Norris Irate Over Veterans’ Nursing Homes Deficiencies

State Gazette, By Bill Hiles
August 17, 2006

Sen. Mark Norris is upset over the recent closing of admissions at Tennessee veterans’ nursing homes in Murfreesboro and Humboldt.

In a letter to Gov. Phil Bredesen, dated Aug. 10, Norris (R-Collierville) asks the governor “How are we to explain these on-going problems in light of empty promises by your appointees? Do you have a realistic plan of action going forward?”

Norris is a member of the Legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Veterans Affairs.

On Aug. 8 the state health department suspended admissions of patients to Tennessee State Veterans’ Home at Humboldt and imposed a $3,000 state civil monetary penalty. The state has also recommended that a federal civil penalty be imposed at $3,150 per day until the violations are corrected. A special monitor will be appointed to review the center’s operations.

As of press time today, the deficiencies had not been corrected and admissions were still suspended.

Norris said the committee has been holding hearings since June concerning conditions at the Tennessee State Veterans’ Nursing Homes.

“Following our first meeting, the Murfreesboro facility was formally cited by the Department of Health for 21 violations; nine of which were classified as ‘immediate jeopardy’ situations for residents. Admissions were suspended and a state monitor was assigned to the home,” he said.

“This prompted our second hearing on July 26, wherein Executive Director Rod Wolfe gave a lengthy statement in defense of operations at the Murfreesboro and Humboldt facilities. Commissioner (John) Keys assured us that the state strives to provide high-quality service in a timely, compassionate and cost-effective manner.”

The Murfreesboro home had admissions suspended on June 21 and was fined a total of $1500 by the state health department plus $4,500 a day for nine days by the federal government. The Murfreesboro home had a corrective plan approved and reopened admissions after nine days, according to health department spokeswoman Sophie Moery.

The health department ordered the Humboldt home not to admit any new patients based on conditions found during an annual survey conducted July 31 through Aug. 3. During the health department’s investigation, surveyors found violations of the standards of nursing services, performance improvement, pharmaceutical services, resident rights and physician notification. Specifically, the deficiencies pertained to resident neglect, misappropriation of resident medications, failure to follow physician’s orders and failure to notify physician of changes in resident condition.

She said the federal government has not yet decided on what daily fine to impose on the Humboldt home.

Norris said the Humboldt closing is the latest in a series of problems at the home dating back to 2001.

Last Friday Bredesen’s communications director, Bob Corney, issued a statement about the veterans’ homes situation.

“After the serious incidents at the Murfreesboro Veterans Home, Governor Bredesen instructed Commissioner Keys and his senior staff to have zero tolerance for any further problems at the Veterans Homes,” the statement said. “This morning, Deputy Governor Dave Cooley spoke with Commissioner Keys and told him to seek the resignation or removal of Rod Wolfe as executive director of the Veterans Homes due to the ongoing management issues with the operation of these important facilities.”

Later on Friday, Wolfe submitted his resignation.

On Monday, the State Veterans Home Board met by conference call and voted to establish a management team to oversee the veterans homes until a new executive director is selected. The management team consists of interim executive director Polly Darnell and three board members. Darnell is a free-lance consultant who has worked with the state veterans affairs department for about six months.

The board set its next full meeting for Aug. 17 in Murfreesboro.

The Commissioner of Health may suspend admissions to a nursing home when conditions are determined to be, or are likely to be, detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents. The order to suspend admissions remains effective until conditions have been corrected and will continue to remain corrected.

The nursing home has the right to a hearing regarding the suspension of admissions before the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities or an administrative judge.

In his letter to the governor, Norris questioned the long-range plans to build more state veterans’ nursing homes.

“Have you considered whether it is prudent to proceed with opening more State Veterans Nursing Homes in Knoxville and Clarksville when it appears the state is unable to properly administer the facilities we already have?” he wrote. “Have you considered appointing a new board or bringing administration of these facilities into one of your departments? Have you considered whether the funding and allocation of available resources is appropriate to meet the demands for staffing and quality of care?”

Norris represents part of Shelby and all of Tipton, Lauderdale and Dyer counties.