The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center received 83 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on May 25, 2022. The Albion nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of 16 inspections by state surveyors. The violations they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not adequately prevent accidents. Under Section 483.25 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must ensure residents receive adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents such as falls. An October 2021 citation found that The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a resident “with a history of a bruise of unknown origin, that the facility concluded occurred during a transfer, was observed to be transferred by staff without the use of a gait belt.” In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing said that the resident had a history of bruising resulting from transfers without the use of a gait belt, and that “all transfers requiring weight bearing assistance from staff required the use of a gait belt.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of all LPNs and CNAs.
2. The nursing home did not adequately prevent infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to create and maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to mitigate the development and spread of disease. A December 2020 citation found that The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes the facility’s failure to ensure employees received Covid-19 symptom screenings every 12 hours while they were on duty, in accordance with New York State Department of Health guidance. In an interview, the facility’s administrator stated that they “did not think staff had to be re-screened if they remained in the building when working over 12 hours.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of relevant staff.
3. The nursing home did not employ adequate criminal history record check processes. New York State regulations require nursing home providers to supervise prospective employees while the results of their criminal history record checks are pending. An April 2021 citation found that The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center failed to ensure such. The citation specifically states that the nursing home “lacked documented evidence of supervision of an employee” while their criminal history record check was pending. In an interview, the facility’s Human Resources Director said that “she normally does the supervision for agency personnel and fills out the supervision form on a daily basis.” but she missed it for the employee in question “because it was a very hectic time.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of relevant staff.
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.