(914) 220-1086The Valley View Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation suffered 34 fatalities from Covid-19 as of June 29, 2020, state records report. The nursing home also received 43 citations over violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to health records accessed on June 29, 2020. Three of these citations found deficient infection control practices. The Goshen nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of five surveys by state inspectors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not employ adequate measures to prevent infection. Under Section 483.80 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must endeavor to prevent and control the development and spread of disease by creating an infection prevention and control program. A September 2017 citation found that The Valley View Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that both Certified Nursing Assistants and a Licensed Practical Nurse were observed failing to perform proper hand hygiene. In one instance, two CNAs were observed cleaning residents’ hands during a lunch meal without performing hand hygiene after the procedure, before they served the residents’ lunch. In an interview, the CNAs said they should have changed their gloves and washed their hands in between each resident and before they served the residents’ meals. In a separate instance, an LPN was observed placing a medication capsule into a cup during a medication pass; when the capsule fell onto the cart, the LPN “picked it up with her bare hands and placed it in the cup with the other medications” before administering them all to the resident. In an interview, the LPN said she should have discarded the medication and administered a new one.
2. A July 2016 citation also found that The Valley View Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation did not take adequate steps to minimize the risk of infection. This citation states specifically that the “tub room” in one wing of the facility did not have adequate hand-washing equipment for staff to use after they provided care to residents during toileting. An inspector observed specifically that the room “did not have any sink, antiseptic, and paper towels or similar products for hand washing after resident care,” and further that it did not have any alcohol-based sanitizers. During an observation, two CNAs were observed leaving the room after they assisted residents with toileting, and entering a staff rest room to wash their hands, which the citation states “has the potential of cross-contamination and possible spread of infection.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the cessation of that tub room’s use for changing or toileting residents.
3. The nursing home did not ensure the competency of nursing staff. Section 483.35 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure “that nurse aides are able to demonstrate competency in skills and techniques necessary to care for residents’ needs.” An August 2019 citation found that The Valley View Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation fell short in this respect. The citation states specifically that the facility was unable to provide evidence that two of its Certified Nursing Assistants “were trained effectively on how to transfer a resident out of bed with a sliding board.” It describes an instance in which a resident who “required extensive physical assistance of two persons for transfer” was transferred from their bed to their wheelchair by the two CNAs, sustained an injury, and was sent to the emergency room. A review of facility records showed no evidence that either of the CNAs had been trained in the use of a sliding board. A plan of correction implemented by the facility included the training of nursing staff on the use of a sliding board.
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.
