Momentum at South Bay for Rehabilitation and Nursing received 11 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on April 5, 2020. The facility has also received a 2016 fine of $4,000 in connection to findings in a 2015 inspection that it violated health code provisions regarding quality of care and facility administration. The East Islip 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 provide adequate pressure ulcer (bedsore) care. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing home facilities must ensure that residents with pressure ulcers receive care that is “consistent with professional standards of practice.” A September 2018 citation found that Momentum at South Bay for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not ensure such for three residents. The citation states specifically that the facility did not perform a “thorough assessment” of one resident’s Stage IV pressure ulcer when it was first identified; that “there was no documented evidence” that a resident’s “dry scabbed area to the left posterior ankle” was provided daily monitoring, or that a protective dressing was applied when it worsened and that a third resident was admitted with a Stage II pressure ulcer which was not “properly assessed until three days after admission.” The citation states that these deficiencies had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
2. The nursing home did not ensure residents were kept free from the unnecessary use of psychotropic medications. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to refrain from administering psychotropic drugs “the medication is necessary to treat a specific condition as diagnosed and documented in the clinical record,” and to ensure that residents using psychotropic drugs “receive gradual dose reductions, and behavioral interventions, unless clinically contraindicated.” A September 2018 citation found that Momentum at South Bay for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the facility did not ensure the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions before the psychotropic drug was administered, and that resident’s medication was doubled after they were admitted to the nursing home “without documented clinical indications for the increase.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the documentation of clinical indications for the increase, as well as non-pharmacological approaches.
3. The nursing home did not adequately follow fire safety protocols. Section 101 of the Life Safety Code sets out various fire safety standards, including requirements for self-closing doors that don’t require latching hardware, and labels signifying fir rating. A September 2018 citation found that Momentum at South Bay for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not fully comply with that section.The citation states specifically that an inspection found that facility staff “did not ensure that fire-rated doors were provided with a fire-rated label,” and that this applied to doors on two of the facility’s two floors. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the inspection and relabeling of affected doors.
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.
