Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center experienced 12 deaths from Covid-19 as of June 8, 2020, per state records. The nursing home also received 18 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, including two for infection control deficiencies, according to health records accessed on June 9, 2020. The Staten Island nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three surveys by state inspectors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not employ adequate measures to prevent infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing home facilities must maintain an infection control program designed to help mitigate the transmission of disease. A June 2019 citation found that Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that a resident was observed with nasal cannula touching the floor, and that a Certified Nursing Assistant was observed physically caring for residents and touching the lid of a garbage can without washing their hands in between. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the replacement of the tubing and in-servicing of nursing staff on infection control practices.
2. The nursing home received an earlier citation for infection control deficiencies in August 2017. In that instance an inspector observed two Registered Nurses applying soap and immediately rinsing their hands after performing wound care and fingerstick procedures, using cold water rather than hot. In a separate instance, a Registered Nurse was observed leaving a resident’s room, reaching over a medication cart, and taking an antiseptic wipe “without removing the yellow isolation gown and gloves.” The citation states that this deficiency had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
3. The nursing home did not follow food safety protocols. Section 483.35 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must store, prepare, distribute and serve food “under sanitary conditions. A June 2016 citation found that Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that during inspections of the facility’s kitchen, a survey observed dried ceiling tiles that were stained brown in a food storage area, and boxes containing plasticware that were left on a floor. In an interview, the facility’s Food Service Director said that the brown stains were from a leak in the past after which the tiles had not been replaced, and that the items in question should have been stored on a palette.
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.
