• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kulas & Crawford

Attorneys at Law

Call Now: (772) 398.0720

Attend a Free Workshop
  • Home
  • About Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Elder Law and Medicaid
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Financial Planning Assistance
    • IRA and Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Probate and Trust Administration
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Definitions
    • Elder Care Resources
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Elder Law Reports
      • Palm Bay Elder Law Resources
      • Vero Beach Elder Law Resources
    • Estate Plan Checkup
    • Florida Alzheimer’s Guide
    • FREE Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Free Seminars
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Elder Law and Medicaid
      • Estate Planning FAQ’s
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Legacy Wealth Planning FAQ’s
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
      • Veteran’s Benefits
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Presentations
    • Probate Checklist
    • Probate Resources
      • Port St Lucie Probate
      • Stuart Probate
      • Vero Beach Probate
    • Published Books
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
      • Trust Administration
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Workshops
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Communities We Serve
    • Indian River County
      • Vero Beach
    • Martin County
      • Hobe Sound
      • Jensen Beach
      • Stuart
    • Okeechobee County
      • Okeechobee
    • St. Lucie County
      • Fort Pierce
      • Port St. Lucie
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Home >> Florida Nursing Home Inspection Reports Lack Vital Information

Florida Nursing Home Inspection Reports Lack Vital Information

June 8, 2017 by Joshua K. Crawford

nursing homeNo matter how old we are, most of us continue to view our parents as middle aged, healthy, and basically invincible. Consequently, coming to the realization that a parent has aged, and deteriorated physically and/or mentally, can be difficult to accept. If your parent’s condition requires the type and/or level of care that you cannot provide at home, a long-term care facility may be the only option. Given the seemingly endless horror stories you have heard about abuse and neglect at nursing homes, how can you be certain that your parent will be well cared for at a nursing home? One way is to do your research and check for violations and complaints before choosing a facility. State inspection reports should be a great source of information about the conditions in any specific nursing home as well, right? Maybe not, according to a recent article in the Orlando Sentinel.

Nursing homes in the State of Florida are subject to periodic inspection by state agencies to check for violations and to note overall conditions at the facility. These reports are considered public information and are, therefore, available to the public upon request. You would probably expect to find relevant information in these reports that would help you gauge the quality of the care offered at any specific facility. What you would actually find, may be a significant number of blanks and missing information, such as dates, places, and pivotal words.  For example, the following are excerpts from two inspection reports:

“On Sunday morning, ——— at 6:30 a.m., she stated she entered the resident’s ———, found the resident in the bathtub, with the water running, slumped over and ———-.”

“On ——— at 3:14 p.m., interview with the detective in charge of Resident #1’s case stated that they received an anonymous call from a person that said there was a body floating in the ———.”

Clearly, without the missing information, it is virtually impossible to know who is referenced in the report nor what happened that prompted the report.

Brian Lee of Families For Better Care, a nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to creating public awareness of conditions in the nation’s nursing homes, calls the heavily censored reports — which cover inspections of nursing homes and assisted living facilities — “shocking.” He first noticed a difference in the amount of information withheld late last year. “The state is stripping these reports of critical information that the public would use to make sense of what is happening,” Lee said. Others are concerned that the redacted reports indicate a pattern of state officials holding back information on long-term care facilities.

Not surprisingly, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which is responsible for the reports, denied that allegation, saying state officials are merely trying to “provide additional protection of personal health information” as required by federal privacy laws.  Although residents’ names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth have never been included in reports made available to the public, AHCA press secretary Shelisha Coleman said additional information “could potentially be used to independently or in combination with other information identify an individual’s protected health information.”  Just to be clear, a scenario such as Ms. Coleman suggested has never happened. Ms. Coleman went on to admit that the agency uses an automated process “to redact documents efficiently” and that “there is (a) possibility that some items may be inadvertently redacted.”  Coleman did indicate that “specific requests” for inspection reports could be processed for a fee and a delay of at least eight business days. The redacted inspection reports, however, are available on the agency’s website free of charge.

Barbara Petersen, president of the Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation, called the state’s reasoning for the redactions “absurd.” Medical privacy laws, she said, “are intended to protect your personally identifying medical information, not the bad actions of a facility. My dad is 95 and living in an assisted living facility, so do I want to know if there are bodies floating in the whatever? Absolutely.”

Lee, from Families for Better Care, advocates for a suspension of the state’s automated redaction program until it can figure out a better system. “I haven’t seen anything this blatant, as far as the disregard of the public records laws, as what’s coming out of the Agency for Health Care Administration right now,” he said. “And their attitude is very nonchalant, that this is just a computer glitch. It’s crazy — and, most importantly, it’s a disservice to residents and their families.”

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns regarding nursing home abuse or neglect, contact the experienced Vero Beach nursing home attorneys at Kulas & Crawford by calling (772) 398-0720 or (772) 778-8481 to schedule an appointment.

Filed Under: Elder Law

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Vero Beach elder law attorney
How Can an Elder Law Attorney Help Me?
Vero Beach elder law attorney
Keeping Elderly Loved Ones Safe in the Age of Social Media
Vero Beach elder law attorney
How Can I Help My Aging Parents?
Dollarphotoclub 98616379 150x100
Tips for Caregivers
Money 141x150
Stimulus Checks and Nursing Homes
Vero Beach elder law attorney
Keeping Seniors Safe from Predators during the Holidays

Kulas & Crawford

Download Free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.

TESTIMONIALS

Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I needed a simple, easy-to-use way to add testimonials to my website and display them. Easy Testimonials Pro did all of that and more!

avatar-1
Janet Exampleton
Owner, Exampleton Productions
Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I receieved excellent customer support, and quickly. Thank you so much!

avatar-2
Linda Herman
Founder, Herman Studios
Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I love your product! I would recommend this to anyone. What a great find!

avatar-3
Steve
Developer, Acme Co.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

default image
~L.G.K
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

default image
~Joan C
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

default image
~Mildred W
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

default image
~Leo C
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

default image
~Krissy L
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family.

default image
~Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

"Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family."

default image
Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

default image
Krissy L.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

default image
Leo C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

default image
Mildred W.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

default image
Joan C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

default image
L.G.K.
<
>

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Blog Subscription

Subscribe to our blog to get all of the latest estate planning news in the Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach Florida areas. Fill out the form below to get our updates.

PORT ST. LUCIE

East Lake Professional Center
2100 SE Hillmoor Drive, Suite 105 Port St. Lucie, FL,34952
Phone: (772) 398-0720
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • PORT ST. LUCIE

VERO BEACH

Bridgeview Building
2770 Indian River Blvd, Suite 321, Vero Beach, FL, 32960
Phone: (772) 778-8481
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • VERO BEACH

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
footer-logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Florida Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Kulas & Crawford. Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map | Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys


© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.