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Prentis Improves,
Problems Persist

RUTH LITTMANN

I

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SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH

NEWS

he Michigan Department MDPH. "They have a better han-
of Public Health, in a sur- dle on it, certainly, than Borman.
vey of Prentis Manor ear- They had some of the same prob-
lier this month, reported lems, but not to the same degree.
that the 100-bed skilled nursing And some of that might be at-
home in Southfield has made tributable to the size of the facil-
progress in complying with fed- ity. Prentis is smaller."
Nonetheless, state inspectors
eral codes.
noted marked improvements.
But problems still exist.
"Based on the written reports Residents showed fewer late-
my staff gives me, Prentis is stage bed sores than last year
probably average (among nurs- and fewer accidents.
At the Home, Ms. Mittelman
ing homes in Michigan)," says
Delphine Shott, MDPH licensing credits Director of Nursing No-
officer. "They've made some im- lene Suessine for much of the
provements since last year, but progress.
"I think she is largely respon-
they're certainly not perfect. They
sible for bringing a team togeth-
need to do a better job."
Prentis is part of Jewish Home er," Ms. Mittelman says.
But the state's Ms. Shott be-
for Aged (JHA), which also in-
cludes the soon-to-close Borman lieves Prentis should implement
Hall nursing home in Detroit and a better-organized plan of care
Fleischman Residence assisted- for residents. She also says there
living quarters in West Bloom- should be more communication
field. The Jewish Federation of between nurses, nursing assis-
Metropolitan Detroit, which runs tants and the administration.
"It's too haphazard," she says.
and funds JHA, says Prentis and
In upcoming weeks, Prentis
Fleischman will stay open.
"Morale at Prentis is very stafrwill work on restorative care
good," says the Home's executive programs, which help residents
director, Margo Parr. "(The com- maintain the best possible bow-
munity) has concentrated so el and bladder control, ambula-
much effort and attention on tion and other bodily functions.
The nursing home staff also
Borman, while the little home
(Prentis), which has tried so hard will encourage residents to par-
and has worked so diligently, is ticipate in menu planning.
"We really need to focus in on
doing well. I think it's important
that we see that and recognize treatments for decubitus ulcers
(bed sores), too," Ms. Mittelman
that."
Earlier this month, Prentis says.
Manor received 15 "Level
B" citations from the
MDPH, down from 22 last
year. The facility's Level B
deficiencies — which tar-
geted troubles with bed
sores, diet, infrastructure
and patient confidentiality
— are less severe than most
violations at Borman Hall
last year.
Unlike Borman Hall's
track record, Prentis con-
tinues to receive no Level A
violations, which are the
most serious. Among spe-
cific deficiencies noted at
Prentis were a leaky roof,
cracked walls, and "dignity
issues."
"For instance, a resident
was wearing a mismatched
sock and that's considered
a dignity issue " says Mar-
cia Mittelman, Prentis ad- Prentis shows progress.
In recognition of Prentis' im-
ministrator. "These things are
provements, however, the facil-
fixable."
The state, however, cautions ity will receive an additional
that although Prentis has im- government reimbursement for
proved, it still borders on receiv- its Medicare and Medicaid beds.
"I think this is a facility the
ing Level A violations.
"They always seem to be on community can be proud of," Ms.
the edge," says Ms. Shott of the Mittelman says. ❑