(914) 220-1086The Amsterdam at Harborside received 19 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on March 16, 2020. The Port Washington nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of four surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not provide residents with adequate supervision. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to provide residents with “adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents.” A December 2019 citation found that The Amsterdam at Harborside did not provide such for one resident. The citation states specifically that an inspector observed a resident’s companion providing them with “nursing floor ambulation without supervision of a facility staff member,” despite facility policy stating that companions “are not permitted to physically help residents with exercises.” In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing Services stated that he had been providing supervision prior to the inspector’s observation, but “had to step away” to assist another staff member. The citation states that this deficiency had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
2. The nursing home did not prevent significant medication errors. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must take steps to ensure residents’ drug regimens are “free of any significant medication errors.” A May 2016 citation found that the Amsterdam at Harborside did not ensure such for one resident. The citation specifically states that one resident was administered the 100 mcg of a medication rather than the 50 mcg advised by their physician. In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing stated that an investigation determined that the wrong dosage of the medication was delivered by the pharmacy and administered to the resident “for at least three days.” The resident’s primary care physician described this as “a significant error.”
3. The nursing home did not abide by food safety standards. Section 483.60 of the Federal Code mandates that nursing homes store and prepare food in compliance with “professional standards for food service safety.” A July 2018 citation found that the Amsterdam at Harborside did not maintain its “main kitchen area and all equipment in a sanitary manner.” The citation states specifically that an inspector observed food service equipment that required cleaning, and observed further that both cleaning and service equipment had been stored improperly. The citation goes on to describe an ice machine with built up condensation, a gasket “in disrepair,” and an un-sanitized cleaning device leaning against a clean ice scooper. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the immediate cleaning of the relevant areas and devices.
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.
