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Facility reopens, but its worries aren't over

The Agency for Health Care Administration says the assisted living facility corrected problems cited last week, but the attorney general launches an investigation.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published February 17, 2006

PALM HARBOR - An assisted living facility shut down by the state last week reopened Thursday, but it could face more trouble.

Attorney General Charlie Crist's Medicaid Fraud Unit has launched an investigation into the facility, a state official confirmed.

Details about the focus or nature of the investigation are confidential, said JoAnn Carrin, a spokeswoman for Crist's office.

On Thursday, the Agency for Health Care Administration said problems in Long Shadow Inn's operations that state inspectors found last week were corrected.

The reopening marks an end to a tumultuous week at Long Shadow Inn, with more than 30 residents caught somewhere in the middle.

"I felt better just knowing I was on the way home," said resident Amy Hayes, 103, who had been staying at Shady Glen in Tarpon Springs since the state closed Long Shadow on Feb. 9.

Other residents like Bill Mandalas could not return. The 87-year-old Alzheimer's patient was admitted to the hospital on Monday, said James Mandalas, Bill's son.

"He wasn't feeling well at all after the move," said James Mandalas, who was at the facility on Thursday gathering some of his father's belongings. "He liked it here and leaving made him go down a lot."

On Feb. 9, several state and local agencies did a surprise inspection of Long Shadow Inn through the attorney general's Operation Spot Check program.

During that visit, Long Shadow staff members were unable to evacuate residents during a mock fire drill, officials said. Other health and safety violations were also noted, including improper storage of medication and blocked fire exits.

Staff members were also unable to produce a disaster plan, fire officials said. Owner Zlata Campara, 39, was not on site during the drill.

Palm Harbor Fire and Rescue ordered the facility closed on Feb. 9. The 33 residents staying at Long Shadow were placed at facilities throughout the county. On Feb. 10, the fire department lifted the ban after conducting fire training with staff members.

However, the Agency for Health Care Administration issued a moratorium on the facility as a result of its findings. The agency's moratorium outlined four major areas of concern:

Failure to implement an emergency plan.

Housing two residents who needed to be placed in a full-service nursing home.

Improperly storing and administering medication.

Allowing a person with a criminal background to care for residents.

"The state statute is very clear," agency spokesman Jonathan Burns said.

"There are certain classes of employees who must pass background checks. And if an administrator has an employee who they know hasn't passed a background check, they can't employ them in any capacity."

Campara acknowledged she employed a person who had been convicted of grand theft, but said that employee was not caring for residents. She has terminated that employee, she said Thursday.

She said she would hire a medical professional licensed to administer insulin. After an inspection of the facility Wednesday, the agency indicated that Campara had complied with all the remaining problems listed in the moratorium.

Thursday's reopening was bittersweet for Campara. During a press conference at the facility on Thursday, she thanked the Pinellas County Health Department and the Agency for Health Care Administration, but requested an apology from Crist.

"I'm very disappointed that the attorney general could make incorrect statements but never took the time to come see Long Shadow Inn," she said.

Campara spent much of the day contacting dozens of residents scattered throughout the county to tell them of the reopening. About nine indicated they would not return, she said. The question now, she said, is: "How will I regain the trust of the public?"

[Last modified February 17, 2006, 02:15:35]