MDH Takes Control Of Nursing Home For 'Residents’ Safety'

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Department of Health says it has taken control of a Minneapolis nursing home "to protect residents’ safety and ensure continued care while operations and management issues at a facility are addressed."

A Ramsey County judge Friday granted MDH a receivership, and the department has since assumed control of the Twin City Gardens Nursing Home. It is now responsible for the operations and finances of the nursing home.

The nursing home's 31 residents and 61 employees were informed of the change over the weekend.

During an investigation earlier this month, MDH says it found evidence of staff payroll checks being returned with insufficient funds and unpaid bills for oxygen, insurance, and medications.

MDH said the company’s growing list of unpaid bills threatened critical services for residents.

"This rare step is one we do not take lightly, but the evidence indicated a need for immediate action to ensure that residents are safe and continue to receive essential services," said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm in a news release.

"We are focused on a smooth transition that meets the needs of families, residents and staff."

Under state law, court-ordered receiverships allow regulators to assume control of a nursing home in certain situations where there are serious health and safety concerns for residents.

However, a receivership cannot last more than 18 months.

"We are communicating with family members and residents about the transition as we work to stabilize operations and ease their concerns," said MDH Health Regulation Division Director Martha Burton Santibáñez.

"We will work with the new managing agent of the facilities to help residents and employees through this transition."