Michigan’s auditor general is reviewing the accuracy of the data that was collected by the state on coronavirus deaths that occurred in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Auditor General Doug Ringler wrote in a letter to Rep. Steve Johnson (R-Wayland), who chairs the state’s House Oversight Committee, that the results of the review should be available before the end of the year. “We received your June 10, 2021, request to provide a comprehensive study of reported and unreported deaths in long-term care facilities in Michigan. I am writing to notify you we intend to act upon your request,” Ringler wrote. “We will be working with various departments’ databases to address your concerns, which will impact the timing of our work. A preliminary estimate of our completion is late-September to mid-October. We plan to report the results to you in a question-and-answer format; therefore, please contact us if you have additional questions.”
The letter came in response to Johnson requesting in a letter that a “comprehensive study of reported and unreported deaths in long-term care facilities” be completed after questions arose about the accuracy of the data. The letter went onto say; “In our recent House Oversight Committee hearing, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director Hertel admitted that because not all types of facilities are required to report deaths, not all have done so. The number of long-term care facility deaths is likely higher than what is being reported.”
It continues: “Additionally, not all long-term care facilities are required to report their deaths to the state. This includes homes for the aged and adult foster care facilities as well as smaller (12 or less residents) facilities. As we emerge from the pandemic, it is crucial we have accurate data so we can properly assess the effectiveness of our COVID-19 response and be better prepared for future pandemics.”