During an April 2024 inspection of the Jefferson Healthcare Center, a nursing home located in Jefferson Parish, the facility was cited for numerous violations ranging from patient safety concerns to administrative failures. The inspection, completed on April 18, 2024, revealed various potential issues affecting resident care and facility operations.
Patient Safety Concerns
“Patient safety must be the cornerstone of any healthcare facility, and basic preventive measures like fall mats and proper feeding tube protocols are essential safeguards,” says attorney Garret DeReus, a litigator at the law firm of Bizer & DeReus.
The facility failed to maintain critical fall prevention measures for two of three sampled residents. In one case, Resident #44’s care plan required a fall mat and an anti-slip device in their wheelchair following falls in December 2023 and January 2024. However, inspectors found these safety devices consistently missing during multiple observations between April 16-18, 2024. Similarly, Resident #98, who had diagnoses including Parkinsonism and muscle weakness, lacked required fall protection equipment.
“S2Director of Nursing confirmed Resident #44’s wheelchair did not contain dycem and it should have. S2DON further stated Resident #44’s fall mat was not in place it should have been.”
Even more concerning, staff failed to follow proper safety protocols for feeding tube care. On April 18, 2024, nurses were observed administering tube feedings to Resident #146 without checking proper tube placement first – a critical safety step that helps prevent serious complications.
Sanitation and Cleanliness Issues
Multiple sanitation violations were identified during the inspection, including:
- A resident’s tube feeding equipment with large areas of dried substances that remained uncleaned for multiple days
- Kitchen staff failing to sanitize food thermometers between temperature readings of different foods
- Staff members failing to perform proper hand hygiene while serving meals and caring for residents
“Quality Assurance Nurse confirmed there were areas of a dried tan substance on Resident #124’s floor and the base of Resident 124’s tube feeding pole. S3Quality Assurance Nurse confirmed Resident #124’s wheelchair had a dark brown substance on the wheelchair law labels. S3Quality Assurance Nurse further indicated Resident #124’s floor, tube feeding pole, and wheelchair were not sanitary and should have been kept clean.”
The importance of proper sanitation and cleanliness in nursing homes cannot be overstated, as these basic practices form the foundation of infection prevention and resident dignity. When facilities fail to maintain clean environments or follow proper sanitation protocols, residents face increased risks of infection, illness, and complications – particularly those with weakened immune systems or feeding tubes. A facility’s inability to maintain basic cleanliness standards, such as keeping feeding equipment clean or following proper hand hygiene protocols, may indicate deeper systemic issues with staff training, supervision, or facility management. For immunocompromised nursing home residents, even minor lapses in sanitation practices can lead to serious health consequences. This is why federal and state regulations require strict adherence to cleanliness protocols, and why families should be particularly vigilant about sanitation standards when monitoring their loved one’s care.
Administrative Compliance Failures
The facility demonstrated significant administrative failures in resident assessments and documentation.
“Review of the facility’s Final Validation Report dated 02/21/2024 revealed, in part, Resident #130’s Quarterly assessment with an ARD date of 01/24/2024 was rejected by CMS due to an invalid date on 02/21/2024 and therefore not submitted.”
The inspection found:
- Late completion of quarterly assessments for seven residents
- Failure to submit required assessments to Medicare/Medicaid (CMS) within mandatory timeframes for nine residents
- One resident’s assessment (Resident #130) was rejected by CMS and never properly resubmitted
Administrative compliance requirements in nursing homes serve a crucial purpose beyond mere paperwork – they are essential safeguards designed to ensure proper resident care, track health changes, and maintain accountability. When a facility fails to complete and submit required assessments on time, it can have serious implications for resident care. These quarterly assessments help identify changes in a resident’s condition, evaluate the effectiveness of current care plans, and ensure appropriate Medicare/Medicaid coverage for necessary services. The failure to properly complete or submit these assessments may indicate broader organizational problems that could affect direct patient care. More importantly, delayed or missing assessments can lead to missed opportunities to identify declining health conditions, needed care plan modifications, or changes in necessary services.
For families, these administrative failures can raise concerns about the facility’s overall ability to properly monitor and respond to their loved ones’ changing needs.
Protecting Your Rights in Jefferson Parish
When nursing homes fail to provide adequate care, residents can suffer serious complications including deep tissue infections, sepsis, and other life-threatening conditions. Our firm is committed to holding negligent facilities accountable and securing appropriate compensation for injured residents.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights. Call 504-619-9999 or email Garret DeReus at [email protected] to schedule a free case evaluation.
Legal Notice and Disclaimer
The violations were located in documentation from the Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services following its April 18, 2024 survey. The facility may dispute some or all of these findings. This information is provided for educational purposes.