A Raleigh health care center for the elderly has lost its Medicaid and Medicare funding after federal authorities found serious violations with patient care.
State officials Friday ordered Blue Ridge Health Care Center to stop admitting patients.
Authorities say the center is having problems monitoring patients on ventilators. Records show a woman was found dead in a recliner last month with her tracheotomy tube lying on her chest rather than being connected to her throat. She had pulled the tube from the throat more than a dozen times.
Officials say the center also failed to make changes recommended after the woman died.
The 134-bed center currently has 81 patients who receive either of the government insurance programs.
Calls and emails to the center went unanswered.
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