The 1,100 employees of Allegheny County's John J. Kane Regional Center nursing home system will receive a special reminder with their paychecks issued today: Report any suspicions of abuse promptly.

Dennis Biondo, executive director of the four Kane centers, told an Allegheny County Council committee yesterday that the emphasis on abuse reporting was one of several steps taken in the wake of criminal charges against five employees of the Kane in Glen Hazel.

In addition, supervisors are to increase unannounced monitoring of late night shifts at the nursing home, and periodic criminal background checks are being considered for all employees. Currently, the Kanes -- like most long-term care facilities -- only follow state law mandating that background checks be undertaken of any prospective employee before they can begin working.

The seven council members present at the Health and Human Services Committee meeting gave high praise to the Kane system and expressed confidence that the recent abuse allegations were no reflection of overall quality.

Allegheny County police on Christmas Eve reported the prior arrests of four aides and a licensed practical nurse who allegedly took part over months in physical and verbal abuse of a 94-year-old Alzheimer's patient. The five employees were terminated.

Yesterday, Mr. Biondo produced a letter issued Jan. 2 by the Pennsylvania Department of Health clearing Kane officials of any wrongdoing in the case. No state sanctions will be forthcoming.

His letter going out to employees today states: "All staff and management are jointly and individually responsible to insure every resident's right to be free from abuse. All staff members are required to promptly report any occurrence of abuse that he or she witnesses to a Supervisor or to the facility Administrator."

It also reminds staff they may file anonymous reports against their co-workers on a special Kane hot line. Mr. Biondo said the information in the letter reinforces what employees have already heard in their orientation and in additional training about abuse.

In addition, said Glen Hazel Administrator Mary Stevens, the facility is increasing its training sessions for employees on how to handle difficult residents without being hostile toward them. She said the staff has also requested new "cultural sensitivity and diversity training" to improve understanding of how to "interact professionally" with residents.

Mr. Biondo said that in recent weeks, all of the Kane Glen Hazel patients, their family members and staff have been encouraged to report any other suspicions of abuse, and nothing has materialized.

"We have done everything we thought we could do," in terms of a proper response, he said.

Although none of the five employees involved had a conviction that would have barred them by law from working with older adults, one had summary offenses for harassment since being hired. Mr. Biondo said officials will be evaluating the potential cost and time involved in doing periodic checks through state police to make sure of any convictions by employees after being hired. Each background check costs the county $10.