In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health employs over 100 nursing home surveyors (inspectors) tasked with overseeing more than 650 nursing homes. The communication and collaboration between the Department of Health and these entities that are caring for more than 60,000 Pennsylvania residents needs to be enhanced.
State surveyors, facility leadership and staff all have valuable information they can share with one another to improve the quality of care for some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents. Without a collaborative relationship between providers and the Department, confusion and frustration arise. This is not in the best interest of Pennsylvania’s long-term care continuum and the residents it serves.
We are proposing legislation that would require the Department of Health’s Nursing Care Field Offices to hold annual meetings with staff from the licensed nursing facilities under their jurisdiction, in order to discuss and share information on survey results, patterns, trends, and best practices to improve quality care.
This enhancement will improve communication and collaboration between the PA Department of Health and nursing homes. Please join us in cosponsoring this legislation.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 2325: P.L.130, No.48
Printer's No. 2921: P.L.130, No.48