Admissions to Tennessee State Veterans´ Home in Humboldt Suspended

State-run Humboldt Nursing Home Cited for Violations

Nashville, August 9, 2006

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Kenneth S. Robinson, M.D., has suspended new admissions of patients to Tennessee State Veterans’ Home and imposed a state civil monetary penalty of $3,000. The state also has recommended that a federal civil penalty be imposed at $3,150 per day until the violations are corrected. A special monitor will be appointed to review the center’s operations.

Effective August 8, 2006 at 5:30 p.m., Tennessee State Veterans’ Home, a 120-bed licensed facility located at 2865 Main Street in Humboldt, was ordered not to admit any new patients based on conditions found during an annual survey conducted July 31 through August 3. During the investigation, surveyors found violations of the following standards: nursing services, performance improvement, pharmaceutical services, resident rights and physician notification standards. Specifically, the deficiencies pertained to: resident neglect, misappropriation of resident medications, failure to follow physician’s orders and failure to notify physician of changes in resident condition.

The Commissioner may suspend admissions to a nursing home when conditions are determined to be, or are likely to be, detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents. The order to suspend admissions remains effective until conditions have been corrected and will continue to remain corrected. A copy of the order must be posted at the public entrance where it can be plainly seen.

The nursing home has the right to a hearing regarding the suspension of admissions before the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities or an administrative judge.