Nursing Home Among Worst in US for Elder Abuse

A nursing home in Ohio has been put on a federal watch list and is at risk of losing its ability to accept Medicare and Medicaid patients because it has a terrible track record for elder abuse.

The East Galbraith Health Center, a 140-bed facility run by Cleveland-based Provider Services, underwent three inspections in 2012 that showed the facility had twice as many deficiencies as the statewide average, and more than the national average as well.

The most severe recent incident involved a female resident with dementia who was sexually abused by a male resident, who also has dementia.

According to reports, the man learned the access code to the woman’s area of the dementia wing in the home, something he never should have been able to do. After he learned the code, he got into the wing and sexually abused one of the female residents. The man is no longer at the facility, according to administrators at East Galbraith, but the incident was not immediately reported to law enforcement.

However, the incident is not the only one that led to East Galbraith’s federal scrutiny. The center had a below-average rating overall, and repeatedly received below-average ratings for staff and registered nurses. An inspection in October 2012 showed that the facility did not have a registered nurse on duty at all times, both day and night, as required by federal law. The center has been fined four times for violations since 2000.

Abel Quintero, East Galbraith’s head administrator, has said that significant changes have been made since the last inspections, and since he stepped into the role less than a year ago. He said changes included replacing and hiring new staff.

“We’ve made vast improvements and continue to do so,” said Quintero. “I know this is a label placed on East Galbraith right now, but I do not believe that is who we are right now. A lot of good things happen here every day.”

Federal inspectors have put the nursing home on a “Special Focus Facility” watch list of 36 nursing homes total, in which conditions have led to serious elder abuse and neglect. The list is part of an effort to track 130 nursing homes total, which have been accused of subpar care that led to neglect and elder abuse, over a three-year period to ensure that they make progress.

Special Focus Facility Watch List to Help Prevent Elder Abuse

Federal regulators created the Special Focus Facility watch list to keep track of nursing homes across the country, after they noticed a pattern in which facilities would be out of compliance with regulations, receive a fine and become compliant, then fall out of compliance again, without fixing any of the underlying problems. In order to prevent future elder abuse and neglect at nursing homes across the country, federal investigators are cracking down much harder.

East Galbraith and the other facilities on the watch list will receive state inspections every six months, or whenever a complaint is filed. Normally, facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid will be inspected by a state inspector every 12 to 15 months. Although most facilities have six or seven deficiencies, on average, they correct the problems – at least temporarily – in a short period of time after the inspection.

Quintero said that administrators from East Galbraith will meet with family members and residents to discuss the Special Focus Facility watch list, and what the facility plans to do to improve.

Contact the Strom Law Firm for Help Prosecuting Elder Abuse

If your loved one has suffered elder abuse at the hands of a caregiver, assisted living facility, or nursing home, you do not have to suffer in silence. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm understand the complex law around elder abuse, and can help protect you and your loved ones. We offer free, confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800.