Admissions to River Park Suspended

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, has suspended new admissions of residents to River Park Health Care effective December 19, 2008, and imposed a state civil monetary penalty of $6,000. The federal civil penalty has been imposed at $6,250 a day. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has informed the facility of its plans to terminate the facility’s Medicare provider agreement effective December 28, 2008.

River Park Health Care, a 58-bed licensed nursing home located at 1306 Katie Avenue in Nashville, was ordered not to admit any new residents based on conditions found during a complaint investigation and annual survey conducted December 3 through December 12. During the investigation and survey, surveyors found violations of the following standards: administration; nursing services; medical records; social work services; resident rights; and policies and procedures for health care decision making.

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.