Nursing home faces sanctions for clients’ treatment (DOCUMENT)

CRESTVIEW — Silvercrest Manor Nursing Home faces a fine and a state-mandated probation for failing to report allegations of abuse and to implement procedures to prevent abuse.

The Agency for Health Care Administration has determined that three of 60 clients at the nursing home at 910 Brookmeade Drive were not “free of verbal or physical abuse,” according to a proposed settlement agreement filed May 10.

Read the agreement. >>

Multiple staff members were made aware of “intentional rudeness, refusal of care and services, and rough physical treatment of residents,” but failed to take appropriate action, according to the document.

Silvercrest Manor faces a fine of $13,500.

The nursing home has 30 days to appeal the findings, according to Health Care Administration official Richard Saliba, who could not comment specifically on the findings.

State officials found one Class 1 violation and one Class 2 violation during an inspection conducted in late 2012.

The Class 1 finding is considered the more serious violation, according to Carol Gormley, a senior policy adviser for state Senate President Don Gaetz.

“A Class 1 violation is certainly cause for an immediate fine or consequence of some sort,” Gormley said.

The state order places Silvercrest Manor on a “watch list,” and a conditional license issued subjects the facility to inspections every six months.

Al Hudson, a spokesman for Silvercrest Manor issued a statement denying the state’s allegations.

“Silvercrest Manor disputes the cited deficiencies and denies any wrongdoing,” he said. “Silvercrest Manor, through its dedicated associates, continues its mission of providing high quality and compassionate care to its residents.”

Hudson said no staff members have been reprimanded as a result of the state’s findings.

Brian Lee, executive director with the advocacy group Families for Better Care, said Silvercrest Manor will, pending approval of the sanctions, join the one in five Florida nursing homes on the state’s watch list.

He said the findings at Silvercrest Manor struck him for the “failure of the nursing home to take action when made aware of abuse.”

He said he was grateful for the state’s quick work.

“I hope this nursing home will turn around and keep its residents safe,” he said.

Daily News Assignment Editor Wendy Victora contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Nursing home faces sanctions for clients’ treatment (DOCUMENT)