Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has received 34 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on August 28, 2020. The facility has also received two fines totaling $12,000 in connection to findings that it violated health code provisions, among others, regarding quality of care.. The Scotia nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of four surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not properly implement infection-control measures. Under Section 483.80 of the Federal Code, nursing homes are required to take steps to prevent and control infection via the maintenance of an infection control program that ensures residents a comfortable and sanitary environment. An August 2017 citation found that Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that staff did not properly wear personal protective equipment when necessary, glucometers were not disinfected after use, and employees “did not observe Contact Precautions during Foley catheter care and when providing housekeeping services to 2 residents.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of nurses on glucometer cleaning, the education of a certified nursing assistant on proper foley catheter emptying, the education of a housekeeper and CNA on contact precautions, and the education of nursing staff on wound care techniques.
2. The nursing home did not provide adequate bedsore / pressure ulcer care. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must provide residents with a level of professional care designed to prevent pressure ulcers unless medically unavoidable, and to promote the healing of new ulcers. An August 2017 citation found that Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the facility did not identify the resident’s risk of developing an ulcer from their orthopedic boot; did not ensure the monitoring of the resident’s complaint that their ankle was burning under the boot; did not initiate interventions in response to the resident’s complaint; and did not ensure the resident’s provider was contacted about the complaint, all “resulting in the discovery of the development of a Stage I pressure sore on the resident’s right lateral ankle.” The citation states further that the nursing home did not ensure the resident’s provider was notified of the ulcer’s discovery and did not monitor the sore for several days, resulting in its deterioration from stage 1 to stage 3. The citation states that these deficiencies resulted in “actual harm” to the resident.
3. The nursing home did not follow food safety procedures. Section 483.60 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must store food “in accordance with professional standards for food service safety.” A June 2019 citation found that Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that “the concentration of quaternary ammonium compound chemical sanitizing rinse (QAC) was less than that required by the manufacturer and equipment and floors required cleaning.” In an interview, the facility’s General Manager of Food Service said the QAC was probably “inadvertently diluted by a food service worker,” and that he would ensure the cleaning of the relevant areas.
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.
