Most Peabody Nursing Homes Pass First Round Of State Checks

PEABODY, MA — Four of Peabody's five long-term care facilities were deemed "in adherence" in the first round of inspections by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The only nursing home to be labeled "not in adherence" was CareOne at Peabody. While the facility scored 25 out of a possible 28, it was found to not comply with at least one of the six core areas outlined in the state inspection checklist. Facilities had to score at least 20 points and meet standards in the six core areas.

"CareOne is pleased that our Peabody center achieved a score of 89 percent during the initial audit," CareOne said in a statement Tuesday. "We remain confident that the state’s follow-up survey will find the facility is in full adherence with Massachusetts’ COVID-19 infectious disease control protocols, meeting all 28 requirements set forth by the Department of Public Health."

The company's complete statement is published at the end of this article.

Statewide, 12 nursing homes scored under the 20-point threshold, while 119 scored 20 points but failed in one of the six core standards, meaning they were also found to be in noncompliance. The remaining 228 nursing homes scored 20 points or higher, including meeting the six core standards.

The inspections were the first in the COVID-19 Nursing Facility Accountability and Support Program announced by Gov. Charlie Baker on April 27. The audits, which are funded by $130 million the Baker administration allocated to slow the spread of the coronavirus in nursing homes, will be conducted every two weeks.

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The Peabody nursing homes included in the report that were listed as being "in adherence":

• Alliance Health at Rosewood, 28 points.
• Continuing Care II at Brooksby Village, 26 points.
• Jeffrey & Susan Brudnick Center for Living: 28 points.
• Pilgrim Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center: 27 points.

The state didn't release a breakdown of scores for individual nursing homes showing where they failed to comply with the standards laid out in the program's compliance checklist.

Long-term care facilities account for 61 percent coronavirus-related deaths in Massachusetts. Of the states 88,970 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, 18,801 were either patients or workers in long-term care facilities.

Read the complete nursing home inspection report.

Complete statement from CareOne:

"CareOne is pleased that our Peabody center achieved a score of 89 percent during the initial audit. The score reflects CareOne’s COVID-Capable℠ model of care, which is now in place at all of our post-acute nursing, assisted living and long-term care facilities. We remain confident that the state’s follow-up survey will find the facility is in full adherence with Massachusetts’ COVID-19 infectious disease control protocols, meeting all 28 requirements set forth by the Department of Public Health (DPH.)

"Beginning in March, CareOne gathered emerging standards, protocols, and best practices for protecting and treating at-risk populations from the novel coronavirus. This approach coupled with its early experience with the virus led CareOne to develop its COVID-Capable℠ model of care.

"CareOne’s Chief Medical Officer, along with CareOne’s infectious disease experts, played central roles in developing and managing our COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts. Our Infection Preventionists manage COVID-19 surveillance and oversee implementation of infection control measures.

"Our regimen includes frequent respiratory assessments, daily respiratory treatments, and rigorous, focused nursing assessments for every COVID-positive patient. Additional steps include standard hydration procedures (including IV fluids as indicated), baseline and follow-up EKGs for all patients, and focused restorative eating when symptoms such as cough, nausea and lethargy are present.

"CareOne’s COVID-Capable℠ model is part of a broader effort to elevate and advance the standard of coronavirus care in the skilled nursing and long-term care sector. CareOne’s courageous caregivers work every day to ensure that residents and patients in senior life facilities are properly protected and cared for throughout the pandemic."

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Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).