White Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center received 22 citations for violations of public health code between 2016 and 2020, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on March 21, 2020. The Woodbury nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of three surveys by state inspectors. The deficiencies they describe include the following:
1. The nursing home did not implement measures to adequately treat and care for residents’ bedsores / pressure ulcers. Section 483.25 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to provide residents with necessary treatment and services to promote the healing of pressure ulcers, prevent infection of pressure ulcers, and prevent the development of new ulcers. A February 2017 citation found that White Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center did not ensure such for one resident. The citation states specifically that the physician’s wound care treatment orders for a resident’s Stage IV sacral pressure ulcer “were not revised to address the depth of the wound.” In an interview, the wound care physician stated that the wound’s measurements change with the position of the resident, that the wound was stable, and that he did not expect it to close, so the goal of its treatment was to prevent infection. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the evaluation of the resident and clarification of the treatment.
2. The nursing home did not take adequate steps to prevent and control infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code requires nursing homes to establish and maintain infection prevention and control programs. A September 2019 citation found that White Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center did not adequately implement its infection prevention and control program for one resident. The citation states specifically that an inspector observed a Licensed Practical Nurse popping medications from a blister pack “directly into her ungloved hand,” then put them in a cup and administer them to the resident. The citation states further that the a nurse cleansed the resident’s periwound “using gauze in a circular motion, and then in a continuous motion cleansed the inner part of the wound with the same gauze.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of the nurse on the facility’s infection control policies and procedures.
3. The nursing home did not ensure residents were provided services according to the care plans. Section 483.21 of the Federal Code states that nursing homes must ensure residents receive services “provided by qualified persons in accordance with each resident’s written plan of care.” A February 2017 citation found that White Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center did not ensure such foe one resident. The citation states specifically that “there was no documented evidence that a physician ordered pain scale was used to document pain.” After an inspector observed a nurse not ask the resident to describe her pain, the LPN stated in an interview that “she should have asked the resident to assess her pain from 0-10” and then documented the resident’s pain using this scale. A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included educational counseling of the nurse 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.