Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation received 25 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 facility has also been the subject of a 2016 fine of $12,000 in connection to findings during a 2015 inspection that it violated health code provisions regarding bedsores/pressure soresband notifications; and a second 2016 fine of $10,000 in connection to findings during a 2014 inspection that it violated health code provisions regarding quality of care. The Glen Cove nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of five surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not keep residents free from unnecessary medications. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must ensure that “each resident’s drug regimen [is] free from unnecessary drugs.” An April 2016 citation found that Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation did not ensure one resident was protected from unnecessary medications. The citation states specifically that the resident was given an antipsychotic drug “without documented evidence of the specific clinical symptoms, resident-specific non-pharmacological interventions attempted or monitoring of the effectiveness of the medication.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of the facility’s licensed nurses “on the need to document specific clinical symptoms & behavioral interventions” before administering antipsychotic medications.
2. The nursing home did not maintain sanitary kitchen conditions. Section 483.35 of the Federal Code requires nursing home facilities to “Store, prepare, distribute and serve food under sanitary conditions.” An April 2016 citation found that Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation did not do so. The citation states specifically that an inspector observed a dietary staffer working in a food preparation area “with unrestrained hair”; gaps between exit doors, “creating a portal entry for insects”; cutting boards that needed to be replaced, and ceiling light fixtures that needed to be cleaned. The citation states additionally that floor tiles near the kitchen’s ice cream freezer and dish machine were observed with pooled water. In an interview, the facility’s Food Service Director stated that the staffer’s hair should have been restrained, and that the leak resulting in the pooled water would be repaired.
3. The nursing home did not adequately maintain a pest control program. Section 483.90 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to “Maintain an effective pest control program so that the facility is free of pests and rodents.” A September 2018 citation found that Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation did not ensure the implementation of effective such program. The citation states specifically that an inspector observed during kitchen tours that there were “large flies and smaller drain flies in food preparation and storage areas.” The citation goes on to state that eight residents stated in interviews that they were “bothered by flies.” These deficiencies, according to the citation, had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
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.
