The medical staff and nursing facilities are required to provide care in a safe and healthful environment to ensure the needs and requirements of disabled and elderly adults are met. Unfortunately, the Bethesda nursing home abuse attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center LLC have witnessed a rapid increase in civil cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect. Many of these cases reveal that employees and staff members at nursing facilities are preying on society’s most vulnerable members. Without action, many of these cases go unresolved, leaving the victim helpless without an advocate.
Throughout the year, Medicare routinely collects data on every nursing facility in Bethesda based on information gathered through investigations, inspections and surveys and makes the information public. According to the federal agency, surveyors found serious violations and deficiencies at twenty-two (23%) of these ninety-seven Bethesda nursing facilities that led to residents receiving substandard care. If your loved one was injured, abused, mistreated or died unexpectedly from neglect while living in a nursing facility in Maryland, you have legal rights to ensure justice. We encourage you to contact the Bethesda nursing home abuse & neglect lawyers at Nursing Home Law Center (800-926-7565) today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review to discuss a financial compensation lawsuit.
The city of Bethesda shares a border with Washington, D.C. in an extremely heavily populated area where one out of every six residents are senior citizens. Many of the nursing facilities in the community have become increasingly overcrowded as many more elderly enter their retirement years. Overcrowding and understaffing has led to serious issues that are difficult to resolve the state and federal regulations. As a result, efforts to stop abuse and neglect and remove the resident from that unacceptable environment are challenging without legal assistance.
State and federal regulations require nursing facilities to develop, implement and enforce plans of care for every resident to ensure their needs are met. However, in many incidences, the nursing home is unable to fulfill these plans, often at the expense of the resident resulting in serious and life-threatening injury. In an effort to serve as a legal advocate for nursing home residents, our Bethesda elder abuse lawyers continuously review publicly available databases including Medicare.gov to examine opened investigations, filed complaints and health concerns in nursing facilities throughout the Bethesda/Washington DC community.
Our Maryland nursing home neglect attorneys have compiled the detailed list below outlining nursing homes throughout the Bethesda area currently maintaining substandard ratings comparable to other nursing facilities nationwide. In addition, our lawyers have posted their primary concerns involving detailed cases where residents of the nursing facilities have suffered harm due to neglect, mistreatment, unsanitary conditions, accident hazards, spread of infection and other serious problems.
Our attorneys have compiled data from settlements and jury verdicts across Maryland to give you an idea as to how cases are valued. Learn more about the cases below:
BETHESDA HEALTH AND REHABILITATION
5721 Grosvenor Lane
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(301) 530-1600
A “For-Profit” 200-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Accurately Follow a Physician’s Order When Administering Prescription Pain Medication to Avoid Giving the Resident Double Doses on Multiple Occasions
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 05/14/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure to “meet the standard of documentation after medications were given to [2 residents the facility].” In addition, the facility also “failed to clarify with the attending physician about a dosage of anticonvulsant for [a resident].”
The state surveyor reviewed a resident’s MAR (Medication Administration Record) revealing “no evidence of an antibiotic was given [to that resident] at 8 AM on 03/07/2015 and 03/10/2015 and at 8 PM on 03/13/2015.” Interview with the staff members occurring at 3:30 PM on 03/14/2015 “revealed that they at all administered the antibiotic as ordered on the above dates and time. However, they all forgot to sign off on the clinical record that it was given.” The state investigator noted that “as a standard of nursing practice, licensed nurses required to document after each Medication Administration to avoid medication error.”
The state investigator also reviewed a resident’s admission order dated 03/05/2015 revealing that a [pain medication] was ordered three times a day for [the resident] to relieve his pain. However, on 05/11/2015, “a verbal order was written by [a staff member] to decrease [the resident’s pain medication to a lower dosage] three times a day.”
