Feds to fine Brighton nursing home at least $62K for coronavirus response

Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center is facing more than $62,000 in fines related to a federal investigation into how the Beaver County facility handled the coronavirus pandemic.

The fines are related to infection control issues at the facility.

“Some of the deficiencies we found was that PPE (protective personal equipment) was not worn appropriately,” Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said during a press call Thursday. “They were not cleaning medical equipment properly, and there were issues around the frequency of medical record documentation.”

Investigators also are reviewing recordkeeping practices, she said.

“Throughout the covid-19 pandemic, we have closely adhered to the strict guidelines and recommendations set forth by health officials,” Brighton Facility Management said in a statement. “While we must continue to be vigilant in our fight against covid-19, we are making tremendous strides in our ability to gain control of this virus and remove it from our facility. We are thankful for the tireless work of our dedicated staff as well as the assistance of those who have supported our facility and residents throughout this pandemic. We remain committed to working hand-in-hand with all local, state and federal authorities to defeat covid-19 together.”

The team of federal investigators was deployed following several weeks of concern about the facility’s covid-19 outbreak. At least 80 Brighton residents have died from covid-19, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health records last updated June 10.

There are currently 334 people at Brighton, but the facility has the capacity for 589 beds, state records show.

The facility in April adopted a policy that assumes all residents are infected with the virus.

Federal investigators visited the nursing home during the week of May 12 to conduct an independent review of state department of health oversight efforts, overlapping with Pennsylvania National Guard troops who were sent to Brighton to provide additional personnel and logistical support during the outbreak.

When asked to comment on the initial findings of the federal investigation at Brighton and the fines, Pennsylvania Department of Health officials reiterated plans for ramping up testing and providing PPE to facilities.

“The Pennsylvania Department of Health works as the regulator of nursing homes in Pennsylvania, and conducts inspections on behalf of CMS,” a health department spokesperson said in an email. “However, there are circumstances where CMS also conducts their own surveys and may choose to take their own action against a facility. We are committed to ensuring that nursing home owners and operators are providing safe care to residents.”

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced the investigation May 29. The findings are still under review by CMS.

The fines, which currently stand at $62,580, could increase as the federal investigation is finalized, Verma said.

A similar federal investigation was launched at a Kirkland, Wash., nursing home linked to 40 covid-19 deaths.

Brighton has been fined by CMS three times since 2017. Those fines — in the amounts of $8,908, $9,623 and $45,448 — totaled $63,979.