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New Citations Put Oakwood Back In The News
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
July 5, 2007

SOMERSET, KENTUCKY--In case you thought you'd heard the last about problems at Communities at Oakwood, think again.

Last Friday, the institution, which houses about 230 people with developmental disabilities, received a "Type A" citation, the most serious kind that the Inspector General for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services can give.

The June 29 citation was issued after a male resident -- who was found with red marks around his neck -- reported that a staff member choked him. The resident was supposed to have been closely monitored.

It was the second such citation during the month of June, the Courier-Journal reported.

On June 6, the facility received its first Type A citation since Bluegrass Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board took over day-to-day management of Oakwood, which is Kentucky's largest state facility. That citation came after a resident lost consciousness after choking on food. The resident, who had trouble swallowing, was supposed to have been closely monitored while eating.

Last fall, Oakwood came close to losing federal Medicaid funds after the facility received a string of 24 "Type A" citations regarding resident health and safety between January 2005 and September 2006. The state convinced federal officials to hold off on penalties in order to give Bluegrass time to make improvements. State officials had said that one benefit of contracting with Bluegrass was the fact that the nonprofit would have its own employees, and would not have to deal with the cumbersome state employee disciplinary system.

In a related story, some Oakwood employees told WTVQ-TV last month that the facility is no longer a safe place for workers, and that employees are afraid to complain out of fear of losing their jobs.

Related:
"Citation Oakwood's second in June" (Courier-Journal)

http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/07/red/0705c.htm
"Oakwood Staff Say Workplace Dangerous" (WTVQ-TV)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/07/red/0705d.htm
"Communities at Oakwood" (Inclusion Daily Express Archives)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/institutions/ky/oakwood.htm

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