The Louisiana Department of Health has closed several nursing homes in the region after the owner chose to jam hundreds of patients into a warehouse as Ida approached Louisiana. Seven have died.
The power went out at the warehouse in Independence, generators failed and the building partially flooded with more than 800 patients packed inside.
"State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter has ordered the immediate closure of the 7 nursing homes that evacuated to Independence on Friday, August 27 ahead of Hurricane Ida," LDH said in a news release.
The seven facilities that evacuated patients to the Independence facility include:
River Palms Nursing and Rehab, Orleans Parish
South Lafourche Nursing and Rehab, Lafourche Parish
Maison Orleans Healthcare Center, Orleans Parish
Park Place Healthcare Nursing Home, Jefferson Parish
West Jefferson Health Care Center, Jefferson Parish
Maison DeVille Nursing Home, Terrebonne Parish
Maison DeVille Nursing Home of Harvey, Jefferson Parish
“What happened in Independence is reprehensible, and I know there are many families hurting as a result,” said LDH Secretary Dr. Courtney N. Phillips. “Today’s action against these facilities is needed. There is more to come. Our Department’s mission is to advance the health and well being of our residents — and that includes our vulnerable nursing home residents.”
Kanter says the nursing homes owner can't be trusted.
“The lack of regard for these vulnerable residents' well being is an affront to human dignity. We have lost trust in these nursing homes to provide adequate care for their residents. We are taking immediate action today to protect public health.”
On Wednesday LDH began evacuating nursing home residents, starting with the most vulnerable, and by end of day had rescued the vast majority. By Thursday, all nursing home residents had been evacuated from the facility. Most were taken to shelters and other facilities, more than a dozen were hospitalized.
LDH has now confirmed seven deaths of nursing home residents evacuated to the Independence facility, five of which have been classified as storm-related.
"Individuals looking for loved ones evacuated from one of the seven nursing homes should call 211, which is coordinating with LDH’s Office of Aging and Adult Services which directly helps to connect families. Since standing up the hotline via 211, LDH has connected with more than 200 families of nursing home residents who evacuated to the Independence facility. Also, LDH is proactively reaching out to families of nursing home residents."
