Nursing Home Law Blog : Nursing Home Lawyer & Attorney : Stark & Stark Law Firm : Elder Care, Senior Care

In total, 8 residents at the National HealthCare nursing home and the Brookdale Senior Living-Grand Bristol nursing home in Bristol, Virginia were groped, fondled and sexually assaulted by nursing aide James W. Wright between July 2003 and May 2008. After Wright left the National HealthCare nursing home, he applied at Brookdale and passed the criminal background and job references checks.

Last week, the Virginia Board of Nursing suspended Wright’s nursing license. Later that day, a Bristol, VA grand jury indicted Wright on four counts of aggravated sexual battery following an seven-year long investigation by the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia from 2000 to 2007. Brookdale states that they were never notified of the 7 reported cases of sexual abuse committed by Wright during his time with NHC.

This case only reinforces the need for stricter regulations and background checks when it comes to the safety and care of our loved ones.

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Families of residents in New Jersey nursing homes have joined the picket lines in support of the health care workers at their family members’ facilities. The strike began last Friday, August 7, 2009, against the Omni Corporation, owned and operated by Avery Eisenreich, and include Castle Hill, Harbor View, Palisade and Bristol Manor. Family members are supporting the caregivers who have dedicated years to their family members. Reports state that Eisenreich and his management have intimidated and harassed many caregivers—creating a difficult environment for both workers and residents.  He even tried to get an injunction to close down one of the four picket lines, but the judge ruled against him and in the workers’ favor.

You can read more on this story online here.
 

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I found an article online last week  which reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued quality ratings for 15,800 nursing homes throughout the USA which participate in Medicare or Medicaid. Each nursing home was assigned a star rating, from one to five - with five being the best. The ratings are based on health inspection surveys, staffing information, and quality of care measures.

Alaska had the best record with 0.0% of all nursing homes have a 1-star ranking, and 26.7% of all nursing homes have a 5-star ranking. While Louisiana had the worst record with 39.3% of all nursing homes have a 1-star ranking, and 2.8% of all nursing homes have a 5-star ranking. New Jersey was in the middle of the pack with 22.2% of all nursing homes have a 1-star ranking, and 12.7% of all nursing homes have a 5-star ranking,

You can read the full article and the complete list of rankings by state online here.

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