The U.S. Justice Department is calling for federal oversight for a nursing facility for infants and adolescents in Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Attorney's office believes children at the Pennsylvania nursing facility may be in danger.
A criminal complaint claims the Pennsylvania nursing home does not have a license to operate.
U.S. attorney Patrick Meehan said an investigation over the past few years uncovered serious concerns about how sick children are being cared for. His office wants the court to order immediate government oversight of the facility while the investigation continues.
The criminal complaint states that during an inspection by the Department of Public Welfare, nursing home facility staff failed to respond in a timely manner to a resident whose ventilator alarm was sounding.
The complaint goes on to claim that the equipment was not attached correctly, and that's why the alarm never went off.
The patient at the Pennsylvania nursing home was allegedly found unresponsive and died the next day.
The U.S. attorney's office also alleges that improper care led to children developing bed sores, and that there was insufficient staff to evacuate the facility when smoke was detected.
The Pennsylvania nursing home asserts there have been several more inspections this year, which the facility passed.
The nursing home says it will continue to cooperate with all government agencies.
Reference:
"Feds Investigate Local Nursing Home," 6abc Philadelphia, Erin O'Hearn, June 2007.
