Admissions to Benchmark Healthcare of Puryear Suspended

Henry County Nursing Home Cited for Violation of Consent Order

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, has suspended new admissions of residents to Benchmark Healthcare of Puryear effective January 10, 2017.

Benchmark Healthcare of Puryear, a 32-bed licensed nursing home located at 220 College St. in Puryear, was ordered not to admit any new residents based on the facility’s severe financial difficulties. In addition, the facility has not paid overdue taxes, a violation of a September 2015 Consent Order against the facility. TDH found the threatened financial viability of the facility posed a detriment to the welfare of residents living in the facility. This action will prevent the facility from admitting new residents into a precarious situation.

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.

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.

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. TDH has facilities in all 95 counties and provides direct services for more than one in five Tennesseans annually as well as indirect services for everyone in the state, including emergency response to health threats, licensure of health professionals, regulation of health care facilities and inspection of food service establishments. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.