Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home Inc. is a very large, 432-bed facility located at 42-41 201st Street, Bayside, NY 11361. The Queens nursing home is run by a not-for-profit entity and has received relatively high ratings from the New York State Department of Health. For example, Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home has been given an overall rating of five out of five stars. It has received a four-star rating for Resident Safety, and another five-star rating for its Quality of Life.
In addition, the New York State Department of Health has only received 47 complaints regarding the facility in the past three years. These complaints, however, led to 7 on-site inspections and 5 citations; a relatively large number of citations. The complaint citations issued related to Dietary Services (1 citation), Resident Rights (1 citation), and Quality of Care (3 citations).
Furthermore, in the same time period, the facility has received 12 standard health citations and 11 life safety code citations. Alarmingly, 2 of those citations were related to actual harm to residents or would have placed them in immediate jeopardy. A summary of the most recent certification and complaint surveys is provided below and gives insight into some of the problems at Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home.
Lawsuits Against Ozanam Hall of Queens
Estate of Richard Hall vs. Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home, Inc. (2019 Lawsuit Against Ozanam Hall of Queens)
Allegations: Richard Hall was admitted to Ozanam Hall nursing home during a continuous course of treatment beginning on or about June 30, 2016 and ending on or about December 23, 2016. During this time, Ozanam Hall was negligent in their care and treatment of Mr. Hall. Plaintiff also alleged gross negligence, including acting so careless as a manner as to show complete disregard for the rights and safety of the Decedent, Mr. Hall. As a result of the alleged nursing home neglect, Mr. Hall suffered serious injury.
Estate of Lillian Chaill vs. Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home, Inc. (2018 Lawsuit Against Ozanam Hall of Queens)
Allegations: Lillian Cahill was admitted to Ozanam Hall free of bedsores. During this time, Ozanam Hall was alleged to have allowed Ms. Cahill to develop skin breakdown and pressure ulcers. Ms. Cahill passed away on February 28, 2016.
Estate of De Guzman vs. Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home, Inc.
Allegations: Arnel de Guzman was a resident at Ozanam Hall in Queens from 11-9-2016 until 11-17-2016, with further readmissions 11-30-2016 through 1-4-2017, and 2-11-2017 through 4-18-2017. It is alleged that Ozanam Hall staff failed to ensure that the decedent was provided sufficient fluids and nutrition. The resident also suffered with a Stage IV sacralcoccyeal pressure injury with osteomyelitis.
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November 10, 2020 Survey at Ozanam Hall of Queens
During this COVID-19 survey, it was found that the facility failed to establish and maintain an Infection Control Program to ensure the health and safety of residents to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Specifically, isolation gowns were not being used for residents on isolation related to COVID-19 exposure or new admission status.
Certification/Complaint Survey dated 10/21/2019 at Ozanam Hall of Queens
Although information regarding the complaint was withheld by the New York State Department of Health, the survey listed the standard life safety code citations issued to the facility. These included the fact that there was no documentation that the diesel fuel for the generator had been tested on an annual basis or that a 4-hour load bank test had been conducted for the generator every 36 months.
There were also several deficiencies found with regard to the stairwells. The surveyor noted that in three stairwells, the contrasting painted stripe on the edge of each stair tread was missing, and that one stairwell had a non-fire rated glass window. In addition, the walkway outside that same stairwell was cracked and not level. Finally, the facility had not conducted the quarterly main drain test and 5-year internal pipe inspections as required.
Complaint Survey dated 11/28/2018 at Ozanam Hall of Queens
This survey investigated the death of a resident who had stated on this Palliative Care Wishes Form that he wanted CPR performed. However, when the resident became unresponsive while his daughter was feeding him, his daughter, who was not the resident’s Health Care Proxy, stated that she did not want anything done. As a result, nurses did not perform CPR or contact 911, per facility procedure. When the resident’s primary physician was contacted by the Registered Nurse that the resident became unresponsive and his daughter had informed the staff not to perform CPR, the physician clarified that the resident wanted CPR performed and informed the RN that she should call 911. The state agency cited the facility for failing to provide basic life support to this resident.
Certification/Complaint Survey dated 1/23/2018
During this survey, the facility did not properly chill cold foods and served them at temperatures above the required 40 degrees. When questioned on the pudding that was 55 degrees, one of the food service workers stated that “I guess 53 is ok.” The last time this particular employee had received in-service training was approximately two years ago; employees should receive in-service training at least once a year.
The facility was also cited for not preventing accidents and hazards due to a resident who had suffered two falls while at the facility. The resident was noted to be at high risk of falls and required the aid of two people to shower, dressing, transfers, and toileting. In one instance, the resident was found sitting on the floor and stated that she had attempted to get out of bed and had fallen. She did not suffer any injuries. In the second fall, a Certified Nursing Assistant was attempting to transfer the resident without the assistance of a second person. The CNA stated that she let go of the resident to get her wheelchair and the resident fell face down, causing a laceration to her head. She was immediately assisted up and assessed for injuries.
In another concerning incident, a resident claimed to her family that she was roused from her sleep by grabbing her in the stomach area. The resident felt pain and tried to ward off the person and in response was slapped in the face repeatedly with a pillow and pinched in the upper left arm. The granddaughter of the resident explained the allegations made by the resident and was told that an investigation would be conducted. However, instead of sending the staff member in question home, the facility kept the staff member away from that particular resident. However, the facility should have immediately suspended the staff member pending investigation. By the time the facility was cited for this deficiency, the staff member had resigned.
With regard to standard life safety code citations, the facility did not develop and implement an Emergency Preparedness plan that was based on risk assessment, and did not have the contact information of staff, physicians, and volunteers, despite having an emergency communication plan. In addition, no risk assessment had been conducted by the facility for its Emergency Preparedness plan. Finally, the facility did not ensure that patient-care related electrical equipment was checked and inspected regularly, and
Conclusion
Ozanam Hall of Queens is an overall good nursing home. The care provided there is, on average, better than most facilities. However, this does not mean you can let your guard down.
While the relative number of deficiencies noted at Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home is small, the complaints and certification surveys show that some staff members are not adequately trained or appear to be cutting corners, thereby placing residents at risk. Serving food that is too warm or a staff member attempting to move a resident who requires the aid of two people puts resident safety at risk. That allegations of abuse were initially not investigated, which is doubly concerning.
Further, the number of civil lawsuits against Ozanam Hall of Queens for nursing home negligence is concerning. However, civil cases are to be expected against a facility of this size.
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