Skilled Nursing Facility back to former operators

The Fallbrook Skilled Nursing Facility returned to stable ground on July 20 after uncertainty of its fate had plagued the residents, their family members, and friends for months. The group of partners who have owned the premises since 1975 stepped back in and were successful in gaining state licensing to take over the operation again. They had previously operated it from 1975 to 1994.

According to Jim Kilian of Progressive Health Care, the partners, known legally as Fallbrook Healthcare Center Operating Company LLC (for licensing) doing business as Fallbrook Skilled Nursing, have taken the operation back under their wing "to protect residents." Progressive Health Care is the administrative services corporation that helps the owners with the seven skilled nursing facilities they own.

The troubled times started last year when Community Health Systems (CHS) of Tennessee ceased normal operations of Fallbrook Hospital in December. Licensing for the skilled nursing facility was connected to the hospital.

Kilian explained that although the hospital as the community knew it had closed, "it technically had not closed – one bed had remained open."

Hanging literally by a thread of one bed for months, Kilian said CHS honored their commitment.

"CHS had a contract with the Fallbrook Healthcare District and they honored it," said Kilian. "They did not want to displace the Skilled Nursing Facility residents, because it's the only skilled nursing in the community. The nearest one is nearly 14 miles away."

Kilian said CHS made it clear "they didn't want to do

business in California anymore," but were "extremely supportive of the transition."

Due to the many legalities involved in the process, a lack of forthcoming information caused upset throughout the community

Kilian said at first Palomar Health had applied for a license to operate the facility. "But the distance from their hospital ended up being a problem and they did not get the license."

"At that point, CHS had to make a business decision, along with the Fallbrook Healthcare District, and we were allowed to come in and operate the facility effective March 17 as the interim manager of the facility until licensing could be finalized," said Kilian. "This allowed us to provide and maintain continuity of care, so we could keep admitting patients into the facility."

All involved parties were supportive of the former operators/owners taking control again.

"CHS, Fallbrook Healthcare District, and Public Health licensing were all extremely supportive of us getting the license," said Kilian. "Frankly, it was a long, difficult process; it has become more and more involved over the years." The official, new licensing became effective July 20.

Most importantly, Kilian said, was that they were able to come to an agreement with all parties. "CHS did not want to walk away and leave the residents high and dry."

The owners have made a large financial commitment in taking back over the nursing facility, especially for the next few months, Kilian said.

"We are probably not going to be paid by Medicare or MediCal for three or four months while they complete the billing transition," he said. "Right now, we are providing all the care, food, shelter, and medical care without any revenue coming in. That's a pretty big financial commitment."

Actual day-to-day operation of Fallbrook Skilled Nursing is back under the guidance of administrator Robert "Bob" Durbin, who served in the position from the late 1980s until 1994.

"We are very, very happy to have Bob back on board," said Kilian. "He is a really great administrator.

Currently, 51 individuals are cared for at Fallbrook Skilled Nursing. "We are actually licensed for 93, but we may lower that a little more perhaps to allow more room for therapy space," said Kilian.

Now that the new license has been granted and the future is more certain, Kilian said they will be reaching out to re-acquaint themselves with Fallbrook's medical community and changes that have taken place within it.

"We will be working very hard on building our relationships with physicians in the community to gain their support for the skilled nursing facility; it's all about building a network of support."

Fallbrook Skilled Nursing is located at 325 Potter Street.