Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center: Infection Citation

Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has received 38 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on April 1, 2022. The Manhattan nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of six surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:

1. The nursing home did not adequately prevent and control infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must endeavor to create a safe environment for residents in part by establishing and maintaining an infection prevention and control program. An October 2021 citation found that Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that residents’ oxygen tubing “was observed on multiple occasions touching the floor,” in violation of facility policy. The citation goes on to state that the nursing home lacked “a functional, site-specific water management plan, sampling plan, or a completed and up-to-date environmental risk assessment for Legionella.” In an interview about the oxygen tubing issue, the facility’s Director of Nursing said that “oxygen tubing at no time should be on the floor, and the tubing must be placed close to the patient and should not be anywhere on the floor.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of staff providing care for the two residents, as well as the development of water management and sampling plans.

2. The nursing home did not provide an adequate quality of care. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to provide residents with “treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive person-centered care plan, and the residents’ choices.” An October 2021 citation found that Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that a resident was not treated for a redacted condition. According to the citation, lab results showed that the resident had an “abnormal urinalysis complete with microscopy” on August 28, 2021, but that these results were not reviewed by the physician, nor was treatment ordered, until September 21. In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing said “it is not good that an abnormal lab result was missed.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of nursing staff on the facility’s policy for abnormal labs.

3. The nursing home did not provide an adequate resident environment. Under Section 483.10 of the Federal Code, nursing home residents have the right to “a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment.” An October 2021 citation found that Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident’s room with boxes strewn throughout it, filled plastic bags under the bed, and “multiple tied filled plastic bags… under the air conditioner,” as well as soiled privacy curtains. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the educational counseling of the housekeepers responsible for the room in question, as well as the cleaning of the room.

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.