Admissions to Tennessee State Veterans´ Home Suspended

State-run Murfreesboro Nursing Home Cited for Violations

Nashville, June 22, 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 $1,500. The federal civil penalty has been imposed at $4,500 a day until the violations are corrected. A special monitor will be appointed to review the center’s operations.

Effective June 21, 2006 at 4:30 p.m., Tennessee State Veterans’ Home, a 120-bed licensed facility located at 345 Compton Road in Murfreesboro, was ordered not to admit any new patients based on conditions found during a complaint investigation survey conducted June 5 through June 16. During the investigation, surveyors found violations of the following standards: quality of care; basic services; medical director; administration; and resident assessment and protection. Specifically, the deficiencies pertained to: failure of staff to assess residents to prevent and treat pressure sores; failure to protect residents from harm; failure to follow physician’s orders; failure to notify physician of resident condition changes; and failure to ensure nurse aides received required in-service training.

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.