04/30/2026

You Asked... We Answered

You Asked: During annual surveys, facilities continue to be asked to provide Ohio Department of Aging–specific quality improvement projects despite the rule change. What resources are available to help explain this update to surveyors?

We Answered: Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) has confirmed for LeadingAge Ohio that with the language changes made in Senate Bill 144, nursing homes no longer must choose a project listed on ODA’s Current Nursing Home Quality Improvement Projects webpage.

As of October 24, 2024, the Ohio Revised Code Biennial participation in quality improvement projects Section 3721.072 states each nursing home shall participate every two years in at least one of the quality improvement projects project, and in doing so, shall prioritize projects to assist with workforce, such as employee satisfaction surveys, enhanced recruitment methods, or workplace culture improvements. A nursing home may consider projects included on the list made available by the department of aging under the nursing home quality initiative established under section 173.60 of the Revised Code. ODA does provide a list of quality improvement resources on their Nursing Home Quality Improvement webpage.

LeadingAge Ohio encourages nursing homes to print the updated rules and include them at the front of the quality improvement project materials shared with surveyors. Additionally, LeadingAge Ohio continues to offer projects that meet this requirement and have been approved by the Ohio Department of Health, including reimbursement collaboratives held twice a year, with the next session scheduled to begin in July. The collaboratives can be found on the LeadingAge Ohio Learning Center.