Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center received 29 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on March 29, 2020. The Commack nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of seven surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately prevent verbal abuse. Section 483.12 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure each resident’s “right to be free from abuse.” A July 2018 citation found that Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that a Certified Nursing Assistant “told the resident that she smelled and instructed the resident to void in the brief when the resident requested toileting assistance” from the CNA, while another CNA was present. The citation states that the second CNA neglected to report the abuse to appropriate authorities. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the suspension of the first CNA, and noted that the second CNA “is no longer employed.”
2. The nursing home did not take keep residents free from the use of unnecessary medications. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to keep their resident’s medication regimens “free from unnecessary drugs.” A March 2016 citation found that Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the resident was administered an antipsychotic medication without any documented evidence that the facility first attempted non-pharmacological interventions. The citation states that this deficiency had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the educational counseling of medical staff.
3. The nursing home did not employ adequate steps to prevent and control disease and infection. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing home facilities are required to “establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program.” An August 2018 citation found that Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center did not do so. The citation states specifically that a Registered Nurse was observed conducting a dressing change operation for a resident’s pressure ulcer without following “proper aseptic technique.” According to the citation, the nurse cleansed the wound using a gauze pad “in an upward and downward motion” rather than “from the inner aspect to the outer aspect of the wound in one circular motion.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the educational counseling of the nurse in question.
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.