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Elderwood at Cheektowaga suffered 18 confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of January 23, 2021, according to state records. The facility has also received 27 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on January 23, 2020. The Cheektowaga 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 prevent and control infection. Under Section 483.80 of the Federal Code, nursing homes are required to create and maintain an infection control program “designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.” A November 2019 citation found that Elderwood at Cheektowaga failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that in one resident unit, dirty bed linens “were placed directly on the floor without a protective barrier,” and that in another unit, oxygen tubing “was observed directly on the floor during multiple observations,” all in contravention of facility policy. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the discarding of the tubing and the re-education of the staff member who placed dirty linens on the floor.
2. The nursing home did not sufficiently prevent medication errors. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must keep their residents “free of any significant medication errors.” A January 2019 citation found that Elderwood at Cheektowaga failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that one resident’s medications “were not ordered in accordance with discharge medications specified on the hospital discharge summary.” The resident according received incorrect dosages of certain medications, and didn’t receive other medications at all. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included an audit and reconciliation of the medical records.
3. The nursing home did not adequately protect residents from accidents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must ensure resident environments are kept “as free of accident hazards as is possible” and that every resident “receives adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents.” A November 2018 citation found that Elderwood at Cheektowaga failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that for one resident, there was no “evidence that planned interventions to provide a safe environment were implemented and/or revised.” It goes on to state that interventions “for a low bed and bilateral Posey rolls” were not implemented on several instances. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the updating of the resident’s care plan.
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.
