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Daytona Beach Nursing Home Given Stern Warning By State

Posted: 5:55 pm EDT October 27, 2006

Eyewitness News got a copy of a scathing letter sent from the state to a Volusia County nursing home. It details almost 40 violations, thousands of dollars in fines and punishments the nursing home is now facing.

Eyewitness News learned it isn't the first time the Daytona Beach nursing home has been accused of abusing its residents.

The Horizon Healthcare Center on South Nova Road has 120 residents. Soon, the state could force it to stop admitting any more people.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Administration, the warning is about as stern as it gets. State officials said they rarely have to crack down as hard as they have in this case.

Horizon Healthcare Center has until Monday to make drastic changes, according to the Agency for Healthcare Administration. The 120 be facility came under fire earlier this month, when it failed an in-depth inspection.

"Yes, I am concerned, because my wife needs special care because of her health situation," said Brad Purdham.

He moved his wife into Horizons two weeks ago. He said he's shocked that, at about the same time, management at the facility were being sternly warned by the state to clean up their act.

The nursing home is racking up more than $8,000 a day in fines.

The state leveled accusations in five categories, including abuse, accommodation of need, quality of care, accidents and nursing services. The state warned "...conditions at your facility constituted immediate jeopardy to residents' health and safety..."

Purdham didn't notice any glaring problems, but said he'll keep a close watch on his wife.

What inspectors saw could force the facility to stop admitting new residents and they now risk loosing their ability participate in Medicaid/Medicare programs.

Eyewitness News checked and there has been only one lawsuit filed against Horizons, for professional malpractice in 2003.

Daytona Beach police were not able to comment on whether they were a part of the abuse accusations, nor about the nature of the charges.

The parent company of the facility would not comment, except to say that they have already met the state's requirements, but not so according to state officials.

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