In an effort to improve response time in investigating nursing home complaints, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has created teams tasked only with looking into those claims. Based on Texas statistics, only about 35 percent of complaints categorized as having a “high potential of harm” were investigated within the required 14-day window over the past few years.
Chris Traylor, the department’s new commissioner, has made to improved response times a priority. Traylor explains, “While we’re doing a good job responding to the most serious complaints and incidents, I’m concerned about our ability to respond quickly to every complaint and incident. We need to do all we can to ensure the safety of Texans in nursing homes.”
In February, the department says they plan on investigating more that 1,500 complaints at 330 facilities.
Website Resource:
State creating teams to investigate complaints about nursing homes, Ft. Worth Star Telegram, Darren BarbeeFebruary 15, 2010.
