A huge challenge to the state and to the private company hired to correct the mess...
Given three months to correct massive problems involving poor quality of care, the Colorado State Veterans Home at Fitzsimons failed to make even one improvement.
A report released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said that officials didn't meet a single requirement set out in a scathing report done last September.
The outbreaks of gastroenteritis Nov. 3 and Dec. 3 ultimately caused severe symptoms in 60 residents and "created an immediate jeopardy situation for all of the residents who resided at the facility."
The outbreak was finally quelled when the private company, Piýon Management, took over and halted it within three days by instituting hand-washing seminars for staff members, isolating sick patients and thoroughly cleaning toilets.
Pinon was brought in only in December, but Owens' task force, and his administration, have been responsible since this facility opened 18 months ago.