Eddy Village Green at Beverwyck received 15 citations for violations of public health code between 2017 and 2021, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on July 30, 2021. The Slingerlands nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three inspections by state surveyors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately prevent infection. Under Section 483.80 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must create an infection prevention and control program in order to provide residents with a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment. A July 2019 citation found that Eddy Village Green at Beverwyck failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the facility “did not ensure standard precautions were maintained during a dressing change.” It goes on to describe an incident in which a nurse performing a pressure ulcer dressing change “did not remove her gloves, wash her hands and put on new gloves after touching the outside” of dressing packages and before touching the wound dressings. In an interview, the nurse said “she thought she had washed her hands when she changed her gloves” and did not know the dressing package exteriors “were considered to be contaminated.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of relevant nursing staffers.
2. The nursing home did not adequately protect residents from neglect. Section 483.12 of the Federal Code ensures nursing home residents the right to freedom from abuse and neglect. An August 2018 citation found that Eddy Village Green at Beverwyck failed to ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the nursing home “did not ensure interventions were implemented to protect the resident from the effects of high outdoor temperatures,” resulting in the resident’s transfer to a local hospital for evaluation and fluids. In an interview, the facility’s Medical Director said the resident “was definitely left outside too long” ad that on particularly hot days, “residents should only be left outside for short periods of time; 10-15 minutes, with plenty of fluids.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the updating of the facility’s heat precaution protocol.
3. The nursing home did not properly follow food safety standards. Under Section 483.60 of the Federal Code, nursing homes are required to store food “accordance with professional standards for food service safety.” An August 2018 citation found that Eddy Village Green at Beverwyck failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that tuna salad was stored above the required temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit—instead being stored at 50 degrees Fahrenheit—and that “refrigerator door gaskets, cabinets, walls, and floors were soiled with food particles, dust, and/or dirt.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the discarding of the tuna salad and the re-education of relevant staff on policies concerning food cleaning and nonfood contact surfaces.
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.
