Admissions to The Highlands nursing home suspended

Thursday, November 5, 2009

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper has suspended new admissions of residents to The Highlands of Dyersburg Health & Rehab effective Nov. 2 and imposed a one-time state civil monetary penalty of $1,500. The state also has recommended that the federal civil penalty be imposed at $5,500 a day until the violations are corrected. A special monitor has been appointed to review the facility's operations.

The Highlands of Dyersburg Health & Rehab, a 123-bed licensed nursing home located at 350 East Tickle Road, was ordered not to admit any new residents based on conditions found during a complaint investigation and annual survey conducted Oct. 19 through Oct. 27. The investigation was completed Nov. 2. During the inspection, surveyors found violations of the following standards: administration; performance improvement, infection control, nursing services and pharmaceutical services; and food and dietetic services.

The health 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.

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Thank God! It's about time!

-- Posted by justme30 on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, at 10:28 AM

We need the maximum penalties for those who give substandard care to our elderly and children.

-- Posted by JMH on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, at 11:47 AM

what about the people that are still in home?

-- Posted by jscott on Fri, Nov 6, 2009, at 6:10 AM

The worst thing about this is that these are the same companies who use tax payer money to buy lobbyists to fight for limits on how much they have to pay when they hurt or even kill our loved ones.

-- Posted by rbt on Fri, Nov 6, 2009, at 10:29 AM