By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Pennsylvania health surveyors have cited a Bucks County hospital for failing to document that some 24 employees who had been exposed to Covid-19 patients were properly informed within 24-hours as mandated by state procedures.
The citation was issued against the 175-bed Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol and involved some two dozen hospital employees who had contact with a total of five Covid-19 patients.
The facility "failed to document staff notification of contact and/or date and time of notificationn with Covid-19 positive patients," the recently made public report states.
"This was a documentation issue," hospital spokeswoman Michelle Aliprantis wrote in an email response to questions about the incidents. She added that all hospital employees are provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment.
The report cites a state requirement that hospitals "notify a member of the staff who was in close contact with a patient COVID-19 positive as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours after the contact is known."
The contacts, acording to the report, occurred in August and November.
The report also notes that employees who have been exposed may request to be tested for Covid-19 "no earlier than six days" after the suspected contact.
Aliprantis said "the documentation of the notification was not completely recorded with regards to date and time."
Per our policy," she continued, "staff can request to be tested if and when they choose. Lower Bucks Hospital does PCR COVID-19 testing in-house, so employees have immediate access to testing with available results within six hours."
She said the hospital has implemented a corrective action plan which was accepted by the state.
Under the plan the hospital amended its policies and procedures to conform to the state requirements.
"We are taking all necessary measures and precautions to protect the safety of our patients and staff," she concluded.
Contact: wfrochejr999@hotmail.com
Monday, January 25, 2021
Saturday, January 23, 2021
ER Patients Wait 6 Hours + for Transfer
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Two patients who went to a hospital emergency room in mid-October were kept waiting for over six hours befor finally being transferred to a hospital equipped to care for them.
According to a report from the state Health Department the lengthy delays occurred at Penn Highlands Elk, a 213-bed facility in Saint Marys.
The state surveyors also found that when one of those patients filed a grievance about the delay, the hospital failed to act on it.
After reviewing hospital records the surveyors found that one of those patients checked into the emergency room at 5:58 p.m. on Oct. 14 and wasn't transferred until 1:08 p.m. the next day.
The other patient arrived at the hospital at 5:22 p.m. and wasn't transferred until 11:10 p.m.
The hospital "failed to ensure that transfer arrangements were made for patients requiring transfer to another facility," the report states.
The health department surveyors found that there was no docummentation that other facilities were even contacted.
The facility filed a plan of correction in which they said staffers would be educated on the proper procedure for arranging for patient transfers including documenting any contacts with hospitals to seek placement.
The hospital also promised to conduct audits to ensure that the proper procedures were being followed, including the handling of grievances.
Penn Highlands officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Two patients who went to a hospital emergency room in mid-October were kept waiting for over six hours befor finally being transferred to a hospital equipped to care for them.
According to a report from the state Health Department the lengthy delays occurred at Penn Highlands Elk, a 213-bed facility in Saint Marys.
The state surveyors also found that when one of those patients filed a grievance about the delay, the hospital failed to act on it.
After reviewing hospital records the surveyors found that one of those patients checked into the emergency room at 5:58 p.m. on Oct. 14 and wasn't transferred until 1:08 p.m. the next day.
The other patient arrived at the hospital at 5:22 p.m. and wasn't transferred until 11:10 p.m.
The hospital "failed to ensure that transfer arrangements were made for patients requiring transfer to another facility," the report states.
The health department surveyors found that there was no docummentation that other facilities were even contacted.
The facility filed a plan of correction in which they said staffers would be educated on the proper procedure for arranging for patient transfers including documenting any contacts with hospitals to seek placement.
The hospital also promised to conduct audits to ensure that the proper procedures were being followed, including the handling of grievances.
Penn Highlands officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Monday, January 18, 2021
Narcotics Missing at Harrisburg Hospital
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
In a six month period 38 doses of powerful narcotics went missing at a Harriburg hospital and the facility failed to report the losses to the state.
In a report issued last week, the state Health Department cited the 38 bed Select Specialty Hospital for violations of the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act when hospital officials failed to report the losses to the Pennsylvania Safety Reporting System.