The complaint investigation was initiated after the state investigator reviewed the facility’s MAR (Medication Administration Record) and electronic MAR (Medication Administration Record) revealing that a staff member “signed off that she administered [pain medication for the resident to be given “at 2 PM” [and a slightly lower dosage] at 3 PM on 05/11/2015. Apparently, [the staff administered two different doses of the [pain medication] within one hour on 03/11/2015.”
Further review by the state investigator of the facility’s MAR (Medication Administration Record) noted that the resident also received “two different dosages of [the same medication] on 03/12/2015 at 9 AM.”
The complaint investigation also included a 10:00 AM 03/14/2015 interview with the facility’s Attending Physician who revealed “that he was not aware of the dosage change of [the resident’s pain medication]. He clarified with the nursing staff to administer [the correct dosage for the resident] after finishing the interview with the surveyor.”
KENSINGTON NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER
3000 McComas Avenue
Kensington, Maryland 20895
(301) 933-0060
A “For-Profit” 140-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 2 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Provide an Environment Free of Accident Hazards and Failure to Perform a Post Fall Assessment to Minimize the Potential of the Resident Falling at a Future Time
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 11/24/2015, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure to “conduct a thorough fall investigation analysis after an actual fall with injuries for [a resident at the facility].”
The complaint investigation was initiated after a state surveyor conducted a review of a resident’s records involving a 2:45 PM 11/05/2015 incident where a staff member “found [the resident] in her room on the floor bleeding from a forehead laceration. [The staff member] immediately notified [the Licensed Practical Nurse] providing care to the resident.” The resident was assessed and the “staff notified the facility’s physician, who ordered the resident to be sent to the emergency room for treatment. The resident returned to the facility 9:25 PM [the same day] with a forehead laceration that required eight sutures.”
However, the state investigator recognized that the nursing staff at Kensington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center had not completed the Incident Report until 11/10/2015 at 6:43 PM [or] five days after the incident.” In addition, the facility also failed to complete a Post Fall assessment by a licensed nurse following each resident fall, as is the facility’s policies and procedures. No documentation was provided to the state investigator showing “evidence of a Post Fall Assessment completed for [the resident] after the 11/05/2015 fall.
The state investigator conducted two interviews with the facility’s Director of Nursing on 11/25/2015 and 11/27/2015. The Director of Nursing “revealed that the expectation at the resident’s fall is for staff to complete an incident report at the time of the fall and then conduct a root cause analysis to determine if any interventions or changes need to be implemented.”
Our Kensington nursing home neglect attorneys recognize that any failure to follow procedures and protocols following an accident involving a fall could potentially cause additional harm to the resident if interventions are not developed, implemented and enforced. The deficient practice by the facility might be considered mistreatment or negligence because it does not follow the established procedures, protocols and policies adopted by the facility including the Post Fall Assessment that reads in part:
“The Post Fall Assessment shall be used to determine the possible cause of the fall and corresponding prevention activities [and will be] attached to the accident/incident report and forwarded to the Director of Nursing for review and reviewed weekly by the facility’s fall committee to identify trends and patterns related to the resident’s falls.”
SLIGO CREEK CENTER
7525 Carroll Avenue
Takoma Park, Maryland 20912
(301) 270-4200
A “For-Profit” 102-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 2 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Properly Administer Pain Medications per Doctor’s Orders
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 10/21/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure to “ensure coordination of care with the consultant pain physician regarding pain medication orders for [a resident at the facility].”
The state surveyor conducted a review of a resident’s 10/20/2015 medical records revealing that their consultant pain physician ordered painkilling prescription medication to be given “every four hours as needed for mild to moderate pain and [a different pain medication] every four hours as needed for severe pain.” The previous 09/30/2015 order for pain medications was discontinued at that time. On 10/06/2015, the resident’s consultant pain physician also ordered [a medication] to be administered 40 minutes prior to [the resident] going to therapy.”
