Attorney General To Continue Monitoring Metron Michigan Nursing Homes
We previously discussed the tragic death of 50 year old Sarah Comer at Metron's Big Rapids, Michigan facility. In January 2005, Ms. Comer died after Metron employees failed to give her the oxygen she needed to live. Eight employees conspired to cover up the circumstances which lead to her death. Those former employees now face criminal charges in Ms. Comer's death.
Attorney General Mike Cox is expected to announce that the independent monitor, that had been appointed to settle the lawsuit that was filed due to Ms. Comer's death, will continue supervision because Metron's standard of care has not substantially improved.
The monitor can inspect any Metron homes without warning and can assess penalities for failing to abide by state standards. Metron has homes in Belding, Big Rapids, Cedar Springs, Forest Hills, Greenville, and Lamont. Since 2005, when the monitor was appointed, Metron has been fined over $300,000. Moreover, the Attorney General and Department of Community Health for the State of Michigan have forced the sale or closed three facilities in Kalamazoo, Bloomingdale, and most, recently, last month in Allegan. At the Allegan facility, in 2007, a resident died when employees failed to provide oxygen that was needed. Recently, Metron's Big Rapids facility has been labeled a "special focus facility" by the Department of Health and Human Services due to serious quality of care problems and failure to improve care.
To read more on this subject, go to State Attorney General's Office Says Monitoring of Metron Nursing Homes Still Necessary.
