Three-quarters of Ontario nursing homes fail basic standards

Canadian Press investigation shows widespread list of violations

Toronto (4 July 2008) - An investigation by The Canadian Press (CP) reveals that nearly three-quarters of Ontario's nursing homes have been cited for violating at least some of the 400 general patient care standards set out by the province.

"The majority of Ontario's nursing homes have failed to meet basic standards set out by the province to preserve the rights of elderly residents, with some failing to bathe residents even twice a week, others leaving seniors sitting for hours in soiled diapers and still others unnecessarily restraining those in their care," the news agency reports.

"Just over 60% of homes across Ontario - and up to 91% in some Toronto suburban communities - have been cited for violating some of the specific set of standards that ensure residents are well fed, clean and free of pain, and that dictate how homes care for incontinent residents and when they use restraints," it adds.

"Almost three-quarters of Ontario's 616 nursing homes that have their inspection results posted online violated some of the 400 general standards set out by the province, a proportion that hasn't changed significantly since 2004 when then-health-minister George Smitherman promised a 'revolution' in the province's long-term care."

CP analyzed provincial inspection reports done between April 2007 and March of 2008. The results showed that some long-term-care homes were cited repeatedly for failing to provide a minimum of two baths a week while other residents were found not to own a toothbrush.

Long-term-care homes are expected to satisfy 400 rules relating to everything from what temperature food must be served at to ensuring a clean, safe and respectful environment for residents. Many of the province's standards relate to documentation and paperwork and more than one-third of Ontario's homes have been cited for administrative infractions.

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