Elderwood at Lockport received 31 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on January 8, 2021. The facility also received a fine of $10,000 in February 2020 in connection to violations of unspecified health code provisions. The Lockport 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 did not employ adequate steps to prevent accidents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to keep resident environments as free as possible of accident hazards and to provide residents with adequate supervision to prevent accidents. An October 2019 citation found that Elderwood at Lockport failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that one resident who was documented for one-to-one supervision “was left unattended in a common area,” and subsequently sustained a fall and a redacted medical injury. In an interview, the facility’s administrator said the resident was left unattended in a chair because they were sleeping, and their wasn’t any violation of the resident’s care plan. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included a review of guidelines for one-to-one supervision of residents.
2. The nursing home did not take proper infection prevention measures. Under Section 483.65 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program that helps mitigate the transmission of disease. A November 2016 citation found that Elderwood at Lockport The citation states specifically that two units “had issues that involved the lack of proper disinfection of a blood glucose monitor between resident use,” as well as with unlabeled and improperly stored resident items, and with medication being administered after staffers handled it without wearing gloves. The citation states that these deficiencies had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the counseling of relevant staff.
3. The nursing home did not comply with standards for food safety. Under Section 483.35 of the Federal Code, that nursing homes must “store, prepare, distribute and serve food under sanitary conditions.” A November 2016 citation found that Elderwood at Lockport failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes pans and bowls “stacked together wet ands oiled,” ladles hung before they were dried, and “rusty scoop was stored with scoops that were ready to use and a spoon that was soiled was stored with spoons that were ready to use.” The citation goes on to describe cold beverages that were “served above acceptable temperatures.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the completion of weekly audits to ensure compliance.
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.