Ohio proposes 20 measures for nursing-home bonuses

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio panel has come up with 20 quality measures designed to make nursing homes more comfortable for patients. Facilities that meet the benchmarks could be rewarded with additional funding.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the measures include allowing residents to decide when they go to bed or wake up, letting them choose when to bathe and requiring that bathrooms be wheelchair accessible.

The recently passed state budget cut payments to nursing homes. The proposal, which was released last week, would help restore some of that funding for homes that met the performance measures.

Nursing homes that meet a quarter or more of the measures would be paid more for the services they provide. The state Legislature is expected to vote on the proposal by the end of the year.