The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland has received 88 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2021, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on January 29, 2022. The recipient of $78,000 in fines since 2015, the facility was placed on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ list of Special Focus Facilities candidates, nursing homes with a record of quality issues. The Altamont nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of eight surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately prevent medication errors. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing homes are required to ensure that residents “are free of any significant medication errors.” An August 2021 citation found that The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the facility failed to ensure one resident received their prescribed medications. It goes on to describe several instances in which the resident’s medications were not given as ordered, noting that there was no documentation that the resident’s doctor or nurse practitioner were notified of the missing doses. In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing said that “the expectation is that the medical provider would be notified that a dose was not given and a note placed in resident’s medical record to reflect the notification.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of nurses and providers regarding medication administration policies and procedures.
2. The nursing home did not maintain adequate nursing staff. Section 483.35 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must maintain sufficient nursing staff to assure resident safety and well-being. An August 2019 citation found that The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes the nursing home’s failure to ensure minimum Certified Nursing Assistant staffing levels on 7 of 11 days between August 9, 2019 and August 19, 2019. It states further that the nursing home failed to “ensure there was sufficient staff to provide assistance/supervision during breakfast and did not ensure sufficient staff to provide individualized activity programs according to the comprehensive care plan.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included an audit by the facility’s Director of Nursing.
3. The nursing home did not adequately prevent infection. Section 453.80 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must establish and maintain an infection prevent and control program to stave off the development and transmission of disease. An August 2021 citation found that The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Guilderland failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically that the nursing home failed to take adequate Covid-19 prevention measures. It goes on to describe an instance in which “a Licensed Practical Nurse and two Dietary Aides did not wear facemasks in accordance with Centers of Disease Control guidance,” and a separate instance in which an LPN and a Certified Nursing Assistant “wore their face masks in a manner that did not cover their nose and mouth.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of facility staff on mask use and infection control policies.
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.
