*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 
1992.00.00 :  Nursing Home Resident Assessments

Contact:  Bob Hardy (202) 245-6145
1992 Press Release (No Date)

        Requirements for nursing homes to conduct comprehensive
assessments of the condition of residents to develop individual
plans of care were proposed today by HHS Secretary Louis W.
Sullivan, M.D.
        "Proper care for every resident in a nursing home begins
with a thorough evaluation of the resident's physical and mental
condition and ability to perform the normal functions of daily
living," Secretary Sullivan said.
        The Health Care Financing Administration last year
provided states with instructions specifying the data to be
collected on each resident. The states are responsible for
administering the resident assessment program and ensuring,
through the survey process, that nursing homes comply with the
assessment requirements. 
        The proposed rule published in today's Federal Register 
invites comments on the feasibility, costs and benefits of a
proposal that nursing homes be capable of routinely reporting the
resident assessment information in a computerized format to HCFA
and the states.  
        HCFA Administrator Gail R. Wilensky, Ph.D., explained
that "we are committed to improving the quality of life for every
resident in the nursing homes participating in the Medicare and
Medicaid programs. 

        "The resident assessments are essential for identifying
the needs of each resident, enabling the nursing home to design
and maintain an individual program of care for every resident,"
she said.
        Dr. Wilensky emphasized that "we are seeking comments on
this proposed rule from the nursing home industry, consumer
groups and the health care professions in order to continue the
dialogue that helped us write the original instructions.
        "We especially want to be sure that the assessment
elements we have identified will provide the information needed
for planning comprehensive care for each resident," she said.
        Under the law and current requirements, comprehensive
resident assessments must be conducted for new admissions to
nursing homes and updated quarterly. Furthermore, a comprehensive
assessment must be done at least once a year or after a
significant change in a resident's condition.
        Comments may be submitted within 60 days to the Health
Care Financing Administration, Attention: HSQ-180-P, P.O. Box
26676, Baltimore, Md. 21207.  
     
                                ###