Updated | Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 11:30 AM
It was discovered that since the initial report, residents have been removed from the facility.
Original Report
A disturbing development is occurring at a senior care facility in East Las Vegas.
Channel 13 has learned that the air conditioning system at the Varsovia residential care home has failed, leaving nearly a dozen elderly and frail residents exposed to sweltering heat.
Video sent by a relative of the patient showed the thermostat reading more than 90 degrees on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s an air conditioner that vents the hot part indoors instead of outdoors,” the relative said.
According to the patient’s family, the air conditioner has been broken for nearly two weeks. The family contacted Channel 13 to find out why they have not received a response to their requests for repairs.
Channel 13 reached out to one of the company’s executives, but the executive declined to reveal his position or provide contact information for one of his superiors in an effort to get more information about what’s going on.
Alyssa Bethencourt: If you’re working on something, can you tell us a bit more about it?
VARSOBIA EXECUTIVE: No, I don’t want to comment on that at the moment.
Bethencourt: Can you say with certainty that there are issues with air conditioning there that could affect patients?
VARSOBIA: We haven’t confirmed anything yet.
Bethencourt: Are you concerned at all about the patients in that facility?
VARSOBIA: Yes, absolutely. That’s why I said we’re working on it.
Records show there are four Varsobia Home Care facilities in Las Vegas, and one in California, according to the company’s website, all owned by the same company.
Channel 13 reached out to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and received the following statement:
“(The Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman) has the authority to enter all licensed long-term care facilities to investigate and advocate for the health of residents. Since its launch, the Ombudsman has conducted unannounced monthly visits to the facility to ensure that regulatory guidelines, such as temperature control, are being met and care needs are being met.”
A previous visit in August did not identify any temperature-related concerns; however, we acknowledge this inquiry and will promptly investigate the current situation to address resident safety concerns.
Residents and families are encouraged to contact the Ombudsman Program directly for assistance via the intake line at 1-888-282-1155 or email at ltc.ombudsman@adsd.nv.gov.
The Ombudsman Program does not have the authority to conduct welfare investigations, as this falls under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies, but it does work closely with law enforcement and other agencies when such referrals are necessary.
In addition to the LTCOP investigation, the (Office of Healthcare Quality and Compliance) has filed a high-priority complaint regarding this facility, and the agency will follow up to ensure compliance with regulations, including addressing any failures to maintain a safe living environment for residents.
If further records or complaints relating to Varsobia Home Care come to light during this investigation, these will be dealt with in accordance with our reporting procedures.
We appreciate your dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents in our community.”
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
