Healthcare Risk Management: Jodi Barrett Discusses Pandemic Litigation for Skilled Care, Assisted Living Facilities

In an article published by Healthcare Risk Management on March 29, 2021, Partner Jodi Barrett is quoted discussing pandemic litigation for skilled care and assisted living facilities in 2021.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities faced the most devastating personal and litigation consequences from COVID-19. In the wake of the pandemic, these facilities may face lawsuits related to the care provided.

“Risk management for assisted living facilities should be more responsive, nimble and organized than ever before,” Jodi says. “COVID-19 litigation is widespread, despite federal laws that were specifically implemented to mitigate risk and provide immunity for providers. The impact on the industry will be determined in the coming months as federal laws are tested and those cases are resolved.”

In the case of litigation, assisted living facilities must be able to produce detailed documentation of the implementation of COVID-19-related policies and procedures.

“While circumstances are novel, best practices today are the same they have always been — having infection control programs, policies, and procedures in place that comply with federal, state, and local mandates, and being able to demonstrate proper training, documentation, and adherence to those programs,” she says.

For the full article, click here.