Inspectors Tour Ojai Nursing Facility : Acacias: The government says the examinations are part of reforms aimed at raising the level of patient care.

An Ojai nursing home has become the first Ventura County facility targeted by federal inspectors who are determining whether California institutions are complying with new regulations.

Three inspectors from the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration toured the Acacias Nursing Home Thursday and Friday, Jim Evans, director of the home, said. He said he expects the inspection to take another day.

The sudden appearance of federal investigators in Ojai coincided with Gov. Pete Wilson’s remarks Thursday asserting his continued opposition to the federal regulations. Wilson contends those regulations will result in the expenditure of millions of dollars on paperwork rather than on improved care.

But the federal government says the reforms are aimed at raising the level of patient care and giving nursing home residents greater control over their lives.

Acacias was inspected by the state six weeks ago and given a high rating, Evans said. He said he could not speculate what federal inspectors might report. “They really don’t give you any indication whatsoever about things they’re finding,” Evans said.

The inspectors have been examining paperwork and checking the kitchen and the cleanliness of the building, Evans said. They have also been talking to patients and staff members, he said.

Because California has refused to enforce the U.S. regulations, which went into effect in October, the federal government announced earlier this week that it was sending 139 inspectors to the state. Those homes that fail to pass their inspections could lose federal funding.

Inspectors at Acacias could not be reached for comment Friday, and Evans cited patients’ privacy rights in refusing to allow Times reporters into the nursing home.

Administrators at other area nursing homes, which are expecting inspectors to show up any day, were split in their opinions on the new federal rules.

“In the end, we will have to comply with federal regulations. That’s the way it is,” said Rose Calhoun, nursing director at Pleasant Valley Rehabilitation and Convalescent Hospital. “Overall, I agree with it. I have no problem with them coming in at all.”

Jerry Wells, administrator of Glenwood Convalescent Hospital in Oxnard, disagreed. He said new federal rules “will require more staff, but not patient-related staff. I’m really disappointed, and I hope Pete Wilson wins.”

Glenwood hospital was inspected by state officials in February and an approval was given for 24 more beds, which are to be used for Medicare patients. But because of the new rules, Wells said, Glenwood’s state inspection was declared null. Wells said a federal inspection will have to be conducted before the 24 new spots can be filled.

Wells added that because of the new regulations, inspections for new or expanded facilities will probably be backed up. Until they occur, the beds must remain empty, he said.

The federal inspection “will be an educational process for us,” said Simeon Robins, administrator of the Fillmore Convalescent Center. “It’s more of a paper thing. We’re alarmed by the paper part that would take such a lengthy time.”

The Fillmore home’s administrators might have to buy a computer to keep up with the voluminous paperwork required by the federal rules. “I know the computer companies and the form companies are delighted,” Robins said. “It is really frustrating, but we will do whatever we have to do.”