Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: July 3, 1998
CONTACT: Richard Bolig, 401 222-3191, ext 123

Health Center, State Address Strike Situation

The Department of Health and Cartie’s Health Care Center have agreed on a strategy to protect the well-being of Cartie’s residents, in response to an employee strike that has significantly affected Cartie's’staffing. In a signed stipulation to a compliance order issued by DOH, Cartie’s agrees to reduce the resident population to no more than 50 persons by 4:00 p.m. today.

On Wednesday, July 1, Union workers at Cartie’s Health Care Center, Lincoln St., Central Falls, initiated a strike. The facility had received a ten-day notice of such potential action. DOH, however, whose Division of Facilities Regulation licenses Cartie’s as a Nursing Home, was not notified by Cartie’s of the impending strike action. When DOH staff reviewed the facility on July 2, DOH determined that Cartie’s was failing to provide the minimum nursing care to meet the needs of all the residents.

Upon initiation of the strike action, Cartie’s attempted to discharge residents to other homes, and did in fact discharge some residents. DOH determined that the facility was not able to adequately care for the remaining residents, and issued a compliance order to reduce the census to 0 by 4:00 p.m.

In the stipulation agreement reached today, Cartie’s will admit staff from the Departments of Health and Human Services to take the necessary steps to transfer residents safely to other facilities, in compliance with the requirements of the Medical Assistance Program of the federal Social Security Act. The agreement calls for a transfer of 82 residents, and no more than 50 remaining residents, a number that DOH determines can be cared for adequately with the diminished staff.

Cartie’s staff and management are cooperating fully with this effort to reduce the resident population to a safe level. DOH continues to monitor progress, and the Department of Human Services, as well as the Department of Elderly Affairs, are lending assistance.

Copies of the compliance order and stipulation agreement are available upon request, at 401-222-2566.

For speech or hearing impaired,
1-800-745-5555 (TTY)
Department of Health Website: www.health.state.ri.us