New Riverdale Rehab and Nursing Cited for Infection, Pressure Ulcer Care

New Riverdale Rehab and Nursing has received 12 citations for violations of public health code between 2017 and 2021, according to health records accessed on April 21, 2021. The Bronx nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of four inspections by state surveyors. The violations they describe include the following:

1. The nursing home did not take adequate steps to prevent infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to provide residents with a safe, sanitary environment through the creation and maintenance of an infection prevention and control program. An October 2019 citation found that New Riverdale Rehab and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that a nursing home who received oxygen through a nasal cannula was observed with their oxygen tubing resting on the floor of their room, in contravention of facility policy. In an interview, a Registered Nurse Supervisor said in part, “The tubing is not supposed to be on the floor. The oxygen tubing should not touch the floor in any way. It should be hanging on the mattress next to the residents head. This is an infection control issue. You can transmit an infection to the resident from the floor.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the replacement of the tubing and the observation of the resident for signs of infection.

2. The nursing home did not provide adequate pressure ulcer care. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must provide residents with necessary treatment and services to prevent the development of new pressure ulcers. An October 2019 citation found that New Riverdale Rehab and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that a resident who had been “determined to be at high risk for skin breakdown was observed on multiple occasions without bilateral heel floats” per the physician’s orders. In an interview, a Certified Nursing Assistant said that the resident sometimes kicks off the heel floats and that the CNA had reported the resident’s non-compliance. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the discontinuation of the device’s use.

3. The nursing home did not adequately prevent accidents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to provide residents with a level of supervision necessary to prevent accidents. An August 2019 citation found that New Riverdale Rehab and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the facility “failed to adequately supervise a resident to prevent elopement.” According to the citation, “there was no documented monitoring” of the resident’s whereabouts, and the resident eloped undetected from the facility, later being found in a local park. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the termination of the front-desk staff on duty when the elopement occurred.

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.