Health Inspectors Document Neglect at Nursing Home

California health inspectors have announced that they will ask the state's attorney general to consider pressing criminal charges against the Windsor Gardens nursing home in Golden Hill for more than 127 cases of "poor care," the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Inspectors found instances of bedsores, untreated urinary tract infections, soiled linens and "lax infection control." In addition, the report listed instances of improperly administered medications and residents who went days without being bathed or having their hair washed. Inspectors also found that lab results were not transmitted in a "timely manner," daily activities were not provided and management failed to ensure the competency of the nursing staff.

Until the facility complies with state regulations, it will face fines of $3,000 per day, starting from Oct. 11, when the first inspection was completed. Health officials are also asking the attorney general's Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse office to look into the possibility of criminal charges. Windsor Gardens has stopped accepting new residents, and 25% of those living in the facility have left. Dr. A. Kent Williams, the facility's medical director, said that he "rarely" checked on residents, but "probably should have." He added that the staff "never consulted [him] on anything," concluding, "It was like I was a nonentity, and it was very frustrating." Sue Trenary, a supervisor with the state Department of Health Services, said that the investigation was prompted by a complaint from a resident's family member in September. While the facility has improved "significant[ly]" since the first inspection in October, Trenary added, "These residents were not receiving adequate care. Not only did things not look good, but we were horrified" (Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/12).