Many in the nursing home field have been taken aback by the Government Accountability Office report released last week. Now one state, which ranks among the worst in the country in terms of nursing home inspections, according to the report, is speaking out against the GAO’s findings.
The survey conducted by the GAO does not accurately depict the way inspections are conducted in the Sooner State, the Oklahoma State Health Department said. Dorya Huser, chief of long-term care at the Health Department, said the GAO took too small a sample to make a broad and accurate judgment, reports the Associated Press. Huser also argues that her state only has 75 inspectors when 90 would be a more appropriate number.
According to the GAO’s report, on average, state inspectors nationwide overlook 15% of serious problems in nursing homes, including preventable pressure sores and neglected patients or residents. Nine states were found to miss more than 25% of such incidents. Oklahoma inspectors missed 30%, according to the GAO.
