PCHS among rest homes spotlighted in OWH Covid story

Sooner or later it was bound to happen. 

Golden Hours Convalescent Home, Perkins County Health Services and CEO Neil Hilton came under scrutiny in a story in this week’s Omaha World-Herald. 

The story looked at a number of rest homes in the state stricken with COVID-19 outbreaks. 

In all, PCHS reported 16 cases of coronavirus among residents, along with several employees. Hilton said he has tried to be as transparent as possible with families, staff and media during the outbreak. 

The story indicated federal regulators deemed PCHS did not do enough to communicate with families. Hilton said they are obligated by regulations to notify families when any cases broke out and did so in each instance. 

The story also indicated “inspectors found so many infection concerns” that they “declared  residents were in immediate jeopardy and fined the home.”  

Hilton acknowledged the unannounced inspection and said they submitted a number of protocols approved by regulators to address the concerns raised during the inspection. 

The inspectors made reference to a $400/per day civil monetary penalty. He indicated this week no fine was assessed or paid. 

“At this time, we’ve not been issued, nor have paid any such fine,” he said.