Volusia Co. nursing home placed on national watch list for problems

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia County nursing home has racked up so many violations, it's now on a national watch list of problem nursing facilities.

A major complaint against Avante at Ormond Beach involves an alleged sexual abuse incident by a staff member on a resident.

WFTV's Lori Brown found out how these violations will affect residents.

A resident at Avante at Ormond Beach told staff that she saw an aide sexually assault her roommate in January. But the Department of Health and Human Services said the nursing home did not investigate the allegation, putting all residents in immediate jeopardy.

Nursing home resident advocate Brian Lee is outraged at the reports.

"There is even a dialogue that goes back and forth between the inspector and administrator and he goes, 'Oh, I guess I should have contacted the agency.' It's like the inspector has to draw it out of him," said Lee, of Families for Better Care.

Avante at Ormond Beach is now on a government watch list and will not be able to accept any new patients on Medicaid or Medicare until inspectors are satisfied with improvements.

"There are only six nursing homes in Florida that are on this hall of shame nursing home list out of almost 700 nursing homes. It just shows the severity of the problems," said Lee.

"There are some who couldn't care less," said Mary Evert, a resident at Avante at Ormond Beach.

Evert told WFTV that the staff seems overworked, but the director tries his best.

"He has a lot on his mind. He tries so hard to get everything situated and satisfied," she said.

"They're overworked," said Stanley Ross, whose wife is a resident at Avante.

Ross's wife recently moved into the facility. He is concerned about some of the crowded rooms.

"I wish they didn't have three to a room," he said.

Brian Brown, who visits his wife here every day, said the Avante facility is turning things around.
"They give my wife supreme care. They take good care of her," he said.

The director did not want to comment.

Avante at Ormond Beach will be inspected twice as frequently as other nursing homes. If it shows significant improvements it will have the opportunity to get off the watch list in 18 months.

WFTV