The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services accused Brentwood, Tenn.-based Vanguard Healthcare of providing poor patient care at some of its nursing homes, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Vanguard is a nursing home chain with 13 locations in Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia. Here are five things to know:
1. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, accusing Vanguard of providing "nonexistent, grossly substandard and/or worthless" care over a five-year period — 2010 to 2015 — and billing state and federal programs for care.
2. The company denies wrongdoing, according to the report, and facilities recently passed inspection.
3. Court papers show health inspectors found staff didn't adhere to standard infection control and there was one instance that lead to urinary tract infections in residents; in another case, residents were administered the wrong drug or dosage. The suit also claims residents were left in soiled beds for long periods.
4. The government officials are seeking around $56.5 million in damages, according to the report. Vanguard plans to fight the bill, according to Vanguard’s bankruptcy lawyer.
5. Twelve of the 13 Vanguard facilities are operating profitably.
