CLINTON, Ky. - State inspectors have not reached conclusions about their review of Birchtree Healthcare, despite comments from nursing home officials to the contrary, Cabinet for Health Services officials said Friday.

        Birchtree manager Dan Dabney said state and federal inspectors' findings threaten the nursing home's application to be recertified to care for patients on Medicaid and Medicare, and he will appeal. He told The Paducah Sun that none of the deficiencies poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of residents.

        Birchtree is owned by Tina Conner, with whom Gov. Paul Patton has admitted a sexual relationship. Ms. Conner claims that the nursing home got special treatment because of her affair with Mr. Patton and then suffered the consequences when she cut it off. Mr. Patton said he has not improperly used his office to help or hurt anyone.

        Mr. Dabney accused inspectors Thursday of continuing to be unfair to the nursing home because of Ms. Conner's battle with the governor, which includes a sexual harassment lawsuit she filed last month. He said inspectors didn't follow proper procedures by waiting until the entire inspection was completed before determining that there were deficiencies.

        In a letter to Ms. Conner's attorney, Fred Radolovich, released Friday, cabinet attorney Steve Davis rebutted allegations by Mr. Dabney and Mr. Radolovich that the cabinet had already made up its mind about Birchtree.

        “Rather than accuse state and federal surveyors of fabrication and improper conduct, I believe it would be more productive to follow the process that we have discussed and worked through during the previous three months,” Mr. Davis said in the letter released by the cabinet.

        Mr. Dabney told the Sun that the cabinet issued a news release about problems found at the nursing home even before inspectors left the premises.

        “This is further evidence that Birchtree Healthcare has been and continues to be subjected to harassment, intimidation and fabrication by the agencies under director control of Gov. Paul Patton,” Mr. Dabney said.

        But the release from the cabinet did not mention any finding of problems. Instead, it merely noted that the survey team had completed its initial visits and would complete its report in a few days.

        Cabinet officials said they sent inspectors from other regions who had never visited Birchtree before to conduct the survey. The cabinet said a federal official from the Medicare and Medicaid programs was also on hand.

        While Mr. Dabney didn't dispute some findings, he disagrees with their level of seriousness.

        Mr. Dabney said that if the levels of deficiencies aren't changed in the final report that he anticipates receiving in a few days, he'll ask for an informal review.

Abduction ordeal rattles councilman
Excerpts of 911 transcript
City vs. suburbs? Friction heats up
United Way far from goal
Pope rejects sex abuse policy
GUTIERREZ: Build as we say, not do
Archbishop supports Metro tax hike
Judge: Charter school must notify parents
Obituary: Rev. Sanford C. Lindsey, served Sayler Park
Prosecutors must say why juror was excluded
Silverton tries again for tax approval
Teachers adapt curriculum to study Iraq
Two men rob Franklin Savings
Cell phone rings up 4 arrests
Congrats
Dem: State AG wrong to stump for Stratton
Faith Matters: Gaither celebrates unity
Judge allows leaflets to be distributed
Neighborhoods: Once-a-year special events
Sewer board to draft bylaws
Kentucky Digest
Nursing home review unfinished
Chemical-spray robber strikes 3 stores
Toledo Zoo to return costly koala
W. Nile donated-blood tie checked