Fulton Commons Care Center received 27 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on February 27, 2020. The East Meadows nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of eight surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not implement adequate measures to prevent accidents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code provides that nursing homes must ensure resident environments remain free as possible of accident hazards. A July 2019 citation found that Fulton Commons Care Center did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the resident, who “had severely impaired cognition with moderate risk for elopement,” left the nursing home without staff noticing. The citation states further that the facility’s “perimeter exit door did not alarm as attended,” and that the resident was located a little over an hour later at a local bank. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the testing of all alarmed exit doors and the changing of the alarm on one door.
2. The nursing home did not protect residents from the administering of unnecessary drugs. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code states that “each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.” A June 2016 citation found that Fulton Commons Care Center did not ensure one resident’s drug regimen was fee from such. The citation states specifically that the resident was inappropriately receiving an antipsychotic medication. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of nursing staff to review anti-psychotic medication and the updating of the resident’s electronic medical record “with the correct indication” for the medication’s use.
3. The nursing home was not adequately implementing infection prevention and control measures. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to establish infection prevention and control programs consistent with current infection control principles and designed to prevent cross contamination. A July 2017 citation found that Fulton Commons Care Center did not ensure such for one resident reviewed for pressure ulcers. The citation states specifically that after a wound care treatment, a Registered Nurse lowered the resident’s bed using their bed control but without removing her gloves and washing her hands. In an interview, the nurse in question said that “before handling the bed control, she should have removed her gloves and washed her hands.”
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.
