Andrus On Hudson Cited for Medication Errors, Fall

Andrus On Hudson has received 19 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2021, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on February 18, 2022. The Hastings-on-Hudson nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of six surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:

1. The nursing home did not adequately prevent medication errors. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing home residents have the right to be “free of any significant medication errors.” A June 2021 citation found that Andrus On Hudson failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident who was not administered an anticoagulant medication despite a physician’s order upon admission, after being discharged from a hospital, that they receive it. In an interview, the facility’s Nursing Supervisor stated that while it was their responsibility to ensure medications were in the facility, it was not their responsibility to check the “admitting medication against the hospital discharge medications.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of nursing staff. 

2. The nursing home did take adequate steps to prevent accidents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must ensure resident environments remain as free as possible of accident hazards, and that residents receive adequate supervision to prevent accidents. A January 2021 citation found that Andrus On Hudson failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that after a resident sustained “an injury of unknown origin,” the facility failed to ensure they received an adequate assessment, and failed to implement interventions to prevent future accidents. The citation goes on to describe a written statement by the facility’s Director of Nursing which said the facility’s Nurse Supervisor “failed to document a head to toe assessment after responding to a call from the floor nurse to assess a resident who had fallen.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the counseling of nursing staff. 

3. The nursing home did not provide an adequate quality of care. Under Section 483.25, nursing homes are required to ensure residents “applies to all treatment and care provided to facility residents. Based on the comprehensive assessment of a resident, the facility must ensure that residents receive treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive person-centered care plan, and the residents’ choices.” A June 2021 citation found that Andrus On Hudson failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident whose blood thinner medication “was omitted during the submission of the physician’s admission orders.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of nursing and medical staff. 

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.