Rehab center says report inaccurate
By Ken West
Collinsville Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, 614 Summit
Ave., was fined $20,000 by that state agency and $5,300 by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. CMS, a federal agency,
works with the state Department of Public Health to certify that
nursing homes meet Medicare standards and conducted the
investigation.
In reports dated Jan. 6, the state and federal agency allege the
Collinsville facility failed to provide a safe living environment
for a female resident who feared sexual assault from a male
resident. According to those agency reports, the man allegedly
entered the woman's room and pulled up her skirt, leaving only
after she screamed. Jifi Jacob, administrator for the Collinsville
facility, said the Illinois State Police investigated the incident,
but no charges were filed against the man.
Melanie Arnold, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public
Health, said the nursing home did not conduct a criminal background
check as required when the man was admitted.
But Jacob said they are appealing because their background check
did meet requirements. He said the Illinois Department of
Corrections placed the man at their facility and did not tell them
the man posed a threat.
"We checked the National Sex Offender Registry and he was not
listed," Jacob said.
The man was at the center 14 days, Jacob said. He said other
facts in the state and federal reports are incorrect also.
"We are actively appealing that decision," he said.
Liz Surgner, public affairs officer for the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services, said that agency added its fine because the
nursing home did not report the incident to them as required. She
said a follow-up visit by the agency showed the Collinsville center
was back in compliance with Medicare rules by Jan. 15.
Full Article & Source:
State fines Collinsville nursing home
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