Friday, May 11, 2007

Champion Reports Abuse at Nursing Facility

Sen. Norma Champion (District #30) said she's received notification from the state that "horrific conditions at a skilled nursing facility in west Springfield have led to the physical and verbal abuse of residents, increased exposure to illness and injury by the residents, and in some cases, death."

You can watch a report by KY3's Melissa Yeager on Green Haven nursing home HERE.

"Upon further inquiry of the Department (of Health and Senior Services), I became aware that this information was obtained during a routine inspection by inspectors with the Department," said Champion in a release.

She said a second inspection done this week found that the conditions had not been corrected.

"I understand that the Department began proceedings to revoke this facility’s eligibility to receive Medicaid and Medicare payments," Champion said.

She said yesterday she notified the Department of her concern for the well-being of residents at the facility. She said she was told by the Department that procedures would be initiated today "
in regard to the facility’s license to operate."

Champion has made a request to Governor Matt Blunt that he order the Department to review its policies and procedures as to appropriate action when such discoveries are found.

"I am most interested in knowing what procedures are in place to determine whether a situation has reached a level requiring immediate state intervention, what actions should be taken to ensure the protection of the residents, and upon that determination what process is in place to disseminate this information to the next of kin, the media, the general public, and the General Assembly," Champion said.

It is not yet clear what specific facility Champion is referring to.

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