Annapolis, MD - Despairing report on city’s nursing homes. More bad news from Maryland. The Capital reports that a survey of Annapolis nursing homes found extraordinary deficiencies in patient care, with problems ranging from failure to keep residents free from restraints to failure to keep clinical records and to give residents care and services, including the prevention of serious medical errors. Of the sixteen nursing homes inspected by the State Office of Health Care Quality, only two were found to have no deficiencies - and these two are among the most costly facilities in the area. Some homes blamed their problems on cuts made by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Many of the homes inspected belong to large nation-al chains, including the Mariner Post-Acute Network, the country’s second largest nursing home operator, which recently filed for bankruptcy. Problems in Maryland nursing homes are likely to be a microcosm of what is happening nationally - and all indicate the urgency with which nursing home care in general, and end-of-life care in particular - must improve.
Knoxville, TN - Free goods to poor cancer patients through Cancer Fund of America. If you’ve attended any conventions on end-of-life care, chances are you’ve met representatives from the Cancer Foundation of America - theirs is a popular booth because it is usually well-stocked with chocolate and other candies. But their mission is more serious than supplying conventioneers with candy and gadgets. Since 1985, the group, which has a staff of fourteen (including warehouse workers) has worked to get essential healthcare items to impoverished patients around the country. Primary care physicians, not-for-profit hospices, and home health care professionals can request enrollment applications for poor patients by calling 1.800.578.5284. Once approved, that patient may call CFA and request a current warehouse list, which usually includes expensive items such as adult diapers, high-protein drinks, bed pads, dressings, crutches, and other goods. The group estimates that last year, it delivered 300,000 items to patients around the country; all shipments are prepaid. For more information, call Jim Reynolds at the toll-free number listed above or visit the website at www.cfoa.org.
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