I began writing this over two years ago, simply because I couldn't believe what these people are getting away with. I've spent most of my spare time looking into how the nursing home industry works. I've seen the ownership, management, shell companies and all the usual ways that wealthy business owners hide their money. What bothers me the most is that the authorities don't care. They are almost hostile to the person making a complaint or an accusation.
This began when my brother and I filed complaints against Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation .with the NCDHSR. The complaints were based on the care Mom received there. When we received the copies of her medical records, we were astonished that the NCDHSR could not find any deficiencies.
The records themselves are for the most part handwritten. The majority of the documents have the wrong bed and room number. There is missing medication, no records at all from the shift the night Mom died, no notes from Dr. Larry Joe Russell who was supposed to be her doctor. There is an entry concerning a fall that was written a month after Mom's death. During her entire stay there are only four records of showers. One of the documents indicates that the night of the fall, she took a shower with no assistance. Although it is repeatedly noted that she was a fall risk and required assistance with ambulating.
This is not a complete list of what is wrong with Mom's medical records, but a representation of some of the obvious deficiencies we found. They are some of the violations that were overlooked by the NCDHHS. After the response from the NCDHSR, we requested a meeting with the Western Regional Director of the NCDHSR, Gail Maloney. During the meeting, we were basically told that none of the issues violated their regulations. Ms. Maloney informed us that she had the final word and that there was nothing else we could do. At the time of our meeting the only thing we had were Mom's medical records from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. I did not receive the results of the DHSR investigation from the Freedom of Information Act till the following August. I have been through the information and have found too many inconsistencies to list. There are answers to our complaint that have no documentations to support them. This is not the way to investigate, there is proof in the records that is ignored because of the investigators opinion.
Why is the word of someone being investigated given more weight than the accuser? I have nothing to gain from this. Am I not due the same considerations as the very people who have something to lose. How would that work in a court of law. I am innocent simply because I say I am. There would certainly be no problem with the overcrowding of prisons. If someone did something wrong, are they really going to admit it to the authorities.
What do I have to do to get the NCDHSR to respond to my accusations. What rights do I have to make them look at their own mistakes. Lives are being lost due to the fact that the nursing homes are being allowed to violate the NCDHSR regulations. The investigators are looking the other way and allowing the homes to do whatever they want. How much is a life of an elderly patient worth to the NCDHSR. What are they getting in exchange for looking the other way?
All I am asking is for the NCDHSR to do their job, and preform comprehensive investigations. They are getting paid by taxpayers to investigate. Are they also getting paid to ignore their own findings?
That would be illegal and law enforcement would be getting involved. That's what you would think anyway.
If the NCDHSR is the final word, how will there ever be any sort of reform of the laws concerning nursing homes? Where is the justice for the elderly patients living in substandard conditions? Do they not have rights to be treated with respect ? Is there any dignity in lying in your own waste, or not getting a shower? If you have been in a nursing home, you must have seen things that made you wonder.
If you have someone in a nursing home, especially Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, take a look around. There are many warning signs that people ignore. Especially if you are the one who put your loved one in there. Sometimes it is impossible to care for someone at home and there is no choice. If you are in this situation you could help change the laws. Complain if something is wrong, and don't get discouraged when you get ignored by the NCDHSR. It takes more than a couple of people to make a change. I need all the help I can get. Don't let these people keep making millions at the expense of the elderly. Make them provide the care they are getting paid for.
No comments:
Post a Comment