Medford Multicare Center for Living received 26 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on May 6, 2022. The Medford nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of 9 inspections by state surveyors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately prevent medication errors. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must keep their residents “free of any significant medication errors.” A July 2019 citation found that Medford Multicare Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a resident did not receive their physician-ordered medications upon admission, including insulin, an anticoagulant, and an antihypertensive. In an interview, the facility’s MD stated that in cases where medications are unavailable, he expects facility staff to call him so he can order a substitute, adding that the “insulin and antihypertensive medications were significant medications.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the educational counseling of relevant staff.
2. The nursing home did not maintain sufficient nursing staff. Section 483.35 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes “must have sufficient nursing staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to provide nursing and related services to assure resident safety and attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.” An October 2019 citation found that Medford Multicare Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident council meeting in which residents, family members, and a visitor “complained of insufficient staff to care for residents needs in a timely manner including waiting for up to two hours for toileting and personal hygiene needs.” The citation goes on to describe the facility’s failure to staff its certified nursing assistants “as per their Facility Assessment.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the correction of the nursing home’s facility assessment to accurately reflect sufficient staffing levels, as well as the counseling of certified nursing assistants.
3. The nursing home did not keep residents free from the unnecessary use of psychotropic medications. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code requires that nursing homes keep residents’ drug regimens free from the unnecessary use of any drugs that affect “brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior,” including anti-psychotics. An October 2019 citation found that Medford Multicare Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that one resident was administered an antipsychotic medication, Quetiapine, in the absence of “documented evidence that an approved indication and supportive documentation was completed to address the continued use of the antipsychotic medication.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the implementation of a gradual dose reduction 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.
