Salisbury nursing home that had COVID-19 outbreaks faces serious consequences

SALISBURY, N.C. — A nursing home that had one of the biggest COVID-19 outbreaks in North Carolina is now facing serious consequences that could close the facility.

Channel 9 received a letter Friday from Medicare and Medicaid officials. It said The Citadel in Salisbury has days to correct the issues or its Medicare provider agreement will be terminated.

This all dates back to September when health officials went there to survey the nursing home.

>> In the video at the top of the page, Eyewitness News reporter Tina Terry has a closer look at what this means for families who have loved ones there.

Full statement from The Citadel Salisbury:

“The Citadel Salisbury leadership and staff have remained focused on compliance while providing clinical excellence by placing residents at the center of their care.

“On February 1st, 2020, our center transitioned to new management. Prior to February, this center experienced multiple years of poor regulatory compliance and was closely monitored by State Agencies and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Special Focus Facility Program (SFF). A SFF is due to compliance history for the past three (3) years and subjects the center to at least one (1) standard survey every six (6) months. The purpose of this program is to increase regulatory oversite until substantial compliance is achieved by two (2) consecutive surveys with little to no deficiencies.

“Since February, this team has navigated the existing challenges as well as immediate onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the support of state and local health departments and regulatory agencies. We view these agencies as partners who share our mission to provide clinical excellence to those we serve. Although this team has only had the privilege to provide care for our residents these last ten (10) months, the historical regulatory compliance compounds in the decision making of our regulators today.

“The team at Citadel Salisbury has a strong commitment and confidence that compliance will be upheld to the Requirements of Participation as outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).”