Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence suffered 22 confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of January 17, 2021, according to state records. The facility has also received 13 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on January 17, 2020. The Lewiston 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 protect residents from accidents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to provide residents with sufficient supervision and assistive devices to prevent them from sustaining accidents. A January 2020 citation found that Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence failed to ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the resident was on aspiration precautions and that their care plan provided for “small bites and sips, alternate solids with liquids, encourage to eat slow, supervision assistance with eating.” However, the citation states, the resident was not adequately supervised during a mealtime and “was observed to cough several times.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included a review of aspiration precaution procedures and the re-education of nurses involved with the resident’s feeding assistance.
2. The nursing home did not take adequate steps to promote the healing of pressure ulcers. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing home residents have a right to a level of care that promotes the healing of pressure ulcers. The citation states specifically that the resident’s “pressure ulcer treatment was not completed as planned.” The citation states specifically that Santyl was applied to the resident’s sacral area when it was supposed to be applied to the right gluteal ulcer. In an interview, the Registered Nurse involved in the treatment said she had never completed the resident’s treatment before, and that “Normally, she would check the computer to review the order prior to completing the treatment, but today she did not.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of relevant staff.
3. The nursing home did not adequately keep residents free from unnecessary drugs. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing home residents are entitled to a drug regimen that’s free of unnecessary drugs. A July 2017 citation states specifically that two residents “had issues involving the lack in attempt of a gradual dose reduction… of an antipsychotic medication,” and that there was no documented evidence of behavioral concerns that the residents should continue receiving the medications. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the reduction of the residents’ medications.
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.
