(914) 220-1086Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has received 65 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on August 19, 2020. The facility has also received a 2016 fine of $10,000 in connection to findings in a 2012 inspection that it violated health code provisions concerning abuse, accidents, staff treatment of residents, and administrative practices. The Ithaca nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of nine surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not employ adequate measures to prevent infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to mitigate the risk of infection via the creation and maintenance of an infection control program. An August 2019 citation found that Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the facility did not maintain infection control standards during a resident’s pressure ulcer dressing change. It goes on to describe the facility’s failure to “provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) or a way to perform hand hygiene in the soiled laundry sorting area; and washers and dryers were not maintained according to the user manual.” The citation describes these deficiencies as having the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-dressing of the resident’s pressure ulcer and the placement of PPE in the laundry room.
2. The nursing home did not adequately supervise residents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to provide residents with adequate supervision to prevent accidents. An August 2019 citation found that Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the facility had no plan in place to address the resident’s smoking. it goes on to state that the resident in question “was observed smoking independently after he had been assessed by the facility to be a safety risk and not eligible for safe-smoking.” The resident, who is described as having “impaired tactile sensation, did not light his own cigarette safely and was likely to drop smoking material.” According to the citation, he flicked ashes onto the ground and threw cigarette butts on the ground but “was not able to put them out.” An assessment found that the resident “was a safety risk and was not eligible for a safe-smoking contract.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the facility’s provision, to the resident, of a smoking alternative.
3. The nursing home did not provide adequate pressure ulcer care. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing home facilities must provide residents with necessary treatment and services to prevent and/or heal pressure ulcers. A March 2018 citation found that Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation specifically states that three residents who were supposed to be wearing protective heel boots “were observed on multiple occasions not wearing them.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the evaluation of the residents and the monitoring of the residents to ensure they have the boots present.
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.
