Chief of Delaware's Veterans Home, Milford facility, Resigns

Milford facility plagued with serious problems since it opened in 2007

"The veterans home opened in June 2007, and, within weeks, a review for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found four serious deficiencies. A year later, more than 20 deficiencies were detected by investigators, who cited the home for failing to report or thoroughly investigate allegations of patient mistreatment and resident abuse."

"An inspection in December 2008 found, among other deficiencies, maggots inside a pressure wound in the heel of a resident whose dressing had not been changed in days. Deficiencies in patient care had prompted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to give the veterans home a below-average rating of two stars in its Five Star Quality Rating system, intended to help people find quality nursing-home care."

Full Article at: Chief of state veterans home resigns

By JAMES MERRIWEATHER • The News Journal • October 22, 2009

"Dean C. Reid has resigned as administrator of the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford, about five months after a Sunday News Journal story exposed problems there."

Secretary of State Jeffrey W. Bullock, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the veterans home, "interviewed for an April 12 Sunday News Journal article that pointed to serious and numerous patient care shortcomings at the facility, Bullock said Reid and his staff had been put on notice that the Markell administration expected improvements in short order."

Bullock on Wednesday said discussions over several months preceded Reid's resignation, but declined to say whether he had been pressured by the Markell administration to step down. "I'm not going to get into all of that," Bullock said in a telephone interview."