Admissions to Hillcrest North Suspended

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, has suspended ne

w admissions of residents to Hillcrest North nursing home effective November 6, 2007, and imposed a state civil monetary penalty of $1,500. The federal civil penalty has been imposed at $3,550 a day until the violations are corrected. A special monitor has been appointed to review the center’s operations.

Hillcrest North, a 271-bed licensed nursing home located at 5321 Beverly Park Circle in Knoxville, was ordered not to admit any new residents based on conditions found during complaint investigations and an extended survey conducted October 12 through October 26. During the investigations and survey, surveyors found violations of administration and physician notification standards.

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 and 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.