Bushwick Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care has received 13 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on March 19, 2022. The Brooklyn 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 provided inadequate pressure ulcer care. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must ensure residents receive professional levels of care to prevent the development of pressure ulcers where clinically avoidable. A May 2021 citation found that Bushwick Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident identified as at high risk for the development ulcers, who “was not provided with preventive skin care to prevent skin breakdown and pressure ulcers upon admission.” The citation goes on to state that the resident consequently developed a deep tissue injury and two moisture-associated wounds. In an interview, the facility’s wound care nurse said “There should have been interventions in place to prevent skin breakdowns,” and further that “Anyone who is at risk for skin breakdown should have interventions in place to prevent skin breakdown upon admission.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of nursing staff on pressure ulcer prevention.
2. The nursing home failed to implement adequate infection-control measures. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to uphold and maintain an infection prevention and control program. A May 2021 citation found that Bushwick Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes instances in which one resident’s “Oxygen tubing, nebulizer tubing, and nebulizer masks were observed on multiple occasions touching the floor, uncovered, and improperly stored.” It goes on to describe another instance in which a licensed practical nurse failed to clean and disinfect a blood pressure cuff in between resident uses during a medication pass. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of relevant nursing staff.
3. The nursing home did not implemented adequate criminal record check processes. Section 402.6 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure the submission of criminal history record checks for all prospective employees. A July 2020 citation found that Bushwick Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care failed to ensure such. The citation states that in connection to three employees, “There was no documented evidence in the employee file that a request for a CHRC was submitted.” Two of the employees were hired as certified nursing assistants, while the third was hired as a housekeeper. In an interview, the facility’s Administrator said that the record check process for the employees “was not completed for newly hired employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic as some requirements such as fingerprinting were waived.” However, the citation states when the administrator was asked “to provide a copy of the memorandum that documented that CHRC was suspended… no such document was provided.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of the facility’s human resources 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.
