Admissions Suspended At An Emeritus Assisted Living Facility Following The Discovery Of: Medication Errors, Bed Sores & Falsified Medical Records
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After discovering multiple health and safety problems, Florida officials have suspended the admission of new residents to Emeritus at Crossing Pointe-- a Florida Assisted Living Facility.
A September inspection of Emeritus revealed:
- An 82-year-old patient who died after staff failed to provide her heart medication for four days
- Inaccurate resident counts by facility managers
- Residents with infected bed sores (also called decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers or pressure sores)
- Neglected patients- some Alzheimer's patients had toe nails so long that they curved around their toes
- Falsified medical records
- Staff administering the wrong medications to patients that resulted in injury
The documented findings above, come on the heels of a suspected Norovirus outbreak in August at the facility. The outbreak originated in the facilities cafeteria and sickened 19 residents and two staff members.
In response to the recent findings, management of Emeritus at Crossing Pointe recently held a meeting for residents and their families. According to acting executive director, Pam Campbell, the identified conditions by inspectors are "not what Emeritus stands for" and calls findings "very sad for us."
Rest assured, once the state lifts the suspension on new admissions, Ms. Campbell says her facility is prepared. "We're ready for them any day."
Great.
I find it difficult to believe the Ms. Campbell-- or any manager in her position-- is capable of turning around such a troubled facility so quickly. The reason the state's inspection report listed such extensive violations is because Emeritus allowed a culture of poor patient care to exist. My guess is that until management decides to delve deeply into these problems and evaluate each employees role in this neglect, it is only a matter of time before more problems surface.
Emeritus Corporation
Emeritus Senior Living is part of the Emeritus Corporations, a publicly traded company based in Seattle. Emeritus Senior Living operates more than 300 assisted living, Alzheimer's care, and retirement communities across the country.
Resources:
Report: Patient at South Orange County assisted-living facility died after she wasn't given her medicine, Orlando Sentinel, November 15, 2009
We're fixing problems, assisted-living manager tells residents, Orlando Sentinel, November 17, 2009
I used to be a resident care director in an emeritus building in Ohio. Emeritus doesn't care about people, just money. I had to accept people that were not assisted living appropriate, no matter what their health condition and really belonged in a nursing home. Emeritus does alot of covering up on incidents that are really their fault due to not having enough staff. I dont' know how the state allows this facility to accept the residents that they do. There is alot of neglect in the Emeritus buildings because Emeritus doesn't like to spend money on their residents just what is put into their pocket. I have so many horror stories that they are too numerous to list in this blog.
I am a musical entertainer. I have entertained at the "Emeritus" in Chatsworth, California, many times but have not yet recieved my fee of $100 for the last time I entertained there on 10/23/09. Trusting you will check this out and have them mail me a check at their earliest convenience. Thank you. Henry Samuels.
I have a family member at a emeritus facility In Hobart,I am very close to the aides who work there the exact same thing is there also,they are understaffed and the patients are not getting the care they need,there was a suicide that was investagated but swept under the rug,no measures where taken the day before when he tried then, there are also residents who do not belong there that don't belong. Such as the lady with they hoyer
I am an employee of an emeritus in Hobart Indiana, I love the residents that I care for although they are not getting the care they deserve because of lack of help, they are promised so many things and do not receive it, I've masked my name for fear of retalitation, I need my Job, I'm not bashing this company but they do things that just don't make sense, we also have inappropriate people in are facility like the one in Ohio, and when asked about it, they say it's temporary but yet they are still there 2 and 3 mths down the road, I also feel they are in for the money and don't care about the residents or the staff,,, Thank You
I am an employee at the Emeritus at Hobart and I would like to say a couple of things. People complain about the staffing and the care and say that nothing is being done about it, when everyone needs to know that at the facility level you can only do certain things. Everything must go through corporate and people don't understand that. They like to complain and say that the management isnt doing anything and they don't care. I have seen several managers that do care and are trying. I have seen others who don't care but corporate seems to support them and they don't listen to the ones they should. So to all of you who put everyone in the same category, maybe you should know the full story.
I admire the dedicated nursing home employees who genuinely want to provide quality care to their patients. I agree with you in that patient care is a reflection of priority the corporate owners place on it. Many corporate owners are so removed from the reality of the how nursing homes operate that they not-equipped to make decisions that impact patient care. Further, we have seen an increase in large conglomerates taking control of nursing homes around the country. I hope that the corporate folks take notice of your observations and take the necessary steps to improve patient care.
This is no joke and Pam Campbell is one of the least trust worthy, or honest employees this company has on staff. I had the displeasure of working with her and would not trust her with my mom. She is famous for the big teary eyes batting while claiming ignorance.
These problems also happened at Pams prior position. Pam was the queen of doctoring records and hiding activities.
Pam..karma is a real sister isnt it?
The reason your staff doesnt work well for you is because of all of the drama and panic that you bring to a community.
It's too bad Kathy didnt get rid of you when she had the chance.
Do everyone a favor and retire.
I am a caregiver at an Emeritus community.
I have been with the company for 11 years.
They are good people.
They are not a bad company.
This building had bad employees they are trying to weed out.
They will fix it. They fixed my place and I love it.
As the executive director of an Emeritus property, I am astutely aware of the commitment the corporation has toward seniors and their families. Resident care is a daily concern, and numerous detailed systems are in place to ensure that no resident receives less than the optimum.
No entity is perfect, but the Emeritus culture and philosophy encompasses not only resident satisfaction and safety, but also contributes to the security of its employees. I have observed, first hand, corporate and regional directors, supervisors, and local line staff coming together to support not only a community, but also its individual staff members. I have watched dedicated leaders work ruthlessly evenings, weekends, and holidays to hone operations, not to increase the bottom line, but to enhance the physical and clinical environment they believe that each and every resident deserves. In addition, I continue to work closely with other department heads, who contribute both physical and emotional energy, with little time off, to ensure the welfare of the individuals in their care.
I am proud to be an Emeritus employee and am conscious of the strength, resources and support that I receive to do my job. I am confident that the recent allegations that have surfaced do not reflect the overall objectives of a corporation who has dedicated its existence to the overall well being of our countries seniors.
It has been my privilege to be with Emeritus for 5 years now. As the company grows, there is a continuous thread to do the right thing with thoughtful decisions for Residents and Employees.
I have worked in two areas of the country with Emeritus. Representing Emeritus in Texas during Hurricane Ike brought me to tears. Employees, their Families, and our Residents were No.1. The company supported with provisions like one had never seen.
Crossing Pointe receives the same level of dedication and commitment to provide for our Residents, Families, and Employees. I have participated in efforts at the community with many others, and again have been so proud to be a part of this company that once again shows through actions to do the right thing, and to have systems in place to provide for our Residents and Staff.