Skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities would see minimums set for staffing levels and daily direct care if a proposed constitutional amendment makes it to Ohio voters and passes.
The proposed amendment, a nursing home residents’ bill of rights also known as “Carolyn’s Law,” was initiated by a Cleveland-area man whose wife, Carolyn, suffered a fall and died while in SNF care. The husband blamed understaffing at the facility.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost certified language yesterday that could be used on the ballot moving forward. If the Ohio Ballot Board gives the green light, proponents then can begin the task of collecting signatures from Ohio voters to have the issue placed on a statewide ballot.
According to the initiative petition, the bill of rights would require providers to have at least one licensed nurse on duty for every five residents or patients who need a high amount of care, as well as one aide for every six residents or patients with higher needs. For residents or patients requiring a lower amount of care, the minimum ratio would be one nurse and one aide for every eight patients.
The bill of rights also would require providers to assign an advocate to address resident and patient needs and issues.
