An audit conducted by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli finds that the State Department of Health (DOH) is not adequately overseeing adult care facilities. According to the audit, which reviewed the DOH's oversight of those facilities from January 2018 through October 2024, the DOH at times failed to conduct timely inspections and often lacked documentation to show critical problems were corrected.
DiNapoli says, "Adult care facilities across the state have a responsibility to protect residents and deliver quality care. Regular and routine inspections of these facilities, and correcting problems, ensure residents are not left in unsafe or unsanitary conditions. If the state Department of Health isn’t conducting timely inspections or following up to make sure violations are corrected, then vulnerable residents could be left at risk."
Health and safety issues at facilities can include, but are not limited to, inadequate staffing, call bells not functioning, no clear emergency shelter plans or the presence of mold, mice or bed bugs.
