I-Team: Nursing Home Report

The Massachusetts state Health Department issues its final inspection report detailing serious findings of poor elder care at nursing home: the Pawtuxet Village Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Some of the Health Department reports' findings included not answering nurses' call lights for 15 minutes, leaving residents in urine- and feces-soaked clothing, failing to provide an on-going program that meets the interests and well being for residents, and under medicating and overmedicating residents, sometimes with narcotics, because of nursing home staff mistakes.

I-Team: Nursing Home Report | Turn to 10
See also http://www2.turnto10.com/news/i-team/2012/mar/14/8/i-team-report-details-poor-care-nursing-home-ar-964965/

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Ohio facility may lose license after meth lab fire

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The state of Ohio is taking steps to revoke the license of a nursing home that had a fatal methamphetamine lab fire and was later found to be violating federal regulations, the Ohio Department of Health said Tuesday.
The March 4 fire broke out in a resident's room at Park Haven Home in Ashtabula. Shaun Warrens, 31, who police said was not a resident of the home or an employee, was killed. Four other people were hospitalized, and two were treated at the scene.
A review of the home last week cited seven nursing home violations, including failure to have a written plan to evacuate residents in an emergency, according to a report on the violations. The home was also cited for not correctly closing and latching doors and not providing proper beds for two residents.
Park Haven was notified Monday that its state license may be revoked, health department spokeswoman Tessie Pollock said. If the home is closed, representatives of several agencies would be available to help residents find other places to live, she said.

Read more here: facility may lose license after meth lab fire - Wire National News - The Sacramento Bee

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Low nursing homes ratings

Most of the 14 nursing homes in the Iowa City area are making the grade under federal quality ratings, but two facilities with higher-than-average health inspection deficiencies have consistently received failing scores over the past three years, an analysis of government ratings shows.
Windmill Manor, a troubled Coralville nursing home that has faced numerous federal and state penalties in recent years, currently is rated as a one-star facility, the lowest grade on the government’s five-star scale. And Iowa City Rehab and Health Care is currently rated as a two-star nursing home after sub-par health inspection scores, though its management says a recent renovation and good staffing will only improve the nursing home’s quality.
The ratings are issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which introduced the star system in late 2008 to give consumers a better way to compare nursing homes through an online database. Administrators say the grades — which take into account health inspections, staffing ratios and self-reported quality measures — are a useful tool for families who are scouting potential facilities. But many say the system fails to paint a complete picture, and they welcome changes that are set to be implemented this year.
Officials: More to nursing homes than the ratings show | Iowa City Press Citizen | press-citizen.com

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Canada promise tough sentences for crimes against seniors

The Canadian federal government is introducing legislation that calls for tougher sentences for those convicted of elder abuse.
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and Minister of State for Seniors Alice Wong announced plans to amend the Criminal Code so that taking advantage of a senior will be considered "an aggravating factor" in a crime. That "aggravating factor" would then be taken into consideration during sentencing.
"We have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, including older Canadians," Nicholson told reporters during the announcement at a seniors centre in Toronto on Thursday.
Nicholson explained the legislation does not call for specific penalties in cases involving the abuse of seniors, but calls on judges to use their discretion in each case.
"It's up to the judge within the offences that the individual has been charged with, to make that determination after they've been found guilty. And that's our job as legislators: to make these provisions, and that's exactly what we've done: make this an aggravating factor that the courts will have to look at," Nicholson told reporters.
Feds promise tough sentences for crimes against seniors | CTV Ottawa | CTV News

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nursing home worker sexually assaulted resident

An employee of a St. Paul nursing home is accused of exposing himself and sexually assaulting a nursing home resident, according the Minnesota Department of Health report.
The state agency said the alleged nursing home assault incidents took place at the Highland Chateau Health Care Center, according to a report made public Tuesday, March 20. The nursing home, located at 2319 W. Seventh St. in the Highland neighborhood, self-reported the case.
According to the health department report, a resident told a state inspector that an employee had approached her several times while providing care and tried to touch her breasts, exposed his penis and had her provide oral sex.
The worker was not named and he denied the allegations.
"The (worker) provided inconsistent information during the course of the interview," the report states. Even though a health department investigator had found information about a similar situation in his past, the worker "denied that he had similar concerns about being sexually inappropriate with a resident," the report stated.
The worker had been the focus of two neglect allegations and one physical abuse allegation at other facilities, according to the report. Another employee at the nursing home described the resident as "alert and oriented," the report stated, and did not have a history of making false accusations.
St. Paul nursing home worker sexually assaulted resident, state says - TwinCities.com

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Roscommon West Roxbury on National Watch List - Memberofthefamily.net

According to the website: http://www.memberofthefamily.net/watch/225499.htm
"Based on the annual and complaint survey data reported by CMS as of 02/26/12 , this home is listed because in at least one area they caused actual harm to a patient and/or subjected the patients to immediate jeopardy. More recent reports/corrections may be available. Check with the nursing home administrator. Actual harm is indicated by a score of G, H, I, while J, K, L indicate immediate jeopardy. The color coding scheme is explained in the site.

