Nursing Home Has Troubled Past
After a man goes missing from a local nursing home, ABC 17 News learned it has a troubled history.The man was found in a wooded area last week less than five miles from the Riverview Nursing Center in Mokane. He was disorientated, but otherwise OK.ABC 17 obtained copy of its latest 28-page inspection. The document was full of violations, filthy and dangerous living conditions and one patient who was hurt.The nursing home is currently listed as a below average two-star facility by medicare.gov. The last inspection in July 2011 said patients were not covered up when they were in the shower, toilet seats were cracked and bathrooms smelled like urine. One patient was also hurt while they were being loaded into a wheelchair. The inspection says the patient’s leg was cut and the bleeding was so profuse it required hospitalization.Nursing home advocates tell ABC 17 News they were surprised when reading through inspections.”It’s not even meeting the minimum standards required by federal and state laws and regulations. That puts residents in danger or harm or jeopardy,” Families for Better Care director Brian Lee explains.These problems are not just a one time occurrence. ABC 17 News found in 2009 the Riverview Nursing Center was cited for seven deficiencies, only three in 2010, but nine last year. That is more than state and national averages for deficiencies at a home.For the third time on three different days, administrators at the nursing home refused to talk. Reporters also left a message with the company that owns the home, but did not receive a call back.ABC 17 News also tried to reach the state to get a better understanding of its plan, but have not gotten a response.Advocates say in most cases these kind of nursing homes are just trying to maximize their profits and usually skimp on hiring extra staff.
