Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Cited for Pressure Ulcer Care

Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has received 29 citations for violations of public health code between 2017 and 2021, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on May 20, 2021. The Beacon nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:

1. The nursing home did not adequately protect residents from accidents. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must maintain a resident environment as free as possible of accident hazards and in which residents receive adequate supervision to prevent accidents. A March 2020 citation found that Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that a resident who was cognitively impaired, displayed wandering behavior, and had previously “expressed a desire to leave the facility” eloped the nursing home through the window in another resident’s room. In an interview, the facility’s Administrator said that an Elopement Care Plan hadn’t previously been initiated for the resident “despite several elopement attempts” because the resident was in a “secured unit.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the inspection of windows and the repair of those that opened more than four inches.

2. The nursing home did not provide adequate pressure ulcer care. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must provide residents with necessary care and treatment for their pressure ulcers. An August 2018 citation found that Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the facility did not provide care ordered by the physician for a resident’s right heel pressure ulcer. The citation goes on to state that for seven days, facility nurses “administered the wrong treatment to the right heel.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of relevant staff.

3. The nursing home did not adequately prevent medication errors. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must ensure residents remain “free of any significant medication errors.” A June 2018 citation found that Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that two residents were administered medications with significant errors. In one case, nursing staff “did not administer prescribed medications” while a resident was receiving a medical treatment at an offsite location. In another instance, a resident’s medication “was not administered in accordance with the physician’s orders.” 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 in-servicing of nursing staff.

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.