Errors and violations continue to endanger nursing home residents across parts of Kentucky, according to inspections made by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
State inspectors discovered five violations they believed placed the residents of the Masonic Home of Louisville in "immediate jeopardy" last year, including improper doses of medication and failing to ensure that medication errors were corrected.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services levied a $413,173 penalty on the Masonic Home, along with a $113,296 total penalty on seven other long-term care facilities in the area.
In fact, 45 of the 46 facilities in Jefferson County had at least one deficiency in 2013, according to Families for Better Care, a nonprofit advocacy group that produces an annual report card of the nation's nursing homes.
According to Families for Better Care's executive director Brian Lee, "Nursing homes have a tendency to have a yo-yo [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"][effect] where they clean things up for a short period of time."
In regards to the findings at the Masonic Home, Lee added, "If I had a loved one in that nursing home, I'd be looking for the closest door with an exit sign above it." Read the full details here:
Violations costly for Louisville nursing homes
Research nursing homes thoroughly before placing a loved one in a home. Even then, family and friends need to be active in their loved one's care.
If you or someone you love has been injured due to nursing home abuse or negligence, call the professionals at Crandall & Pera Law for a free case evaluation. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]