ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - An inspection at PruittHealth Palmyra uncovered a series of situations that “had the likelihood to cause serious injury, harm, impairment or death to residents” according to a May 2025 report.

According to a May 2025 federal report from The Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the facility was placed under “immediate jeopardy” status after staff failed to provide even basic skin care leading to multiple residents developing painful bedsores.”

Beyond the May 2025 report, the Albany Police Department recorded over 150 calls from PruittHealth on Palmyra in the past five years. These calls included reports of theft, elder abuse, and patients lying in their own urine. One family member, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared a similar experience from 2021.

“We would go in an it’s 11o clock and she’d still be in the bed with her night clothes on, nasty, smelly and we would have to go get the aid and say look, ‘can you go get someone and give her a bath or either bring a pan of water so I can bathe her?”

The report also notes cold food, late meals, and a kitchen inspectors describe as having “significant sanitation issues,” including dirty ice machines, improper dishwashing, and unlabeled food.

This family member messaged me today sharing these images of her husband that was in the facility before he died. She says quote:

“My husband was unable to feed himself due to his health condition and needed to have his food puréed and fed to him. When I entered the facility after they transported him I had to give him a bath, and also as you can see his tray was just left on the side for him to feed himself, which was not part of his doctor’s orders so if I had not shown up, he would have stayed in his own urine and feces, as well as continued to starve.”

Physical abuse was also reported to the Albany Police Department. In one case, the Director of Health Services advised that a patient “advised a black female hit him in the eye.” Another anonymous family member shared a similar story.

One family member described finding her loved one with a black eye, saying:

“One day in particular, she had a black eye. Well, I could take my hand and ball it in a fist and put it on her face and it fit right there in the black eye. And they told me that they put railings on her bed and that she rolled over and hit her face on the railing.”

The state’s report also highlighted administrative failures in oversight, the facility’s failure to notify doctors and families about crucial health changes, unresolved resident grievances, and a lack of proper physician orders for catheters.

After these serious allegations and the state report came to light, we reached out to PruittHealth to learn if they have changed any policies since the May 2025 report. They said, quote:

“PruittHealth – Palmyra remains committed to providing safe, high‑quality, and compassionate care. We have submitted a comprehensive corrective action plan to address the concerns identified and are working closely with regulators throughout this process. Our focus is on ensuring that every patient receives the care and dignity they deserve.”

The report also revealed that the nursing home failed to help residents exercise their right to vote in the November 2024 election, even when they asked for assistance. This is an ongoing story, and we’re committed to getting you answers.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.