Kendal at Ithaca has received 16 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on August 19, 2020. The Ithaca nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately prevent accidents. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must ensure resident environments are “as free of accident hazards as is possible.” A July 2016 citation found that Kendal at Ithaca did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that the facility’s hot water was too hot. It goes on to describe “the hot water temperature [that] was determined to be over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.” It states further that a Hot Water Return Status form “did not document any action taken after the hot water that was found to be too hot,” and “no documented evidence elsewhere that any action was taken to reduce the hot water temperature after it was determined to be too hot.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included adjustments to the mixing valves in the affected units.
2. The nursing home did not adequately comply with food safety standards. Under Section 483.35 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must store and prepare food under sanitary conditions. A July 2016 citation found that Kendal at Ithaca did not ensure such in two of its four kitchens. The citation states specifically that “spoiled and outdated foods were stored in the cafeteria walk-in refrigerator” and that an employee tested the sink’s sanitizer concentration using “an unapproved method.” The citation states that these deficiencies had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the discarding of spoiled and outdating food and the re-education of the employee in question.
3. The nursing home did not ensure residents were kept free from the use of unnecessary drugs. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing home residents’ “drug regimen[s] must be free from unnecessary drugs.” A July 2016 citation found that Kendal at Ithaca did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that one resident “was started on a routine antipsychotic medication without documentation of a supportive diagnosis,” and that another resident’s anti-psychotic medication dosage was increased in the absence of an adequate indication. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the gradual reduction and discontinuation of the first resident’s medication, and the review and updating of the second resident’s record to show their history of delusions and paranoid behavior.
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.