Surveyors from the state agency reviewed hospital records and found the losses occurred between March and September.
The drugs missing included morphine, oxycodone and lorazepan. On some days, like June 29, both morphine and oxycodone went missing.
According to the report the drug losses should have been reported as infrastructure failure.
The hospital filed a plan of correction that included education of staff members on reporting requirements and monitoring and auditing measures to prevent future losses. Hospital officials did not respond to questions including whether or not the person taking the drugs was ever identified.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
In a six month period 38 doses of powerful narcotics went missing at a Harriburg hospital and the facility failed to report the losses to the state.
In a report issued last week, the state Health Department cited the 38 bed Select Specialty Hospital for violations of the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act when hospital officials failed to report the losses to the Pennsylvania Safety Reporting System.
Surveyors from the state agency reviewed hospital records and found the losses occurred between March and September.
The drugs missing included morphine, oxycodone and lorazepan. On some days, like June 29, both morphine and oxycodone went missing.
According to the report the drug losses should have been reported as infrastructure failure.
The hospital filed a plan of correction that included education of staff members on reporting requirements and monitoring and auditing measures to prevent future losses. Hospital officials did not respond to questions including whether or not the person taking the drugs was ever identified.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Covid Deaths Hit 104 at PA Nursing Home
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
The number of Covid-19 deaths at a single Pennsylvania nursing home has topped 100 for the first time, according to data from the state Health Department.
In a report posted this week the state agency listed 104 Coronavirus deaths at the 160-bed Valley View Haven in Belleville.
The state data shows that after a slowdown in the summer the deaths in Pennsylvania nursing homes has surged again.
That trend mirrors the findings of a federal study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review.
That study found that the number of Covid-19 cases in nursing homes nationwide increased in June and July and then subsided until November when cases surged ahead.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study theorized that the increase in nursing home cases likely mirrored community Covid-19 rates.
The authors recommend that nursing home operators monitor community rates and act to "minimize high risk exposure within the facility.
The study noted that nursing home residents are at "higher risk than the general population for morbidity and mortality."
The federal study was based on data from 15,342 of the 15,404 nursing homes in the country. The data covered the 572,135 cases reported from May 25 to Nov. 22.
The facilities reported that 296,762 residents were infected with the virus and 275,373 staffers were diagnosed with Covid-19.
"Nursing homes are high risk congregate settings that require a comprehensive infection prevention and control strategy," the report concludes.
Other Pennsylvania nursing homes with 30 or more Covid-19 deaths include Fair Acres Geriatric in Lima -97, Neshaminy Manor in Warrington -85, Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg -49, Old Orchard Healthcare in Easton -34, Centre Crest in Bellefonte -70, Luther Acres in Litiz -32, Pleasant Acres Rehabilitation and Nursing in York -36 and Slate Belt Health in Bangor -31.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
The number of Covid-19 deaths at a single Pennsylvania nursing home has topped 100 for the first time, according to data from the state Health Department.
In a report posted this week the state agency listed 104 Coronavirus deaths at the 160-bed Valley View Haven in Belleville.
The state data shows that after a slowdown in the summer the deaths in Pennsylvania nursing homes has surged again.
That trend mirrors the findings of a federal study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review.
That study found that the number of Covid-19 cases in nursing homes nationwide increased in June and July and then subsided until November when cases surged ahead.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study theorized that the increase in nursing home cases likely mirrored community Covid-19 rates.
The authors recommend that nursing home operators monitor community rates and act to "minimize high risk exposure within the facility.
The study noted that nursing home residents are at "higher risk than the general population for morbidity and mortality."
The federal study was based on data from 15,342 of the 15,404 nursing homes in the country. The data covered the 572,135 cases reported from May 25 to Nov. 22.
The facilities reported that 296,762 residents were infected with the virus and 275,373 staffers were diagnosed with Covid-19.
"Nursing homes are high risk congregate settings that require a comprehensive infection prevention and control strategy," the report concludes.
