Caring Team Inc. a company that owns a Santa Barbara care facility has lost its license after several allegations of nursing home neglect. According to a news report in The Independent, officials with the California Department of Public Health say that the nursing home, Central Coast Nursing Center, was stripped of its operating license because of serious violations related to the quality of care and actual harm to patients. However, the health department has given Compass Health Inc. a license to operate the nursing home so that residents will not have to be relocated. The nursing home has apparently changed hands several times over the last two decades. However, what has remained unchanged is the number of complaints and violations.

Serious Violations

In only three months into 2011, the nursing facility had been slapped with 43 citations for "survey deficiencies." This means that the facility failed to comply with certain mandatory procedures related to patient care. Four of those citations were categorized as extremely serious. One of those violations had the potential to cause death or serious injury, according to health officials. It is unclear whether any of the residents were injured or killed as a result of the violations by this Santa Barbara nursing home.

Nursing Home Statistics

According to a 2008 Government Accountability Office (GAO) 1,285 nursing homes were cited in 2007 for "actual harm or immediate jeopardy" to residents. Based on GAO's statistics, California leads all other states, by far, in the number of citations. Understaffing and lack of training are the most common factors linked to nursing home abuse and neglect.

Holding Nursing Homes Accountable

Tragedies that occur in our nursing homes can and must be prevented. A number of these incidents of abuse and neglect occur because companies that own these facilities are trying to cut corners and increase profits – without any consideration for the safety and the well-being of the people they serve. Families of victims who have been harmed by nursing home neglect or abuse would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will ensure that the wrongdoers are held accountable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.