Florida Nursing Home Says It Called Gov. Scott 3 Times Before 8 Deaths: Report

HOLLYWOOD, FL — The sweltering Hollywood, Florida nursing home that lost power during Hurricane Irma, leaving eight elderly residents dead, never reported the life-threatening conditions or indicated its patients were in danger, state health officials told a news outlet. But the nursing home disputes the accusation and said it called a number Monday evening provided by Gov. Rick Scott in case of an emergency, multiple media outlets reported.

Executive Natasha Anderson dialed a private number for Scott three times seeking aid, she said. She was repeatedly informed their case was "being escalated to the highest level,” The Washington Post reported. Officials confirmed to the newspaper that Scott distributed the number. But help never came, and the nursing home didn't feel relocating the patients was necessary, the newspaper said.

Eight patients in all died throughout the day Wednesday and the home was evacuated. A criminal investigation is underway. (For more information on the nursing home deaths and other Aventura stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Scott's communications director, John Tupps, said in an email to the newspaper that all calls to Scott from facility management were referred to the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health and were "quickly returned.”

The nursing home told CBSMiami that Florida Power & Light promised to repair the power line — but that it didn't happen Tuesday. Executives called FPL as many as 50 times over three days to say they were without power, one nursing home official said.

Scott said in a tweet Saturday that he ordered state health officials and the Department of Elder Affairs to issue emergency rules to "keep Floridians safe in healthcare facilities during emergencies." He said he would "aggressively fight" to codify the requirement into law during the 2018 legislative session.

"I am outraged over the deaths at Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills. We must understand their decision to keep patients in danger," Scott said. He added:

As ANY health care provider knows to do, if their patients are in danger – they MUST call 911.
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) September 16, 2017

On Friday, the Florida Department of Health said the nursing home should have evacuated its patients as soon as it lost power.

"It is 100 percent the responsibility of health care professionals to preserve life by acting in the best interest of the health and well-being of their patients," the agency said. "Let's be clear – this facility is located across the street from one of Florida's largest hospitals, which never lost power and had fully operating facilities. The tragic and senseless loss at Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center is the subject of a criminal homicide investigation by law enforcement."

Scott ordered the state to issue an emergency moratorium against the nursing home, which prevents the facility from admitting any patients while in place.

For the full reports, check out The Washington Post and CBSMiami articles.

Photo credit: John McCall/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP