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Health Care Quality division reports jump in facility complaints and surveys; advocates and lawmakers press for permanent staffing and implementation funds
Summary
The Division of Health Care Quality told the Joint Finance Committee its workload rose sharply in FY24, with more surveys and complaints, and said it has used contract surveyors. Advocates at the hearing urged funding to implement recent dementia and transparency laws and for stronger enforcement and staffing.
The state's Division of Health Care Quality (DHQ) reported a marked increase in survey and complaint activity for long-term care and licensed facilities during a budget briefing to the Joint Finance Committee.
DHQ officials told the committee that in fiscal year 2024 the Office of Long Term Care Residents Protections completed 494 surveys (including 321 annual surveys, 93 complaint surveys and 38 follow-ups) and that investigators handled roughly 1,033 complaints for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The division said the Office of Health Facilities Licensing and Certification completed 81 acute and continuing-care surveys and investigated 443 complaints; overall complaint investigations and more serious deficiencies have increased, the director said.
DHQ said it has used contracted surveyors to help manage the workload and that contract surveyors completed 10 annual nursing home…
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