Published: October 10, 2008 10:27 pm            

Two state agencies investigating Madison Manor

Two state agencies have confirmed they are investigating Madison Manor Nursing Home in Richmond.

Spokespersons for the Kentucky Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Division and the Inspector General of the Cabinet for Health and Family Service’s Division of Heath Care would not comment on the nature of the complaints that prompted their investigations.

The division of health care is responsible for inspecting, monitoring, licensing and certifying health care facilities, including nursing homes.

The independent nursing home ombudsman, funded by local governments and the United Way, is usually the first agency to hear complaints about nursing care, said Kathy Gannoe, Central Kentucky ombudsman.

She said four complaints were filed by or on behalf of Madison Manor residents in the past four months.

“Three were verified,” she said. “Two were partially or fully resolved, and one was referred to another agency.”

When the ombudsman verifies a complaint, “We try to resolve it,” Gannoe said, “but we have no enforcement powers.”

Complaints are referred to enforcement agencies, usually the inspector general, only if required by law or “when a facility is intransigent about resolving issues,” she said.

Madison Manor is part of the Richmond Health and Rehabilitation Complex acquired in August 2006 by Extendicare of Madison, Wis.

In 2007, the ombudsman received 26 complaints regarding 14 Madison Manor residents, Gannoe said.

Of those, 80 percent were verified, and 44 percent were resolved.

Some 28 percent were withdrawn, and 24 percent were referred to enforcement agencies.

A larger number of complaints were received in 2007 regarding residents of Kenwood, a larger facility also part of RHRC. Some 56 complaints were received regarding 26 residents.

Of those, 96.5 percent were verified, 46 percent were resolved and 5 percent were withdrawn. However, 24 percent were referred for enforcement, Gannoe said.

According to the medicare.gov Web site, Kenwood is certified for 93 beds and Madison Manor is certified for 96.

In a statement from Extendicare, Cindi Simpson, regional director of operations, said the company has been aware of the Attorney General’s investigation and they are cooperating.

“Our dedicated employees continue to remain focused on providing quality care to each of our residents,” Simpson said in the statement, “while complying with all state and federal regulations.”

Extendicare drew the anger of several Madison County families in December 2006 when it announced that the Crestview personal care facility in RHRC would close, displacing 31 residents.

A column by Gannoe discussing nursing home issues is published monthly in the Richmond Register.



Bill Robinson can be reached by brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.

        

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