Admissions Frozen at Privatized Metro Facility

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Citing violations of state and federal laws and regulations state health officials have ordered a freeze on admissions at the Nashville nursing home which Metro Nashville officials privatized and turned over to a private for profit company three years ago.
The order issued late last week by state Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner also imposed fines totaling $7,500 on the facility now known as Nashville Community Care and Rehabilitation at Bordeaux.
Under an agreement with Metro operation of the 419 bed was turned over to Signature Health Care, a chain of nursing homes, which has been cited by the state for deficiencies at its other facilities.
Dreyzehner said a special monitor was also appointed to oversee operations of the facility at 1414 County Hospital Road.
The freeze was imposed based on a complaint survey conducted by state health inspectors from Sept. 24 to Sept. 27.
According to the commissioner, violations uncovered related to the administration of the facility and and patient rights.
The notice, effective Oct. 19, bars the facility from admitting any new patients until further notice. The nursing home is required to post a copy of the order at its main public entrance "where it can be plainly seen."
The nursing home can appeal the findings and the two fines of $5,000 and $2,500 to a state board.
In announcing the freeze Dreyzehner cited a state law that authorizes the commissioner to suspend admissions "when conditions are determined to be, or are likely to be, detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the residents."
Metro's agreement with Signature privatizing the Bordeaux facility has not been without controversy in part based on the amount of money the city is committed to provide to help underwrite its losses.
The initial lease was signed in 2014 and was renewed for another four years in 2016.
Another Signature facility, Signature Health Care at Saint Francis in Memphis was cited by the state in March for multiple violations of state and federal regulations. As a result the nursing home had its Medicare agreement terminated and the agency ceased any further payments.