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(AP) - In an effort to improve care and address
federal violations, the Minneapolis Veterans Home is temporarily
closing its 50-bed fourth floor so it can devote resources to
training nursing staff and filling vacant nursing positions.

      "We want to make this a quality nursing home again," said Chip
Cox, interim executive director for the Minnesota State Veterans
Homes Board.

      During the closure, some veterans will be moved to other rooms,
but nobody will be discharged from the state-operated home.

      The Minneapolis home suspended new admissions in December after
inspections found numerous deficiencies. The suspension created
open beds throughout the home. 

By consolidating those open beds on
one floor, Cox said, the home can be more efficient with nursing
staff.

      The home has resolved all state-cited deficiencies, but some
federal citations have only been "partially" addressed.

      The home had been taking steps to address deficiencies earlier
this year when the Minnesota Department of Health found problems in
the care of three residents who died at the home.

      Gov. Tim Pawlenty reacted by ordering the Minnesota Department
of Health to oversee daily operations for several days until a
private consultant was hired to do monitoring. 

He also appointed a
commission to consider the long-term future of nursing care for
vets in Minnesota.
      

Gallery

Lawmakers grill Minneapolis Vets Home leaders over problems

Minneapolis vets home facing fines for uncorrected problems

Lawmakers seek to allay concerns over vets home problems

In an effort to improve care and address
federal violations, the Minneapolis Veterans Home is temporarily
closing its 50-bed fourth floor so it can devote resources to
training nursing staff and filling vacant nursing positions.


Minneapolis Veterans Home temporarily closes fourth floor

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