Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has received 75 citations for violations of public health code between 2017 and 2021, according to health records accessed on April 16, 2021. The Syracuse nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of 15 inspections by state surveyors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not take adequate steps to prevent infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to create and maintain an infection control program designed to prevent infection. A September 2020 citation found that Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the nursing home two registered nurses and a licensed practical nurse “were observed wearing face masks below their noses” while treating a resident, and that a unit aide was observed “wearing a face mask below her nose and mouth while sitting with 2 residents and speaking with another staff member,” in contravention of the facility’s guidelines concerning the use of personal protective equipment. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of relevant staff.
2. The nursing home did not take adequate measures to prevent accidents. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must ensure residents are provided with environments free of accident hazards and with adequate supervision to prevent accidents. A March 2020 citation found that Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that a resident who had not been “thoroughly assessed for wandering upon admission” was sent to an appointment unsupervised, then “wandered from the appointment unnoticed and was missing for 12-hours before being found.” The citation goes on to state that the resident was not timely reassessed for wandering behavior upon his return to the facility and that he was not timely applied a wander-guard device when he was finally reassessed. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the assessment of the resident and the education of registered nurses regarding wandering assessments.
3. The nursing home did not adequately prevent abuse. Section 483.12 of the Federal Code guarantees nursing home residents “the right to be free from abuse.” A December 20 citation found that Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the nursing home failed to prevent a resident from being abused by Certified Nurse Aide, and that two other CNAs “did not report abuse immediately to facility Administration,” enabling the CNA who committed abuse to continue providing care to other residents. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the suspension of the CNA who committed the abuse and the suspension of the two who delayed reporting it. A Registered Nurse was also suspended and later resigned. The citation states that this deficiency resulted in “actual harm.”
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.