The complaint investigation was initiated after the surveyor interviewed the resident on 10/20/2015 who “revealed that she has both physical and occupational therapy usually in the mornings. When asked about her pain management, [the resident] revealed that staff administers [her pain medication] in the mornings prior to her therapy and her pain is controlled most of the time while in therapy. Further interview revealed the resident requests her other pain medication on an as-needed basis.”
The state investigator interviewed the facility’s Rehabilitation Director minutes later who “revealed the therapy schedule for [the resident] from 10/02/2015 through 10/20/2015, was scheduled to have both physical and occupational therapies in the mornings except a few days during that time frame that was scheduled after 1:00 PM.”
“The state investigator interviewed the facility’s Licensed Practical Nurse in charge of providing the resident care on 10/20/2015 noting that the resident’s pain medication was administered] due to [the resident’s] complaint of pain with the pain scale five out of 10. It was not administered prior to therapy as documented on the MAR [(Medication Administration Record)].”
Our Takoma Park nursing home neglect attorneys recognize a failing to follow physician’s orders when administering pain medication to residents might cause additional pain, harm or injury. The deficient practice by the nursing staff at Sligo Creek Center might be considered negligence or mistreatment of the resident because they failed to coordinate the care of providing pain medications as prescribed by the consultant pain physician.
NMS HEALTHCARE OF SILVER SPRING
4011 Randolph Road
Wheaton, Maryland 20902
(301) 933-2500
A “For-Profit” 112-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Follow Procedures and Protocols When Checking for Placement of a Feeding Tube
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/02/2015, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility’s failure to “follow standards of practice and checking for placement of a feeding tube.” The state surveyor reviewed the facility’s policies and procedures and clinical records to determine that the facility staff also “failed to ensure standards of practice and the assessment/checking for placement of a PEG to prior to medication administration for [a resident at the facility].”
The state surveyor indicated that “a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy) is a two pass into the stomach through the abdominal wall to provide a means of feeding.”
The deficient practice was noted after the state investigator reviewed the facility’s policies and procedures revealing that staff members are required to “verify proper placement of the feeding tube to prevent aspiration and other complications during feeding [and that the staff must] verify to placement before each feeding, before administering medications and every eight hours during continuous feeding. The equipment required for placement verification includes a 60 cc catheter tip syringe and stethoscope.”
However, the state surveyor made an observation at the facility that revealed a Licensed Practical Nurse providing care checked the “resident’s placement of tube prior to medication administration by pushing approximately 30 cc of air via piston syringe through the PEG tube without the use of a stethoscope to listen for verification of a swishing sound.” The state investigator also observed the Licensed Practical Nurse proceeding “to administer medication after initial flush of water into the PEG.”
The state investigator conducted an interview with Licensed Practical Nurse who revealed “she does not use a stethoscope over the abdomen for verification of a swishing sound for [that resident] since it can be heard without the stethoscope.”
Our Wheaton nursing home neglect attorneys recognize the failing to follow protocols and procedures when checking placement of a feeding tube could cause additional harm or life-threatening condition to the resident. In addition, the deficient practice by the nursing staff at NMS Healthcare of Silver Spring might be considered negligence or mistreatment because it does not follow the standards of nursing practice that requires in part:
“The verification of placement of the PEG prior to the administration of medications: Checking for placement is done with the use of the stethoscope and listening for swishing sound heard through the stethoscope placed over the abdomen as air is pushed into the syringe connected to the PEG tube.”
ARCOLA HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER
901 Arcola Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20902
(301) 649-2400
A “For-Profit” 158-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 2 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Immediately Inform the Resident, Resident’s Doctor and Family Members of the Resident’s Change in Condition
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 11/16/2015, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility’s failure to inform the resident family members “that the previous attending physician was no longer going to be seen residents at the facility” and that “the facility assigned a new attending physician to the resident.”
