Higher fines, better policies could improve nursing home care

After reading many articles in The Gazette about incidents in Iowa nursing homes, several issues stand out to me. First, the state-imposed fines are way too low. Eight thousand dollars for allowing a patient to suffer and die because no one knows how to properly perform CPR? I suppose the family could sue the nursing home but even if they win the lawyers get half the judgment.

Second, it appears that nursing homes need to revise their hiring polices and procedures and hire for “attitude, not aptitude.” Someone who doesn’t know CPR can be taught it, but it is much more difficult to create an attitude of caring and comfort in someone who doesn’t already have it.

Third, state government’s reluctance to impose severe penalties on rule violators encourages lax quality and safety management. The fines ought to be about the same as the annual cost of hiring a quality improvement professional for the institution. Perhaps that would be a carrot to entice higher quality care.

Tom Persoon

Coralville