Facilities understaffed following the pandemic failed to provide basic care in some nursing homes, investigators found.
PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania has released the details of hundreds of investigations into complaints at nursing homes across the state in October, including dozens related to COVID-19 response and safety measures.
Three nursing homes were sanctioned as a result of the investigations, resulting in a total of $16,500 in fines. Investigations addressed a wide variety of issues, ranging from policy deficiencies to overworked staff and the consequences of understaffed facilities.
At Abington Manor in Montgomery County, for example, an inspection found that understaffing amid the pandemic had led, in certain cases, to significantly reduced quality of care.
"It was determined that the facility failed to provide and/or efficiently deploy sufficient nursing staff to consistently provide timely quality of care and services, including toileting/incontinence care, response to residents' requests for assistance with activities of daily living, and medication administration to maintain the physical and mental well-being of the residents in the facility," the report states.
Full details of all inspections conducted by the state in October are available at the Department of Health's website here.
State officials, who oversee 688 homes in Pennsylvania, say they're working to respond to these issues. But enforcement only goes so far.
"The Department of Health continues to investigate complaints to ensure nursing home residents receive the best quality of life and care," Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said in a statement. "If you see something that may jeopardize patients' safety or well-being, you can file an anonymous complaint by calling, filling out an online form, emailing or even mailing a letter to the department."
At Guardian Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Luzerne County, staff similarly failed to provide fundamental care, the investigation found. Some residents did not "consistently receive showers as planned to maintain good personal and oral hygiene."
In one case, a resident who was dependent upon staff for basic needs was not given a shower for the first 20 days after admission. Investigators noted a "pattern" of neglect but were unable to name a cause beyond the obvious lack of personnel. "The Director of Nursing was unable to state why Resident 1 had not had a shower since her admission 20 days ago or why direct care staff were not aware that that the resident had dentures."
A resident at Embassy of Hearthside in State College told inspectors about the staffing issue. "He confirmed that he would like to get two showers a week," the report states, "But feels the facility does not have enough staff to be able to do this."
State officials conducted a total of 504 inspections of nursing homes throughout October month, covering 345 separate homes. Out of those investigations, 306 were launched due to complaints, and 67 were specifically due to COVID-19 complaints.
Nursing home residents and the public can file complaints by calling 1-800-254-5164, filling out the a form online, emailing c-ncomplai@pa.gov, or sending a complaint in the mail.
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