An Idaho Department of Health and Welfare administrator is expected to rule later this month on whether a Boise assisted living community will be allowed to accept new residents again.

The department said it revoked the license of Brookdale Castle Hills on Feb. 22 based on findings from a survey conducted Dec. 21 through Dec. 31 and also based on the facility’s compliance history.

“A review of the facility’s compliance history reveals the facility has been cited with core level deficiencies on three of four licensure surveys over the past 10 years,” Jamie Simpson, program supervisor of the Residential Assisted Living Facility Program of the department’s Division of Licensing and Certification, told the community in a Jan. 22 letter warning of the impending revocation. “Additionally, the facility was cited with core level deficiencies on two separate complaint investigation surveys, for a total of five core level deficiencies over the past 10 years. During the same 10 years, licensing and certification has received 50 complaints regarding the care and services at Brookdale Castle Hills.”

Brookdale is appealing the license revocation, and the community can continue to care for current residents.

“The health and safety of our residents is our top priority, and we are committed to enriching the lives of those we serve with compassion, respect, excellence and integrity,” Brookdale spokeswoman Shawna Zody told McKnight’s Senior Living. Brookdale is cooperating with state regulators, submitted a corrective action plan and is re-educating employees on policies and procedures, she said.

The Division of Licensing and Certification conducted an administrative review March 1, during which Brookdale Castle Hills presented information as to why it believes its license should not be revoked. The division typically issues decisions within 28 days of reviews, Tom Shanahan, public information manager with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, told McKnight’s Senior Living.

“If the determination is to proceed with revocation after the administrative review, Brookdale will have the opportunity to request an administrative hearing,” he said.

The core deficiencies found in December, according to the health department, related to community oversight, admission of residents whose needs could not be met at the community, medication management, and elopement of residents with cognitive impairment.

The department also cited non-core deficiencies related to charges to residents for services not rendered, lack of family member notification when residents fell and were hospitalized, the nurse not assessing residents’ changes in condition, unsecured medication and record storage, the appearance and odor of the community, insufficient staff vetting and scheduling, and other issues.