An audit by the state of California discovered that the California Department of Public Health has 11,000 unresolved complaints of nursing home abuse. Some complaints have been open for almost three years. 40% of the unresolved complaints are classified as having caused or being likely to cause harm to nursing home residents.
Auditors discovered that the system for handling nursing home complaints was inadequate. Until recently, the Department of Public Health was unable to track unresolved complaints. The department also had no guidelines on when to close any complaint. Auditors also found inconsistent quality in how the nursing home investigations were conducted.
The audit issues recommendations to improve the situation, suggesting that the Department of Public Health should implement a system for monitoring open complaints and setting a time frame for completing nursing home complaints.
See the news article here.
If you or a loved one has been harmed, abused, or neglected in a nursing home or by a home health aide, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at (800) 333-0000 for a free consultation.