Tennessee Nursing Home Barred From New Admissions
The Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN has banned all new admissions to Briarcliff Health Care Center, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The ban became effective as of September 3, 2008 and will remain in effect until conditions have been corrected. The facility also faces a one time state fine of $1,500 and a possible federal fine of $3,550 per day until the situation is remedied. Admissions to a nursing home are only banned when conditions at the facility are determined to be detrimental to the health and welfare of the residents.
The facility was investigated from August 25 through August 27, 2008. Surveyors found violations in administration, resident protection, and physician, nursing, and pharmacy services. Specifically, the facility failed to obtain lab results for two patients monitoring the amount of medication affecting heart rate and blood clotting. The patients involved have a history of health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, congestive heart failure, and staph infections.
The facility also failed to maintain an appropriate temperature in a refrigerator used for medications. The unit maintained a 32 degree temperature and had a ice buildup inside the refrigerator and outside the freezer. The drugs in the refrigerator had manufacturer's warnings that the medications should be kept at temperatures between 36 and 45 degrees.
A physical therapist changing bandages on foot wounds on the feet of another patient failed to adequately sanitize her hands.
