KFF Brief: A Closer Look at Deficiencies in Nursing Homes
KFF has released a brief that provides an overview of the CMS nursing home inspection process and the types of deficiencies identified during these inspections.
About 5% of deficiencies identified during the latest survey cycle rose to the level of actual harm or immediate jeopardy, meaning they caused, or were likely to cause, serious injury, impairment or death. Most deficiencies had the potential to cause harm but did not result in actual harm. The analysis also found that nursing homes with lower staffing levels were more likely to report serious deficiencies, as well as deficiencies that are more widespread or a pattern, than facilities with higher staffing levels.
These recent articles discuss CMS nursing home inspections in the context of resident safety:
KFF, "Violence Repeatedly Erupts at Dementia Care Facilities Despite Warnings, Inspections Show"
McKnights Long Term Care News, "When clinical interventions aren’t enough: A $127K fine and providers’ struggle to balance dementia care, resident safety"
Read the brief.
Explore KFF's data on nursing homes.
Explore KFF’s research and data on older adults.
Learn more about KFF.
Learn more about JAHF's support of KFF.
original post 7/16/26 updated 7/21/26
