"The information published [on May 22] is derived from historical survey data from as far back as 2004," Cartersville Heights Administrator Renee Roberts stated. "Our facility follows internal processes daily to monitor the quality of care and services provided to our residents." The facility is located at 78 Opal Street.
According to Roberts, several facilities under the parent company that owns several rehabilitation centers throughout the southern region may have been recently attacked by the same law firm. Although Cartersville Heights is owned by SunBridge health care, there are no current lawsuits pending targeted at the institution. Roberts is uncertain if sister facilities in other states are under investigation, but she did state that SunBridge institutions in Kentucky have had a similar problem.
"What many may not realize is that nursing centers in the state of Georgia are systematically inspected on an annual basis by the State Department of Health," said Roberts. "Our center was last inspected by the state in Feb. 2010, so we are currently awaiting our 2011 survey.
"We take these survey findings very seriously and on the last standard inspection our center was noted as being in substantial compliance. We are transparent about our survey results and make them readily available to our families and residents."
Along with these state surveys, Cartersville Heights also utilizes a third party survey company that serves the purpose, as Roberts says, "to gain the perspective of families, residents and staff."
Before entering a rehabilitation or any facility to assist with one's health, Roberts urges people to plan a visit. "My door is always open to families and residents as well as the community," she said. "Before passing judgment on any nursing center, I would ask [anyone concerned] to come in to visit and tour the facility."
Cartersville Heights has been open since 1969 and earned the American Health Care Association's Step 1 Quality Award in 2008.
For questions or concerns about the facility or patient care, contact the center at 770-382-6120 or schedule a visit to tour the facility.