Inadequately trained nursing assistants, dispensing the wrong drug for a patient and old, crumbling buildings are some of the problems federal inspectors identified last week at the State Veterans Center at Homelake.
Some of these conditions have gone uncorrected for years at Colorado’s oldest nursing home, according to federal Department of Veterans Affairs records and interviews.
“It’s never good to have repeat findings,” said Viki Manley, director of State and Veterans Nursing Homes in the Department of Human Services.
“They did say they were comfortable and pleased with the care the staff provides,” Manley said.
Five VA inspectors picked through the facility last week following media reports that highlighted problems found in previous inspections at Colorado’s six veterans facilities.
“We wanted to move on the concerns brought to us,” Human Services spokeswoman Liz McDonough said. “A final report is pending and it may identify additional issues.”
None of the findings are life-threatening, although a small post office was deemed too unsafe to remain open.
Repairs are underway at the home, Manley said.
Wheelchair accessible ramps will be installed next month, funded in part by a $917,095 appropriation approved last week by the state legislature for renovations.
The VA will add $2.2 million to fund other repairs.
Inspectors had cited the ramp problems – along with bathrooms that lack support rails and cottages laden with asbestos and lead paint – for years, records show.
Previous funding requests were refused or scaled down by lawmakers.
Other findings last week included nursing assistants not getting annual training and contract workers not providing residents with adequate physical therapy.
There are 99 people living at Homelake, which was built in 1891 as one of the original Soldiers’ and Sailors’ homes for Union veterans.
In addition to a nursing home, it has 26 cottages that make up an area known as the “domiciliary,” where residents are provided assisted-living services.
Though some of last week’s VA findings appear minor, others need quicker attention, McDonough said.
In one case, an inspector found that a pharmacy contracted to provide medications to Homelake filled a resident’s prescription with the wrong pills.
The prescription called for Quinine, a drug known for treating malaria but also prescribed to relieve nighttime leg cramps.
Although the pill bottle listed the proper drug, it contained Quinidine, which is used to treat life-threatening heart rhythms.
The resident suffered no effects from taking the wrong drug over a few days, Manley said.
The state contracts Omni Care to provide pharmaceutical services at Homelake and has paid $123,000 this year, McDonough said.
Staff writer David Migoya can be reached at 303-954-1506 or dmigoya@denverpost.com.
