Nashville, Tennessee 2008 Report Card: River Park Health Care Center
River Park Health Care Center is a 58 bed nursing home facility located in Nashville, Tennessee. The facility received two out of five stars, according to the new rating system implemented by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, which indicates a below average facility. While the average number of health deficiencies for the State of Tennessee is seven, this nursing home has consistently attained a higher deficiency rate for the past two years. For the 2007 complaint reporting period, this facility had fourteen deficiencies and for the 2008 complaint reporting period, that number increased to deficiencies.
Nursing homes are supposed to hire only people who have no legal history of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating residents. They are legally required to report and investigate any acts or reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. Additionally, facilities are to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property. In 2008, River Park Health Care Center placed its residents in immediate jeopardy when it failed to adhere to these policies.
Nursing homes are required to provide each resident care and services to get or keep the highest possible quality of life possible. These services are to meet a professional standard of quality. River Park Health Care Center failed its residents in 2007 and 2008 when it did not provide services that met both of these standards. Additionally, the facility failed to provide the correct treatment and services to residents who have mental or social problems adjusting and provide proper treatment to prevent new bed sores or heal existing bed sores. The facility also failed to make sure that residents who cannot care for themselves received help with activities of daily life.
Nursing homes are to develop a complete care plan for each resident within seven days of admission. The care plan should be updated periodically to allow for changes in the resident's condition. River Park Health Care Center caused actual harm to a resident when it failed to adhere to this policy. Additionally, the facility violated resident rights when it did not allow residents to easily see the results of the facility's most recent survey, when it did not provide services to meet the needs and preferences of each resident, and when it failed to inform each resident who was entitled to Medicaid benefits, about which items and services Medicaid covers and which one the resident has to pay for, and how to apply for Medicaid. Resident rights were further violated when the facility failed to keep each resident's personal and medical records confidential and failed to provide proof that all residents' personal money deposited with the facility was secure.
Good nutrition is vital to a nursing home resident. Nursing home facilities are required to store, cook, and distribute food in a safe and clean way. River Park Health Care Center violated this right in 2007 and 2008 and caused actual harm to a resident in 2008.
River Park Health Care Center is required to have drugs and other similar products available which are needed every day and distribute them properly. River Park Health Care Center failed to adhere to this policy in both 2007 and 2008.
All nursing home facilities are required to provide the necessary housekeeping and maintenance to ensure the facility runs smoothly. The facility nursing home area should be free of dangers and accidents and the surroundings should be clean and safe. River Park Health Care Center failed its residents in these respects in both 2007 and 2008 and actually placed its residents in immediate jeopardy by failing to ensure the facility was free from dangers that cause accidents. This facility's staff members were cited in both 2007 and 2008 for failing to wash their hands when needed. The facility also failed to have a program to keep infection from spreading.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 or visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
