KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services is seeking emergency power over 15 nursing homes throughout the state.
"So, this is a pretty large failure and not one that we've seen very often," said Mitzi McFatrich, Executive Director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care.
The state of Kansas filed papers to take over 15 facilities owned by Skyline Healthcare since 2016. According to KDADS, the company is believed to be insolvent.
The state said it wants to ensure the quality of care doesn't suffer. But, for the 854 residents living in the 15 facilities, McFatrich fears it will.
"When the state takes over, they are not staffed to run facilities," said McFatrich.
When the state does step in, McFatrich said it's usually because of mismanagement and lack of financial depth by the companies who own facilities.
For Lansing Care and Rehabilitation Center, their last inspection was July 6, 2016. Inspections the state is supposed to conduct every 12 months.
"The citations in the facilities ranged from a low of about 8 to a high of 17. The average in the state is someplace around 10," said McFatrich.
The national average for citations is about 7. Many facilities in Kansas are well over that. McFatrich said it's because they are understaffed and underfunded.
Mission Healthcare operates 14 other nursing homes throughout the state of Kansas, as well as four other states. The company will add the 15 facilities to that list until a permanent solution can be found.
41 Action News reached out to Skyline Healthcare. It appears their websitehas been deactivated and our calls went unreturned.
