Isabella Geriatric Center received 33 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2019, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on February 6, 2020. The Manhattan nursing home’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 ensure residents were provided with necessary assistive devices to prevent accidents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code states that nursing home facilities must provide residents with an environment “as free from accident hazards as is possible” and with “adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents.” According to a June 2016 citation, Isabella Geriatric Center did not provide a resident with the assistive devices necessary to keep track of wandering behaviors. According to the citation, the resident’s Comprehensive Care Plan documented the use of watchmate placement as an intervention for unsafe wandering and elopement. However, according to the citation, an inspector observed on multiple instances that the resident had “no watchmate” on their ankles or wrists. In an interview, a Certified Nursing Assistant said that “she doesn’t know why the” the resident’s watchmate was not in place.
2. The nursing home did comply with infection prevention and control standards. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes “must establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment.” An October 2018 citation found that Isabella Geriatric Center did not ensure the maintenance of infection control measures. The citation states specifically that an inspector observed on multiple instances facility staffers entering “Contact Isolation rooms without the use of Personal Protective Equipment.” An inspector also observed multiple instances of oxygen tubing making contact with the floor, a Certified Nursing Assistant neglecting to conduct proper hand hygiene during meal service, and facility staffers neglecting to assist residents with hand hygiene before eating their meals. The citation states that these deficiencies had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
3. The nursing home did not ensure residents’ drug regimens were free from unnecessary psychotropic medications. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing homes facilities are required to keep resident drug regimens free from medications that have an effect on “brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior.” An October 2018 citation found that Isabellia Geriatric Center did not ensure “that rational was provided for prescribing an as needed” medication to a resident for more than two weeks. The citation states that the resident was prescribed 1 milligram of the medication every twelve hours, and that the prescription was ordered for longer than a two-week period without any documentation by the prescribing physician of a duration for the medication’s use. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility in response to the citation included the 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.
