State of NC Investigates South Charlotte Assisted Living Facility

A South Charlotte assisted living facility in South Charlotte is at the center of an investigation after a 150 page report reveals some serious problems inside the facility. Charlotte Square located on Carmel Road is the focus of the state of North Carolina investigation. A residents relative contacted the state to report an incident regarding her mother. Her mother  who had been in the facility as a resident for for 14 months had been taken to the hospital after falling in February. 

The 150-page report details many issues at the facility including two categorized as "violations". The Type A1/A2 Violation in the state's report says "A violation....which results in substantial risk that death or serious physical harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation will occur." When a paramedic who was at the facility spoke with investigators, he told them  "He (Paramedic) found a resident in her bed lying in feces and urine. There was dried feces on the bed sheets and on the resident". 

According to the report when the resident was taken to a hospital after complaining about a fever, the staff at Charlotte Square believed she had a fever but didn't take her temperature. The report went on to say, when the resident arrived at the hospital in a confused state, the resident's temperature was 101.6 degrees.

Investigators said facility had a "frequent shortage of staff and training". This is why a physical therapist says they observed "a resident in the parking lot dressed in what appeared to be a nightgown, walking about. A few minutes later the resident seen wandering was seen
climbing an embankment surrounding the parking lot adjacent to the street."

In the end the 150-page report points directly to the former administrator of the facility saying "The Administrator failed to ensure the overall management, operations, and policies... to meet and maintain rules related to healthcare, personal care and supervision.

Charlotte Square has changed management since the report had been released. A spokesperson for Capital Senior Living which owns the facility said "After learning of the concerns, Capital Senior Living sent in a region team to assess and respond. We have submitted a plan of correction to the state of North Carolina and continue to work with state officials."

For everyday the Charlotte Square facility fails to meet compliance with the state of North Carolina, the facility could face a fine of up to $1,000 a day.