A new federal report indicates a large number of hospices in California haven’t been inspected in a timely fashion. The report says California led the nation in the percentage of hospices that were past due for inspection. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
The California Department of Health Services is responsible for inspecting hospices. The department also oversees hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies.
Margaret Clausen directs the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association. She says the state has made inspecting hospices a low priority.
Clausen : Unfortunately, they’re near the bottom of the list. Unless, and this is a big unless, if there is a complaint about a hospice, the Department of Health Services responds to those complaints very quickly.
Clausen says California hospices would welcome more frequent inspections. Under current federal guidelines, inspections are required every eight years.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
