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Williamsbridge Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has received 24 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2021, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on February 18, 2022. The Bronx 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 employ adequate infection-prevention measures. Under Section 483.80 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must create and maintain a program to prevent and control the development and transmission of disease. A May 2021 citation found that Williamsbridge Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation states specifically the facility’s contracted vendors did not wear proper personal protective equipment while in the room of a resident on contact and droplet precautions. The citation goes on to describe an instance in which a resident’s “indwelling catheter drainage bag was on the floor on multiple occasions.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of the vendors in question on hand-washing and PPE procedures, as well as the in-servicing of nursing staff on the positioning of drainage bags.
2. The nursing home did not prevent the unnecessary use of antipsychotic drugs. Under Section 483.45 of the Federal Code, nursing homes are required to ensure that residents who have not used psychotropic medications are not given them unless clinically necessary; and that residents who use psychotropic drugs receive gradual dose reductions and other behavioral interventions to discontinue their use, if feasible. An October 2019 citation found that Williamsbridge Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident with dementia and an unspecified liver condition, who was prescribed an unspecified antipsychotic medication even though the resident’s conditions were “not appropriate indications” for the use of the medication in question. In an interview, the resident’s Medical Doctor said she was unsure whether the medication was “appropriate” for a resident with the condition in question, and that she “regarding long term use of antipsychotic medication.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the resident’s referral to a psychiatrist and the discontinuation of the medication.
3. The nursing home did not provide adequate pain management. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes are required to “ensure that pain management is provided to residents who require such services, consistent with professional standards of practice.” A May 2021 citation found that Williamsbridge Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident suffering from chronic pain who “reported continued pain to the staff despite pain management.” It goes on to state that the facility’s nursing staff “did not assess the resident’s reported pain, complete pain assessments as ordered, or report the pain to the physician for follow-up.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the completion of pain assessments for all facility residents, with updates to their plans of care as necessary.
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.
