Patient Abused at State Run Home

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A 73-year-old dementia patient who became combative, was beaten by a state of Pennsylvania employee assigned to care for the him at a state run facility in Franklin County.
The state employee, who was subsequently arrested, slapped the man after he had struck her. Despite pleas from her co-worker to stop, the employee continued to slap the patient on the chest and arms.
Though she stopped momentarily, the employee then slapped the patient two or three more times.
The incident at the South Mountain Restoration Center was described in detail by a state Health Department inspector in a report issued on July 31.
Court records show that the charges against Melinda V. Rutledge were ultimately dismissed by a Franklin County district judge.
"The resident has a right to be free from abuse and neglect," the state inspection report states, adding that the allegation of abuse was substantiated as a result of the investigation. .
The 73-year-old patient, who had impaired vision in addition to deafness, had a history of traumatic brain injury, the report states.
The report on the incident at the 159-bed facility is not the first to show problems with patient care at the facility. Earlier this year state surveyors found that a female patient was the victim of a male patient who sexually abused her. He was found in the female patient's room with his hand in her briefs.
South Mountain describes itself on its web site as a provider of "compassionate, professional quality care" for patients who have "exhausted other alternatives."
According to the state report the July 21 incident began at 10:45 p.m. when two aides went to the male patient's room to provide care.
"Resident 1 (the male patient) was not co-operating and started to become combative," the report states. The resident then struck the aide and she responded by slapping the patient with an open palm
several times on the arm and chest.
"I told her not to hit him and tried to get her to leave the room," a fellow worker told the state surveyors, adding that the employee then struck the patient two or three more times.
She said she then sought help from another employee, but the aide refused to leave the room. Eventually a supervisor was summoned.
One of the other employees told the surveyors that she told the aide that "it was probably not the best to yell at the patient because he did not have his hearing aides on. That worker said she could hear loud slapping and screaming from another patient's room.
Yet another employee reported that she saw red marks on the patient's side following the incident.
In a response to the report, managers of the facility said that by the next day the red marks had "dissipated" and the patient subsequently underwent a psychiatric evaluation.
They also stated that a subsequent investigation showed no other such events and no other reports of patient abuse were discovered.
According to the management response in-service training was provided for staff and steps were taken to avoid future incidents of "caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue."




























Employee charged after patient struck in Pa.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN, Pa. — An employee of the South Mountain Restoration Center was charged Tuesday after she allegedly struck a resident, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Melinda Victor Rutledge, 38, of Chambersburg, Pa., was served with a summary harassment/physical contact summons by the office of Magisterial District Judge Kelly Rock.

Police went to the center on South Mountain Road on Sunday at 10:45 p.m. and determined that a staff member struck a resident, identified as a 73-year-old man from Wernersville, Pa.

South Mountain Restoration Center is a 159-bed long-term care facility licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, according to the state’s website.

The center is certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to the website.







There are 61 surveys for this facility. Please select a date to view the survey results.

Surveys don't appear on this website until at least 41 days have elapsed since the exit date of the survey.
SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESTORATION CTR - Inspection Results Scope of Citation
Number of Residents Affected
By Deficient Practice
Initial comments:


Based on the findings of an Abbreviated Incident survey completed on July 31, 2019, at South Mountain Restoration Center; the facility was found to be not in compliance with the requirements of 42 CFR Part 483, Subpart B Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities and the 28 PA Code, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Long Term Care Licensure Regulations as they relate to the Health portion of the survey process.





Plan of Correction:


483.12(a)(1) REQUIREMENT Free from Abuse and Neglect: This is a less serious (but not lowest level) deficiency and is isolated to the fewest number of residents, staff, or occurrences. This deficiency is one that results in minimal discomfort to the resident or has the potential (not yet realized) to negatively affect the resident's ability to achieve his/her highest functional status.
§483.12 Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
The resident has the right to be free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation of resident property, and exploitation as defined in this subpart. This includes but is not limited to freedom from corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion and any physical or chemical restraint not required to treat the resident's medical symptoms.

§483.12(a) The facility must-

§483.12(a)(1) Not use verbal, mental, sexual, or physical abuse, corporal punishment, or involuntary seclusion;
Observations:


Based on clinical record review, facility documentation review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure one of three residents reviewed were free from physical abuse (Resident 1).

Findings include:

Review of Resident 1's on July 29, 2019, at approximately 11:00 AM, revealed diagnoses that included a history of traumatic brain injury (injury to the brain that causes an array of possible cognitive and/or psychomotor deficits), and dementia (irreversible, progressive degenerative disease of the brain that results in decreased contact with reality and difficulty performing activities of daily living).

