Nursing Home Abuse Citations
Overview
Skilled Nursing Facilities Cited for Abuse
This list identifies skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that have been cited for instances of abuse by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It is updated monthly using the latest CMS data.
For skilled nursing stakeholders, abuse citations are a critical risk indicator. Repeat offenses can:
Lower a facility’s CMS Star Rating
Put its CMS certification at risk
Damage its reputation and financial standing
Facilities with lower Star Ratings also tend to report lower occupancy rates in their Medicare cost reports—further impacting revenue and long-term stability.
How do homes get the “Red Hand”?
Nursing Homes receive an annual unannounced Health Inspection (or Survey) and at that time, surveyors may issue deficiencies in several categories based on their observations.
Click here to read more about the Survey process
There are 5 types of deficiencies that qualify for abuse (see below). Facilities with either:
A harm-level abuse deficiency (scope/severity G or higher) on the most recent Survey, or
Repeat abuse deficiencies (scope/severity D or higher on each of the last two Surveys)
will earn the “Red Hand.” In addition to the icon appearing on Nursing Home Compare, facilities with this Abuse designation have their Survey Star Rating capped at 2 stars.
As a result, consumers may be less likely to send their loved ones to the home, hospitals may be less likely to refer, and financing more difficult to come by. In our analysis, approximately 5% of Nursing Homes have been cited for Abuse.
Within StarPRO, we highlight not only those facilities that have the Abuse flag, but also those with any deficiencies in the abuse category. As Surveys cycle in and out, it can be valuable to understand whether or not a facility is at risk for an abuse citation in the future or in case CMS broadens the definition.
Which F-Tags count as Abuse?
F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse, such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody
F602: Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident’s belongings or money
F603: Protect each resident from separation from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room
F223: Protect each resident from all abuse, physical punishment, and involuntary separation from others
F224: Protect each resident from mistreatment, neglect, and misappropriation of personal property
For more details on the Abuse flag, read the CMS Memo.