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Study: Mass. medical board ranks poorly on MD discipline

Study: Mass. medical board ranks poorly on MA Doctor discipline
Public Citizen, a consumer group with a focus on health care, issued its annual listing comparing medical boards based on how regularly they discipline doctors. Not only does Massachusetts rank poorly, at No. 47, but it is among a handful of states that have dropped significantly in recent years. Seven years ago, the state was ranked solidly in the middle of the pack at No. 23.
The report ranks states based on the per capita number of serious disciplinary actions, or those that lead to a doctor license revocation, suspension or probation, over three years. For every 1,000 doctors in Massachusetts, there were 1.83 serious actions.
Study: Mass. medical board ranks poorly on MD discipline - White Coat Notes - Boston.com

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2 El Dorado County nursing home workers charged with felony elder abuse of patient

2 nursing home workers charged with felony elder abuse of patient:
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Prosecutors charged two nursing home workers with felony elder abuse after a 77-year-old woman was neglected at a Placerville facility shortly before she died in 2008.

The attorney general's office filed the charges after the death of Johnnie Esco, an Alzheimer's patient who spent two weeks at the El Dorado Care Center to recover from pneumonia, the Sacramento Bee reported (http://bit.ly/ADK579 ) Friday.
During Esco's stay, nurses were supposed to closely monitor her because medications left her with chronic constipation. She later died at a hospital on March 7, 2008, after suffering severe fecal impaction, and doctors also found unexplained bruising on her body.
The center's former director of nursing, Donna Palmer, 58, was arrested Tuesday and released on $75,000 bail. A warrant was issued for nurse Rebecca Smith, 38, but El Dorado County jail records did not show that she had been arrested as of Friday
2 El Dorado County nursing home workers charged with felony elder abuse of patient | The Republic

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Nursing home failed to protect patient from resident with criminal record

The family of an Alzheimer’s patient who died after a physical altercation with another patient at Oak Park Healthcare is suing the west suburban nursing home for wrongful death, according to a press release issued Thursday by the family’s lawyers.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday alleges the facility violated federal and state nursing home regulations in failing to protect patient from physical abuse and failing to provide appropriate supervision, according to the press release.
Anibal Calderon, an 80-year-old resident of the Oak Park Healthcare Center, “was assaulted by a 66-year-old resident with a violent criminal record and felony background,” according to the press release.
Calderon died Feb. 14 after head injuries suffered during the fight at the facility two days earlier.
Lawsuit: Nursing home failed to protect patient from resident with ‘violent criminal record’ — Oak Park & River Forest news, photos and events — TribLocal.com

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Nurses face felony charges in nursing home death

An 81-year-old Cameron Park man who served during three wars won the fight of his life this week when California's attorney general charged two nurses with felony elder abuse in connection with the 2008 death of his beloved wife.

The nurse arrest in Modesto of one nurse and the pursuit of the second, who reportedly has left the state, marks a bittersweet victory in the four-year quest of Don Esco to find justice for his late wife.
Johnnie Esco, 77, died on March 7, 2008, after a two-week stay at the El Dorado Care Center in Placerville, a skilled nursing home facility owned at the time by Horizon West Healthcare Inc. of Rocklin. The company sold its 27 nursing homes last year to Plum Healthcare Group, a San Marcos-based chain.
Read more here:Nurses face felony charges in death of Cameron Park man's wife - Health and medicine - The Sacramento Bee

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whistleblowing nurse out of work