The deficient practice was noted because “since the change in the new physician, the responsible party has no contact from [the new physician] or physician’s nurse practitioner regarding the current medical plan for the resident. In addition, further interview revealed that the [resident’s] responsible party was not always contacted by the facility staff regarding changes in the resident’s medications especially with continuous elevations of blood sugar levels and changes in behavior.” Part of the investigation revealed that as of 05/28/2015, the previous attending physician “was no longer going to be providing care to the resident.”
The state investigator noted that the facility’s 10/07/2015 Nursing Note revealed “that the psychiatric Nurse Practitioner assessed [the resident’s] increase in behavior changes in order to increase in [the resident’s medication for] mood swings and lab work. In addition, on 10/14/2015, [a staff member’s] documentation revealed [that the resident] was exhibiting resistance to care and a new order was received for a urine specimen for urinalysis and culture/sensitivity to be completed on 10/15/2015.”
However, the state investigator recognized that “there was no evidence in the clinical record that facility staff contacted [the resident’s] responsible party about the change in treatment plan, including a medication change due to behavioral changes.”
Additional notations were made by the psychiatric nurse practitioner to increase medications and additional lab work. “However, further review revealed no evidence of notification to the resident’s responsible party” noting any treatment plan changes or continuation of present management.
The state surveyor conducted in 11/16/2015 interview with the Potomac Unit Manager [which] revealed documentation of a recent Care Plan meeting [on 10/20/2015] was provided notification of changes in treatment up to that time. However, there was no evidence of additional documentation regarding the physician’s orders.”
Our Silver Spring nursing home neglect attorneys recognize the failing to follow protocols and immediately inform the resident, resident’s family members and responsible parties of any change in their condition violate state and federal regulations. The deficient practice by the nursing staff at Arcola Health and Rehabilitation Center might be considered mistreatment or negligence that could cause additional harm.
SHADY GROVE CENTER
9701 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(301) 315-1900
A “For-Profit” 134-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 2 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 10/20/2015, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility’s failure to “coordinate an effective pain management plan for [a resident at the facility]. This finding was identified during an investigation of [a complaint] and is valid.”
The state surveyor conducting a review noted that the resident’s medical records upon admission from a hospital involved pain medications routinely ordered on an as-needed basis (PRN) following her medical diagnosis in recent hip surgery. The physician ordered a pain medication given every three hours for severe pain as needed and additional IV medication for managing pain.
However, reviewing the resident’s 09/18/2015 records noted that the resident’s attending physician wrote an order to administer [pain medication] every four hours PRN for pain. That same evening, [a staff member] wrote a verbal order which was given by the attending physician, to discontinue the PRN order of [the pain medication prescribed] every four hours for pain.”
“However, there was no documentation explain why a change of PRN [pain medication] was made on 10/18/2015 by the attending physician. Additionally, there was no documentation to explain why all PRN [pain medication] orders were discontinued by [a staff member] in the evening on 09/18/2015.”
The state surveyor conducted a telephone interview of the staff member two days later who “revealed a pharmacist requested staff to clarify the PRN order of [the physician ordered pain medication] due to the high dosage of [the drug].” Because of that, “the attending physician gave [that staff member] verbal order on the phone in the evening of 10/18/2015 to discontinue all PRN orders of [that pain medication for that resident]. However, [a staff member] did not document verbal order on the clinical record [but, instead] wrote a discontinue order for the PRN order of [the pain medication] every four hours.”
The state investigator reviewed the facility’s 10/19/2015 Nurse Progress Notes revealing that the resident “was upset about some of the PRN pain medications that were discontinued. However, there were no further follow-up done by the attending physician related to [the resident’s] pain management.”
The following day at 5:00 AM the resident “reported having pain. The attending physician ordered [the resident] sent to the hospital for further evaluation.”
Our Rockville nursing home neglect attorneys recognize the failing to follow protocols to accurately transcribe any physician’s orders for prescription medications could cause additional harm, injury or pain to the resident. The deficient practice of the nursing staff that Shady Grove Center might be considered negligence or mistreatment of the resident.
