Barstow Veterans Home Passes First Of Two

A state veterans nursing home at Barstow which lost some of its federal certification, has passed the first of two key inspections. According to the Press-Enterprise of

Riverside County, passing another inspection early next year would

renew government licensing and full reimbursements.

It was 17 months ago that two federal agencies decertified a 180-bed portion of the Barstow veterans home, which provides skilled nursing care to sick or declining veterans. That has cost the state about five million dollars to make up for discontinued federal funds. Federal Investigators cut off financial aid after finding problems in both patient care and management.

An inspection by a team of nurses from the state Department of Health Services six weeks ago, found the unit to be in what thestate agency called “substantial compliance.” But the recent survey found insufficient care for three

patients, one with bedsores and two whose medication was not adequately supervised. The veterans home said those problems have been corrected, including re-training of aides who administer

medications.

Federal officials are expected to restore about 150-thousand-dollars per month in nursing-care reimbusement.

Another 75-thousand-dollars per month could be earned through a second re-licensing inspection early next year.