(914) 220-1086Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation received 24 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on February 27, 2020. The facility has also been the subject of a 2016 fine of $12,000 in connection to findings during a 2015 inspection that it violated health code provisions regarding quality of care and staff mistreatment of residents; and a second 2016 fine of $10,000 in connection to findings during a 2015 inspection that it violated health code provisions regarding accidents. The Woodbury nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of 11 surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not provide adequate pressure ulcer treatment and care. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure residents receive necessary treatment and services to promote the healing of pressure ulcers and the prevention of new ulcers from developing. A September 2019 citation found that Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that a pressure ulcer identified by the resident on September 20, 2018 was not assessed by a Registered Nurse until September 23, 2018. The citation states further that the RN in question “initiated treatment without a physician’s orders,” and that the lack of a pressure ulcer assessment resulted in “actual harm” to the resident.
2. The nursing home did not ensure an environment free of accident hazards. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to maintain resident environments “as free of accident hazards as is possible.” A June 2016 citation found that Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation did not maintain such. The citation found specifically that the facility had no “written safety plan in place during roof repairs,” resulting in leaks as well as the potential for leaks in resident rooms in one unit. The citation states further that the facility had no “safety checklist in place during the renovation work.” The nursing home’s Assistant Administrator stated in an interview that “he would develop and implement a written safety plan and checklist for the rest of the roof repairs.”
3. The nursing home failed to ensure residents were not administered unnecessary drugs. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing home facilities must keep “each resident’s drug regimen… free from unnecessary drugs.”A May 2016 citation found that Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation did not ensure a resident’s drug regimen was free from such. The citation states specifically that the resident was ordered and administered a redacted anxiety medication even though there was “no documented evidence of non-pharmacological interventions attempted prior to the administration” of that medication. According to the citation, this deficiency had the “potential to cause more than minimal 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.
