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SANTA FE – A new review of state-run hospitals for veterans, the mentally ill and the elderly describes inadequate oversight that threatens their ability to provide quality care, including actual or perceived harm to military personnel at the point of care.
Presented to lawmakers Thursday, the review from the Office of Legislative Accountability and Budget outlines improvements in financial management, marketing and clinical outcomes for patients.
But the quality of patient care and supervision at the New Mexico State Veterans Home, whether real or not, remains a concern.
Problems there were highlighted recently by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which found examples of substandard care and injured patients.
That review found a state veterans home failed to properly intervene to care for a patient who had fallen eight times and died after being found unresponsive after a fall. One diabetic patient was sent home with insulin but no glucose meter, and another patient was admitted despite a do-it-yourself order.
The home failed to implement infection control protocols and training, such as staff use of face masks and proper antibiotic procedures — putting residents at risk.
If deficiencies are still not resolved by December, the agency could lose funding agreements with the Medicaid and Medicare programs. A medical director at the facility has since lost his privileges as a result of the June federal search.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said state officials are confident the facility will return to compliance within the time frame for the re-inspection.
In a statement Thursday, the governor said he made a surprise visit to the Veterans Home earlier in the week to personally observe the process and meet with residents and staff.
“I assured everyone that I will hold those responsible for the care of our veterans accountable until every measure is met and the deficiencies are corrected,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement.
The governor recently terminated the employment of five individuals at the Veterans Home, two nurses were disciplined and eight other employees were reprimanded or counseled. A team of experts has reviewed the facility, and employees are now being trained in critical areas.
New Mexico has earmarked at least $60 million for the Department of Health to build new veterans homes that are slated to be completed next year.
Four of the 12 recommendations from last year’s review have been implemented and eight more solutions are being worked on.
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