Hospitals Fail to Report Accurate Statistics for Restraint-Related Deaths
According to a recently released study by the inspector general’s office of Health and Human Services, hospitals failed to report two-fifths of documented patient deaths related to using restraints and seclusion for behavior management. Under Medicare regulations, hospitals are required to report deaths related to behavior management practices to CMS by the close of the next business day. From August 2, 1999 to December 31, 2004, forty-four of one hundred and four documented deaths were not reported, and less than one-third of those reported were reported on time. The CMS regional offices and state agencies didn’t promptly or consistently respond to the notices they did receive during the same time period. The inspector general’s office has recommended that Congress pass legislation to enforce more timely and accurate reporting, to include:
- civil monetary penalties on hospitals for failing to report
- clarification of reporting requirements by CMS; and
- strict enforcement for regional offices and survey agencies.
CMS has agreed with most of the recommendations.