Houghton Rehabilitation & Nursing Center has received 18 citations for violations of public health code between 2017 and 2021, according to records accessed on December 4, 2021. It was also issued a $12,000 fine in 2016 over findings it violated sections of the health code relating to quality of care. The Houghton nursing home facility’s citations resulted from a total of four surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not provide adequate pressure ulcer care. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure residents with pressure ulcer receive necessary treatment and services to prevent infection, promote healing, and stave off the development of new ulcers. A September 2018 citation found that Houghton Rehabilitation & Nursing Center failed to ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that when a physician ordered treatment for a resident with a Stage 3 pressure ulcer, the treatment was not provided as ordered, and further that the resident was not provided with a pressure-relieving air mattress per the wound consultant’s recommendation. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the completion of the treatment and provision of the bed.
2. The nursing home did not adequately protect residents from abuse. Section 483.12 of the Federal Code guarantees nursing home residents “the right to be free from abuse.” An April 2018 citation found that Houghton Rehabilitation & Nursing Center failed to ensure such for one resident. The citation specifically describes one resident who “was the recipient of unwanted sexual harassment” by the facility’s staff. It goes on to describe a “male housekeeper… witnessed by an activities aide to be laying on a female resident’s bed and asking her for a kiss.” The citation states that this conduct was in violation of facility policy. A statement by the aide who witnessed the conduct said that the housekeeper was “laying on the bed” over the covers while the resident was under the covers. In an interview, the housekeeper in question “denied laying on the bed with the resident or asking the resident for a kiss.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the termination of the housekeeper.
3. The nursing home did not adequately prevent unnecessary psychotropic medication use. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing home residents have the right to be free from the administration of psychotropic drugs “unless the medication is necessary to treat a specific condition.” A November 2019 citation found that Houghton Rehabilitation & Nursing Center failed to ensure such for one resident. The citation specifically describes a resident admitted with an antipsychotic medication without an underlying condition providing for the use of such. In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing said that in a consultation with the resident’s physician, the physician agreed that the dose should be discontinued. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the discontinuation of the medication and the education of relevant staff.
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.
