The operating licences of two Winnipeg long-term care homes and one northern care home are currently under review over multiple concerns from inspectors that highlight issues with staffing and infection prevention and control.
The province confirms letters were sent to Parkview Place and Maples Personal Care Home advising them they were being put under review on Dec. 11.
It also said Nisichawayasihk Personal Care Home was advised on Nov. 27 it was under review because of ‘concerns relating to nursing services, safety and security, and infection control.’
Resident admissions at Parkview Place and Maples Long Term Care Home were suspended on Jan. 12, according to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
“New resident admissions had been suspended at both Parkview Place and Maples PCH throughout their active outbreak periods, as is the case with all Winnipeg PCHs,” a WRHA spokesperson said.
“Neither facility has admitted new residents since the outbreaks were declared over.”
Both facilities have been under the microscope since COVID-19 outbreaks took a stronghold on the homes.
In the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak in October, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority sent in a five-person team to inspect the Parkview facility.
It was the first time health officials had been inside since a previous inspection in March found concerns with cleanliness and infection control, including evidence of cockroaches and filthy washrooms that smelled of urine.
The review identified the need for more medical and clinical staff, which could include doctors, nurses, health-care aides and physiotherapists, to care for residents.
The review found that staff are also in need of more training on outbreak protocols, according to the WRHA.
A provincial investigation of Maples got underway in November after a deadly weekend when multiple ambulances were dispatched to treat residents who were severely dehydrated and in need of extra care. Eight of them died within 48 hours.
The incident also prompted an apology from Revera — the company that owns both Maples and Parkview Place — after “inaccurate” information regarding staffing levels that weekend was disclosed to health authorities, the health minister and the public.
After that deadly weekend, the Manitoba government appointed an expert advisor to review the situation at Maples Long Term Care Home.
The preliminary findings were to be submitted in mid-December, with the final report set to be submitted to the health minister in January.
The province would not disclose whether that report has been finalized and received.
Newly minted Health Minister Heather Stefanson was “unavailable” to speak about the reviews or the status of the report when contacted by Global News Monday.
The minister’s spokesperson said “there should be more to say on (the expert advisor review) in the coming days.”
The province said in the last ten years there have been very few personal care home licences placed under review.
It said when a facility is placed “under review”, they must:
- Provide a detailed status update outlining their plans and efforts to address any concerns or may face more serious encumbrances on their licence;
- Ensure the plans to address the concerns are appropriate and will maintain provincial PCH standards; and
- Provide regular status updates on actions taken to address the concerns.
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Revera declined an interview request by Global News but said in a statement that it is “working closely with (Manitoba Health and the WRHA) on the licence review process.
“We are committed to addressing any issues or concerns raised in our discussions as soon as possible,” Director of Communications Larry Roberts told Global News.
The WRHA said it has requested plans from both facilities before they would be allowed to resume new admissions.
“To ensure that a resumption of admissions is conducted in a safe manner, WRHA has requested a plan from both facilities for the resumption of admissions, including ensuring appropriate processes and staffing remain in place as new residents are admitted,” a WRHA spokesperson said via email.
“The WRHA will continue to work in collaboration with Parkview Place and Maples management to ensure that when admissions are resumed, that appropriate staffing and infection prevention and control practices continue.”
The province did not have a timeline for when issues would be fixed and the review of Parkview Place would be completed.
It said it expects a status update on the situation at Maples within the next two months.
The province said Nisichawayasihk Personal Care Home has made progress in addressing the concerns and a number of improvements have been completed. It is currently reviewing the latest status updates to determine next steps.
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