ever know what an inspection is going to be. Of course there going to do anything and everything to make sure there ready for inspection. So unannouced is a wonderful idea i know our hospital wouldnt pass. Maybe that would open someones eyes and see oh patients are not gettin taken care of like they should and staff are working in horrible condions.

[Katnip, RN]

We had an unannounced visit from JCHAO. You do know that soon it will be that way with all hospitals?

As far as nursing homes, I'd love to be on the inspection team. I'd be fining people left and right.

[leslie :-D]

i had no idea there were tipsters....we've always heard when the surveyors are at another facility nearby and that's the only way we could anticipate their visit. who are the people/agencies that typically 'tip' the facilities?

[night owl]

JCAHO and the hospitals in bed together please! say it isn't so. If that disappoints you then I best not tell you the little known fact that hospitals pay JCAHO to inspect their hospitals. Being JCAHO certified smells like a bad piece of fish to me. I’m trying to think of a word – “corruption”, no that’s not the word I’m thinking of. “Consumer Report” has more scruples than JCAHO does, but that’s just my opinion!

It's a racket in my opinion.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

It is my understanding that future JCAHO inspections will be unannounced, meaning we need to maintain a standard of excellence. Because the JCAHO is not a federal agency, the inspection does not mean a facility cannot be inspected by CMS, or whoever it is that makes inspections on facilities benefiting from federal funds (Medicare and Medicaid). We will just have to act professional. Gee, what a concept.

[tiroka03, LPN]

We usually have a pretty good idea when the inspectors are coming. Once a year, always at the hottest most humid time. Actually we do hear of state being in other facilities in our area, and know our number will come up soon.

I don't see a notiecable difference in our facility when state arrives. Maybe a little cleaner, but the work continues on the same as before. At least on my unit we are pretty careful all the time. So no major changes are needed. But, the stress is higher and I feel that could cause any staff to do something unusal.

I am not a big fan of state inspectors, but as I read past posts on this site, I realize I have never seen extremely bad conditions. Thank God for that. I would hope I never find myself in the prediciment of working in a place where the patients aren't being cared for properly. THen I can't imagine remaining in a place like that either.

[leslie :-D]

and of course, your bosses HATE it when you say "well, if we did it the right way all along................."

as i take a step back so i don't get my head bitten off. :chuckle