Published: October 27, 2008 10:29 pm      

Guardian Angel to close its doors

ibrown@themeridianstar.com



Residents of a Meridian long term healthcare facility are having to find a new place to call home because their current residence is being closed by state health officials.

"I didn't think something like this could happen in America," said Dr. Paulette Butler, owner of Guardian Angel Healthcare Inc.

As per order of the Mississippi State Department of Health's Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification, residents of the Marion facility must vacate the premises – either move to another facility or wherever their family would like to take them, Butler said.

The closure comes after a round of evaluations that were not satisfactory, though exact details of the evaluations are unclear.

Officials from the Mississippi State Department of Health's Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification met with residents, their families and employees of Guardian Angel Healthcare Monday evening at Guardian Angel to discuss the situation.

"I don't know what the purpose of the meeting is," Butler said. "We're already moving the residents; I don't know what else they can tell them. If they can move them (residents) any faster, they need to come on because the people don't want to go."

According to Butler, Guardian Angel will be leased to a management company, which is set to begin operating Nov. 10.

"They own nursing homes in Mississippi. They're a real good, reputable company, we're excited about them doing it," she said.

The series of actions started in January, when Guardian Angel was surveyed by the state.

The state surveyors found no major infractions.

The problem started when a desk review was conducted by federal surveyors.

"They came back in and said, 'Excuse me, you've got three 'Js' – which is very bad," Butler said.

The local healthcare facility began proceedings to resolve the matter. During that process, there was a complaint survey in July, which, according to Butler, is not uncustomary for nursing homes. That survey was unsubstantiated within two days; however, state surveyors did not leave the nursing home facility. They stayed 9 days, Butler said, and came away with less-than-satisfactory findings.

"They are shutting this nursing home down on a technicality," she said. "And the worse part of it is making our residents relocate."

When the process started in January, Guardian Angel had 90 residents; to date, there are 70. The facility also has 130 employees.