Amy Greene
02/05/2000
CHOCTAW - A home for mentally handicapped adults where a resident's death went unnoticed for several days was notified Friday that it will retain its federal funding and remain open for now.
The Choctaw Living Center, 2707 N Harper, had been given until today to prove the center's staff was working to correct problems with resident care and mismanagement.
The private, for-profit center was threatened with suspension of its Medicaid and Medicare benefits over the death last month. Resident Victoria Pepiakitah was found dead in her room Jan. 7. Staff members thought she had left to stay with family Jan. 2.
After the death, health inspectors visited the center and cited it for 10 deficiencies, including inadequate resident protection, privacy and management.
Although the center will retain funding, health officials are still monitoring these deficiencies: failing to protect residents against abuse and neglect, failing to maintain individuals' personal belongings and failing to provide clean mattresses.
"The survey team was a little uncomfortable clearing everything positively... because there really wasn't a way for us to judge whether that new policy works or not," said Becky Moore, assistant deputy commissioner.
The center adopted a new leave of absence policy in response to the citation over Pepiakitah's death. The policy says staff will check on residents while they are away.
During the inspection this week, health department officials noticed problems with residents wearing others' clothing. The center was cited for the problem last month.
The center will be given 60 to 90 days to prove it has implemented the policy changes.
Health inspectors will continue to conduct unannounced visits.
If inspectors cite the center, it will automatically lose its federal money. Meanwhile, the health department is seeking a fine of $50,000 over the death. Also, investigations are continuing by Choctaw police and the Medicaid/Medicare Fraud Control Unit of the state attorney general's office.
After news of the death, many families called the health department and pleaded that the 110-bed center remain open.
LaRuth Smith said Friday she is happy with the care her daughter Jenny receives at the center. Jenny Smith has been at the Choctaw Living Center for about 10 years.
"I really think that they (the center staff) are trying really hard. And they know that we don't want to lose this place for our kids," LaRuth Smith said.
CONTRIBUTING: Staff writer Ed Godfrey
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