Solution offered on care-home inspections

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Care-home operators would continue to be notified of the tentative dates of annual inspections, but also would each be subject to at least one surprise "status check" a year under legislation expected to be approved by two House committees this week.

Yesterday was the 30th day of the 60-day session.

Under current state administrative rules, care-home operators can be notified of the month and day of the week of annual inspections — a practice some advocates for the elderly say compromises the health and safety of care-home residents.

The care-home operators say they welcome 20- to 30-minute surprise "spot checks," but unannounced annual inspections for re-licensing would create problems.

An annual inspection takes hours to complete, they note, and may interfere with doctor appointments and outings for residents.

"We want to focus on monitoring the care and the health status of the residents," Arakaki said. "I think what the care-home operators are concerned about is that when you do a whole list of annual inspection requirements, it just takes up too much time, and it involves other issues that aren't really directly related to the residents. We're trying to look at a compromise."

Arakaki said he also would recommend requiring more unannounced checks for homes that consistently fall short of standards.

He said he would work with the state Health Department to add to the bill an appropriation to pay for more inspectors so the department can conduct surprise checks in addition to annual inspections.

"If it's that important an issue as they say it is — and we believe it is — then we should come up with the manpower to do that," Arakaki said.

Dianne Okumura, head of licensing for the state's Office of Health Care Assurance, which oversees care homes, has said health director Dr. Chiyome Fukino is working to expand her staff.

But Greg Marchildon, state executive director of the AARP, which advocates for seniors, called Arakaki's plan "unacceptable," saying attaching an appropriation to the measure will kill it, particularly when Gov. Linda Lingle and state lawmakers are struggling to balance the budget.

"If we put a fiscal note in this bill, we're playing Russian roulette with the health and safety of the residents," Marchildon said. "Because what we would then be banking on is an appropriation from a governor who is basically telling everybody in this state there ain't no money to do just about anything."

The Health and Human Services committees are scheduled to vote tomorrow on Senate Bill 1061 S.D. 1, which crossed over from the Senate.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.