Nursing Homes Fire Safety

In 2003, 31 residents died in nursing home fire in Hartford, CT, & Nashville, TN. Federal fire safety standards enforced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) did not require either home to have automatic sprinklers even though they have proven very effective in reducing the number of multiple deaths from fires. The GAO was asked to report on: (1) the rationale for not requiring all homes to be sprinkled, (2) the adequacy of federal fire safety standards for nursing homes that lack automatic sprinklers, & (3) the effectiveness of state & federal oversight of nursing home fire safety. GAO makes several recommendations to the Administration of CMS. Charts & tables.