Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 5, 1993 TAG: 9311050105
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CAROLYN CLICK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"This is a normal, routine cycle, which is unannounced, but they do have a general sense of when we are coming," said Connie Kane, director of the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Long-Term Care Services.
Avante was the focus of a surprise state investigation in July that turned up dozens of violations of federal long-term care health requirements and Virginia nursing home regulations.
The 141-bed facility was cited for, among other things, failing to uphold the dignity of residents, for physical-plant problems such as malfunctioning call buttons and air conditioners, and for pest infestation.
Avante filed an acceptable plan to correct those deficiencies in August. In September, the state conducted a follow-up inspection and found significantly fewer violations.
But inspectors said the facility had failed to maintain the highest level of well-being for five of 14 patients sampled.
In one instance, a patient with Huntington's chorea was supposed to have access to devices that would help him at mealtime. But the resident was observed at mealtime without a plate guard, built-up spoon or capped cup. In its plan of correction, Avante officials said the incident was an isolated one.
Inspectors also found in September that the facility was not providing necessary measures to help bedsores heal and continued to have a problem with pests.
In Avante's correction plan, administrator Bruce Wood said the facility had mounted an ongoing pest-control program.
Kane said the annual survey reviews the entire facility, including areas that have been targeted before by inspectors.
"Anything that has not been 100 percent fixed, we would cite them again," she said.
She said inspectors, who arrived at the facility Tuesday, would leave today.
by CNB