(914) 220-1086Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing suffered 13 coronavirus deaths as of May 17, 2020, per state records. The nursing home also received 78 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on May 18, 2020. The facility has additionally received seven enforcement actions, including: a 2019 fine of $2,000 in connection to findings in a 2015 inspection that it violated unspecified health code provisions; a 2018 fine of $10,000 in connection to findings in a 2015 inspection that it violated unspecified health code provisions; and a 2016 fine of $40,000 in connection to findings that it violated health code provisions regarding transfer and discharge requirements, discharge, quality of care, and staff treatment of residents. The Syracuse nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of 14 surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not take adequate measures to prevent infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to maintain an infection control program that ensures residents a sanitary environment. A January 2017 citation found that Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that two employees “did not receive the flu vaccine, did not sign a declination of influenza vaccination, and were observed wearing their flu masks incorrectly.” The citation goes on to state that eight other employees wore their flu masks incorrectly, “potentially exposing residents and staff to influenza.” The citation states that this deficiency had the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
2. The nursing home did not adequately prevent medication errors. Section 483.45 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to keep residents “free of any significant medication errors.” A February 2019 citation found that Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not ensure such. The citation states specifically that a resident’s antibiotic eyedrops “were not administered as ordered,” and that the resident’s physician was not informed about a lack of improvement in the resident’s condition following the administering of the eyedrops in question. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the discontinuation of the medication in question.
3. The nursing home did not employ adequate measures to promote the healing of pressure ulcers / bedsores. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must ensure residents with pressure sores are provided “necessary treatment and services to promote healing, prevent infection and prevent new sores from developing.” A November 2016 citation found that Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing did not provide such for one resident. The citation states specifically that whereas the resident had been ordered certain treatments for a pressure ulcer on his right heel, he did not receive those treatments. In an interview, two of the facility’s licensed practical nurses stated that they were too busy to complete the treatments. In an interview, the resident said that “some staff never do his pressure ulcer treatment.
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.
