Laserfiche WebLink
who indicated that the facility had implemented their procedure of control measures. <br />On October 6, 2015, Health Department staff, delivered a sample container to the <br />facility and conducted an inspection finding control measures were not being <br />implemented. A symptomatic resident passed away on the evening of October 6, <br />2015. The Health Department notified AHCA, and Health Department staff visited the <br />facility again on October 7, 2015 providing them with a hard copy of the guidance <br />documentation. On October 8, 2015, another symptomatic resident passed away <br />initiating another visit from the Health Department. On this site visit, the facility <br />Administrator was told because of ongoing transmission in multiple affected units, <br />new admissions to the facility should be suspended until at least 72 hours after the <br />onset of the last case in residents or staff which is approximately two incubation <br />periods. On October 12, 2015, it was found that 12 residents had been admitted <br />between October 12, 2015 and October 15, 2015, during the outbreak when advised <br />to cease admissions. On October 16, 2015, a joint inspection was conducted by the <br />Health Department and AHCA. The facility failed the inspection and did not fully <br />implement control measures related to resident care and sanitation. On October 27, <br />2015, Palm Garden, Executive Director, Erelyn Hicks, provided a response to the <br />Health Department. On November 30, 2015, Palm Garden provided a modified <br />outbreak control plan for the Health Department to review. Palm Garden agreed to <br />comply with the reporting requirements for outbreaks and communicable disease. <br />Palm Garden also agreed to implement the modified outbreak control plan approved <br />by the Health Department. Palm Garden agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 and <br />a suspended civil penalty of $7,500 should they fail to comply with the reporting and <br />control measures in the future. Health Department staff are confident that the facility <br />is taking the matter very seriously and that there is now a spirit of cooperation. <br />Chairman Cahoy was bothered with the proposed in the stipulation. Lengthy <br />discussion followed regarding the merits of a stipulation rather than a hearing since <br />there were deaths involved. Also discussed was the possibility of the fines being too <br />light and perhaps setting the wrong precedent. The Hearing Board Officer and the <br />Hearing Board Attorney reminded the Hearing Board that they were not required to <br />accept the agreement and that the agreement required their approval to proceed. <br />The Hearing Board approved the agreement 5 to 0. <br />8. Case 535-15, 44 Southern Ranch, Inc., 801 41h Street, Vero Beach, Florida. The <br />registered agent, Michael J. Jaholkowski, for 4-J Southern Ranch, Inc. did not <br />appear at the Hearing Board meeting on December 3, 2015. The property owned by <br />4-J Southern Ranch, Inc. had numerous piles of comingled solid waste, tires and <br />debris partially buried or completely buried along the southern side of the property. <br />The property was not permitted to be a solid waste disposal facility. The comingled <br />solid waste piles and tires are breeding areas for rodents and arthropods. Florida law <br />does not a person to create a sanitary nuisance that is injurous to the public's health <br />by storing, processing, or disposing of solid waste or waste tires except at a <br />permitted solid waste management facility. On September 4, 2015, 4-J Southern <br />Ranch, Inc. was given 30 days to clean up the property and 35 days to provide <br />documentation to the Health Department. As of the hearing board meeting date, 4-J <br />Southern Ranch, Inc. had not complied with the legal notices. The Hearing Board <br />ordered 4-J Southern Ranch, Inc. to clean up the property and provide disposal <br />documentation to the Health Department within 90 days. 4-J Southern Ranch, Inc. <br />was also ordered to allow the Health Department access to the property to reinspect <br />to verify compliance. <br />11 IPagc <br />234 <br />