DSHS Fines Privately Owned Nursing Home In Spokane

dshs.wa.gov, Oct 10, 2006

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) levied a $2,000 civil fine on Sunshine Gardens, a privately operated nursing home, for violating state and/or federal standards of care.

DSHS imposed the fine for deficiencies related to 'Quality of Care' identified during a complaint investigation completed at the nursing home on July 25. DSHS delays the levy of civil fines related to a survey to give a facility the opportunity to question cited deficiencies through the state's informal review and dispute resolution process. A facility has 20 days from the date of state notification to appeal fines.

The 84-bed nursing home is located at E. 10410 Ninth Ave., Spokane. It is licensed to and operated by Sunshine Health Facilities Inc, serving Medicaid, Medicare, and private-pay residents.

State law requires nursing homes to make complete copies of the DSHS Statement of Deficiencies and the nursing home's Plan of Correction available for public viewing whenever violations occur.

DSHS enforces federal Medicaid/Medicare and state licensing requirements for about 250 nursing homes statewide through annual unannounced inspections and complaint investigations. Washington nursing homes must be in substantial compliance with all requirements to participate in each government health-subsidy program.

State law allows DSHS to assess up to $3,000 in civil fines against nursing homes for each unmet requirement.