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Hacienda Healthcare now officially under stricter state oversight

Hacienda Healthcare and the Arizona Department of Health Services reached an oversight agreement Friday.

PHOENIX (AP) — Hacienda Healthcare, the long-term care facility where an incapacitated woman was raped and later gave birth, is now officially under state supervision after reaching an oversight agreement with the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

The Arizona Department of Health Services said Friday that Hacienda HealthCare officially entered into a voluntary agreement to follow a slew of strict requirements.

They include hiring a third-party monitor, making daily patient welfare checks and providing a $50,000 deposit to help pay for any necessary transfer residents.

PREVIOUSLY: Ex-Hacienda CEO rips board's refusal to change after baby born to incapacitated patient

A statement from the Hacienda Healthcare board details the agreement, which reads in part: 

"Negotiated over the past several weeks, this agreement provides DHS broad oversight authority over Hacienda’s Intermediate Care Facility and its Skilled Nursing Facility. The agreement requires all Hacienda facilities to undergo regular DHS surveys, including unannounced inspections. Hacienda has agreed to meet weekly with DHS to ensure compliance and has agreed to provide DHS with a daily report detailing any staff changes.
 
Most importantly, Hacienda has agreed to keep in place, at its own cost, a DHS-approved third-party to monitor and oversee health care delivery at the ICF and SNF facilities, to evaluate Hacienda’s management systems, and to ensure Hacienda effectively addresses all any health and safety concerns. Additionally, Hacienda will continue to have Monitors on-site around the clock to ensure resident and patient safety."

Related: Hacienda Healthcare board director resigns after baby born to incapacitated patient

The agreement marks the culmination of months of turmoil since a patient gave birth to a boy at the facility in December and a male nurse was arrested.

Hacienda officials had planned last month to close down the entire unit, which would have meant finding new homes for nearly 40 residents.

But the state contested the decision.

12 News contributed to this report.

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