Florida Orders Brain-Injury Center to Move Some Patients

By David Armstrong - 2012-08-23T21:10:29Z

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FINR Staff Member Allegedly Pushes Patient Down

A Florida brain-injury center facing allegations of abuse has been ordered to move dozens of its patients to other facilities, according to a state report released today.

The Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country, is treating patients without brain injuries -- a breach of its license, say Florida regulators.

During a surprise inspection earlier this month, state officials say they found that 50 of 98 patients whose records were reviewed did not meet the licensing criteria for treatment at the centers main facility near Wauchula, about 50 miles Southeast of Tampa.

The state said the institute, commonly called FINR, must submit a plan to relocate those patients to a facility that is appropriate to meet their needs.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration also found that FINR was keeping patients too long, another violation of its transitional living facility license. It ordered the center to develop a new protocol for discharging patients.

Wayne J. Miller, an attorney representing FINR, didnt immediately return messages seeking comment.

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Florida Orders Brain-Injury Center to Move Some Patients