(914) 220-1086The Osborn, a Westchester nursing home located in Rye, received a citation by the Department of Health in February, 2014 for failure to provide proper treatment to a resident with a pressure ulcer. Per federal regulations, a facility must provide necessary treatment to a resident who enters with a pressure ulcer. In the case detailed in the Department of Health citation, the resident entered The Osborn with a Stage I pressure ulcer that deteriorated to a Stage II shortly after admission.
The resident was one hundred years old upon her admission to the facility. At her initial examination, it was noted that she already had a Stage I pressure ulcer located on the right heel. The existence of a pressure ulcer, obviously, puts a resident at risk for the development of new ulcers and the deterioration of existing ulcers. Beyond this, the resident displayed several risk factors for skin breakdown, including a recently fractured and surgically repaired hip (limiting her mobility), impaired cognition, and the need of assistance with mobility.
Despite the known presence of the heel ulcer, the records of the nursing home indicate that the heel was not monitored between the resident’s admission and an ulcer flow sheet completed eleven days later. By the time the first post-admission flow sheet was recorded, the pressure sore on the heel had deteriorated from Stage I to Stage II.
The conduct of the nursing home in the case of this particular resident violated both federal and state regulations. 10 NYCRR 415.12.(c)(2) (The New York Administrative Code) states that a resident with pressure ulcers receives necessary treatment and services to promote healing, prevent infection, and prevent new sores from developing. Clearly the plan of care administered by The Osborn did not promote the healing of this resident’s bed sore. Fortunately, upon her discharge, the wound was in the process of healing. This does not excuse the fact that the facility allowed its condition to worsen. The full report, found here, does not mention whether the nursing home was issued a fine by the Department of Health.
The development and/or deterioration of a pressure ulcer or bed sore can lead to dire consequences for an elderly nursing home resident. Often a wound such as these is the precursor to infection, further cognitive impairment, or even death. If your loved one has suffered from a pressure ulcer or bed sore due to nursing home neglect, contact the attorneys at Gallivan and Gallivan today for a consultation.
