New York Nursing Home On Government Watch List
Northwoods Rehabilitation & Extended Care Facility, Hilltop is a 112 bed nursing home facility located in Niskayuna, New York that specializes in services in traumatic brain injury treatment and pediatric care. Northwoods is a one star facility, according to the new rating system instituted by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, which indicates a below average facility. Northwoods is also on the government watch list for nursing homes that have a history of persistent poor quality of care. These nursing homes have been selected for more frequent inspections and monitoring.
In November and December 2008, Northwoods was cited for medication errors and lack of care that resulted in actual harm to residents and requiring hospitalization. Following a November 2008 investigation, the state found that two licensed practical nurses gave insulin in September and October 2008 to two residents who were not diabetic. The residents went into shock and were rushed to the hospital for treatment. One of the nurses admitted to the facility's Director of Nursing that she was under the influence of a non-prescribed narcotic at the time when she administered the incorrect medication. Oddly enough, she denied making a medication error. That nurse is no longer employed by the facility and is under investigation by the Office of Professional Discipline. The other LPN involved in the incident has been prohibited from distributing prescription drugs to residents and also was referred to Office of Professional Discipline. The state investigation also revealed that nurses at Hilltop signed out narcotic drugs but did not document that they were dispensed.
In a December 2008 investigation, the state found that the facility did not document a resident's pressure sore. The wound became infected and the resident was admitted to the hospital.
Northwoods Rehabilitation & Extended Care Facility is only one of five nursing homes in the State of New York to be a "Special Focus Facility". The facility is inspected twice a year, rather than the standard annual inspection, and can only be removed from the special focus list by passing two consecutive surveys.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 or visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
