Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care: Infection Citation

Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care received 28 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on April 29, 2022. The Uniondale nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of 13 inspections by state surveyors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:

1. The nursing home did not implement adequate infection-control protocols. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to attempt to prevent the development and spread of communicable diseases by establishing and maintaining an infection prevention and control program. A June 2021 citation found that Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a Licensed Practical Nurse did not change gloves or wash their hands after cleansing a resident’s wound and before applying treatment. In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing Services said that the nurse should have washed their hands after cleaning the wound. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of the nurse in question.

2. The nursing home did not properly investigate an alleged violation. Under Section 483.12 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must respond to allegations of abuse or mistreatment by providing evidence that they were thoroughly investigated. A June 2021 citation found that Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care failed to ensure such. The citation specifically states that the nursing home “did not ensure that injuries of unknown origin were thoroughly investigated to rule out Abuse.” According to the citation, the incident in question involved a resident found in bed with bruising. The facility’s Director of Nursing Services and Registered Nurse Risk Manager told a surveyor that the resident’s injuries “were of unknown origin,” that the resident was not observed sustaining a fall, and that “they did not interview other staff members.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of relevant staff.

3. The nursing home did not maintain sufficient nursing staff. Section 483.35 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must ensure they have “sufficient nursing staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to provide nursing and related services to assure resident safety” and to maintain resident well-being. A June 2021 citation found that Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which the facility “did not have the recommended number of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) as indicated on the Staffing Sheets.” It goes on to describe an interview with a resident who said the nursing home “has insufficient staff to care for the residents which results in extended wait times to receive care.” In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing Services acknowledged that the nursing home had “difficulties obtaining and hiring CNAs.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included an application to the state health department for a CNA training program.a

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.