Posted On:
June 24, 2009
Short-Staffed New York Nursing Home Fined: Residents "Begging to Go to the Bathroom" Told to Wait
Glendale Home in Scotia, New York, a county nursing home facility, was recently assessed a federal fine of $20,800. The fine was the result of a state Health Department investigation that revealed lapses in care at the facility.
In September 2008, multiple residents of the facility recounted to investigators the humiliation they felt begging to use the bathroom. Allegedly, residents were forced to wait to use restroom facilities due to insufficient staffing. At times, residents were forced to wait so long that they relieved themselves on the floor or in their beds. The residents reported that no one answered their call bells for assistance getting to the restroom.
One resident had only lived at the facility for one month and required the assistance of two staff members and a mechanical lift to get out of bed. The resident and her daughter reported to state investigators that "staff would become angry with her for calling out when they were so busy and tell her she would have to wait". The resident also said that while waiting "she would be in pain from the urgency of needing to void". The resident told investigators that she had wet herself several times while waiting for the staff and that she was mortified and embarrassed that she wet her bed.
When state investigators questioned staff about residents not being timely toileted, facility employees indicated that the facility was short-staffed on certain days, to the point that residents were not turned or timely bathed. The facility performed a study that helped determine when call light use was highest and re-deployed staff to handle the workload. Facility staff also attended "dignity" training, but no additional employees were hired to staff the facility.
The facility is currently licensed to care for approximately 360 residents. In May 2009, Schenectady County voted to construct a new $50 million, 200 bed facility to replace the existing structure. Construction is expected to begin in early 2010.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at (888) 317-2525 or visit us on our website at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
