Sonoma, CAA state care center will lose millions in federal funding after regulators accused the facility of care home negligence that put residents of the home in danger of injury and death. Care center abuse and nursing home abuse put residents of such homes at serious risk.
The home in question, Sonoma Developmental Center, was notified in a letter from the California Department of Public Health (12/12/12) that the department was terminating the facility’s participation in Medicaid. That decision was based on a survey completed July 3, 2012, which found 57 deficiencies and four instances of immediate jeopardy to residents. Among the instances of immediate jeopardy were situations of patients being abused and an instance in which a staff member exposed himself, The Press Democrat (1/18/13) notes.
Meanwhile, a follow-up survey from December 12, 2012, “found dozens more deficiencies, including immediate jeopardy, and continued non-compliance with federal Conditions of Participation.”
According to California Watch (11/29/12), residents at homes for developmentally disabled Californians reported their caretakers for molestation and/or rape 36 times, from 2008 to 2012, but police did not investigate those crimes, including not ordering a rape examination for any victims from 2009 to 2012. Many of those reports allegedly came from Sonoma Developmental Center.
Sonoma has said it will not seek federal funding, which provided more than $1 million a month. That money will now come from the state.
Meanwhile, in Indiana, four workers at a nursing home were arrested and charged with battering and neglecting a home resident. Along with the four, two employees were charged with failing to report the abuse, SF Gate reports (2/11/13).
A lawsuit was filed in Illinois against Eldercare of Alton, alleging the facility was responsible for a resident’s death in April 2011. The lawsuit alleges a doctor did not get an adequate history from the victim, resulting in her developing an infection and being admitted to the hospital with septic shock, delirium and an excessive amount of blood thinning medication in her system. A report from the Illinois Department of Public Health noted Eldercare did not provide adequate care for the patient and further blamed the facility for giving incorrect Fentanyl doses. The Telegraph (2/11/13) also reports that an investigation by the department noted the facility did not prevent the victim’s mistreatment.
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