Admissions to Laurelbrook Nursing Home Suspended

Rhea County Nursing Home Cited for Violations

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, has suspended new admissions of residents to Laurelbrook Nursing Home effective May 24, 2012, and imposed a one-time state civil monetary penalty of $5,000. A federal civil penalty has also been imposed at $6,300 a day until the violations are corrected. A special monitor has been appointed to review the facility's operations.

Laurelbrook Nursing Home, a 50-bed licensed nursing home located at 200 Sanitarium Circle in Dayton, was ordered not to admit any new residents based on conditions found during a complaint investigation and annual survey conducted May 7 through 15, 2012. The investigation was completed May 24. During the inspection, surveyors found violations of the following standards: administration, performance improvement, physician services, infection control, food and dietetic services and resident rights.

The Commissioner of Health 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.