NURSING HOME - 75 percent of Brevard County Nursing Homes fall fall below national average
75 percent of Brevard County Nursing Homes fall below national average:
A sweeping federal report on the nation's 17,000 nursing homes showed 15 of Brevard County's 20 nursing homes had more deficiencies during a 14-month period than the national average.
Data from the report is reflected online at www.medicare.gov. Besides showing deficiencies based on unannounced inspections by federal surveyors, the report also provides information self-reported by nursing home facilities.
The study by federal officials covers inspections from June 1, 2001 to Aug. 31, 2002.
The national average for deficiencies for that time was seven, while the Florida average was nine. Brevard's average was 10.55.
The Brevard County facilities with the highest number of deficiencies were:
Titusville Rehabilitative & Nursing Center had the most violations with 26. On a patient-harm scale of one to four -- with four the highest-- the 157-bed facility scored a three in the area of protecting residents from mistreatment, neglect, and/or theft of personal property. A score of three means "actual harm," according to the report.
Mariner Health of Melbourne had 16 deficiencies, and scored a three (actual harm) on the one-to-four harm scale in the area of giving each resident enough fluids to keep them healthy and prevent dehydration.
Vista Manor in Titusville had 16 deficiences. At Vista Manor, 21 percent of the 114 residents had infections.
Life Care Center of Melbourne had 14 deficiences. Of the 106 residents, 15 percent were in devices that physically restrained them -- one of the highest rates in the county.
Carnegie Gardens Nursing Home in Melbourne had 13 deficiences. The 133-resident facility had 19 percent of its residents with a loss of ability in basic daily tasks, four points higher than the state and national average of 15 percent.
IHS of Palm Bay was cited for 12 deficiencies. Inspectors found IHS failed to store, cook and give out food in a safe and clean way for many of its 112 residents.
The Palms Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center had 12 deficiencies. At the Palms, 28 percent of the 115 residents are in pain.
The 101-resident Rockledge Health and Rehabilitation Center also had 12 deficiencies. Inspectors found "actual harm" in the area of giving each resident care and services to get or keep the highest quality of life possible.
Most facilities noted that subsequent inspections found fewer deficiencies.
The Web site offers consumers a one-stop comparison look at facilities. Inspection surveys are supposed to be instructive, but sometimes they are punitive. The nursing home has 10 days to outline a correction plan to fix the cited deficiency.
"This is a good tool for consumers to use to see how well homes are performing," said Pat Glynn, spokesman for the state Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates nursing homes in Florida. "People should be concerned with any amount of deficiencies," Glynn said.
Since 2000, there have also been 18 complaints of neglect or abuse in Brevard County lodged with state officials. State surveyors substantiated six of the cases, Glynn said. Of the six substantiated cases, Glynn said, four resulted in state deficiencies cited at:
Integrated Health Services of Palm Bay -- beaten resident, February 2002.
Rockledge Health and Rehabilitative Center -- resident tied to bed, March 2002.
Titusville Rehabilitation & Nursing Center -- broken oxygen machine, January 2001.
Vista Manor in Titusville -- took 25 hours for resident to receive care, November 2001.
Besides the Medicare report, the state's nursing home guide includes evaluations and deficiency details of Florida's 713 nursing homes. That's available at www.floridahealthstat.com.
The Titusville Rehabilitation & Nursing Center also scored poorly in its state survey, according to the state nursing home guide. On a five-star scale, with one being the lowest, the state guide showed the Titusville facility scored one star in its overall evaluation. The Titusville home also had the second lowest nursing staff hours-per-resident in Brevard. It had 2.96 nursing staff hours per resident, according to the federal report. Only Courtney Springs Village (10 deficiencies) on Merritt Island had a lower staffing number in Brevard at 2.66.
(source: Florida Today 11/16/02)
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