MONTGOMERY VILLAGE HEALTH CARE CENTER
19301 Watkins Mill Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
(301) 527-2500
A “For-Profit” 147-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 2 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Ensure That a Resident with Reduced Range of Motion Was Provided Proper Treatment Services to Increase Range of Motion
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/26/2015, a notation was made by a state surveyor during an annual licensure and certification survey involving the facility’s failure to “provide treatment and services to prevent further development of a contracture.” The deficient practice was evident for one resident “selecting in a stage II review and is determined as past noncompliance, as the facility addressed the further development of the wound by scheduling a surgical procedure.”
The deficient practice was noted after a 06/25/2015 observation of a resident “during wound care [revealing] a very tight fist on the left hand.” Additionally, “no palm protector/padding was in place of the left hand.” The surveyor further reviewed the resident’s clinical record that revealed “no evidence of any contracture of the left hand [was] noted by the staff since admission for [the resident at the facility].”
On 12/31/2014, the resident was evaluated by the facility’s occupational therapist on the day after admission. “Range of motion evaluation revealed the upper left extremity had limited range of motion due to increased swelling. The strength was unable to be evaluated due to swelling. There was no documented evidence of a contracture of the left hand.” On 02/24/2015 the resident “was discharged from occupational therapy [where the discharge summary] revealed under functional progress that the resident had reached maximum potential in regards to ADLs, activities of daily living, positioning with orthodontic management training.” The occupational therapist recommended “that the resident wear a Palm posy to the left hand and digits [a soft pillow like roll that fits into the palm of the hand to keep a tight fist from developing].” During this time, “there was no evidence of a Plan of Care [being] initiated to prevent contractures.”
The state investigator conducted a 06/25/2015 interview with the facility Director of Rehabilitation who “revealed the palm protector was not to prevent a contracture but to promote the functional positioning of the hand and provide healthy skin integrity […and] stated that the palm posey was used because she replaced it at some time, unknown date, because it was dirty.”
After discharge from occupational therapy, the resident’s 03/10/2015 record review indicates that the resident “was seen by the orthopedist who then treated the left humerus fracture […and] recommended for therapy of the left hand.”
The state investigator reviewed the resident’s TAR (Treatment Administration Record) for February, March, April, May and June 2015 which “revealed no documented evidence that palm protector/padding had been in place.”
There was however a 5:42 AM 04/23/2015 Nursing Note revealing that the resident’s “left-hand was contracted and was malodorous and to follow up. There was no further documented assessment regarding the resident’s left hand until 04/25/2015”. At that time “it was noted that the resident had been pricking the skin on the left hand with nail with a tight fist. A towel was placed in left palm. There was no evidence that the palm protector was in use at this time.”
The resident received a 06/20/2015 visit by the physiatrist who noted “severe contracture of the left wrist and fingers, unable to make space between the thumb and forefingers and fingers are digging into the palm, severe pain with any effort of finger or wrist extension to the point where spacing devices could easily and safely be placed.” The physiatrist recommended at this time that “a surgical intervention to release the tendons of the left arm.”
Even with the physiatrist notes that the resident had been admitted to the facility with a “contracture of the left hand no other discipline [including occupational therapy, nursing, or attending physician] initiates or provides a plan to prevent contractures from developing or worsening.” As a result, the resident’s “contracture of the left hand worsened since admission causing a pressure sore to develop on the left thumb.”
Our Gaithersburg nursing home neglect attorneys recognizing that failing to provide proper treatment and services to assist the resident in increasing their range of motion could cause the resident additional harm or injury. The deficient practice of the nursing staff at Montgomery Village Health Care Center could be considered negligence or mistreatment because no intervention was taken at numerous opportunities to prevent contractures from developing a pressure sore.
