Website seeks to curb nursing home abuse

There is a new resource in Kentucky for citizens concerned about nursing home abuse and negligence.  Last month the state began putting the findings of its nursing home inspectors online as a way to better protect the state’s nursing home residents.

Giving the public such accessible access to the findings is one of several improvements Gov. Steve Beshear's administration promised to make in September after the release of  a review of the way abuse and neglect at nursing homes is handled in Kentucky.

The review was prompted by a series of Lexington Herald-Leader articles this summer highlighting problems in the way the cases are investigated.

The information, which includes findings by state inspectors and the facilities' plan of correction, can be found by visiting the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General's Web site, chfs.ky.gov/os/oig/.

This new resource should ensure Kentucky's nursing homes make better efforts in providing proper care and allow the public to make more educated choices when choosing a nursing home by exposing homes with abuse and neglect.