SMITHFIELD - Psychiatric nurse Jeannine Peterson, a rock-climber when she's not in uniform, is accustomed to scaling barriers, but she hasn't been able to get past the fallout from her latest role in life: whistleblower.
It was a phone call from the 59-year-old Peterson that set into motion a recent investigation of elder sexual abuse that almost cost the Hebert Nursing Home its status as Medicare and Medicaid provider.
So far the only result, as far she's concerned, is the satisfaction of believing that she did the right thing.
But the call she made has claimed her $1,000-a-week-job, her peace of mind, and any faith that the "system" works. In fact, she thinks that by reporting a bizarre, long-term situation she may have actually made things worse.
Adding to her frustration is the fact that despite eyewitness accounts that she, and others, reported to the Smithfield Police, the state Attorney General's Office has declined to prosecute, saying that what the employees saw does not rise to a criminal level.
Smithfield Police Capt. Michael Rheaume said he could not understand that, because the sexual abuse charge seemed appropriate "and that's why we brought it to their attention."
Hebert Nursing Home states: 'We are in compliance,' while whistleblowing nurse out of work, license in jeopardy | The Valley Breeze

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Judge's anger at Neglectful Nursing Home

Judge's anger as he accuses Bupa nursing home of putting cash before care as grandmother, 90, dies after neglect
A dementia patient was left to crawl naked around a filthy room in a Bupa care home because the manager was more interested in 'maximising profits and cutting costs', a court heard.
Joyce Farrow, 90, spent two months in the privately-run home before she was taken to hospital with a black eye and bruises.
She was also suffering from an infection and dehydration and died five days later. Doctors were so concerned about her condition that they called police.
Read more: Judge's anger as he accuses Bupa home of putting cash before care as grandmother, 90, dies after neglect | Mail Online

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Sexual Abuse Allegations in Massachusetts

Another witness to horrific allegations of sexual abuse at the Hebert Nursing Home in Smithfield has come forward to the NBC 10 I-Team.
Tanya Lessard, a former certified nurse's assistant at the facility, said she saw two women in their 60s allegedly sexually molest their elderly mother on numerous occasions.
"I witnessed, seen plenty of times, that a couple of family members penetrated their mother. She's like 89 years old. A War vet. Very lovely lady," Lessard said.
Lessard filed a witness statement with the Smithfield police last week.
The I-Team recently reported there were other witnesses to the alleged behavior. The Smithfield police investigated and wanted the daughters charged, but state prosecutors declined.
"There is a lack of evidence to prosecute at this time," the attorney general's office said.
The Hebert Nursing Home said it has taken steps to protect the mother.
Lassard said she was fired from the Hebert Nursing Home because she kept complaining about the two daughters, but the nursing home told her she was fired because she kept showing up late for work.
Regarding the I-Team's investigation of the Pawtuxet Village Care and Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Michael Fine, the director of the state Department of Health, told NBC 10 exclusively that from now until March 9, there will be unannounced inspections at Pawtuxet Village.
The Health Department and the I-Team found numerous allegations of poor quality of care at the nursing home.
"We've not been overly impressed by their progress," Fine said.
Fine said his inspectors found troublesome deficiencies.
"Pain management and fall prevention and pressure ulcers, range of motion and I think in one case, weight loss," Fines said.
 http://www2.turnto10.com/news/2012/feb/28/i-team-witness-alleges-sexual-abuse-nursing-home-ar-947808/

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nursing home accused of neglect

The Minnesota Department of Health has alleged the Golden LivingCenter nursing home in Hopkins was negligent in a case where a nursing home patient died last March.According to the department's report, which was released the week of Jan. 9, the man experienced significant weight loss over a period of a month in the care of the nursing home that was not reported to his primary physician or nurse practitioner.A spokesman for the center denies it did anything wrong.

Minnesota Local News - minnlocal.com > Headlines > Hopkins nursing home accused of neglect

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government finds cases of abuse at care homes

Eleven care home workers in New Brunswick have been fired or left their jobs over the past two years after various violations were found including inappropriate sexual conduct and a blow to a resident's face, provincial government records say.
In eight cases, staff physically harmed elderly residents who  have mental or physical disabilities, according to a summary of elder abuse under the province's Family Services Act from Jan. 1, 2010, until September of last year.
"That is very alarming. Even one is too many," said Cecile Cassista, president of the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights.
"There should be no room for that kind of treatment. ... There has to be zero tolerance."

