A Florida nursing home is facing a fine and state-mandated probation for failing to report allegations of abuse and to implement procedures to prevent abuse.
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration has determined that three of 60 clients at Silvercrest Manor Nursing Home in Crestview were not “free of verbal or physical abuse,” according to nwfdailynews.com, an online newspaper. According to the proposed settlement agreement filed on May 10, staff members were made aware of “intentional rudeness, refusal of care and services, and rough physical treatment of residents,” but failed to take appropriate action.
The abuses were noted during an inspection of Silvercrest Manor in late 2012, nwfdailynews.com reports. State officials found one Class 1 violation and one Class 2 violation. A Class 1 violation—the more serious of the two—“is certainly cause for an immediate fine or consequence of some sort,” said Carol Gormley, a senior policy adviser to state Senate President Don Gaetz.
Silvercrest Manor denied the state’s allegations. Spokesman Al Hudson said that Silvercrest Manor, “through its dedicated associates, continues its mission of providing high quality and compassionate care to its residents.” According to Hudson, no staff members have been reprimanded, nwfdailynews.com reports.
Brian Lee, executive director of the advocacy group Families for Better Care, said he was struck by the “failure of the nursing home to take action when made aware of abuse.”
The nursing home has 30 days to appeal the findings, nwfdailynews.com reports, The fine for the violations is $13,500. Pending approval of the sanctions, Silvercrest Manor could be put on the state’s nursing home watch list. One in five Florida nursing homes is on this list, Lee said.