Other Pennsylvania nursing homes with 30 or more Covid-19 deaths include Fair Acres Geriatric in Lima -97, Neshaminy Manor in Warrington -85, Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg -49, Old Orchard Healthcare in Easton -34, Centre Crest in Bellefonte -70, Luther Acres in Litiz -32, Pleasant Acres Rehabilitation and Nursing in York -36 and Slate Belt Health in Bangor -31.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Covid-19 Hits All Pa. Vet Homes
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Covid-19 has now taken lives in all six of Pennsylvania's state run nursing homes for veterans and the overall total death toll is just short of 100.
According to data from the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs 99 residents at its facilities have died from the coronavirus including one at the Gino Merli Veterans Center, which had avoided any deaths up till now.
The highest death toll, 42, came at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Chester County. Eighteen deaths were recorded at both the Delaware Valley Veterans Center in Philadephia and the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie.
Seventeen residents died of Covid-19 at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Center in Blair County. Three Covid deaths were reported at the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh.
A total of 399 residents at the six homes have tested positive including 125 at the Erie home and 120 at the Chester County home.
The state agency reported that a total of 402 employees at the six homes have tested positive for the virus, but there have been no deaths. The most positive results among employees was 106 at the Hollidaysburg facility.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Covid-19 has now taken lives in all six of Pennsylvania's state run nursing homes for veterans and the overall total death toll is just short of 100.
According to data from the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs 99 residents at its facilities have died from the coronavirus including one at the Gino Merli Veterans Center, which had avoided any deaths up till now.
The highest death toll, 42, came at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Chester County. Eighteen deaths were recorded at both the Delaware Valley Veterans Center in Philadephia and the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie.
Seventeen residents died of Covid-19 at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Center in Blair County. Three Covid deaths were reported at the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh.
A total of 399 residents at the six homes have tested positive including 125 at the Erie home and 120 at the Chester County home.
The state agency reported that a total of 402 employees at the six homes have tested positive for the virus, but there have been no deaths. The most positive results among employees was 106 at the Hollidaysburg facility.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Monday, January 4, 2021
Bedlam in Johnstown Hospital Behavioral Unit
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
One patient beat another on the face, neck and chest with a walker. Another patient struck a nurse in the head and arm. Yet another patient spat in a nurse's face.
That was the scene painted in a state Health Department report on the 436-bed Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. The recently released report concludes the hospital failed to provide care in a safe setting.
Hospital officials did not respond to questions and the hospital failed to file an acceptable plan of correction, according to the state Health Department report.
The report cites a lack of adequate staffing and a lack of training of the existing staff in providing care to patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The state surveyors learned from interviews with staff that there already were staffing problems when the hospital management merged distinct units, one for adults, the other for elderly, "resulting in patient harm."
"The elderly on this floor don't get the care they need," a staffer told surveyors.
The nursing staff, the report states, was repeatedly overwhelmed and had to call on security personnel to physically restrain patients. In the adult unit there were 61 calls for security Feb. 1 and Aug. 31.
Injuries to both medical staff and security staff were reported. The medical staff called security when patients engaged in various behaviors including "biting, thrashing around in bed, self induced vomiting and throwing objects, including a mattress, at staff.
The security staff assistance included physically restraining patients while medical staff medicated or applied restraints to the patients.
A staffer told the state surveyors about the incident when a patient attacked another patient with a walker after an argument over a card game.
"It happened so fast, if we had more help it might not have happened," Employee 13 told the inspectors.
Another employee said she feared for her own and the patients' safety when she was assigned 11 different patients for one shift. Another nurse said an individual nurse could be assigned up to 20 patients
"We just need more help," the employee told the surveyors.
One of the behavioral patients walked away without staff even noticing. They only learned of the elopement hours later when the patient's spouse called to report the 76-year-old had walked back to their home.
"The nurse was not aware the patient was gone," the report states.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
One patient beat another on the face, neck and chest with a walker. Another patient struck a nurse in the head and arm. Yet another patient spat in a nurse's face.
That was the scene painted in a state Health Department report on the 436-bed Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. The recently released report concludes the hospital failed to provide care in a safe setting.
Hospital officials did not respond to questions and the hospital failed to file an acceptable plan of correction, according to the state Health Department report.
