Park Terrace Care Center received 30 citations for violations of public health laws between 2015 and 2019, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on December 19, 2019. The facility was also the subject of a 2017 fine of $2,000 in connection to findings in a December 2016 survey that it did not provide adequate pressure ulcer care. The Rego Park nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of four inspections by state authorities. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not provide adequate treatment and services for residents’ pressure ulcers and bedsores. Section 483.2 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to residents persons who enter without pressure sores from developing them unless their condition renders such unavoidable; and that residents with pressure sores receive treatment and services adequate to promote their healing. A December 2016 citation found that Park Terrace Care Center did not properly assess and evaluate a resident who was admitted to the facility “with intact skin and a discoloration” on their left foot. The resident subsequently developed an “unstageable pressure ulcer,” according to the citation, which goes on to state that whereas the resident’s plan of care provided for the wearing of a left air boot “at all times after the pressure ulcer was identified,” this provision was not followed by staff. The citation states that this deficiency in the facility’s treatment and care resulted in “actual harm” to the resident.
2. The nursing home did not ensure residents were free from physical restraints. Section 483.10 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must ensure their residents’ right “to be free from any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience, and not required to treat the resident’s medical symptoms.” An October 2019 citation found that Park Terrace Care Center failed to ensure that when a resident was indicated for the use of physical restraints, it used “the least restrictive alternative for the least amount of time” and kept track of “ongoing re-evaluation” of whether the resident needed physical restraints. An inspector specifically found that a resident with a hand mitten did not have that mitten removed in accordance with a physician’s orders, and that a resident with a “lap buddy” was not provided with “ongoing re-evaluation of the need for restraints.” The citation states that this deficiency resulted in the potential for more than minimal harm to residents.
3. The nursing home did not properly execute its infection prevention and control policies and procedures. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to “establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program” that ensures residents a safe, sanitary, comfortable environment. An April 2018 citation found that the nursing home did not ensure its practices were followed in an instance in which a staffer did not follow proper hand hygiene practices while caring for a resident’s tracheotomy, specifically declining to wash her hands before putting on gloves; and in an instance in which a resident’s oxygen tubing “was observed multiple times touching the floor.” The citation states that this deficiency had “potential to cause more than minimal harm” to residents.
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.
