State Health Department Cites Serious Harm at Rochester Nursing Home
Albany, June 15 – The New York State Health Department today announced that it has filed a petition in Monroe County State Supreme Court to appoint a caretaker to ensure the health, safety and well–being of residents of the Beechwood Restorative Care Center in Rochester, while it pursues a revocation action against the facility's operators.
The caretaker proceeding is scheduled for argument on June 21.
The Department's action comes in the wake of recent complaint investigations and numerous findings of significant quality of care deficiencies at the 80–bed facility, including serious resident harm. A Court–appointed caretaker would have legal authority to run the nursing home temporarily in place of the current certified operators, Olive Chambery and Brook Chambery.
In its petition to the Court, the Health Department asserts that the Chamberys have demonstrated an unwillingness to address the serious problems at the facility, which include a pattern and practice of habitual violations of State regulations governing nursing homes.
Based on the deficiencies, the Department seeks to permanently revoke the Chambery's operating certificate. An Administrative Hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 23 to present evidence of the alleged violations.
As a result of the State Health Department investigation, the federal Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has notified the Beechwood Restorative Care Center that it no longer may accept new admissions of Medicaid or Medicare residents. Also, a termination of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement for current residents of the facility is under consideration by HCFA.
6/15/99–58 OPA
