Nursing homes in the state of Wisconsin are regulated by the Department of Health Services (DHS).  Most nursing homes in the state accept Medicare and Medicaid funding.  These nursing homes follow federal law governing nursing homes.  The Code of Federal Regulation requires that residents receive prompt and adequate medical attention, a right to dignity and a right to participate in their own care plan.  While there are dozens of other specific resident’s rights, it is also important to know that family has a right to be informed, by the nursing home of a significant change.

Annually, (as well as when complaints are filed) the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services, will conduct inspections of nursing homes which may result in a survey or Statement of Deficiency (SOD).  All Statements of Deficiency issued by DHS, are public record.  If you have concerns about the care or treatment that you or a loved one have received in a nursing home or assisted living facility, a complaint can be filed with DHS at:

Department of Health Services – Division of Quality Assurance
PO Box 2969
Madison, WI  53701,
you can call them at 608-266-8481, or contact them online here.

A Statement of Deficiency issues citations or violations of federal and state law by scope and severity of the violation.  When a SOD is issued, an Immediate Jeopardy citation is the most significant and severe violation issued by the government.  An Immediate Jeopardy is a situation where a nursing home created a condition or occurrence in which there is a substantial probably for death, or serious mental or physical harm to a resident in place until DHS finds that Immediate Jeopardy has passed.  Unfortunately, there are dozens of Immediate Jeopardies issued in the State of Wisconsin each year by the Department of Health Services.

Recently, the Department of Health Services issued an Immediate Jeopardy for San Luis Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  The facility was issued two federal citations since September 2010 for failing to prevent accidents and adequately supervise with assistive devices to residents.  Since September 2010, San Luis Medical Rehab has been cited with numerous other federal citations including:

• Failing to properly investigate alleged violations of abuse.
• Failing to provide cares or services at the highest well-being.
• Failing to prevent avoidable pressure ulcers (bedsores).
• Failing to obtain laboratory data in a timely fashion.

If you or a loved one has questions about care received in any nursing home or assisted living facility, please contact me at mboller@bollervaughan.com for questions.