Most Wisconsin nursing homes meet mandate to boost fire safety

A federal mandate to improve fire safety at nursing homes has led to beefed-up protection

By Healthcare Facilities Today


A federal mandate to improve fire safety at nursing homes has led to beefed-up protection for some of Wisconsin's most vulnerable residents, with most of the affected nursing homes in the state making the necessary, and expensive, renovations within the past five years to comply, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Regulations set in 2008 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave nursing homes an Aug. 13, 2013, deadline to comply with stronger rules regarding fire sprinklers. Failure to meet the deadline carried the risk of losing Medicare and Medicaid funds.

A survey by the newspaper found that all but a handful of facilities have complied and shored up their systems, the article said.

State records show 19 nursing homes in Wisconsin hadn't met the stricter sprinkler rules as of a recent inspection. Most said they'd completed renovations and were awaiting their next inspection.

Robyn Grant, a spokeswoman for the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, an advocacy group, said the regulations gained momentum after two catastrophic nursing homes fires in Connecticut and Tennessee killed 31 people a decade ago, according to the article.

"The only thing that protects people from dying in a fire is sprinklers. That's the number one thing needed," she said.

Read the article.

 

 

 



December 20, 2013


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Mattresses Require Strict Care to Prevent Spread of Infections

Poor cleaning and disinfection techniques contribute to the persistent contamination of patient mattresses.


Gardner Health Services Opens Alum Rock Health Center

The 10,080-square-foot facility provides essential medical, dental, mental and chiropractic services to the Mayfair and East San José neighborhoods.


The Children's Center of Hamden Reports Data Security Incident

The incident was detected on December 28, 2024.


Designing for Senior Care Communities Means Designing for Everyone

No spaces can be designed for just one person, designers need to think about everyone who will occupy the space.


Harlem Hospital Legionnaires' Outbreak Highlights Cooling Tower Risks

Seven deaths linked to the cooling towers underscore the need for stricter water system monitoring and preventive maintenance in healthcare settings.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.