Case Types -Nursing Home Care Giver Institution Abuse

Commision Report Page 3

Furthermore, the Governor has directed DOH, OMH and CQC to coordinate efforts through surveillance initiatives to ensure that ACF operators are working to:

Improve the practices and procedures for medication management services provided to residents, including assistance with the appropriate type and dosage of prescription drugs as directed by a physician's orders; Refer residents to appropriate health-related services with an increased focus on primary care services, medical follow-up and mental health services; and Promote the recovery and independence of individuals with a mental illness, through the use of practices that have proven effective in other settings. Promotion of Consumer Participation

Specific activities being implemented by DOH, OMH and CQC to further improve conditions in New York's ACFs include:

Sharing effective resident council activities being used by residents in a particular home to see if those approaches would also be successful in other adult care facilities in New York. This approach may help strengthen communications between residents and operators, while improving conditions in particular homes; and Enhancing family and consumer participation activities under the direction of OMH, enabling residents and family members to take active roles in offering constructive ideas on ways to improve the operation of facilities. During a routine inspection of ACFs, state inspectors conduct interviews, observations and record reviews to assess operational practices of the provider. The inspectors examine areas related, but not limited, to quality of care, management of resident financial accounts, resident rights, nutrition, medication practices, case management, and environmental/fire safety.

In response to State inspection reports, ACF operators have 30 days to submit corrective action plans to the appropriate State agencies noting how the home is going to correct cited violations. This is generally done to ensure compliance has been achieved or maintained. Unannounced complaint inspections are also conducted as necessary and may include subsequent visits in cases in which the complaint was substantiated.