The Connecticut Department of Public Health is set to receive $700,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act to address a backlog of complaints from nursing home residents and their families. This funding, designated for nursing home survey teams, comes as the department grapples with a significant backlog of 2,400 complaints from nursing homes and an additional 1,300 complaints related to incidents at hospitals.
Dr. Manisha Juthani, the state’s public health commissioner, highlighted the challenges faced by the department, noting that they continue to receive about 75 new grievances from nursing homes each month. Officials are considering using the ARPA funds to increase weekly work hours for surveyors, potentially allowing them to work 40 hours a week voluntarily.
The backlog of complaints, some dating back five years, has been exacerbated by the pandemic and retirements within the agency. Immediate jeopardy cases are being prioritized, with response times ranging from three business days for the most severe cases to 45 calendar days for medium-priority incidents.
Legislators stressed the importance of addressing both high-priority events and quality of life issues reflected in medium- and low-priority grievances. They emphasized the significance of promptly addressing complaints, as even seemingly minor issues can significantly impact residents’ quality of life.
Efforts to clear the backlog may include increasing surveyors’ work hours, implementing mandatory overtime, and ensuring every complaint is thoroughly addressed to uphold the well-being of nursing home residents.
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