New Resources Available to Improve Patient Safety and Combat Abuse in Long-term Care Facilities

To combat abuse and neglect in  long-term care facilities of elderly patients, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded more than $13 million to six states to design comprehensive criminal background check programs for jobs applicants involving direct patient care.

“Elder abuse and neglect is tragic and intolerable,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Workers with a history of abuse or neglect should be identified and prevented from ever working with residents of these facilities.”

Created by the Affordable Care Act, the new National Background Check Program will help determine whether a job seeker has any kind of criminal history or other disqualifying information that could make him or her unsuitable to work directly with residents.

For more information on this initiative, and the Affordable Care Act, click here.