A proposal announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at the recent White House Conference on Aging would make major changes to improve the care and safety of the nearly 1.5 million residents long-term care residents in U.S., according to an article on the Infection Control Today website
“Today’s measures set high standards for quality and safety in nursing homes and long-term care facilities," said HHS secretary Sylvia Burwell.
Changes include:
• Updating the nursing home’s infection prevention and control program
• Allowing dietitians and therapy providers the authority to write orders in their areas of expertise when a physician delegates the responsibility and state licensing laws allow
• Requiring nursing homes to provide greater food choice for residents while also giving flexibility for nursing homes