Report: Most Nevada nursing homes not up to par
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CARSON CITY (AP) - The Clinton Administration wants upgraded standards for the nation's nursing homes - but many Nevada homes aren't complying with current federal regulations.
A report by the state Bureau of Licensure and Certification of Health Facilities shows that 42 of 50 nursing homes meet some standards, but need improvement because they're ''not in substantial compliance'' with all the rules.
Only four nursing homes, all in southern Nevada, got satisfactory grades for meeting most of several hundred federal regulations.
They were Las Vegas Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center and The Manor, both in Las Vegas, Mountain Valley Health & Rehabilitation in Pahrump and TLC Care Center in Henderson.
The report listed only one home - Washoe Care Center in Sparks - as substandard when inspected. But the report added that the home has improved since its inspection last July. No penalties have been imposed recently on any of the homes.
Two homes, both in Clark County, got grades showing they needed improvement in several categories. They were Integrated Health SVC in Las Vegas and Delmar Gardens in Henderson.
''Residents in nursing homes are getting better care because we have identified the problems,'' said Diane Allen, supervisor of the 37 surveyors in the Bureau of Licensure and Certification of Health Facilities.
Annual, unannounced visits are made to each home. The visits last usually one week and inspectors interview patients, family and staff, examine the meals and living conditions.
The homes are graded on administration, patient care, quality of life, physical environment, dietary services, and physician, nursing, rehabilitation and pharmacy services.
The report covers inspections in the last six months of 1999 and the first part of this year.
There were three grades given: ''Satisfactory - meets most federal regulations''; ''NI - needs improvement, does meet some federal regulations, not in substantial compliance with all regulations''; and ''NI - needs improvement, substandard quality of care.''
Allen said some of the homes that got ''need to improve'' grades may be complying with most federal regulations in a category, but could fall short in some areas.
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