State To Audit Nursing Homes

A budget trailer bill (SB 853) signed last week aims to increase scrutiny of care quality, staffing levels and patient satisfaction at nursing homes throughout California, "California Watch Blog" reports.

The new law calls for state officials to audit nursing homes and determine whether staffing levels meet minimum standards. Nursing homes that fall below the requirements will face fines, while facilities that meet or exceed certain standards could receive incentive payments. The new law also allocates $1.9 million for an ombudsman program that investigates complaints from nursing home residents (Jewett, "California Watch Blog," 10/26).