Background Information on Emerald Coast Center
Emerald Coast Center is a 120-bed nursing home located at 114 Third St. SE in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. While the facility has 120 beds, they have a daily average of 102.6 residents in their care, which leaves an average of 17 beds available for new residents. This facility has been serving Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County for over 38 years. Emerald Coast Center operates under the legal name Emerald Coast Rehabilitation Center, LLC.
As of this post, Medicare has awarded Emerald Coast Center an average of three out of five stars. They are rated four out of five stars for health inspections; however, Medicare has rated the facility only one out of five stars for quality of resident care.
In 2017, the facility was fined $1,000 by the Agency for Health Care Administration for falling below the state-minimum staffing requirements and the required care hours given to residents. Emerald Coast Center has been sued multiple times for alleged nursing home negligence and has received several citations for resident care deficiencies over the past few years.
Lawsuits Against Emerald Coast Center for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Allegations
The following lawsuits have been filed against Emerald Coast Center:
Gomillion, Lewis E. E/O vs. Emerald Coast Rehabilitation Center, LLC
William Gomillion, the representative of the late Lewis Eugene Gomillion, filed a lawsuit against Emerald Coast Center. He alleged that during Lewis E. Gomillion’s time at the facility, he suffered from neglect and abuse at the Fort Walton Beach skilled nursing facility.
Morrow, Blair E/O vs. Emerald Coast Rehabilitation Center, LLC
Ms. Brenda Morrow filed a lawsuit against Emerald Coast Center on behalf of the late Blair Morrow for nursing home negligence, and wrongful death. This wrongful death claim against Emerald Coast nursing home was filed in Okaloosa County.
Young, Maracle vs. Emerald Coast Rehabilitation Center, LLC
Maracle Young filed a lawsuit against Emerald Coast Center for nursing home negligence.
Deficiencies at Emerald Coast Center for Resident Care Violations
March 29, 2021 Inspection at Emerald Coast Center
After interviewing a resident and reviewing the facility’s records, it was determined that staff had failed to implement appropriate care regarding the resident’s personal hygiene. Due to the resident’s mobility, she was required to have two staff members assist her during bathing. During a staff interview, a CNA admitted that she is the only staff member who gets assigned to give the resident baths. This is considered a resident care violation due to the potential for harm for a transfer injury.
December 3, 2020 Inspection at Emerald Coast Center
Upon observation of the facility’s kitchen and food service area, it was discovered that the areas were not being maintained. The surveyor noted mold growth in two areas, as well as sitting brown water in the sinks and food debris on multiple surfaces.
December 17, 2019 Inspection at Emerald Coast Center
Review of a resident’s medical showed that a physician had ordered the resident to receive an antibiotic every eight hours for seven days. The antibiotic was prescribed for an infection present in the resident’s bed sore. The facility’s Medication Administration Record showed that administration of the resident’s antibiotic was never documented. An interview with the Director of Nursing revealed that the nurse “may have administered the IV medication and never signed it off.”
April 25, 2019 Inspection at Emerald Coast Center
An inspection in April of 2019 revealed that Emerald Coast Center had several resident care deficiencies. According to the inspection results, the facility failed to maintain a resident’s range of motion, ensure that each resident’s drug regimen was free of unnecessary medications and offer residents the flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Furthermore, multiple residents admitted that they were missing items from their belongings and the facility had not acted to provide a resolution.
Abuse in a Florida Nursing Home?
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Disclaimer
*Each case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome or indicate an expected outcome on your particular case. The above prior lawsuit information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney. This individual case information above is publicly filed information gathered from the publicly filed complaint. This information and these cases are not the work of this law firm. The inspection results are provided from public government agency surveys. The state Department of Health conducts a survey of all nursing home facilities at least once every 15 months. The deficiencies listed on this page may have been corrected after the date of the inspection and date of publishing this material. Citations, ratings, statistics, and deficiencies are current as of the date of this post and will change later on. The inspection findings published are not complete. You may find the most up to date information at medicare.gov. This material is not endorsed by the facility noted or by any governmental agency. Speak with an attorney immediately if you believe you have a viable case against a nursing home, assisted living facility, or medical facility.
