The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, the now-notorious nursing home where a dozen patients died after air conditioning failed during Hurricane Irma, has laid off 245 workers.
The layoffs come as the nursing home is under investigation by Broward County and state officials.
Following a moratorium on future admissions on the facility imposed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the nursing home laid off 79 certified nursing assistants, 37 licensed practical nurses, 23 occupational or physical therapists, 18 registered nurses and five doctors, the Sun Sentinel reports.
The facility also laid off 25 environmental or laundry workers and 10 administrative assistants, while the others dismissed worked in activities, dietary aid, engineering and supplies.
After the deaths, Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order requiring nursing homes and assisted living facilities to install generators and purchase fuel that could power their air conditioning for up to four days – citing the 12 deaths in his decision.
The patients died after the storm damaged the electric transformer that powered the facility's air conditioning. All patients were evacuated after the air conditioning failure resulted in deaths. Some who died had body temperatures as high as 109.9° Fahrenheit.
