Parkview Care and Rehabilitation Center received 32 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on March 6, 2020. The facility has also been the subject of a 2017 fine of $4,000 in connection to findings that it violated health code provisions regarding quality of life and unnecessary drugs; and a 2016 fine of $12,000 in connection to findings in a 2014 inspection that it violated health code provisions regarding quality of care and administration. The Massapequa nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of eight surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not ensure proper treatment and care of pressure ulcers and bedsores. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must provide residents with pressure ulcers “necessary treatment and services to promote healing, prevent infection and prevent new sores from developing.” A September 2016 citation found that Parkview Care and Rehabilitation Center did not provide such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the resident was assessed by a Licensed Practical Nurse for a pressure ulcer acquired while at the facility, and that “there was no documented evidence that the Nurse Practitioner (NP) or other qualified health professional completed an assessment of the pressure ulcer.” In an interview, the facility’s nurse practitioner stated that they were not aware why there was no evidence of the ulcer’s assessment by a “qualified health professional,” and that the facility’s wound care physician was not available to provide any comment. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the nurse practitioner’s assessment of the pressure ulcer. The citation states that this deficiency had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
2. The nursing home did not take proper measures to prevent residents from sustaining accidents. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing home facilities must keep resident environments as free as possible from accident hazards, and to provide residents with adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents. A November 2016 citation found that Parkview Care and Rehabilitation Center did not provide such for one resident who had dementia, was identified as at risk for elopement, and used a Wander Guard device. The citation states specifically that when the resident triggered the Wander Guard Monitoring Screen at the facility’s reception desk, the facility’s receptionist “cleared the alarm without notifying any staff” in the resident’s unit. As such, according to the citation, staff did not know the resident had exited the nursing home “until a neighbor of the facility notified the facility.” A plan of correction undertaken by the nursing home included the educational counseling of the receptionist.
3. The nursing home did not adequately keep residents free from the use of unnecessary psychotropic drugs. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must maintain resident drug regimens free from the unnecessary use of medications that have an effect on “brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior.” A May 2019 citation found that Parkview Care and Rehabilitation Center did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the resident was administered a one-time dose of an anti-anxiety medication, even though there was no documented evidence that the facility attempted non-pharmacological interventions before administering the medication. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the educational counseling of the Licensed Practical Nurse responsible for the resident.
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.