Nyack Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center received 26 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on February 13, 2020. The Valley Cottage nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately treat pressure ulcers and bedsores. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure patients receive necessary care and services to prevent the treatment of pressure ulcers. A June 2018 citation found that Nyack Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center did not provide necessary care and treatment to one resident. The citation states specifically that “redness and scab formation developed on the resident’s left cheek from a nasal cannula oxygen tubing applied on the resident’s face.” In an interview, the facility’s Registered Nurse manager stated that “the reddened area on the resident’s cheek should be addressed in the care plan,” and the citation notes that interventions were subsequently added to the care plan.
2. The nursing home did not maintain its residents’ drug regimens free from unnecessary psychotropic drugs. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing home facilities must ensure that residents’ medication regimens are free from drugs that influence “brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior.” A June 2018 citation found that Nyack Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the resident’s medical record did not contain any documentation “to justify the continued use of an antipsychotic medication” and that the facility did not attempt a gradual dose reduction “in the absence of behavior symptoms in order to reduce or discontinue the use of this antipsychotic medication.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included a psychiatric evaluation of the resident and the discontinuation of the medication.
3. The nursing home did not properly conduct fire drills. Life Safety Code Section 101 stipulates that nursing nursing homes must hold fire drills “at least quarterly on each shift.” A June 2018 citation found that Nyack Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center did not comply with this requirement. The citation states specifically that the nursing home did not hold required quarterly drills “for all shifts for the first quarter” of a redacted year, and that “the first, second and third quarterly fire drill reports for the Day and Evening and shifts” for that year, as well as the fourth quarter for the facility’s night shift, “were not provided.” In an interview, the nursing home’s Director of Facilities said “he was new at the facility and was unable to locate the missing reports.”
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.