VILLA ROSA NURSING AND REHABILITATION Center
3800 Lottsford Vista Road
Mitchellville, Maryland 20721
(301) 459-4700
A “For-Profit” 107-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 2 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Provide Residents Adequate Treatment to Prevent the Development of a Pressure Ulcer
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 11/10/2014, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility’s failure to “Prevent the development of a pressure ulcer for functional and cognitively impaired resident.”
The deficient practice was noted after the state investigator reviewed a resident’s medical record revealing their Quarterly Minimum Data Set with Assessment Reference Date (ADR) on 07/06/2015 in 10/04/2015 the documented that the resident required assistance for bed mobility, transfers, toileting and was completely dependent on two-person physical assist. In addition, the resident was noted as being always incontinent and “lacked mobility and bowel and bladder incontinence are both risk factors for developing pressure ulcers.”
The state investigator reviewed the facility’s 07/10/2015 records indicating that the resident had a one centimeter by one centimeter open area on the left buttocks when a new order was obtained for [a medicated ointment] daily until the area is resolved.” There is an additional 09/18/2015 entry note indicating that “the resident was seen by the wound team to evaluate a wound to the mid back, measuring three centimeters times 1.5 centimeters.” At that time, the treatment order for the resident “was changed to Xeroform dressing, the resident was being turned and repositioned every two hours and staff were to continue with the Plan of Care.”
Nearly 3 months later on 10/02/2015, “the resident was noted with two open areas to left buttocks measuring 2.8 centimeters by 1.0 centimeters and 2.5 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters. According to the note, the resident’s plan for pressure ulcer prevention included turning and repositioning as scheduled and is scheduled to be out of bed at regular intervals.” The data notation also indicated “that the wound to the resident’s mid back had been resolved in order received to discontinue treatment.”
However, four days later on 10/06/2015, the resident was noted with an open area to the right elbow and the physician wrote an order for [medical treatment]. Medical record review and staff interview failed to reveal the rationale for the facility’s failure to prevent the development of the pressure ulcer.”
Our Mitchellville nursing home neglect attorneys recognize failing to follow protocols and provide adequate treatment to prevent the development of pressure ulcers could cause the resident additional harm, pain and injury to their well-being. The deficient practice by the nursing staff at Villa Rosa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center might be recognized as mistreatment or neglect because it fails to follow the established procedures and protocols adopted by the facility.
BRADFORD OAKS CENTER
7520 Surratts Road
Clinton, Maryland 20735
(301) 856-1660
A “For-Profit” 180-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 2 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Investigate and Report Any Act of Abuse, Neglect or Mistreatment of Residents
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/25/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure to “conduct an investigation of an incident of an injury of unknown origin [involving one resident] and report the injury of unknown origin to the State Regulatory Agency (Office of Health Care Quality). The state investigator conducted a review of the resident’s medical records on 06/18/2015 and 06/19/2015 revealing that the resident sustained an injury to their wrist “which was confirmed by x-ray on 12/15/2014.”
The state investigator also review date 12/15/2014 Late Entry Progress Note written by the physician indicating “that the resident’s left hand was mildly swollen and tender and an x-ray was ordered.” The notation indicated that there was a 7:15 PM 12/15/2014 Change of Condition Note wrist revealed [an injury] of the ulna (and of the forearm bone) and small cortical (type of tissue that forms bones).” At that time, “the physician was notified and there were no new orders given.”
The state investigator indicates that the 12/15/2014 2:16 PM Change in Condition Note “reported that the resident complained of wrist pain when touched, Tylenol was administered and an Ace wrap was in place of the left hand.” At 3:30 PM on 12/19/2015, the Nurse Practitioner at the facility wrote in the Progress Note “that the resident was seen by an orthopedic physician and a left arm cast was applied.”
However, the state surveyor reviewed the facility’s documentation of the incident and noted that the document “failed to reveal an investigation of the circumstances that may have resulted in the fracture to include statements from staff assigned to provide care for the resident and those on duty during the approximate date and time the injury was noted.”
