Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center received 18 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2021, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on May 20, 2022. The Staten Island nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three inspections by state surveyors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately protect residents from abuse. Section 483.12 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure residents have the right “to be free from abuse [and] neglect.” A March 2022 citation found that Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a Certified Nursing Assistant was witnessed punching a resident in the “right thigh area.” The CNA was suspended temporarily and later returned to work. In a separate instance, a licensed practical nurse observed a second CNA punching another resident on the arm, then throwing a pillow that hit the resident in the face. In a third instance, according to the citation, a CNA did not provide a resident with activities of daily living care, resulting in “immediate jeopardy and substandard quality of care with the likelihood for serious, injury, serious harm, serious impairment, or death.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the educational counseling of relevant staff.
2. The nursing home did not adequately report reasonable suspicion of a crime. Section 483.12 of the Federal Code stipulates nursing homes must report reasonable suspicion of a crime against residents “not later than 2 hours after forming the suspicion.” A March 2022 citation found that Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a resident accused a CNA of abuse, “potentially causing a fracture to the right elbow.” According to the citation, the facility’s Medical Director notified the Director of Nursing of the resident’s accusation, but the allegation “was not reported to local law enforcement agencies.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the educational counseling of the CNA, the Medical Director, the Administrator, and the Director of Nursing Services.
3. The nursing home did not adequately prevent the unnecessary administration of psychotropic medications. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing must homes ensure that residents do not unnecessarily receive psychotropic drugs, which are described as “any drug that affects brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior.” A June 2019 citation found that Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a resident who had not previously received psychotropic medications was prescribed them for the treatment of “dementia-related symptoms.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the implementation of a gradual dose reduction and discontinuation of the medication.
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.
