Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center has received 17 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2021, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on March 4, 2022. The Flushing 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 adequately protect residents from abuse. Section 483.12 of the Federal Code ensures nursing home residents “the right to be free from abuse.” A September 2020 citation found that Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an incident in which a certified nursing assistant “hit a resident on her shoulder after the resident hit her during an altercation.” The CNA self-reported this incident to her supervisor, according to the citation, which goes on to state that the resident had “no visible injury” in an assessment after the incident but “was crying” and “had a small darkened area on her right cheek.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the suspension of the CNA, who was terminated after an investigation.
2. The nursing home did not implement adequate measures to prevent infection. Under Section 483.80 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must create and uphold a program to help prevent the development and transmission of diseases and infections. A July 2020 citation found that Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes the failure of facility staff to “complete proper hand hygiene and wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), gown and gloves, when in a room with a resident on contact precautions.” The citation goes on to state that there was visible signage on the resident’s door indicating that staff should use PPE. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of relevant staff.
3. Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center was also cited for failure to adequately implement infection prevention and control measures in June 2019. According to that citation, the nursing home did not properly mark the door of the room of a resident on isolation precautions for an unspecified condition. “There was no sign specifying the type of precautions needed or a sign directing others to see a nurse before entering,” the citation states. In an interview, a licensed practical nurse said that the resident in question “was on contact precautions” and “there should’ve been a sign on the PPE box but it might have fell off.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the posting of a sign and the re-education of unit staff on infection control policy.
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.