Regis Woods, a nursing home located in Louisville, Kentucky, has recently had its Medicare and Medicaid funding terminated by federal authorities due to serious violations found during inspections. The facility, which housed around 135 residents at the time of the inspection, was found to have multiple issues such as broken bones and reports of fighting among residents. The termination of federal funding, which pays for residents' care, is a severe sanction that could potentially lead to the closure of the nursing home.
The decision to terminate funding was made after an investigation by the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, with findings being referred to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The violations found at Regis Woods were deemed to constitute immediate jeopardy to residents' health and safety, as stated in a letter from CMS to the facility. A subsequent inspection in August determined that Regis Woods was not in compliance with federal rules for patient health and safety, leading to the decision to terminate federal funding.
Previous investigations at Regis Woods in 2020 also cited multiple problems including staffing shortages, improper care for pressure ulcers, and failure to properly investigate instances of abuse. The facility has a one-star rating on the CMS nursing home comparison site, indicating that it is "much below average" and has been flagged for abuse of residents. Despite the termination of funds on September 16, CMS will continue payments to Regis Woods for 30 days to facilitate the orderly transfer and relocation of residents.
Kentucky human services officials will oversee the relocation of residents to other facilities, as Regis Woods may appeal the termination within 60 days. The nursing home, owned by the national chain Genesis HealthCare, did not respond to requests for comment and has a history of deficiencies that have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of its residents. The closure of Regis Woods highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and quality of care for vulnerable individuals in nursing homes.