Waters Edge Rehab & Nursing Center at Port Jefferson received 22 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on May 13, 2022. The Port Jefferson nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of six inspections by state surveyors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The citation did not effectively care for residents’ pressure ulcers. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must ensure residents receive a level of care adequate to prevent the avoidable development of pressure ulcers, and that residents with pressure ulcers receive care and services to promote both their healing and the development of additional ulcers. A February 2022 citation found that Waters Edge Rehab & Nursing Center at Port Jefferson failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes a resident with a pressure ulcer on their right heel for whom “facility staff did not consistently conduct weekly assessments.” In fact, the citation states, the resident was not referred to the facility’s wound care team “until 18 days after the PU [pressure ulcer] was first identified.” In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing Services said that “should have been seen by the wound care nurse as soon as possible on the day of the PU identification.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the counseling and education of two certified nursing assistants.
2. The nursing home did not take adequate measures to prevent and control infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing home facilities “must establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program… to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.”A November 2021 citation found that Waters Edge Rehab & Nursing Center at Port Jefferson failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a housekeeper “was observed wearing the same gloves while performing housekeeping tasks in different rooms and did not perform hand hygiene,” in contravention of the facility’s Covid-19 policies. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of the housekeeper.
3. The nursing home did not provide services of a high enough quality. Under Section 483.20 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must provide or arrange services that “meet professional standards of quality.” A February 2022 citation found that Waters Edge Rehab & Nursing Center at Port Jefferson failed to ensure such. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a Licensed Practical Nurse crushed a resident’s medication tablet despite manufacturer’s specifications that the medication not be crushed. The citation describes this deficiency has having the “Potential to cause more than minimal harm.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of the LPN in question.
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.