Elder Law

Illinois Weighing Tougher Sanctions for Nursing Home Administrators

By Levin & Perconti

State authorities stated that they are reviewing laws and policies to strengthen the disciplinary sanctions taken against nursing home administrators in cases of wrongdoing and patient harm. Although there are serious allegations of violence against nursing home residents, administrators are rarely punished by the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, which licenses the administrators and other professional staff. The Chicago Tribune examination of government records show that department officials have been discussing possible reforms with the new Illinois Nursing Home Safety Task Force. Discussions have centered on ways the state Health Department can streamline the reporting of misconduct and safety breaches to their agency, which could strengthen the disciplining of facility administrators. Not one Illinois nursing home administrator has had his or her license revoked since January 2005. Additionally, out of the thousands of cases of nursing home abuse only 20 administrators have been disciplined for nursing home negligence. One nursing home administrator was found to have multiple health violations and was linked to the deaths of two residents for negligent care. Her license was only suspended for one year. Illinois nursing home administrators should be disciplined for gross negligent care. To read more about the new task force, check out the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on December 15, 2009 (boomark / email).