Beware St. Barnabas Nursing Home

[Tom]

My dad stayed there for a short time about three years ago. What I saw then has troubled me ever since. I saw patients crying out desparate for help, toilets now working, patients messing in their pants because they could not get help to go to the toilet, etc. Basically the patients were abandoned by the staff. Sure the families might have been told that they would be well cared for but what I saw was different. One time patiients were asking for help but ALL the staff was out on the patio smoking and and taking a very long break. After an hour all five or six were still out there.

We took out dad out and provided care at home until he passed away. If you love your family member I would never recommend St. Barnabas. I thought then that they should be closed down. I hope they have improved but I would not bet on it.

[Karen]

As a staff member of St. Barnabas (and one at the time you mentioned), I am deeply troubled by your comments. My first question is, is this the first time you have been in a nursing home? For people who are unaccustomed to nursing homes, normal things could be quite alarming. Second, did you speak to the administrator? She would have been very receptive to your concerns.

I have worked in many nursing home, and I must say that St. Barnabas maintains one of the highest staffing ratios in the area. The staff is devoted to the care of the residents. As far as toliets not working, I don't know what that is about. The previous building did have plumbing issues, but I don't recall toliets not working (most of the time the problems related to leaking pipes). I can't comment on the rest of you concerns, but in my 6 years there, I have never seen what you described.

Every nursing home has problems, but in my many experiences, St. Barnabas seems the most receptive in fixing theirs. This is even more apparent with the recent departure of the long-time CEO, who did cause some problems and definately overstayed and overspent his welcome. But it seems like St. Barnabas is on the right track.

[Hal _Chattanooga TN]

My family recently moved our grandmother out of an assisted living facility to St. Barnabus because Hospice recommended it as grandma was at the end stages of life. Although she received great care at the assisted living, everyone assumed she would get more one on one at St. Barnabus.
We were SHOCKED by the complete lack of care and concern at St. Barnabus. We immediately tried to move her out and back to the assisted living center but the doctors told us she was too fragile. The staff is terrible (they didnt even have a stethoscope) they said their equipment 'walks out the door' and takes a while to get replaced. The nurses and caregivers are attrocious. I would NEVER recommend that anyone use St. Barnabus. The new facility is beautiful, but the care program, administration, nurses etc. SUCK. We are currently planning on filing a complaint with the State Department of Health. Not sure why the previous administrator left, but the new administration is NOTHING TO BRAGG ABOUT. Plus we heard the facility was in major financial trouble and may close. Maybe that would be the best thing for everyone....I feel very sorry for the patients that are stuck there.

[TOM]

Hal _Chattanooga TN wrote:

My family recently moved our grandmother out of an assisted living facility to St. Barnabus because Hospice recommended it as grandma was at the end stages of life. Although she received great care at the assisted living, everyone assumed she would get more one on one at St. Barnabus.
We were SHOCKED by the complete lack of care and concern at St. Barnabus. We immediately tried to move her out and back to the assisted living center but the doctors told us she was too fragile. The staff is terrible (they didn't even have a stethoscope) they said their equipment 'walks out the door' and takes a while to get replaced. The nurses and caregivers are atrocious. I would NEVER recommend that anyone use St. Barnabus. The new facility is beautiful, but the care program, administration, nurses etc. SUCK. We are currently planning on filing a complaint with the State Department of Health. Not sure why the previous administrator left, but the new administration is NOTHING TO BRAGG ABOUT. Plus we heard the facility was in major financial trouble and may close. Maybe that would be the best thing for everyone....I feel very sorry for the patients that are stuck there.

It has been some time since I looked at this forum. It seems that your family received the same care as mine. Not having toilets not working is unacceptable. Patients crying for an hour or two for help is, in my opinion, unacceptable. Karen, in the second posting defended them. I believe the floor my dad was on was the second or third floor. I cannot believe the care I saw is normal or acceptable nursing home care.

I am troubled that the same care they gave my late dad may still be occurring. The news media needs to be alerted to this place.

[TOM]

One last comment. Karen said "St. Barnabas seems the most receptive in fixing theirs" [problems].

It is impossible to fix the care, that bordered on torture, that some of the patients there were subjected to. Many have passed away. How do you fix that?

[i have a question]

To Tom and Hal

I have been a nurse at this nursing home one time and that was enough for me. I never was so upset i was the only nurse and had one CNA with me. The Med pass took about 2 1/2 hour and the rest of the time i tried to help the CNA. That place really was upsetting to me i told the agency that i could not go back because i really felt that my licenses where on the line the entire time i was there. I'm sorry your family had to go through this.