A Bethesda nursing home once in jeopardy of being cut off from federal funds following startling allegations of lapses in care can keep receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments after passing a surprise inspection by authorities.
Previous inspections found serious problems with the care given patients at the Bethesda Health and Rehabilitation Center.
State officials had recommended the facility lose the certification necessary to receive federal funds.
Wendy Kronmiller, director of the state Office of Health Care Quality, said on Tuesday that the nursing home “had made sufficient corrections so that payments should not be terminated.”
The facility had failed four prior evaluations this year. One of the most tragic incidents recorded in a prior survey occurred when a woman who used a tracheotomy tube to breathe died after the tube became clogged with mucus.
Kronmiller had noted significant improvement during the most recent surveys and said she supported the nursing home owners’ requests for one last shot at compliance before being removed from participation in the government programs.
During the most recent inspection, state representatives reviewed the medical records of residents, monitored reports from each of the facility’s units and conducted numerous interviews with staff, patients and the ombudsman’s office, Kronmiller said.
The facility was cited for only one “minor” care issue during last Tuesday’s visit involving a woman who was pretending to take medicine but not actually consuming it at the proper time.
“Perfection is very difficult to attain,” Kronmiller said, “particularly when you have somebody actively trying to subvert it.”
Melody Chatelle, a spokeswoman for Bethesda Health and Rehabilitation Center, said management was pleased to “be in full compliance with all rules and regulations.”
“We certainly appreciate the efforts of our staff, residents and family members during this extended process,” Chatelle added.
Kronmiller said her office plans to “keep a close eye on the facility to ensure this progress isn’t short-lived and is sustained.”
