Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care received 23 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on March 27, 2020. The Brookhaven 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 adequate pressure ulcer (bedsore) care. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to ensure that residents who enter without pressure sores do not develop them “unless the individual’s clinical condition demonstrates that they were unavoidable.” A July 2016 citation found that Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care did not ensure effective care for a resident at risk of developing a pressure ulcer so as to prevent them from developing a pressure ulcer. The citation states specifically that the resident’s medical records “lacked an individualized plan of care specific to the resident,” and that the resident developed a Nosocomial Stage III pressure ulcer. According to the citation, records revealed that there was “no documented evidence that the resident was turned and position” to prevent the development of ulcers, and a facility staffer stated that “there is no documented evidence that ski n checks were completed.” The citation states that this deficiency resulted in the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
2. The nursing home did not protect residents from the use of unnecessary drugs. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code states that every resident’s drug regimen “must be free from unnecessary drugs.” A July 2016 citation found that Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care did not ensure one resident’s drug regimen was free of such. The citation states specifically that the resident was administered an antipsychotic medication in the absence of any documented evidence that a gradual dose reduction was attempted in the preceding six months. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the ordering of a dose reduction of the medication.
3. The nursing home did not maintain an adequate infection control program. Section 483.65 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to “establish and maintain an Infection Control Program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection.” A November 2016 citation found that Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care did not maintain such. The citation states specifically that a Registered Nurse “did not maintain a barrier between the pillow and the open window” during a resident’s pressure ulcer treatment. It goes on to state that the nursing home did not have “documented guidance to place a barrier between the open wound and the bed or other services.” In an interview, the facility’s Assistant Director of Nursing stated that the nurse should have put a barrier between the pillow and wound, so as to help prevent infection.
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.