Nursing Home Regulations

Nursing homes have come along way since their introduction in the 1950s. Widespread abuse and neglect were on the rise in the 1980s and something needed to be done to regulate it. Federal and state laws are now in place to protect each patient as well as the employees.

History

• Nursing homes developed regulations because of widespread abuse reported during the 1980s.

Time Frame

• In 1987, Congress passed legislation requiring nursing homes to comply with Medicare and Medicaid rules regarding quality of care in nursing homes.

Geography

• Each state is held liable to their own set of standard nursing home regulations, but they must all comply with federal mandated laws such as the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, otherwise known as the Nursing Home Reform Act.

Effects

• Because of regulations, each nursing home is required to provide services that meet the highest possible physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident.

Features

• To participate in Medicaid and Medicare programs, each nursing home must be in compliance with federal requirements according to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (42 CFR Part 483).