(914) 220-1086Glens Falls Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing suffered 15 deaths from Covid-19 as of June 16, 2020, per state records. The nursing home also received 41 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to health records accessed on June 16, 2020. Multiple citations concerned deficient infection prevention practices. The Glens Falls nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of 7 surveys by state inspectors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not take adequate measures to prevent the spread of infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing home facilities to “establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to… help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases.” An April 2020 citation found that Glens Falls Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that staffers did not provide for the handling and delivery of laundry “in a manner to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection.” It goes on to state that staff delivering laundry entered a resident’s room wearing personal protective equipment, as required by directions on the door, and then exited the room without removing the PPE or performing hand hygiene before they entered the room of a resident who did not have PPE precautions posted on their door. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the removal of a laundry aide from the assignment and the removal and re-laundering of personal items in affected rooms.
2. A February 2019 citation also found that Glens Falls Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing violated Section 483.80. The citation states specifically that the facility did not ensure the maintenance of standard precautions while a dressing change was conducted on a resident’s Stage 4 pressure ulcer on their left second toe. An inspector observed a Licensed Practical Nurse performing the dressing change with his name badge, which was on a lanyard around his neck, touching his gloved hand, then the resident’s foot. The LPN was also observed not washing his hands before the dressing change or between each glove change. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of the LPN in question.
3. Glens Falls Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing received another citation for infection control deficiencies during a May 2017 inspection. The citation states specifically that the facility failed to ensure that an employee who had not been vaccinated for the flu “would wear a surgical mask while in resident areas.” In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing stated that this employee was overlooked because they were not on the staffing list. The citation describes this deficiency as having 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.
