UPDATED: Ontario aims to double number of long-term care inspectors, allow immediate charges
The move reverses the Progressive Conservative government's shift to reactive inspections three years earlier, although industry stakeholders cautioned that ramped up enforcement would need to coincide with support for overworked long-term care staff.
The “proactive inspections” will focus on residents' rights, infection prevention and control, care plans, abuse and neglect, nutrition and hydration, policies and directives, dining observations and medication management. “In the midst of a health human resources crisis, it is critically important to use a supportive tone and approach to inspections, and not drive staff away with pass/fail systems that diminish morale,” she said in a written statement.
“More inspectors and tougher inspections will not have the intended impact if there are not enough staff and funding to take care of residents,” she said. “If inspections and punishment come before staffing and education, there is a risk the rest of the system will crash.”
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