Local News
Madison Manor on national list of ‘poorly performing’ nursing homes
Status could lead to Medicare/Medicaid decertification
An August report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) listed Richmond Health and Rehabilitation Complex — better known as Madison Manor — among the worst nursing homes in the nation.
“We estimated that almost 4 percent — or 580 — of the nation’s roughly 16,000 nursing homes could be considered the most poorly performing,” the report reads.
The GAO works as the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress. Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act establish minimum requirements that all nursing homes must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid program.
According to the GAO’s mission, it “... exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people.”
The GAO nationwide performance audit of federally funded nursing homes began in February 2008 and concluded in August.
The Kentucky Inspector General’s Office, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, is aware of the GAO’s findings and acting inspector general Kerry Harvey said it is something the office takes very seriously.
“As the state’s regulatory agency for long-term care facilities, we are charged with making sure facilities are in compliance with Medicare health and safety standards,” Harvey said. “We want the public to understand, failure to comply with these regulatory standards is a very serious issue that can lead to monetary penalty, denial of payment for new admissions, and in some cases decertification from the Medicare /Medicaid program. The safety of the residents of Kentucky’s nursing facilities always has been and will remain our top priority.”
For-profit nursing homes and/or those affiliated with a commercialized chains are more likely to receive a poor report, according to the GAO.
Nursing homes that fell under one or both of these categories “... had an average of almost 24 percent fewer registered nurse hours per resident per day.”
To determine the characteristics of the most poorly performing nursing homes, “... we analyzed deficiencies and revisits from the three most recent cycles — that is, the three most recent standard surveys,” the report reads.
This is not the first federal list of troubled nursing homes in which Madison Manor has been featured.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services added the facility to its “Special Focus Facilities” list in April.
Aside from this, the facility was named in a lawsuit, and three nursing home employees were indicted.
The family of the late Armeda Thomas, 84, of Irvine, hid a video camera in her room at the facility in September, 2008, to document the behavior of employees at the facility.
Three former Madison Manor employees, Jaclyn Dawn VanWinkle, Amanda G. Sallee and Valerie Lamb, were indicted by Madison grand juries on charges of patient abuse.
VanWinkle pleaded guilty earlier this year to a single count of reckless abuse or neglect of an adult, Sallee’s trial date is set for March 15, 2010, in Madison Circuit Court and Lamb was scheduled to appear in Madison District Court on Monday on a single count of reckless abuse or neglect of an adult.
Sallee is accused of denying Thomas her food between Sept. 1 and Sept. 5, 2008. The indictment alleges Sallee ate Thomas’ meals herself.
The video showed several employees appearing to neglect and mistreat Thomas, who died in November 2008 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.
If convicted, Sallee could receive up to five years in prison.
Other Kentucky nursing homes that made the GAO’s poor performance list include: Cambridge Place, Lexington; Britthaven, Somerset; Salyersville Health Care Center, Salyersville; Villaspring, Erlanger; Pembroke Nursing Home, Pembroke; Arbor Place, Clinton; and Harborside Healthcare Nursing Homes, Florence, Madisonville and Owensboro.
Visit www.gao.gov to find a full copy of the report.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
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EKU to host National Junior Classical League Convention
The 2011 convention of the National Junior Classical League will take place July 25-30 at Eastern Kentucky University.
Up to 1,600 high school students from around the country who study Latin or Greek language and history are expected to attend, said Bari Clements, a Latin teacher at Madison Central High School who will co-chair the event with Kathy Elifrits of Covington Latin High School. -
Arts Gala, Pottery Festival kick off autumn activities
A nearly non-stop string of festivals and other fall events starts on Friday.
The Richmond Area Arts Council will get things going on Friday with its 20th annual Arts Gala at the home of Marilyn and Ralph Hacker, beginning at 5 p.m. It will be highlighted by a 6:30 p.m. dinner show with the Cool Waters cowboy band. For tickets, visit www.artsinrichmond.org or call 624-4242.
On Saturday and Sunday, the sixth annual Great American Pottery Festival with eight potters demonstrating their craft will take place in Richmond’s Irvine McDowell Park. More than 40 arts and crafts vendors will have their wares for purchase. Although getting a chance to turn mud into a pot or vase is great fun for children of all ages, the annual Kids Fest on Saturday in the park will have loads of other entertainment for youngsters. Both events are free. -
Alford plea for two suspected in Iowa robbery
Two men accused of an Iowa bank robbery pleaded guilty Thursday in Madison Circuit Court to receiving stolen property less than $10,000, a Class D felony.
Both men entered Alford pleas. By entering an Alford plea, a defendant admits that enough evidence exists for prosecutors to convince a jury the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but does not actually admit to performing the crime of which they are accused. -
Delinquent taxpayers given warning to pay
The City of Richmond is giving those who owe delinquent property taxes a chance to pay before their name and owed amount appear in the Richmond Register.
The names of those who owe and how much they owe the city is scheduled to be published as a legal advertisement in the newspaper Saturday, Sept. 25. The deadline to pay before the name and amount are listed is Tuesday, Sept. 21 by 4:30 p.m.
The delinquent taxes being sought are for 2009, and bills for 2010 collections will be mailed out on Oct. 1. -
Hearing delayed for 3 accused of violating graves
A mandatory state furlough day Friday delayed a pretrial conference for three people accused of damaging graves at Richmond Cemetery.
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Voting resumes for playground ‘Refresh’ grant
Supporters of a playground accessible for handicapped children at Lake Reba Park have resumed their effort to win a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.
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Commissioner: No one should take credit for street paving
A recent door-to-door excursion by a Richmond city commissioner was a way to say “Thank You,” rather than take credit for city services, he said.
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Lots of choices on November’s ballot
When Madison Countians go to the polls Nov. 2, there will be plenty of choices to make.
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Hudson to retire from Pattie A. Clay
Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center’s president and chief executive officer will retire next year, the hospital announced Friday.
In 2010, Pattie A. Clay will complete 118 years of providing healthcare for Madison and the surrounding counties. The year 2010 will also mark the sixth and final year that Robert J. Hudson will serve as the hospital’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Hudson will be retiring next spring with 33 total years of service to Pattie A. Clay. -
Richmond man pleads guilty to robbing stores
A Richmond man accused of robbing three check cashing stores in Richmond and Berea, pleaded guilty in Madison Circuit Court on Thursday, as part of a plea agreement.
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EKU to host National Junior Classical League Convention
