Emergency order says Leesburg health care agency failed to administer medication to patients

A home health care agency put its patients at risk, according to an emergency order from the state.

The order claims workers provided care and prescription medication without doctors' orders.

The agency's owner said BrightStar Care will continue to treat the affected patients until the agency can find them a new health care provider.

A 14-page order said BrightStar Care must transfer those patients to other health care providers, but the order doesn't specify a deadline.

The order, which is from the Agency for Healthcare Administration, slams BrightStar Care in Leesburg for the way it says the home health care agency treated about half of its 27 patients.

The order states, "nursing care was provided to patients without a physician's order" and nurses "repeatedly failed to administer prescribed medications."

It also states the violations are of "such severity and magnitude that they constitute a direct and immediate threat to the health of patients.”

The order said BrightStar Care workers provided "tracheotomy care, gastronomy tube feedings and medication administration" all without a doctor's order.

In one case, the state says, "intravenous medication was not administered on two days. The medication was prescribed to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant."

The order also forces BrightStar Care to send its current patients to other health care providers.

BrightStar Care said it will continue to treat the 16 affected skilled care patients in the meantime.

The state hasn’t responded to Channel 9’s questions about why BrightStar Care is still treating affected patients.

Cox Media Group