Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing received seven citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on October 21, 2022. The Lynbrook nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of two surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not provide adequate pressure sore treatment and care. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must ensure that residents with pressure sores are provided “necessary treatment and services, consistent with professional standards of practice, to promote healing, prevent infection and prevent new ulcers from developing.” A June 2021 citation found that Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident whose pressure ulcers were not thoroughly documented through assessments by facility staff. The resident in question had two stage II pressure ulcers, one stage III pressure ulcer, and one unstageable pressure ulcer, according to the citation, all of which were present when the resident was admitted. The citation goes on to state that the facility’s wound care physician’s assessment of these ulcers lacked documentation of various features, including measurements of depth and color. In an interview, a Registered Nurse “could not explain” why the assessments were not thorough.” The Wound Care Physician said in a separate interview that they were “relying on the nursing staff to document the wound measurements, odor, drainage, undermining and color” and that “the documentation is poor and a better system will be implemented to ensure thorough assessments are documented.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the reassessment of the resident’s wounds with the proper measurements.
2. The nursing home did not adequately prevent infection. Section 453.80 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must establish and maintain an infection prevent and control program to stave off the development and transmission of disease. A June 2021 citation found that Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a Licensed Practical Nurse did not put on appropriate personal protective equipment while performing a medication pass for a resident on transmission-based precautions. In an interview, the LPN said that “a gown and gloves should have been put on prior to entering the room” and further that “not having donned a gown and gloves and not washing hands was an oversight.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of the LPN.
3. Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing was also cited for infection prevention lapses in April 2020. According to this citation, the facility’s staff “not consistently follow the recommended Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Infection Control transmission-based procedure for residents on precautions leading to potential cross-contamination for 29 of 43 negative COVID-19 residents.” It goes on to describe a housekeeper observed mopping the floor in the resident of a room with Covid-19, who then entered the room of a resident negative for Covid-19 without first “without removing his jumpsuit, gloves, and surgical mask.” The citation states that this deficiency “resulted in potential for serious harm for negative COVID-19 residents,” placing them in immediate jeopardy. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of the housekeeper 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.
Related: Stage 4 Bed Sores and Pressure Ulcers: Lawsuits and Settlements
