Chronic Issues and Sexual Abuse

WTVR reported that Henrico Health and Rehab in Henrico County, Virginia, is currently being fined daily following visits by state health inspectors. The facility is being charged after inspectors found that a staff member sexually abused two residents and two other workers.

According to inspector records, this marks the sixth incident of sexual abuse here at the facility since 2023. Henrico Health and Rehab was placed on a federal list called Special Focus Facilities program, which is a list of the country’s lowest-rated nursing homes, earlier this year due to having a “history of serious quality issues.”

This list is reserved for nursing homes that “rarely address underlying systematic problems”. This facility is now subject to increased oversight from state inspectors, escalated penalties, and potential termination of provider agreements with Medicaid and Medicare.

Since the facility’s enrollment in the program, the Virginia Department of Health has made at least two additional visits, resulting in violations and subsequent enforcement actions. An inspection in February revealed multiple citations, one being failure to provide a comfortable, home-like environment for their residents. This was in response to a resident reporting that he was placed in an unfinished room with with cold air blowing through the open areas. The maintenance director informed inspectors that her room was not suitable for a resident; however, the administrator had “nothing else to say” to the inspectors.

Another citation was the failure to remove a midline catheter after discharging a resident, which had increased their chances for complications and infections. Violation of quality care levels and standards by failing to assess and monitor a morbidly obese and immobile diabetic resident by not weighing the resident, although it was ordered. The resident was omitted from medications for 2.5 months and experienced “dangerously high” blood sugar readings and a discontinued diet. According to the report, the resident’s weight was not completed “for staff convenience.”

The final citation in February reveals that they were also charged with inadequate staffing levels that were “excessively low” on weekends. The facility failed to maintain the highest practicable well-being of each resident. Although the staffing schedules were sufficient at the time of inspection, and residents were observed to be clean. In May, another inspection resulted in two citations. One citation involved a staff member failing to properly use a Hoyer Lift, which resulted in a resident being struck in the head by the sling bar. The second citation was the most serious violation, which was failure to protect two residents from sexual abuse. Actual harm was identified on both residents.

According to the February inspection report, a receptionist made sexual comments to a resident and then proceeded to show the resident a photo of themselves performing sexual interactions upon another person. The following month, the same staff member “blew a kiss” to the same resident and made “smacking sounds” towards him. The resident said they felt “humiliated” and “angry.” In April, a second resident was sexually abused by the same staff member. The receptionist entered his room and said that he wanted to “perform oral sex on him.” Later that day, the resident was beckoned to come inside a dark room with the receptionist. A nurse aide reported that the same receptionist was sexually inappropriate and made disturbing noises in their ear. A transportation driver had also noted that this employee was sexually inappropriate with them on multiple occasions.

The facility terminated the employee and filed a police report after finding out about the incidents. However, VDH still cited the facility for failing to comply with the requirement to report allegations of abuse to the appropriate agencies within two hours of the occurrence.

Henrico Health and Rehab had already been cited for sexual abuse against residents in 2023, when a nurse aide was sexually inappropriate with two residents according to the Board of Nursing case file.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to the administrator of Henrico Health and Rehab, advising them of a $1,940 fine against the facility for every day the facility remains out of compliance with regulatory standards. The fine began on February 28, 2025, and will remain in effect until VDH determines the facility is back in compliance.

According to documents provided by a facility spokesperson, the VDH revisited the facility following the May inspections and found that the nursing home had made the necessary corrections to regain their compliance. VDH informed the administrator that “your facility had achieved and maintained compliance for deficiencies cited during the previous survey” on July 9. Henrico Health and Rehab spokesperson, Minnie Barnett, said that the facility “actively engaged with CMS and we are maintaining open communication regarding the recent citations and necessary remedies.

As noted in the survey, the facility is currently operating with appropriate staffing. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to enhance training and education, aiming to prevent future issues and ensure that the highest standards of care are consistently met. This includes daily reviews, regular audits, and necessary corrections to the course of action, as well as updated care plans for residents. We are committed to full compliance.” She added that the team at Henrico is committed to a continuous improvement plan with transparent communication. The best interests of residents are always at heart for them, and they appreciate any trust and support as they continue to uphold their high standard of care.

Henrico Health and Rehab is operated by Medical Facilities of America, which manages over 30 facilities throughout the United States. Many of their facilities have also been fined by CMS. Colonia Heights was fined $155,400, Glenburnie was fined $60,809, and Westport was fined $13,575.