Staten Island Care Center received 23 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on July 22, 2020. The Staten Island nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not effectively ensure the prevention and control of infection. Under Section 483.80 of the Federal Code, nursing home facilities must create and uphold a program designed to prevent and control the development and transmission of disease and infection. A June 2019 citation found that Staten Island Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a housekeeper who was observed exiting the room of a resident on contact precautions without wearing personal protective equipment. The housekeeper, who was “mopping the floor” of that resident’s room, was observed using the same mop to clean another resident’s room. The citation states that this deficiency had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the in-servicing of the housekeeper on the cleaning of isolation rooms and use of PPE.
2. The nursing home did not protect residents from physical abuse. Section 483.12 of the Federal Code provides nursing home residents with “the right to be free from abuse.” A May 2018 citation found that Staten Island Care Center did not ensure such for one resident. The citation specifically states that facility surveillance camera footage showed the resident sitting in a wheelchair a Certified Nursing Assistant “pulled the resident’s shirt from the back of the neck.” According to the citation, the resident said in an interview that they had also been struck by a staff member. While the footage did not show the resident being hit, according to the citation, a Certified Nursing Assistant said in an interview that she witnessed another CNA striking the resident in his face “but did not report it.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the initiation of an abuse prevention plan.
3. The nursing home did not sufficiently prevent medication errors. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure that medication error rates do not meet or exceed five percent. A May 2018 citation found that Staten Island Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that in one instance, a Licensed Practical Nurse was not observed administering medication ordered by the physician for two separate residents. The LPN stated in an interview that the medications had not yet arrived, though they had been ordered the same and previous days. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the contacting of the pharmacy to obtain the missing medications.
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.
