The nursing home chain SavaSeniorCare, based in Atlanta, is part of a Congressional investigation into the coronavirus crisis in long-term care facilities.
Nearly half of Sava’s 13 nursing homes in Georgia have had major COVID-19 outbreaks, according to an AJC article about the probe. Rep. James Clyburn, chairman of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, sent Sava’s CEO a letter seeking answers about the company’s actions during the pandemic. Clyburn noted that nearly 300 people have died and several others have been infected in facilities owned by Sava.
Long-term care facilities in Georgia with coronavirus outbreaks
AJC reports outbreaks in the following long-term care facilities in Georgia (these numbers were recorded June 19, 2020):
- Windermere Health and Rehabilitation Center in Augusta: 76 residents and 42 staff tested positive; 11 residents with confirmed COVID-19 cases died
- Roselane Health and Rehabilitation Center in Marietta: 99 residents tested positive; 14 died
- Sandy Springs Health and Rehabilitation in Sandy Springs: 66 residents tested positive; 13 died
Federal data show Sava nursing homes in other states have experienced significant outbreaks and deaths related to the coronavirus crisis. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directed all states to conduct targeted infection-control inspections of every long-term care facility by July 31.
Georgia, however, is one of the slowest states to respond to the order by federal regulators. As of July 3, the AJC reports, the state has completed only 41 percent of the on-site inspections.
Over 1,300 residents of long-term care facilities in Georgia have died from COVID-19. Outbreaks and deaths may continue to rise in Georgia, which in July was seeing a record number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations.
What is causing COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes?
In some cases, coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes are a direct result of nursing home or assisted living facility neglect. The facilities may have not done enough to protect the health and safety of their residents. Experts that briefed Rep. Clyburn and the House subcommittee noted how understaffing, low pay and a lack of paid leave for workers may have contributed to the illnesses and deaths.
An experienced nursing home neglect attorney knows facilities need to practice standard infection control procedures during the coronavirus crisis, as well as protect residents from infection. They should design a plan to protect residents from infection and inform the residents and their families of the plan.
Facilities must follow and enforce procedures including:
- Staff using personal protective equipment and hand sanitizers
- Confirming that staff members were not infected with the virus
- Restricting visitors to the facility, to protect residents
Visit the Law Offices of George S. Johnson’s Nursing Home Neglect and COVID-19 page for more information.
What do I do if a loved one was infected and died from COVID-19?
Residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities should feel safe and protected during the pandemic, but sadly, it’s not unusual for them to face COVID-19 complications because of neglect.
If your loved one was infected or died from COVID-19 while under the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility, seek advice immediately from an experienced Atlanta nursing home neglect attorney. You will need a compassionate and tough-minded attorney who will launch an investigation and hold the responsible parties accountable.
To learn more, contact the Law Offices of George S. Johnson today for a free evaluation.