Hilaire Rehab & Nursing received 72 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on April 3, 2020. The facility has also received two fines: a 2019 fine of $10,000 in connection to findings in a 2019 inspection that it violated unspecified health code provisions; and a 2016 fine of $12,000 in connection to findings in a 2015 inspection that it violated health code provisions regarding quality of care and notification of changes. The Huntington 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) treatment and care. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must ensure that residents with pressure ulcers are provided “necessary treatment and services, consistent with professional standards of practice, to promote healing, prevent infection and prevent new ulcers from developing.” An October 2018 citation found that Hilaire Rehab & Nursing failed to ensure such for two residents. The citation states specifically that the facility did not complete a pressure ulcer risk assessment upon a resident’s admission, and as such did not implement the use of heel pressure devices, leading to the resident’s development of a Stage II pressure ulcer on their left heel, which later deteriorated into a Stage IV pressure ulcer. The citation states further that the facility “did not fully assess and monitor” a second resident’s pressure ulcer, or make use of a specialty mattress to promote healing, and as such the resident’s ulcer deteriorated to a Stage III wound. The citation concludes that these deficiencies resulted in “actual harm” to the residents in question.
2. The nursing home did not protect residents from the use of unnecessary drugs. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code specifies that nursing home residents’ drug regimens “must be free from unnecessary drugs.” An April 2016 citation found that Hilaire Rehab & Nursing did not ensure such for four residents. The citation describes one resident who was prescribed an anti-anxiety medication without any documentation of non-pharmacological interventions; another who received an increase in dosage of an antipsychotic medication without any documented evidence justifying such; a third resident whose medication was documented with an incorrect clinical indication; and a fourth whose medication was unnecessary for unspecified reasons. The citation describes these deficiencies as having the “potential to cause more than minimal harm.”
3. The nursing home did not comply with food safety standards. Section 483.35 of the Federal Code requires that nursing home store and prepare food under sanitary conditions. An April 2016 citation found that Hilaire Rehab & Nursing did not ensure sanitary principles were fully maintained in its kitchen area. The citation states specifically that the facility’s “cold water dish machine was tested for the sanitizer solution and found to be inadequate.” It goes on to state that several plastic food containers were in need of replacement, several cutting boards were “in disrepair,” and that various equipment needed cleaning. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the replacement of test strips for the dish machine and the cleaning and replacement of relevant other items.
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.