Long Island State Veterans Home Cited for Abuse

Long Island State Veterans Home received 19 citations for violations of public health code between 2018 and 2022, according to New York State Department of Health records accessed on June 10, 2022. The Stonybrook nursing home’s citations resulted from a total of four inspections by state surveyors. The violations they describe include the following:

1. The nursing home did not adequately protect residents from abuse. Under Section 483.12 of the Federal Code, nursing home residents have the right “to be free from abuse.” A July 2021 citation found that Long Island State Veterans Home failed to ensure such for two residents. The citation specifically describes a resident “identified with aggressive behavior” who pushed another resident after that latter resident “grabbed and shook” their arm. The latter resident subsequently “fell to the floor and sustained two lacerations to the back of the head,” after which they were transferred to the hospital. When that resident returned to the facility, the citation states, they were “not adequately supervised,” eventually entering the first resident’s room, where the first resident punched them, “causing the resident to sustain a bloody nose with bruising and cuts to the face.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the education of nursing staff.

2. The nursing home did not implement adequate measures to prevent and control infection. Section 483.80 of the Federal Code stipulates that nursing homes must create and uphold “an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.” A November 2020 citation found that Long Island State Veterans Home failed to ensure such for two residents. The citation specifically describes an instance in which a Licensed Practical Nurse entered the room of a resident on transmission-based precautions “without wearing a gown,” in contravention of Covid-19 guidance. In an interview, the facility’s Director of Nursing Services said that in the unit in question, which was designated as a Covid-19 unit in the facility, “staff should wear a gown regardless of the task they are performing when they enter a resident’s room. It is important to wear gowns to prevent the spread of infection and to protect staff.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the counseling and re-education of the LPN.

3. The nursing home did not properly dispose of garbage. Under Section 483.60 of the Federal Code, nursing homes must “Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.” A July 2021 citation found that Long Island State Veterans Home failed to ensure such for two residents. The citation states specifically that the nursing home facility “not ensure that the area surrounding the garbage compactor was kept clean and free of debris.” In an interview, the facility’s Housekeeping Manager said that “the garbage compactor and the area surrounding the compactor should be kept clean,” while its Director of Support Services said that “the facility did not have a scheduled routine cleaning of the area.” A plan of correction undertaken by the facility included the re-education of staff responsible for the garbage compactor area.

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.