03/28/2024
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Assisted-LivingHighland Gardens Assisted Living of Clarkton was shut down Friday by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services because conditions at the 60-bed facility on South Smith Street presented “an imminent danger to the health, safety and welfare of the residents,” the agency said.

In documents mailed Thursday to Inez Myles, who is listed as president and administrator of Highland Gardens Inc., DHHS says it had found evidence of “neglect and failure to protect residents from potential harm that presents an imminent danger to the health and safety of residents in the home.” The Bladen County Department of Social Services assisted in relocating the residents.

The action, known as a summary suspension of license, was taken after the agency completed a follow-up and complaint investigation Aug. 4-5 of Highland Gardens. The facility has until Sept. 9 to notify DHHS of its intent to appeal the decision. A statement of deficiencies was sent to the facility Aug. 5.

Among the violations that led to the summary suspension, according to DHHS, are:

** Other staff qualifications
** Management of facilities
** Resident rights
** Health care personnel
** Reporting of accidents and incidents

DHHS filed a statement of deficiency with a plan of correction report May 7 following an inspection and follow-up survey of Highland Gardens on April 5-7. In the statement, DHHS said among its findings were:

** An employee who had not been properly tested for tuberculosis.

** The facility failed to assure follow-up to meet the health care needs of two of five sampled residents. One who had an order for a specimen and the other for a positive tuberculin skin test.

** Failed to meet the state requirements in regard to residents’ rights. Based on observation, record review, and staff and resident interviews, the report says, the facility failed to assure every resident had the right to receive care and services which were adequate, appropriate and in compliance with rules and regulations as related to health care.

** The facility failed to ensure a staff member who began performing medication aide duties after Oct. 1, 2013 had met the requirements to administer medications.

** The facility failed to ensure examination and screening for the presence of controlled substances was performed by a staff member who was hired after Oct. 1, 2013.

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