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Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has received 72 citations for violations of public health code between 2017 and 2021, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on October 1, 2021. The facility has also received five fines totaling $40,000 since 2011. The Buffalo nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of 13 inspections by state surveyors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not provide adequate accident-prevention measures. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure residents an accident-free environment. A February 2020 citation found that Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which the facility failed to ensure a shower chair lift fit through a shower room doorway. As a result, a resident “sustained a leg laceration, was transferred to the hospital and required 18 sutures.” In a separate incident, a resident was transferred without the use of a mechanical lift or safety devices as planned, and consequently suffered “actual harm” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the counseling of nursing staff.
2. The nursing home did not provide pressure ulcer care. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to provide a professional level of care for residents’ pressure ulcers, including the provision of necessary treatment and services. A November 2019 citation found that Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes the facility’s failure to ensure a resident with pressure ulcers received necessary treatment and services for them. In an interview, the facility’s physician stated, “Leaving pressure ulcers untreated is unacceptable.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the review of all residents with pressure ulcers to ensure the currency of weekly assessments.
3. The nursing home did not adequately prevent medication errors. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to keep residents free of significant medication errors. A November 2017 citation found that Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that a resident’s blood pressure medication was repeatedly omitted. In an interview, the facility’s physician said that they were unaware of the resident’s elevated blood pressure and that the resident had not received sufficient doses of the medication. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the assessment of the resident and the re-education of nurses involved in the errors.
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.
