PENTICTON — Two care homes in Penticton are now under the close watch of the Interior Health Authority (IHA) in the wake of surprise inspections. The health authority slapped Good Samaritan Society Village by the Station and Haven Hill Retirement Centre with high-risk classifications after discovering both facilities had several violations.
“Nobody likes to receive a report like this,” says Liz Dutton, B.C. Director of Operations at Good Samaritan Society. “If there are issues that need dealing with, we are grateful they have been brought forward.”
According to the recent inspection report, Village by the Station has 13 infractions, four them were critical. Some of those violations include: inadequate documentation concerning restraints, no documentation describing response to complaints, no staff performance in past several years and damages found in both residents’ rooms and hallways.
The care facility says it created an action plan shortly after the report was released and the majority of the infractions have now been addressed. It admits a few others will take until the end of summer to complete. Overall, it’s confident with the care it’s providing.
“If my mother was still alive, I’d be comfortable having her in there because I know the team in Penticton, as with the teams at other sites, are in health care because they’re passionate about working with older adults,” says Erin Brampton, Good Samaritan Society’s Acting Vice President of Care and Quality.
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Haven Hill Retirement Centre has a list of 15 infractions, four of them are considered critical.
The inspector found the facility had 10 incomplete care plans, did not follow wound care policy; had unlabeled non-resident items such as razors, nail clippers, and brushes in all tub rooms; and heavy damages to walls.
Mary McDougall, a Haven Hill spokesperson, says no complaints or concerns have surfaced in the past.
“We take this seriously. We’re working with health authorities and the families. The residents are not only our priority but they’re also very involved with what’s being addressed and how we are operating,” says McDougall.
The IHA manager of licensing and information explains that the high-risk classifications are based on several factors, including: inspection reports, history of compliance with standards and the number of substantiated complaints that have been received about the facilities.
“It’s important not to make a judgement on a facility based on an inspection report,” says Gretchen Rondestvedt. “Since then, both facilities have been working very hard to address the deficiencies.”
Rondestvedt says both facilities have submitted compliance plans, which have been approved. It is now up to both facilities to carry out the plans.
IHA will be monitoring and following-up with each care home to ensure the concerns are being addressed.
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