Atlanta-based Mariner Health Care, a nursing home chain with 19 skilled facilities in California, has been forced into state oversight after allegedly understaffing facilities, not reporting sexual assaults and improperly discharging patients, NBC affiliate KNTV reported Jan. 12.
The California Attorney General's Office secured a preliminary injunction as a result of a 2021 lawsuit. All 19 facilities were named in connection with discharge allegations and five were accused of being illegally understaffed, which led to harm of residents, spread of disease and unreported sexual assault cases, according to the report.
The lawsuit also alleges the nursing home operator falsified staffing numbers to government regulators in an attempt to improve their published ratings.
"Mariner Health Care remains committed to providing the best possible 24-hour care to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of our residents," a Mariner spokesperson told KNTV. "We are reviewing the court's ruling and evaluating whether to appeal the preliminary injunction."