The report cites a lack of adequate staffing and a lack of training of the existing staff in providing care to patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The state surveyors learned from interviews with staff that there already were staffing problems when the hospital management merged distinct units, one for adults, the other for elderly, "resulting in patient harm."
"The elderly on this floor don't get the care they need," a staffer told surveyors.
The nursing staff, the report states, was repeatedly overwhelmed and had to call on security personnel to physically restrain patients. In the adult unit there were 61 calls for security Feb. 1 and Aug. 31.
Injuries to both medical staff and security staff were reported. The medical staff called security when patients engaged in various behaviors including "biting, thrashing around in bed, self induced vomiting and throwing objects, including a mattress, at staff.
The security staff assistance included physically restraining patients while medical staff medicated or applied restraints to the patients.
A staffer told the state surveyors about the incident when a patient attacked another patient with a walker after an argument over a card game.
"It happened so fast, if we had more help it might not have happened," Employee 13 told the inspectors.
Another employee said she feared for her own and the patients' safety when she was assigned 11 different patients for one shift. Another nurse said an individual nurse could be assigned up to 20 patients
"We just need more help," the employee told the surveyors.
One of the behavioral patients walked away without staff even noticing. They only learned of the elopement hours later when the patient's spouse called to report the 76-year-old had walked back to their home.
"The nurse was not aware the patient was gone," the report states.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Friday, January 1, 2021
Covid-19 Takes 5,500 PA Nursing Home Residents
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
More than 5,500 patients have died in Pennsylvania nursing homes after contracting Covid-19, according to data collected by the state Health Department.
The latest update by the state agency, dated Dec. 29, shows that while the number of coronavirus nursing home deaths slowed during the summer the pace has increased in recent weeks.
In August the agency data showed only 3,000 nursing home patients had died from the coronavirus.
The 5,571 Covid-19 deaths reported as of Dec. 29 is very likely understates the actual total because dozens of nursing homes failed to file the requested data. In addition to listing the Covid-19 deaths the nursing homes are required to report the number of patients and employees diagnosed with the virus.
The nursing home with the highest number of deaths is Fair Acres Geriatric, where 97 Covid-19 deaths have been reported. The facility is run by Delaware County.
The Bucks County owned Neshaminy Manor has reported 85 deaths. Another publicly owned facility, Cedarbrook Senior Care in Allentown has reported 81 deaths from the virus.
The Southeastern Veterans Center also in Delaware County has reported 42 coronavirus deaths. It is run by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Brighton Rehabilitation in Beaver County has reported 73 Covid-19 deaths and Conestoga View in Lancaster reported 77 virus deaths.
The Northhampton County Home Gracedale has 76 Covid victims and Center Crest in Bellefonte reported 70 Covid deaths.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
More than 5,500 patients have died in Pennsylvania nursing homes after contracting Covid-19, according to data collected by the state Health Department.
The latest update by the state agency, dated Dec. 29, shows that while the number of coronavirus nursing home deaths slowed during the summer the pace has increased in recent weeks.
In August the agency data showed only 3,000 nursing home patients had died from the coronavirus.
The 5,571 Covid-19 deaths reported as of Dec. 29 is very likely understates the actual total because dozens of nursing homes failed to file the requested data. In addition to listing the Covid-19 deaths the nursing homes are required to report the number of patients and employees diagnosed with the virus.
The nursing home with the highest number of deaths is Fair Acres Geriatric, where 97 Covid-19 deaths have been reported. The facility is run by Delaware County.
The Bucks County owned Neshaminy Manor has reported 85 deaths. Another publicly owned facility, Cedarbrook Senior Care in Allentown has reported 81 deaths from the virus.
The Southeastern Veterans Center also in Delaware County has reported 42 coronavirus deaths. It is run by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Brighton Rehabilitation in Beaver County has reported 73 Covid-19 deaths and Conestoga View in Lancaster reported 77 virus deaths.
The Northhampton County Home Gracedale has 76 Covid victims and Center Crest in Bellefonte reported 70 Covid deaths.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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