Re: Comments

Financial Disclosure Reply to this Comment

Because Autumn Health Care received money from both Medicare and Medi-caid, and because on at least one occasion Autumn Health Care has not provided timely cost information to the State of Ohio, Autumn Health Care should provide a financial balance sheet to all faciltiies' patients and patients' families. Full disclosure of how collected monies are spent would be particularly pertinent considering the owners' nonrelated healthcare backgrounds, lack of appropriate degreed supervision, lack of trained patient care personnel, and weekend personnel in the Somerset facility. Also of interest would be Autumn Health Care's selection of Omnicare Pharmaceuticals as their source of patient drugs. Omnicare has been sued by several states in regard to drug pricing. A typical Omnicare monthly statement shows drugs billed at TWICE RETAIL pricing. This is a continued and ongoing practice. Every taxpayer absorbs the cost of the waste, and patients pay the price for owners' bottom-line mentality. A. Sue Fowler

By: Posted: Nov 19 2007 01:54:32 PM

Where Are Your Priorities??? Reply to this Comment

For the second time in TWO (2) months, my Father's TraCleer medication is within 2 tablets of being gone. This drug must be ordered by ME from the distributor. I left a receipt in duplicate, signed by Autumn Healthcare nursing staff. This SPECIFICALLY INDICATED THAT a 10 DAY NOTICE WAS REQUIRED SO THAT THE MEDS COULD BE PROVIDED. This morning I was informed that 2 tablets remain. Appropriate care is more than appearance. Carpet, wallpaper and paint are fine. However, my PARENTS are not at Autumn Healthcare Somerset for a design tour. What happens to patients who do NOT have family to pick up your mistakes?? The Ohio Ombudswoman is my next stop. You should be ashamed AND fine for such negligence. What is wrong with you PEOPLE????? A. Sue Fowler

By: Posted: Dec 22 2007 09:44:54 AM

Autumn Healthcare of Somerset Reply to this Comment

This facility does NOT offer peritoneal dialysis care. To say that this building offers skilled care would be a misstatment. At one point, no nurse or aide on a shift knew how to change my Father's abdominal dressing. In the midst of remodeling, construction done by the one of the owning partners, hammering, noise and constant confusion, personnel just handle one crisis after another. One of the primary skills of true health care professionals is observation. This involves listening to patients, and knowing them in more than a "how fast can I get out of this room" manner. Any person who MUST be admitted to this facility needs to have family members present often...family members who will advocate for the patient's care and safety. Do not assume anything.

By: Posted: Dec 27 2007 05:54:00 PM

Amendment to Previous Comment Reply to this Comment

Today the Administrator of the Somerset "Home" told me the facility IS licensed to do peritoneal dialysis. They just aren't. As both my parents are in this facility, I have had ample opportunity to experience the level of care. When making the choice of physicians, pharmacists, hospitals and healthcare providers. the need for thorough research is critical. A health emergency is the wrong time to make uninformed decisions. Patients will often accept any form of treatment, whether appropriate or not, just to be pain free...families will go along with what is proposed to find relief for their loved ones. Those who specialize in end-stage treatments, such as hemo-dialysis, are dedicated to keeping the chairs and machinery in their units running. Many patients never see the specialist at all. Patients, who are also known as people, are created to be more than just statistics and income generators. If your loved one is in any care facility -- and I mean ANY -- visit every single day. Do not go at the same time. Drop in unannounced. Listen to your loved one's complaints. And if your family member cannot communicate, all the more reason to be vigilant. Being legally allowed to provide treatment does not mean that the treatment occurs or is done properly. Educate yourself.

By: Posted: Dec 28 2007 11:31:07 AM

What Is Skilled Care, And Where Can My Family Members Receive IT? Reply to this Comment

In two weeks, my father will have weathered and survived a 90 day stint at the Somerset facility. His stay has been fraught with problems from start to finish. Admission procedures were not properly followed, the holidays interferred with his dialysis treatments and PD training, and release planning has been non-existent. No member of this "skilled care" facility staff knew how to administer peritoneal dialysis treatments. My father's stay has been a learning experience for all staff members. This is NOT skilled care. Ownership and management are concerned with paint, carpeting, wallpaper, finding adequately trained help (which they do not now have, especially on weekends), and doing the least possible in regards to Patient release. Not a single release healthcare plan has been offered. Not ONE. In order to secure my father's release, I have depended upon the Social Worker at ROCKMILL REHABILITATION CENTRE. Unfortunately, this facility is 45 minutes from our home or my mother would be there in a trice. The aides who do primary patient care at the Somerset facility are kind and caring people. Many have been there for years. They were shabbily treated when Autumn Healthcare took over the facility, yet have stayed on and continue to care for the patients, many of whom I now know. When you look for a facility to care for your family members, do not fall for cosmetics. Make certain every word of the hundred-page small print admissions forms and agreements are read by your attorney. Ask questions. Be there at different times every day. Do not expect patient or family-focused care. Remember, this is a for-profit business, and that is what governs corporate policy and the day-to-day functioning of this firm. Caveat Emptor. A. Sue Fowler

By: Posted: Jan 22 2008 04:38:31 PM

Wow Reply to this Comment

you ms fowler are an idiot

By: Posted: Jul 24 2008 08:32:51 PM

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