Sawyerville residence loses certification
The CIUSSS de l’estrie – CHUS announced on Monday evening that it has decided to revoke the certification of the Residence Sawyerville. As a result of the decision, the residence has until noon on the 28 of November to cease operations as a private seniors’ residence.
“This is really not what we had hoped for,” said Joanne Roberts, Director of quality, ethics, performance and partnership with the CIUSSS de l’estriechus, explaining that the establishment has been working with the Sawyerville residence since May of 2015 to try to correct gaps in service. Roberts wouldn’t name specifics when it came to what problems resulted in the decertification, but she did say that the issues were related to the reporting of incidents or accidents within the facility, concerns about the health and follow-up of some residents voiced by residence staff, a failure to follow proper procedures for the administration of prescribed medication, and some general concerns about maintenance and cleanliness. “We understand that there are residents who are there, and that it is a very small community,” she added. “It was not an easy decision to make.”
According to Roberts the team that ultimately decided to revoke the residence’s certification has been at work trying to ensure that the 23 people currently living there will be moved to new facilities that will better serve their needs.
“We are working very, very closely with the residents and their families to find them an appropriate place that offers quality services and a safe environment,” the director said, noting that an
effort is being made to not move residents too far away from their current home.
The decision stems back to an inspection by CIUSSS de l’estrie – CHUS representatives in July of this year, and represents a significant mark against the owners of the private home. As a result of this decision, the residence will not be able to reapply to be a government guaranteed “private seniors’ residence” or résidence privée pour aînés (RPA) any time in the near future.
“They have the possibility of turning it into a residence with rooms to rent,” Roberts said. “We can’t guarantee the quality of services and the security of the residents, but the owners may decide that they still want to rent out their rooms.”
“Our mandate is to accompany people in making the best decisions for their health and wellbeing,” said Sylvie Quenneville, Associate Director of the program to support the autonomy of seniors. “We are very sensitive to the impact that this kind of news can have and the concerns it can raise among people and their families.”