Connecticut's Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Need Improvements in Life Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Infection Control

Strategic Insights -

Connecticut's intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFs/IIDs) must comply with federal requirements to protect residents, including life safety and emergency preparedness plans, and infection control programs. The Health and Human Services Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit to assess compliance with these requirements. The audit found 80 deficiencies at 15 reviewed ICFs/IIDs, posing a risk to resident, staff, and visitor health and safety. The OIG recommends that Connecticut verify corrective actions and work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop standardized life safety training for ICF/IID staff.

Key Takeaways:

  • 15 intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFs/IIDs) in Connecticut were audited by the Health and Human Services Inspector General (OIG).
  • 80 deficiencies related to life safety, emergency preparedness, and infection control were identified.
  • The deficiencies put the health and safety of residents, staff, and visitors at an increased risk of injury or death during a fire or other emergency, or in the event of an infectious disease outbreak.
  • The OIG recommends that Connecticut follow up with the 15 ICFs/IIDs to verify corrective actions on the identified deficiencies.
  • The OIG also recommends that Connecticut work with CMS to develop standardized life safety training for ICF/IID staff.
  • Connecticut has already followed up with the 15 ICFs/IIDs reviewed on the identified deficiencies.
  • The OIG is concerned about the lack of concurrence from Connecticut on the recommendation to develop standardized life safety training for ICF/IID staff.

Statistics:

  • 15 ICFs/IIDs were audited in Connecticut.
  • 80 deficiencies related to life safety, emergency preparedness, and infection control were identified (80% of total ICFs/IIDs).
  • 80 ICFs/IIDs deficiencies posed a risk to resident, staff, and visitor health and safety.

Sources:

  • "Connecticut Could Better Ensure That Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities Comply With Federal Requirements for Life Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Infection Control" (Health and Human Services Inspector General, Report No. OAS-25-01-040)
  • https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/audit/11245/OAS-25-01-040.pdf