Drug Treatment Centers Fined, Placed On Probation

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A company that runs substance abuse treatment centers in New Haven and Bridgeport has been fined $10,000 and each facility has been placed on probation for two years after state health inspectors found various violations at the sites.

New Era Rehabilitation Center Inc. faces the disciplinary action following unannounced inspections that took place in September and October of 2013, according to two state Department of Public Health consent orders signed earlier this month.

The company was fined $5,000 for violations at its New Haven facility, 311 East St., and $5,000 for violations at its Bridgeport site, 3851 Main St.

New Era Executive Director Dr. Ebenezer Kolade signed the consent orders but the company, which specializes in methadone maintenance, denies the allegations and admits no wrongdoing.

A woman who answered the phone at New Era’s New Haven location Wednesday said the company had no comment before hanging up.

According to the consent order, DPH inspectors found the New Haven location failed to ensure client safety regarding medication administration; had inadequacies in treatment plans, assessments and oversight; provided insufficient record-keeping and staffing; didn’t provide adequate nursing supervision; lacked a psychiatrist to diagnose and treat clients; and failed to ensure “a safe and sanitary environment.”

Under the order, the license for the New Haven location will be placed on probation for two years. The company was ordered to contract with an independent consultant as well as an independent licensed practitioner. The latter must provide consulting services at the New Haven site for at least six months, ensuring the company complies with federal and state regulations.

The independent practitioner will give written reports every other week to DPH assessing the facility’s compliance, according to the consent order, and will make recommendations to the facility’s executive director, medical director and clinical director on ways to improve patient care.

The New Haven site also has to update its policies and procedures, make sure all staff are made aware of them, and implement a quality assurance performance improvement program, according to the DPH order.

In addition to having its license placed on probation for two years, the Bridgeport facility was also ordered to hire an independent consultant and an independent licensed practitioner to provide services for six months.

At that site, DPH inspectors found that the facility failed to ensure treatment plans were comprehensive, accurate, and complete. In addition, they were cited for not maintaining a client’s privacy; inadequate staffing, including having no psychiatrist available to diagnose and treat clients; and failure to maintain a clean and safe environment, the order states.

The Bridgeport site must update its policies and procedures and make sure all staff members are educated about the services the facility provides, according to the order. The facility also must assign an administrative staff member to oversee the consent order’s requirements, and a quality assurance improvement plan must be put in place.

The fines were due to DPH at the time the orders were signed on Feb. 3.

 

 

 

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