Care Violations Cited in Nursing Home’s Closure
A 99-bed skilled nursing facility in Inglewood, operated by bankrupt Care Enterprises, was closed Monday on the basis of earlier citations charging serious violations involving patient care.
Stan Roman, assistant branch chief for licensing and certification for the state Department of Health Services, said the state effected the immediate closing of Palomar Nursing Center at 301 N. Centinela Ave. by suspending Care Enterprises’ license to operate it. Next, he said, the state will seek to revoke the license.
Roman said that during the license revocation process, which could take up to three years, Tustin-based Care Enterprises would not be permitted to open new facilities in California. The firm currently operates 69 other homes in the state. Those facilities are not affected by Monday’s action.
One of the nation’s largest nursing home operators, Care Enterprises filed in March for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code.
Patients Moved Out
Roman said the company, anticipating the state action, has moved all elderly patients out of Palomar over the last few weeks. A final group of 15 patients was transferred to other skilled nursing facilities Friday, he said. He added that Care Enterprises did not attempt to block the state action.
Company officials could not be reached for comment.
The suspension order issued by Department of Health Services Director Kenneth Kizer was “very extraordinary,” Roman said. He said the department takes such action only when it believes that the health and safety of patients are in serious jeopardy.
Between March 15 and March 29, the Los Angeles Health Department conducted inspections of Palomar on behalf of the state. As a result, Palomar was issued 21 major citations and fined $89,700 for failing to meet minimum state and federal standards.
Among violations cited were instances of patients lying in their own excrement for an extended period of time, patients with bed sores caused or worsened by lack of attention, understaffing of nurses, and medication administered improperly or not at all.
At the time of the inspection, Roman said, Palomar was responsible for the care of about 80 patients.
