This 164-bed nursing home received a “below average” for its Overall, Health Inspection, and Quality Measure ratings, according to Medicare’s 2012 annual report. Compared to the average number of health deficiencies for Minnesota nursing homes (6.8), Golden Valley was cited for 12 health deficiencies, including the facility’s:
- Failure to assist those residents who need total help with eating, drinking, grooming, and personal and oral hygiene;
- Failure to give proper treatment to residents with feeding tubes to prevent problems such as aspiration pneumonia, diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration—as well as failure to help restore eating skills, if possible;
- Failure to store, cook, and serve food in a safe and clean way;
- Failure to make sure that each resident’s drug regimen is free from unnecessary drugs, and that each resident’s medication is managed and monitored;
- Failure to safely provide drugs and other similar products available which are needed every day in emergencies, by a licensed pharmacist;
- Failure to have a licensed pharmacist review each resident’s medications at least once a month and report any irregularities to the attending doctor; and
- Failure to maintain drug records and properly labeled drugs according to accepted professional standards.
Medicare has also identified six complaints and incidents associated with the Golden Valley Rehability & Care nursing home, including the facility’s:
- Failure to hire only people with no legal history of abusing, neglecting or mistreating residents, or to report and investigate any acts of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents;
- Failure to develop policies that prevent mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of residents or theft of property; and
- Failure to ensure that the nursing home area is free from accident hazards and risks, as well as adequate supervision to prevent avoidable accidents.
Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Health has substantiated a report of nursing home neglect wherein an unattended resident fell, sustaining a hip fracture. The facility was found negligent because the resident’s care plan indicated that she must be assisted while walking. [Report no. H5186175]
The Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm represents clients in cases involving catastrophic injury caused by nursing homes and other care facilities that fail to provide proper care. If you believe your loved one has been harmed due to a nursing home’s failures, take action and contact the Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm online or call us toll-free at (877) 552-2873 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
