The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday released the first-ever ranking of the 54 worst-performing nursing homes in the country, and two South Carolina facilities are on the list.
Ridgeview Manor is in Hopkins, east of Columbia. Magnolia Manor is in Moncks Corner.
Ridgeview Manor had 31 health deficiencies and 3 fire safety deficiencies.
The health deficiencies included failing to: 1) hire only people who have no legal history of abusing, neglecting or mistreating residents or 2) report and investigate any acts or reports of abuse, neglect or mistreatment.
Another finding by inspectors was that the nursing home failed to give each resident care and services to get or keep the highest quality of life possible. It also failed to store, cook and give out food in a safe and clean way; failed to have a licensed pharmacist at least once a month check the drugs that residents take; and failed to keep the rate of medication errors, like giving the wrong drug, the wrong dose or at the wrong time, to under 5 percent.
The building also didn't have a fire alarm that could be heard throughout the facility and had improper wiring and equipment.
Ridgeview Manor administrator Larry Hanes says the nursing home is under new ownership and has changed its name to Countrywood Nursing. He says all of the deficiencies occurred under the old ownership and the problems have been corrected.
The Lt. Governor's Office on Aging confirms that both Ridgeview Manor and Magnolia Manor are under new ownership and that the problems have been fixed.
Office on Aging director Curtis Loftis says his first advice on choosing a nursing home is to start investigating options long before you have to make a decision. That will give you time to visit different facilities and see if you would feel at home there.
The AARP suggests visiting a potential nursing home several times, at different times of the day. You can find other advice from AARP on choosing a nursing home at http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourhealth/0410_sidebar_21.html
Medicare also has a checklist to compare nursing homes at http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/02174.pdf
You can also call the SC Office on Aging toll-free at 1-800-868-9095.
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