A Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility received 23 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on March 14, 2020. The Uniondale nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The facility did not protect residents’ right to be free from the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must ensure that “Residents who have not used psychotropic drugs are not given these drugs unless the medication is necessary to treat a specific condition as diagnosed and documented in the clinical record,” and, among other things, that facilities attempt non-pharmacological interventions before administering such drugs. An October 2019 citation found that A Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility did not ensure this right for one resident. The citation states specifically hat the resident was ordered to be administered a redacted psychotropic medication, although there was “no documented evidence of non-pharmacological interventions attempted prior to the start of the antipsychotic medication.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of the facility’s social worker and some nurses.
2. The nursing home did not implement proper measures to prevent and control the spread of infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to “establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program” that ensure residents a safe, sanitary environment. A June 2018 citation found that A Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility did not ensure such. The citation specifically states that an observer found that for four of the facility’s resident use buildings with potable water systems, the facility “did not conduct water sampling for Legionella quarterly as recommended by their Water Management Plan.” In an interview, the facility’s Vice President of Facilities indicated that he would contact the facility’s water management company to ensure regular testing in the future. The citation states that this deficiency had the “potential to cause minimal harm.”
3. The nursing home did not comply with stairway and smoke-proof enclosure regulations. Section 101 of the Life Safety Code requires exit stair treads to “incorporate a marking stripe that is applied as a paint/coating or be a material that is integral with the nosing of each step” and that meets certain dimensional and placing requirements. An October 2019 citation found that A Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility did not ensure that exit stair treads had the required marking strips in “nine of nine stairs on all floors.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the painting of affected stairs with the required stripes.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC work diligently to protect the rights of nursing home residents. Please contact us to discuss in the event you have a potential case involving neglect or abuse.
