Not everybody is enthusiastic about the reforms. Sheree Crum, spokeswoman for the California Association of Health Facilities, which represents 1,100 skilled nursing homes in the state, said her industry fears new regulations may increase confusion over already complex requirements. And McGinnis, whose agency recommended many of the provisions in the governor's initiative, harbors doubts about how well things will work. There's no question this can make a major, major difference. Still, she wonders how much will change in the near future.
Surprise inspections Barrows is more optimistic.
The new law, Barrows said, eliminates the predictable survey period. All skilled nursing facilities must undergo recertification review at about the same time each year, and critics say the facilities always clean up in preparation. We have a yo-yo syndrome that's well documented. Next year, Barrows said, facilities will be told they should be prepared for inspection any time. Last year, only 34 facilities received that level of scrutiny.