Staff fired after New Brunswick government finds cases of abuse at care homes - Winnipeg Free Press

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Depression drugs prescribed for dementia patients causing falls

The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology reports that the risk of injuries from elder falls has tripled. The Alzheimer's Society has since called for more research into alternative treatments.Dr. Carolyn Sterke recorded the daily drug use and records of nursing home falls in 248 nursing home residents over a two-year period. The average age of the patients in the study was 82. The records suggested that 152 of them had suffered a total of 683 falls.The consequences of falls were substantial. More than 200 cases resulted in injuries, including hip fractures and other broken bones. One resident died following a fall.
Depression drugs prescribed for dementia patients causing falls - Health & Wellness - Catholic Online

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State Inspectors Lax on nursing homes

California nursing home inspectors fall short in following up on their own investigative findings, possibly enabling sustained neglect of nursing home residents or lax practices that can injure residents, according to a new federal report.
The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid, identified shortcomings by the California Department of Public Health, which inspects the state's 1,150 nursing homes.
The report, issued last week, is the second in a series of federal examinations of California nursing home oversight. One review examines a case that limited federal overseers' ability to take action after inspectors discovered that maggots were coming out of a resident's ear.
Read more:State's follow-up on nursing home problems lacking, report says

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Woman accused in Missouri nursing home fire

A southeast Missouri woman is facing arson charges for a November fire at a nursing home.The Dexter Daily Statesman reported that 59-year-old Joyce Johnson allegedly set fire to the bed of a 73-year-old woman at Golden Living Center-Dexter as the woman was asleep in the bed.Johnson is also charged with felony elder abuse. She is jailed on $35,000 bond and does not yet have a listed attorney.Dexter Police Chief Trevor Pulley says Johnson admitted using a lighter to start the fire, though she says she did not intend to hurt anyone. No one was badly hurt in the fire
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/23/3386542/woman-accused-in-missouri-nursing.html#storylink=cpy

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ROSCOMMON EXTENDED CARE CENTER: Deficiency Report

Date Deficiency Scope Level of Harm


04/01/2009 Give professional services that meet a professional standard of quality. Pattern Minimal harm or potential for actual harm

04/01/2009 Give professional services that follow each resident's written care plan. Isolated Minimal harm or potential for actual harm

04/01/2009 Store, cook, and give out food in a safe and clean way. Pattern Minimal harm or potential for actual harm

05/06/2008 Give professional services that meet a professional standard of quality. Isolated Minimal harm or potential for actual harm
05/06/2008 Give professional services that follow each resident's written care plan. Isolated Minimal harm or potential for actual harm

05/06/2008 Have drugs and other similar products available, which are needed every day and in emergencies, and give them out properly. Isolated Minimal harm or potential for actual harm
05/06/2008 Properly mark drugs and other similar products. Isolated Minimal harm or potential for actual harm


ROSCOMMON EXTENDED CARE CENTER: Deficiency Report

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Nurse at Nursing Home charged with neglect

A Cumberland County grand jury has indicted a former nurse at a Burkesville nursing home on charges of elder neglect and theft of a controlled substance, according to Attorney General Jack Conway.Jinger Butler, 41, is accused of replacing and retaining the medications of 10 adult residents from May to November of 2010, when she was acting as a caretaker at Cumberland Valley Manor Nursing Home in Burkesville, a statement from Conway's office said. Butler was indicted on 11 counts of neglect, a Class C felony with a penalty of five to 10 years.Butler's conduct, according to the indictment, deprived each resident of services necessary to maintain the health and welfare of the patient, constituting knowing neglect of an adult.
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/01/24/2040039/ex-burkesville-nursing-home-nurse.html#storylink=cpy
Nurse who worked at Burkesville facility charged with neglect, theft Voiceless & Vulnerable: Nursing Home Abuse Kentucky.com

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Home health industry fights proposal to require minimum wage

Home health care companies are leading the fight against an Obama administration proposal to require them to pay their workers the minimum wage, despite data showing that the industry was one of the few nationally to maintain profits during the worst of the recession.
One of the industry's leading companies, Home Instead Senior Care, spent at least $362,000 in 2011 fighting the proposal while it also touts an 18.8 yield ratio of investment to revenue, which was the highest in the group reviewed by the magazine Franchise Business Review.
A spokesman for Home Instead sent a news release from the Private Duty Homecare Association stating that the proposed rules would cut employees' hours and, ultimately, hurt caregivers.
Home health companies have been more profitable in the past two years, even as other businesses have been hit hard by the economy,
"In home health care, you can't even tell you had a recession," Lubansky said.
The minimum wage is now $7.25 an hour.
A Labor Department proposal issued in December would require home health care companies to follow federal wage and hour laws regarding their workers.
Changing the rules, industry officials say, would damage the quality of care.
Most home health care payments come from private insurance or the family of the person needing care, said Gale Bohling, director of government relations for the National Private Duty Association. Requiring them to pay minimum wage and overtime could hurt a population that would rather stay home than go to nursing home care, he said.
Many workers also have advanced training, such as certified nursing assistants."It does differ from a kid working at McDonald's for minimum wage," Smith said.
Home health industry fights proposal to require minimum wage – USATODAY.com

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