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Nursing Homes |
| Staffed by: | Email Address: |
| Kurt Haas, Bureau Chief |
khaas@gw.odh.state.oh.us |
| Mailing Address: | Telephone and Fax: |
| Nursing Home Inspections & Regulations Bureau of Health Care Standards and Quality Ohio Department of Health P.O. Box 118 Columbus, OH 43266-0118 |
Phone: (614) 752-9524 Fax: (614) 752-4157 |
Skilled Nursing Facilities.
A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is an institution or distinct part of an
institution, which has in effect a transfer agreement with a hospital, and
which is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients skilled nursing care
and related services for patients who require medical or nursing care, or
rehabilitation services for injured, disabled, or sick persons. A SNF provides
a level of care distinguishable both from the level of intensive care furnished
by a general hospital and from the level of custodial or supportive care
furnished by nursing homes primarily designed to meet daily services. This
level of care is reflected in the requirements which call for a wide range
of specialized medical services and the employment by the facility of a
variety of paramedical and skilled nursing personnel.
Intermediate Care Facilities. An intermediate care facility (ICF) is licensed under
State law to provide, on a regular basis, health-related care and services
to individuals who do not require the degree of care and treatment which
a hospital or skilled nursing home is designed to provide, but who because
of their mental or physical condition require care and services (above the
level of room and board) which can be made available to them only through
institutional facilities. The function of an ICF is to assist such people
to remain active physically, mentally, and socially for as long as pssible.
This means that the ICF must provide assistance with activities of daily
living, promotion of optimal health including supervision of diet and nutrition,
supervision of the medications that are self-administered and encouragement
of appropriate exercise of physical activity, intellectual stimulation and
social motivation. The ICF must make available a range of restorative and
rehabilitative services when needed by the resident to prevent or delay
further deterioration or disability and to restore or compensate for lost
or diminished function.
It is important to emphasize what an ICF is not.
It is not simply a different level of intensity of the same services offered
by a NF. It is not a cheaper version of a SNF. An ICF is also not a personal
care home or custodial institution. The difference beween an ICF and a SNF
lies in the kind, not the intensity, of services provided.
The Bureau of Healthcare Standards and Quality
is responsible for enforcement of the rules and regulations in nursing homes
participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Each of more than 1,100
nursing homes in Ohio receives at least one unannounced survey (inspection)
during a 9 to 15 month survey cycle. During these surveys, all aspects of
care and services are evaluated based on federal regulations and state laws
and rules. Each nursing home is required to display a copy of the most recent
survey. This allows anyone visiting or residing in the facility to see if
the facility received deficiencies on the survey. Other ways that a family
or interested party can evaluate a nursing home is to visit the facility
at different times of the day to observe staff interacting with residents.
Seeing the types of activities being provided, being present at meal times
and talking with staff also offer excellent opportunities to evaluate a
nursing home.
The Ohio Department of Health staff responsible
for completing the surveys in nursing homes are highly trained professionals.
The Bureau of Healthcare Standards and Quality is responsible for all surveys
of health care providers receiving Medicare/Medicaid funds. Survey teams
are comprised of registered nurses, registered dietitians, registered sanitarians,
and licensed social workers, and life safety code specialists. Team size
and composition are based on the size of the facility, past history of compliance
with rules, and identified areas of special need, i.e. rehabilitation units,
sub-acute care units, or Alzheimer units.
All long term care facilities (with the exception of county homes and some hospitals) participating in the Medicare/Medicaid Title 18/19 programs must first be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health to meet Ohio Administrative Code and Ohio Revised Code laws. County nursing homes, although not licensed must meet the rules pertaining to resident rights.
