Ellis Residential & Rehabilitation Center has received 29 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on August 28, 2020. The facility has also received a 2016 fine of $20,000 in connection to findings in an earlier inspection that it violated health code provisions regarding accidents, resident assessments, abuse, staff treatment of residents, and administrative practices. The Schenectady 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 infection-control measures. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to “establish and maintain an infection prevention and 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 January 2019 citation found that Ellis Residential & Rehabilitation Center did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that it failed to ensure staff who did not get a flu shot properly wore surgical masks in resident areas, “leaving residents at higher risk for transmission of the flu.” It also states that with respect to a resident on contact precautions, the nursing home “did not ensure that staff donned a gown and gloves prior to entering the resident’s room.” The citation finally states that the nursing home failed to ensure the annual review of its Infection Control policies. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the audit of staff required to wear masks, and the re-education of staff regarding face masks.
2. The nursing home took inadequate care of residents’ pressure ulcers. Section 483.35 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must provide pressure ulcer patients with necessary care to promote healing. A January 2019 citation found that Ellis Residential & Rehabilitation Center failed to ensure such for one resident, and for a second resident “did not initiate interventions to address identified pressure ulcer risk factors to prevent pressure ulcer development with the subsequent development of a pressure ulcer.” The citation goes on to state that the first resident’s records did not contain any documentation reflection the provision of care to the resident’s pressure ulcers. 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 education of registered nursing staff.
3. The nursing home did not take proper food safety precautions. Section 483.60 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must store, prepare, distribute and serve food to residents “accordance with professional standards for food service safety.” A January 2020 citation found that Ellis Residential & Rehabilitation Center did not do so. The citation states specifically that the facility maintained a “concentration of quaternary ammonium compound chemical sanitizing rinse” that was below the manufacturer’s requirements and that certain equipment needed to be cleaned. With respect to the rinse, the citation states that the concentration was measured at 500 parts per million at 73 degrees Fahrenheit, when it was required to be between 150ppm and 400ppm when the solution was between 65 and 75 degrees. As for the equipment, the citation states that loading dock doors were soiled with grime, and that “The K-fire extinguisher and fire extinguisher cabinets were soiled with grease or dust.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the cleaning of the soiled areas and an audit of the sanitizing rinse.
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.