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CANHR takes aim at California health department

LTC Liability Monitor, October 27, 2005

The California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) this week brought suit against California's state Department of Health Services (DHS), alleging the state failed to investigate most SNF complaints within the 10-day period required by law, the Sacramento Bee reported. CANHR seeks an injunction that would compel state inspectors to respond to complaints more quickly.

Under state law, DHS investigators must respond within 24 hours for the most serious complaints, and within 10 days for less urgent calls. A DHS spokeswoman stated the department responds to 96% of urgent complaints within 24 hours and 40% of all others within 10 days. CANHR began preparing its case last summer after state officials said at legislative hearings they routinely put off responding to some reports until a facility's annual inspection, citing a lack of resources and staff, the Bee reported.

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