A Closer Look at Deficiencies in Nursing Homes

This issue brief provides an overview of the nursing home inspection process and the types of deficiencies (e.g., failures to meet federal safety and quality requirements) identified during these inspections. The nursing home survey and certification process is a federal-state partnership designed to ensure that nursing homes comply with health and safety standards. The study found that the vast majority of nursing home health deficiencies did not cause actual harm to residents but had the potential to cause harm. However, five percent of all nursing home deficiencies cited in the last survey cycle rose to the level of actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents. These are deficiencies that have caused, or are likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to a resident. Additionally, the brief states that nursing homes with lower staffing levels are more likely to receive deficiencies that cause serious harm or immediate jeopardy to residents than nursing homes with higher staffing levels.