Presbyterian Home for Central New York received 28 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on June 3, 2022. The New Hartford nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of six inspections by state surveyors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately provide treatment and services for residents’ pressure ulcers. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must provide treatment and services to promote the healing of residents’ pressure ulcers, and to ensure that residents admitted without pressure ulcers do not develop them unless medically unavoidable. A January 2022 citation found that Presbyterian Home for Central New York failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident whose “pressure ulcer treatments were not completed twice daily as ordered.” In an interview, a nurse practitioner stated that “If the treatment was not done as ordered there was an increased risk of infection or wound deterioration.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of nursing staff on the importance of wound care.
2. The nursing home did not adequately prevent residents from eloping from the facility. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must provide residents with adequate supervision to prevent accidents, including elopement. A January 2022 citation found that Presbyterian Home for Central New York failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes the nursing home’s failures to prevent three residents from eloping. According to the citation, a resident eloped “when a door on the unit was left ajar and there was no documented follow-up or staff education to ensure doors were secured.” Afterward, two other residents eloped via a door left open in the unit. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included daily door checks to ensure doors are not left open.
3. The nursing home did not ensure residents were kept free from physical restraints. Section 483.10 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing home residents have the 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.” A January 2022 citation found that Presbyterian Home for Central New York failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the nursing home “failed to ensure that that when a restraint was indicated for a resident, the least restrictive alternative for the least amount of time was used.” It goes on to state that the resident’s perimeter mattress “was not assessed to determine if it was the least restrictive device.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of nursing and therapy staff.
The nursing home abuse 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.
