Rep. Jennifer McClellan is calling for a “full investigation” into reports of inadequate patient care at distressed health care centers caught up in an ongoing controversy over operations at colonial Heights nursing homes.
“A disturbing report on conditions…answer to demand,” wrote McClellan of D-Virginia in a letter to Cara Evick, manager of the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. “Federal and state authorities must quickly secure colony height rehabilitation and nursing center relief, so nursing home residents can get the quality care they deserve.”
The Easterrsley Avenue facility was scrutinized after an attack by local and state authorities last December arrested 18 staff members, including the then director. The attack came after allegations were filed that a former resident of the centre had died due to neglect and abuse by the nursing team.
Since then, the family of another former resident has filed a lawsuit against the nursing home and its parent company on a similar complaint.
“Families across Virginia place their trust in nursing and rehabilitation centers to provide them with the attention and attention they deserve,” McClellan wrote in a letter released Monday. “They don't have to question whether that trust is misguided. Virginians deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their loved ones are safe, cherished, and treated with the greatest dignity.”
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Specifically, McClellan said he needs to answer the following questions:
What processes does CHRNC leadership use to identify and correct defects in resident care?
What “specific actions” are the centre taking to resolve the staffing shortage and ensure appropriate nursing coverage in Colonial Heights?
How many compliance surveys have been conducted at facilities over the past five years due to state and federal requirements? Is any of these investigations related to allegations of abuse or neglect? If so, have a shortage in those areas been demonstrated?
What corrective actions have been imposed on the facility over the past five years? Are there any ongoing corrective actions currently available while the facility is working to resolve defects identified during the investigation?
Did the latest investigations introduce corrective actions related to the CHRNC operating license issued by the Virginia Department of Health?
What steps will the centre take in the future to provide greater transparency and accountability regarding the quality of care provided at facilities?
McClellan, whose fourth parliamentary district contains colonial heights, said he closed the letter saying he was looking forward to seeing your timely response and meaningful improvements at the colonial Heights rehabilitation and nursing centre.
A nursing home spokesman said he could not immediately comment on the letter.
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Bill Atkinson (he/he) is an award-winning journalist covering news, government and politics. Contact him at batkinson@progress-index.com or at X (formerly known as Twitter) at @batkinson_pi.
This article was originally published in The Progress-Index: VA.
