Some of the worst-performing nursing homes in Kentucky and other states get extra scrutiny through a state/federal program meant to force them to either clean up their acts or else shut down.
Nursing homes placed in the Special Focus Facility program are inspected twice a year rather than once, and they face tougher penalties for violations, up to and including the loss of federal Medicare and Medicaid funding.
These Special Focus Facilities — and potential candidates that are put on a waiting list — are chosen based on the frequency of serious problems uncovered over the previous three years by state inspectors…