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Most nursing homes offer safe, quality care
10/01/07 01:14 PM Filed in: Clients
Indianapolis Star
September 30, 2007
Most nursing homes offer safe, quality care
Indiana nursing homes want to restore the confidence of those who may have been shaken by a recent report ("Study finds racial divide in long-term care," Sept. 15).
The fact is, you can be confident that you will experience safe, nurturing and supportive care in an Indiana nursing home. Even the seven homes in Marion County found to have instances of substandard care or problems that put patients in immediate jeopardy have all improved and are in "substantial compliance" according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
The 468 nursing homes in Indiana care for 25,000 patients. The approximately 40,000 employees are responsible for every aspect of care: clothing, bathing, feeding and administering medicine. Some conduct rigorous rehabilitation activities that eventually allow the patient to return home. I know of no one who takes these responsibilities lightly. The work is physically, emotionally and spiritually difficult. Pay levels afforded by Medicaid and private insurance are not at a level that reflects the workers' importance to society. Given that, most employees are very dedicated to their patients' best interests.
We welcome studies such as this. They are benchmarks for everyone in the industry and those who are concerned for the quality of care. Fortunately, most nursing homes are already on target.
Patrick Hall
Executive director, Highland Manor Healthcare Center
Board chairman, Indiana Health Care Association
Indianapolis
September 30, 2007
Most nursing homes offer safe, quality care
Indiana nursing homes want to restore the confidence of those who may have been shaken by a recent report ("Study finds racial divide in long-term care," Sept. 15).
The fact is, you can be confident that you will experience safe, nurturing and supportive care in an Indiana nursing home. Even the seven homes in Marion County found to have instances of substandard care or problems that put patients in immediate jeopardy have all improved and are in "substantial compliance" according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
The 468 nursing homes in Indiana care for 25,000 patients. The approximately 40,000 employees are responsible for every aspect of care: clothing, bathing, feeding and administering medicine. Some conduct rigorous rehabilitation activities that eventually allow the patient to return home. I know of no one who takes these responsibilities lightly. The work is physically, emotionally and spiritually difficult. Pay levels afforded by Medicaid and private insurance are not at a level that reflects the workers' importance to society. Given that, most employees are very dedicated to their patients' best interests.
We welcome studies such as this. They are benchmarks for everyone in the industry and those who are concerned for the quality of care. Fortunately, most nursing homes are already on target.
Patrick Hall
Executive director, Highland Manor Healthcare Center
Board chairman, Indiana Health Care Association
Indianapolis