Ontario long-term care home ordered to find new management after failing to comply with inspection notices
An Ontario long-term care home has been ordered to find a third party manager to temporarily oversee day-to-day operations after failing to comply with a slew of inspection notices over a three-year period.
According to public records, the order was issued on July 20 by the director of inspections with the Ministry of Long-Term Care to Caressant Care, located on McLaughlin Road in Lindsay, Ont.
The report found that between June 2019 and July 2022, several written notifications and compliance orders were issued during inspections and the home had not taken the necessary actions to rectify the problems.
The report outlined five “recurring and ongoing non-compliance” issues, including a lack of personal protective equipment outside of isolation rooms, failing to document medication errors, failing to document adverse medication incidents, failing to bathe residents at minimum twice a week and failing to provide mandatory training to staff within one week of their hiring.
It also listed multiple other issues found during a June 17 inspection, which they say resulted in 18 written notifications and three compliance orders.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Two of the largest areas of non-compliance were regarding wound care and monitoring symptoms of infection. In June, an inspector found that a resident was “at risk of discomfort and wound deterioration when the resident’s wound infections were not monitored on every shift and the effectiveness of the medication was not being evaluated.”
The ministry also found that designated cooling areas in the home did not maintain a “comfortable” temperature between May 15 and September 15.
It also found that in June there was either no air conditioning in the designated cooling areas or those areas were locked and not accessible to residents.
“The temperature in the lounge on unit three and the outside temperature was 27 degrees Celsius,” the report said. “The residents were at risk for heat-related illnesses.”
Provincial legislation passed last year required all long-term care homes to have air conditioning available in resident rooms by June 2022.
Carrasent Care said in a statement to CTV News Toronto Thursday they have since ensured all residents have access to air conditioning in their rooms.
“As always, our priority is to provide a high level of care to our residents,” Communications and Marketing Manager Stuart Oakley said.
The report also indicates there has been frequent turnover in leadership. Between January 2021 and September 2021, the home had three executive directors and no director of care, and then in February 2022, three leadership level staff were terminated. According to the ministry, numerous staff have been hired but then resigned months and sometimes weeks later.
“These frequent vacancies and turnover in a short period represent instability within the home at a management level, which are tasked with leading and managing the operations of the home,” the report said.
As a result of these infractions, the Ministry of Long-Term Care has ordered the home to find new third party management.
“What this means is that Caressant Care will enter a management contract for McLaughlin Road with a person or persons to oversee the day-to-day operations in the home on a temporary basis. The individual or individuals will work with Caressant Care staff to help manage the home and clear any outstanding orders as well as help ensure the home is operating at ministry standards,” Oakley said.
“Caressant Care is working on securing a third party to enter into a management contract that must be approved by the Ministry of Long Term Care. At this time it is not known who the third party firm will be.”
A spokesperson with the Ministry of Long-Term Care said the order will give the home an opportunity to address the compliance orders, as well as stabilize their leadership staffing and ensure staff refresh their training.
“The ministry continues to monitor the home closely through regular follow-up inspections and ongoing contact with the operator to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents currently living in the home,” Mark Nesbitt said in a statement.
“The Director’s Order will remain in place until the Director of Inspections is satisfied that the licensee has met all of the conditions outlined in the Director’s Order, which includes a requirement to achieve compliance with all Compliance Orders issued by ministry inspectors."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.