OIG Issues Report Concerning Adverse Events in Skilled Nursing Facilities

The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released a report estimating 22 percent of Medicare beneficiaries experienced adverse events during a stay at a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).  The physicians involved in the OIG study indicated that 59 percent of these adverse events were likely preventable, and were related to substandard treatment, poor monitoring, or delay of care.  The OIG is recommending increased awareness be raised by regulators concerning SNF safety and to promote a list of events to help staff better recognize harm.  In addition, the OIG is recommending that survey agencies review nursing home practices to identify and reduce adverse events.  Additional analysis of the OIG report will be forthcoming, and to read the report visit http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-06-11-00370.pdf.