Our Clinton nursing home abuse attorneys recognizing failing to follow procedures and protocols to report and investigate any act of abuse or possible abuse to the state agency might be considered negligence or mistreatment to the resident. The deficient practice of the administration and nursing staff at Bedford Oaks Center failed to follow the established procedures and protocols adopted by the facility and violate state and federal regulations.
LARKIN CHASE CENTER
15005 Health Center Drive
Bowie, Maryland 20716
(301) 805-6070
A “For-Profit” 120-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Investigate and Report Any Act or Suspicion of Abuse, Neglect or Mistreatment of Residents
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 03/31/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure to “thoroughly investigate and report an injury of unknown origin for [a resident at the facility].”
A complaint investigation was initiated after a review of the 8:00 PM 02/26/2015 record for a resident revealing “that the Geriatric Nursing Assistant taking care of the resident noted discoloration around the resident’s breasts and showed it to the nurse. The resident was further assessed and determined to have a 10 x 3 centimeter bruise to the left rib area it was determined that the resident was not able to explain what may have happened to cause the bruise; however, the facility staff failed to conduct a thorough investigation of the bruise.”
The state surveyor conducting the complaint investigation noted that “the purpose of a thorough investigation is first to determine if abuse to the resident has occurred.” The investigator noted that the facility staff had completed an Occurrence Incident Form at the time.” However, the facility still “failed to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the bruise and failed to report the injury of unknown origin [to the resident’s left rib] to the Office of Health Care Quality.”
The state surveyor conducted a 03/13/2015 interview with the facility’s Director of Nursing who revealed that the facility failed “to thoroughly investigate an injury of unknown origin and report [the incident] to the appropriate agency.”
Our Bowie nursing home abuse attorneys recognize the failing to report the incident to appropriate state agencies might be considered additional abuse, negligence or mistreatment of the resident. The deficient practice by the nursing staff and administration at Larkin Chase Center does not follow policies and procedures involving reporting and investigating any suspicion or act of abuse which reads in part:
“It is the expectation that any injury of unknown origin be investigated by the facility and then be reported to the appropriate agency within 24 hours. The final conclusion of the investigation is to be reported in five days to the appropriate agency.”
In many incidences, cases involving abuse, neglect and mistreatment go undetected, unidentified or unreported for various reasons. Sometimes, the victim does not speak out because they are physically unable or lack the capacity to tell others what happened. Other times, the neglect or abuse is not obvious to others when the victim is not properly fed, provided adequate fluids or administered the right medication. Other times, the victim suffers serious injury due to a lack of adequate supervision or develops a serious life-threatening condition such as a facility acquired bedsore due to a lack of training or care provided by the staff.
Family members and friends can become proactive to ensure that any case involving a facility acquired pressure ulcer, dehydration, malnourishment, physical abuse, overmedication, abandonment, improper restraints, slip and fall injuries, open sores were infections can be dealt with legally to hold the nursing facility accountable. By taking appropriate steps, the loved one can be assured better treatment and moved to a safer environment that provides the quality care they deserve.
The Montgomery County nursing home abuse attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center LLC fight aggressively to assure the resident’s rights are protected and that the nursing facility changes their practice. In working as an advocate for our client, we protect other residents in nursing facilities from future incidences of neglect and abuse. Our Maryland team of knowledgeable lawyers has long provided legal representation in nursing home victim cases involving mistreatment in nursing homes throughout the Bethesda/Washington DC area.
We handle all nursing home neglect, personal injury and wrongful death cases on contingency, meaning no upfront fee or retainer is required. Contact our Montgomery County elder abuse case law office today at (800) 926-7565. Schedule your appointment for your free, no obligation case review.
For additional information on Maryland laws and information on nursing homes look here.
If you are looking for information on a specific facility or an attorney, please see links below to respective locality pages.
Attorney Joe Musso
Licensed in Maryland
Montgomery County Nursing Home Injury Attorney Nursing Home Law Center LLC Home