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Kansas long-term care ombudsman reports 2024 complaint surge, cites staffing and medication errors as top concerns
Summary
The Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office told the Bethel committee it handled more than 1,000 complaints in 2024, resolved about 58% and pressed for more ombudsman staffing and other measures to address staffing shortages, medication errors and guardianship issues in adult care homes.
Hailey O'Doing, Kansas long-term care ombudsman, told the Bethel Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight that her office investigated more than 1,000 complaints in calendar year 2024 and resolved or partially resolved about 58 percent of those cases.
O'Doing said the office performed 2,328 facility visits last year, attended 95 resident and family council meetings, provided information and assistance to more than 2,000 individuals and completed 255 survey participations with KDADS. The ombudsman office certified three new ombudsmen and completed 10 facility staff training sessions during the year.
Why it matters: the ombudsman office serves residents in 298 nursing facilities (a little over 18,000 licensed beds) and 504 residential care and assisted-living settings (close to 16,000 licensed beds), a total the ombudsman described as “close to 34,000 licensed beds” across Kansas. The office acts as an advocate for residents who…
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