A list of more than 400 problem nursing homes nationwide names five nursing homes in Louisiana as substandard. The Special Focus Facilities (SFF) program list was compiled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal agency charged with overseeing the quality standards of nursing homes.
The five, Belle Maison in Hammond, South Lafourche Nursing and Rehab in Cut Off, Lake Charles Care Center in Lake Charles, Tioga Community Care Center in Pineville and St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, were placed on the list due to concerns over on-going problems ranging from care-quality to poor living conditions.
Belle Maison was specifically identified and targetted for increased inspections. After 11 months on the SFF, Belle Maison is now listed as a facility showing improvement. If the improvement continues for about 12 months (through two standard surveys), these nursing homes will graduate from the SFF list. The remaining facilities are candidates for SFF monitoring. See the list, click here.
According to the Advocate, Belle Maison had numerous reports of abuse and poor patient care. One incident says a patient was in immediate jeopardy after their roommate tried to smother him on two occasions. Belle Maison was purchased last year and its new owner has made improvements which were recognized by the CMMS and reflected in the SFF list.
More than million Americans live in nursing homes. Most of the cost is shouldered by Medicare or Medicaid. In Louisiana there are more than 250 nursing homes.
