The Kentucky Division of Health Care performed site visits on both facilities between September 2022 and May, according to a June 20 Justice Department news release. They found substantial noncompliance with Medicare rules and regulations, including the use of blood glucometers used on multiple patients without disinfecting the tools; a resident who was left in an unheated room on the floor with skin tears and covered in urine and feces who ultimately died of hypothermia; rat infestation; the hiring of personnel who had criminal convictions; failure to report instances of abuse, neglect, exploitation or mistreatment; and failure to develop and implement care plan for residents with physician’s orders for oxygen. Hillcreek Rehab and Care and St. Matthews Care and Rehab Center were both owned and operated by Lexington, Ky.-based Medical Rehabilitation Centers.
Federal lawsuits were filed against both facilities and its owner May 24. After a brief hearing with the court June 1, the facilities agreed to terminate their provider agreement with Medicare, dissolve temporary restraining orders, dismiss their case with prejudice and close their facilities within 30 days.
Hillcreek will pay a civil monetary penalty of $636,752.75 and St. Matthews will pay $389,656.25.
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