CT Health Dept. Appoints Manager To Oversee Norwich Nursing Home

NORWICH, CT — The Connecticut Department of Public Health announced Monday the appointment of a temporary manager to take over operations at the Three Rivers Nursing Home in Norwich.

This is the latest enforcement action by the state following an investigation of a widespread coronavirus outbreak at the facility. Three Rivers has agreed to voluntarily accept the temporary manager, according to the news release from DPH.

Since July 24, at least 21 residents and six staff at Three Rivers have become infected with COVID-
19, and four of the infected residents have died. This is the first time since 2006 that DPH has appointed a temporary manager for a Connecticut Nursing Home. The temporary manager will be responsible for operations of the facility and, pursuant to federal and state regulations, will have authority over all hiring and personnel decisions, procedures at the nursing home, and fiscal and budgetary matters in order to correct operational deficiencies found in the initial DPH report released Aug. 31.

“Appointing a temporary manager is a rare and serious step that is unfortunately warranted under the current circumstances in order to keep the residents and staff at Three Rivers nursing home safe,” said Acting DPH Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford. "This is part of ongoing accountability for Three Rivers, and we appreciate their cooperation. As part of our enforcement role at the state and federal level, DPH is committed to ensuring proper infection control and management practices are in place as we navigate our way through this challenging pandemic.

"Our aim is to make sure Three Rivers improves its practices in a sustainable way so we never see a widespread, preventable outbreak of COVID-19 or any other virus. Connecticut nursing homes must do everything they can to keep residents and staff safe."

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On Aug. 31, DPH issued a statement of deficiency for the Three Rivers Nursing Home in Norwich following an investigation of the COVID-19 outbreak. The investigation revealed that the COVID-19 outbreak began on July 24, when a staff member tested positive through routine weekly testing. There were serious violations found facility-wide in general infection control practices, staffing, cohorting (grouping together) residents who tested positive, and use of personal protective equipment.

DPH investigated the outbreak starting Aug. 17, including daily on-site visits, reviews of facility records, and interviews with multiple residents and staff at Three Rivers.

A statement of deficiency is a federal enforcement action made by DPH as the investigatory agent for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal entity that regulates nursing home participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Findings of deficiency can be made after violations in management or practice are found in a nursing home that puts patient care at risk. In this case, DPH issued a finding of immediate jeopardy, meaning the violations are serious enough to risk imminent harm to life. In addition to these findings of violation of federal standards, DPH is investigating whether state regulations, laws or executive orders were violated by the facility. DPH personnel have remained on site to monitor the situation at Three Rivers since the beginning of the investigation.

The temporary manager will conduct a thorough review of infection control, staffing and management practices at Three Rivers and will submit an assessment to DPH within two weeks, according to the release. The manager will also direct the creation of a corrective plan of action that must be presented to DPH that shows how the facility will address the findings and improve patient care.

DPH is also expecting more enforcement actions against Three Rivers to follow.