Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare suffered 28 confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of January 2, 2021, according to state records. The facility has also received 33 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on January 2, 2020. The Corning nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of six surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately protect residents from accident hazards. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing home residents are required to be provided with an environment that is “as free of accident hazards as is possible.” A March 2018 citation found that Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare failed to ensure such when it served sliced turkey to a resident “who was on a mechanical soft diet with ground meats.” In an interview, one of the facility’s Licensed Practical Nurses stated that “according to the tray ticket, the resident should have received ground turkey, not sliced.” The facility’s Director of Food Services stated in an interview that “someone on the tray line must have made a mistake.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of dietary staff.
2. The nursing home did not implement adequate measures to prevent and control infection. Under Section 483.80 of the Federal Code, nursing home facilities must “establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to… help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.” A March 2018 citation found that Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that in connection to one resident, “there was improper incontinence care and lack of glove changing and handwashing,” and that shower stretchers used by the facility for several residents “were not clean.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the cleaning of shower stretchers and the re-education of the Certified Nursing Assistant who failed to provide proper incontinent care.
3. The nursing home did not properly care for pressure sores. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must ensure residents receive necessary services to prevent the development of pressure sores. A November 2016 citation found that Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that when a resident was discharged from the hospital with a surgical wound, their discharge summary “did not include what treatment or frequency of treatment was to be completed by the facility or when to follow-up with the wound clinic.”A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the evaluation of the resident, assessment of the wound, and “educational discipline” of a Licensed Practical Nurse in connection to the resident’s orders.
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.
