Vets' Home Director Promises To Address Problems

Reported by Dagny Stuart, WSMV.com (this links to a page with a video clip)
July 26, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- State lawmakers are promising more oversight for the state's nursing homes for veterans. The threat to revamp the homes' management comes after charges of patient neglect.

Just weeks after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into charges of patient neglect at the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro, the people who run that nursing home were called to testify before state lawmakers.

"I will not tell you abuse and neglect never happen. I will tell you is not tolerated,” said Rod Wolfe, executive director of the Tennessee Veteran's Home.

Wolfe was responding to stories about patients like David Lawson -- a longtime resident who died several months after developing a bed sore so severe it was infested with maggots. State lawmakers were highly critical of Lawson's care at the nursing home.

Lawmakers also pointed out that state health investigators have found the same kind of patient care deficiencies year after year.

"That wasn't the first time it had happened. The Department of Health was in Murfreesboro (to investigate) in 2001. There was as similar incident in Humboldt in 2004,” said Republican state Sen. Mark Norris.

Last month, the state finally closed the Murfreesboro home to new admissions because investigators said nine patients were in immediate jeopardy.

"It's almost a pattern if something that is life-threatening shows up two, three times. We've got a problem somewhere,” said Democratic Rep. Charles Curtis.

Despite these tough words from lawmakers, the hearing room was packed with residents from the Murfreesboro home. Residents said they receive high-quality loving care from the staff. Some of these veterans have been in other nursing homes over the years.

"The nursing care is tops and very affectionate and sufficient. And I say that because in many nursing homes there's a shortage of nurses, but it's not there,” said nursing home resident Thomas Clarke.

The executive director of the home promised lawmakers that the management team is working hard to address any ongoing problems. He said the problems could be solved with more time and the right staff.

Lawmakers also made their own promise to keep a closer eye on what is happening in these homes.

State lawmakers noted that these nursing homes are run by a board of directors appointed by the governor.

The lawmakers on Wednesday suggested that oversight of the nursing homes be transferred to an existing department within state government or to some other group that can keep closer watch on the management.

They also suggested that state health inspectors check on patient safety far more often.