Sun Towers Retirement and Rehabilitation Legal Issues
Located at 101 Trinity Lakes Drive, Sun City Center, Florida 33573 in Hillsborough County, Sun Towers Retirement Community is an assisted living facility that provides a range of elderly care services. Sun Towers offers independent living, assisted living, extended congregate care and memory care services. The legal licensee of Sun Towers is SUN CITY CENTER ASSOCIATES LTD.
Sun Towers states on its website that its assisted living services include “assistance with monitoring medications, every two hour courtesy and bed checks, assistance with showers, assistance with meals…[and] assistance with dressing and grooming in the morning and evening.” However, the facility has been cited several times by the Agency for Health Care Administration for regulation violations. These citations, the three most recent of which are summarized below, show that the facility may be placing its residents at risk of negligent care.
Our Florida assisted living abuse and neglect lawyers explain the cited deficiencies below.
Standard Statement of Deficiencies dated 3/4/2019
Based on observation and interviews, the survey found that several staff members who provide direct care to the residents have not received a Preservice Orientation of at least 2 hours prior to interacting with residents and within 30 days of being hired. Nor was there documentation for some of those staff members that they had received 3 hours of training regarding Activities of Daily Living and Behavior Needs within 30 days of being hired.
Moreover, several staff members lacked documentation regarding an hour-long training related to the facility’s policy and procedures.
When the Director of Human Resources was interviewed regarding this deficiency, she stated that “I don’t know about the Preservice” and that “I don’t have the certificates” for the other training sessions.
Monitor and Complaint Statement of Deficiencies dated 5/3/2018
Both a monitor and complaint-related survey was conducted on this date, which resulted in citations for Sun Towers Retirement Community.
During this survey, AHCA found that the facility did not provide service plans for four Extended Congregate Care (ECC) residents. None of these residents had a service plan in their respective files, which a nurse confirmed. Nor did review of the binder show that a qualified registered nurse was designated to participate in formulating ECC service plans or to conduct nursing assessments on a monthly basis.
In addition, review of personnel records showed that four of the five staff sampled lacked the required initial training and annual update training related to assistance with self-administration of medication. The Wellness Director admitted that they had not received the training and that the facility would remove them from assisting residents with self-administration of medication.
Finally, personnel records did not correct reflect the correct position for all staff. The manager stated that that staff member would be given the appropriate job description in her file.
Standard Statement of Deficiencies dated 1/19/2017
During this standard, re-licensure survey, it was noted that the there was no registered nurse assigned to participate in ECC service plans and to perform monthly assessments for ECC residents. Two ECC residents also did not have service plans formulated for them.
Lawsuits vs. Sun Towers
The following civil cases have been filed against SUN CITY CENTER ASSOCIATES LTD:
- Hansbury vs. Sun City Center Associates LTD
- Estate of Crawford vs. Sun City Center Associates LTD
- In this Tampa nursing home abuse case, the Plaintiff alleges that Sun City Center Associates LTD was negligent in caring for their resident, John Crawford, and as a result, he developed skin breakdown in the form of bedsores.
Attorney Disclaimer
*Each case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome or indicate an expected outcome on your particular case. The above prior lawsuit information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney. This individual case information above is publicly filed information gathered from the publicly filed complaint. This information and these cases are not the work of this law firm. The contents of this website should not be construed as legal advice on any specific fact or circumstance. Your receipt of such information does not create an attorney-client relationship with this law firm or any of its lawyers. You should not act or rely on any of the information contained herein without seeking professional legal advice. Speak with an attorney immediately if you believe you have a viable case against a nursing home, assisted living facility or medical facility.
Conclusion
From the deficiencies cited by AHCA, it appears that Sun Towers Retirement Community has been cited for inappropriate staff training and lack of supervision and oversight regarding care for ECC residents. The facility was cited twice for failing to have a registered nurse designated to participate in ECC service plans and monthly assessments. This could potentially pose a risk to ECC residents as they may not be receiving the level of care they deserve.
Thus, if you or a loved one is a resident at Sun Towers Retirement Community and you suffered serious injury from negligent care, please do not hesitate to contact us at Senior Justice Law Firm. We may be able to help you with your case.
Call us at 888-375-9998 or chat with us today for a free case consultation.
