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Staten Island Care Center received 23 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on June 10, 2022. The Staten Island nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of four inspections by state surveyors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not properly implement infection-prevention measures. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires the establishment and maintenance, by nursing home facilities, of a program to prevent and control the development and spread of communicable diseases and infections. A February 2022 citation found that Staten Island Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that facility employees “not follow infection control guidelines while handling clean and soiled linen to prevent the spread of infection.” It goes on to describe observations that a Certified Nursing Assistant allowed clean and dirty linen to touch their uniform, in contravention of facility policy. In an interview, the CNA said that they “should have handled the clean linens correctly despite being under pressure with residents needing immediate care.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education and counseling of the CNA in question.
2. The nursing home did not implement proper measures to ensure the reporting of alleged abuse. Under Section 483.13 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must thoroughly investigate incidents of alleged misconduct to rule out mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, and report alleged violations of abuse to relevant authorities within two hours after allegations are made. A February 2022 citation found that Staten Island Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the facility failed to timely report an instance “where a resident was noted with a bleeding nose after they were found in another resident’s room.” According to the citation, the incident in question occurred on January 30, 2022 at 3:16pm, but it was not reported to state health officials until January 31, 2020 at 4:46pm. The citation goes on to state that a separate instance in which “a resident was injured by the actions of another resident” occurred on March 30, 2021 at 4:00am but was not reported until 6:37pm that evening. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of licensed nursing staff.
3. The nursing home did not adequately dispose of garbage. Nursing home facilities are required by Section 483.60 of the Federal Code to properly dispose of garbage and refuse. A February 2022 citation found that Staten Island Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which “a garbage container [was] observed being transported without a cover,” in contravention of facility policy requiring that “All garbage is transported from the location obtained directly to the trash compactor in a covered bin.” In an interview, the facility’s Food Service Director said that “Garbage is transported in a large bin with a lid,” while the Dietary Aide transporting the container in question said that they were “trained to put a cover on the garbage container but it was too full.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of relevant staff.
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.
