This guide is intended to help you understand the proper steps to take if you think you might be the victim of medical malpractice in Ohio. If you still have questions please contact our office today for a free case review.
Ohio’s health department wants the authority to crack down on Ohio’s poor performing nursing homes.
Ohio’s nursing homes are some of the worst in the country in terms of quality of care. This is according to a federal nursing home rating system called Nursing Home Compare. The Ohio Department of Health is taking action and wants more authority to improve Ohio’s failing nursing homes and protect residents.
Improving Quality of Care
The goal is to improve the quality of care offered by Ohio nursing homes. Currently, the state has the authority under the federal regulatory system to impose corrective action or appoint a temporary manager to take over a nursing home as needed. However, the Ohio Department of Health wants to be more aggressive in their approach.
Governor John Kasich’s administration recently proposed more aggressive measures. First, the Ohio Department of Health wants the authority to order nursing home operators to take specific actions to fix situations that jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of their residents. If facilities fail to comply, they could face fines of up to $250,000 per incident. Currently, the health department has no authority to directly intervene. Second, the health department also seeks the authority to investigate licensed and unlicensed nursing home employees accused of exploitation or psychological abuse of residents. Under current state law, the department is authorized to investigate only allegations of physical abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of a resident’s property.
Senate Republican leaders are considering the administration’s request in the coming weeks. Most Ohio nursing homes are in a dismal state. These aggressive measures could help drastically improve the quality of care that elderly Ohioans are receiving.
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
The Ohio legislature is working toward improving Ohio nursing home care. However, it is important to protect yourself and your loved ones from nursing home abuse and neglect. Before choosing a nursing home, read our blog post “Ohio’s Nursing Homes Among the Worst in the Country,” to learn about the steps to take when evaluating a nursing home.
Reach Out Today
Making an informed nursing home choice is important, but mistakes can still happen. In regions where watch groups rank nursing homes low in quality of care, nurses make mistakes more frequently. If you have questions about nursing home neglect or abuse, please contact us. We have handled numerous nursing home abuse and negligence cases, and we understand the complex and emotional nature. Tittle & Perlmuter is here for you and your family! For more information about our medical malpractice attorneys, please visit our website.