The Ohio Department of Health reported that the Heath Nursing Care Center has 18 deficiencies at the facility. The severity of the deficiencies suggested that no patients were in harm's way, but could be if the problems are not fixed. This nursing neglect is unacceptable and the Department of Health fined Heath Nursing Care Center $1,300.

The Heath Nursing Care Facility was brought under scrutiny when one of their patient's escaped causing a lock down of city schools and a daylong manhunt of the patient. The Department of Health regularly surveys nursing homes throughout the state to make sure that federal rules and standards are being met. Since 2009, the Heath Nursing Care Center has had 28 deficiencies.

Most of the deficiencies were not critical but some included:

• Keeping outdated food in a refrigerator.
• Allowing mold to grow in a stock room.
• Allowing a patient to have a can a pop when policy requires that soft drinks be poured into a cup.
• Not notifying a doctor when a patient refuses medication.
• Failing to document medication dispensing times.
• Providing dental care to some of their patients.
• The facility did not honor nine patients' rights in separate instances and did not make sure 10 patients exercised a right of choice in their activities, schedules and health care.

While these deficiencies were noted and the nursing home fined, it's always a good idea to make sure your loved one is being cared for in a nursing home facility. Whether it's for short term care or a permanent residence, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and have a safe place to call home.

Source: Newarkadvocate.com, "Health care center records 18 deficiencies," Joe Williams, Dec. 25, 2012