Kentucky Nursing Home Abuse
Attorney General Investigates Kentucky's Largest Nursing Home
April 7 , 2006
Kentucky's largest nursing home is at serious risk of losing its license following numerous reports of resident abuse, Medicaid fraud, and one suspicious death. The Lakeside Heights Nursing Center in Highland Heights is currently under investigation by the state's Attorney General's office to investigate the reported problems.
Patient records have been seized and a full-fledged investigation has begun regarding the allegations.
According to Michael Wright, the litigation manager for the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Division of the Attorney General's office, “The problems have just continued from October through March. There's been no significant let-up at all.”
As of last week, Medicaid and Medicare have terminated their relationship with the corrupt nursing home and have given Lakeside Heights residents until the end of the month to acquire new living arrangements.
Mixed emotions have been expressed by residents and family members, regarding the allegations. Some are angered about the forced move imposed by Medicaid and Medicare and others believe that there is a valid reason for investigation.
Investigators are planning on probing the cause of death of a nursing home patient who died suddenly last fall from an electrolyte imbalance. This condition is commonly caused by severe dehydration or malnutrition and has contributed to suspicions.
“We take the allegation very seriously, and we are reviewing those records,” commented Wright. “Our concern is that people are in serious risk there.”
Al Mollozzi, a temporary administrator at Lakeside Heights, commented on the investigation, “They are here, we are producing documents for them. I don't know where that is going.” Mollozzi was brought into the nursing home in an effort to assuage the mounting problems, which he refers to as systemic problems concerning the home's administration and staff.
“He hasn't said anything inconsistent with what we are finding, but systemic problems just doesn't really fully characterize what we have been told and what we are seeing,” Wright said.
If the attorney general's office finds evidence of abuse, neglect and Medicaid fraud during the investigation, felony charges against the institution may be pursued.
Though the nursing home may technically still be able to house private patients who do not rely on government funding, the issue of whether their license will be revoked is still in debate.
Inspector General Robert Benvenuti III, who is in charge of nursing home licensing and inspection in Kentucky commented, “ The license issue doesn't run to funding, it runs to the ability of the facility to be open at all.”
Benvenuti estimates that that decision will be made sometime next week, but added that it will be very difficult for Lakeside to turn around at this point.
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