Review of Resident 1's comprehensive plan of care revealed a care plan wit a focus of, "[Resident 1] is resistive to care at times [related to] Dementia, hearing impairment, and vision impairment," which was initiated on July 8, 2019, and had a goal of, "[Resident 1] will cooperate with care through next review date," which was initiated on July 8 and revised July 12, 2019. Review of the interventions for Resident 1's resistance to care included, "If [Resident 1] resists with [activities of daily living], reassure [Resident 1], leave and return 5-10 minutes later to re-approach."

Review of facility incident investigation report revealed a witness by Nurse Aide (NA) 2, dated July 21, 2019, that stated, "[NA 1] and I went into [Resident 1]'s bedroom to provide care during last rounds at [10:45 PM]. [Resident 1] was not cooperating and started to become combative. The resident struck [NA 1] and after she was struck she slapped the resident with an open palm multiple times on the left arm and chest. I told her not to hit him and tried to get her to leave the room. She then hit the resident 2 or 3 more times on the arm and chest again. I told her to stop and then went and got my coworker who was in the bedroom across the hall. [NA 3] came to the room with me and her and I both tried to get [NA 1] to leave the room, but she wouldn't...After the incident, the supervisor was notified around [11:00 PM] - [11:05 PM]..."

Review of facility witness statement completed by NA 3, dated July 21, 2019, revealed it stated, "Me [NA 3], [NA 1], and [NA 2] were doing last rounds. Start at 10:30 PM as we approached the residents room [NA 2] and [NA 1] went in to and try to put the resident to bed and change him. I [NA 3] went to the next residents room. As I was caring for another resident I could hear [NA 1] yelling at [Resident 1]. When i finish caring for the other resident I left the room and went to [NA 1] and said 'It's probably not the best idea to yell at him," but [NA 1] continued." During a staff interview on July 29, 2019, at approximately 12:20 PM, Nursing Home Administrator revealed that, at the time, NA 1 was heard yelling and it was explained to NA 3 that Resident 1 did not have his hearing aides in at the time. NA 3's statement continued, "I [NA 3] went on to care for other residents and as I was caring for them I could hear loud slapping and screaming coming from [NA 1]. Then [NA 2] came over to the room I was giving care in and asked me to please help him because [NA 1] won't stop yelling and hitting [Resident 1]...As I was trying to calm [Resident 1] down I noticed red hand prints on the chest and left shoulder, so I proceeded to get the nurse [Licensed Practical Nurse 1]."

Review of Licensed Practical Nurse [LPN] 1's witness statement dated July 21, 2019, revealed it stated, "[NA 3] came and notified me that [Resident 1] was having behaviors and needed help. When I walked into [Resident 1's] room I saw a red mark on his left side of his chest."

Review of facility investigation report revealed that the facility investigation of allegation of physical abuse by NA 1 against Resident 1 was found to be substantiated.

28 Pa. Code 201.14(a) Responsibility of licensee.

28 Pa. Code 201.18(b)(1) Management

28 Pa Code 201.29(j) Resident rights

.



Plan of Correction - To be completed: 08/30/2019

1. The red marks associated dissipated the following day. R1 has been seen by Psychiatry for evaluation with recommended medication timing adjustments to improve acceptance of care. R1 meets with his social worker at least weekly for emotional support and encouragement. There have been no other occurrences or events related to abuse for this resident. Residents care plan for emotional distress related to the incident has been updated to reflect weekly visits from the Social Worker to ensure Psychosocial needs being met and improved interventions for staff approach. NA#1 was immediately removed from duty and remains on suspension pending disciplinary action.

2. Current residents on the unit where NA 1 was assigned will have incident reports for all injuries of unknown origin for the last 30 days reviewed to validate that suspected or reported allegations of abuse have been identified and appropriate follow up has been completed. Residents who are capable of verbally communicating will be interviewed by Social Services to validate that there have been no unknown allegations of abuse. Findings of the reviews will be reported to the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Committee.

3. In-service training will be completed for nursing staff to include the components of Abuse regulations and accompanying guidelines for these regulatory components. Resources will be provided to all licensed and non-licensed nursing staff in regards to caregiver burn-out and compassion fatigue. All resident grievances are reviewed by the facility's Executive staff to identify any potential issues related to abuse or rights violations and validate that appropriate actions have been taken.

4. The Quality Assurance Director and/or designee will review and audit all grievances as well as incident reports for injuries of unknown origin weekly for 4 weeks and monthly for 3 months to validate that any identified issues related to abuse have been followed up on accordingly. Audits will be reviewed by the QAPI committee to ensure compliance and quality assurance.

483.10(e)(1), 483.12(a)(2) REQUIREMENT Right to be Free from Physical Restraints: This is a less serious (but not lowest level) deficiency and is isolated to the fewest number of residents, staff, or occurrences. This deficiency is one that results in minimal discomfort to the resident or has the potential (not yet realized) to negatively affect the resident's ability to achieve his/her highest functional status.
§483.10(e) Respect and Dignity.
The resident has a right to be treated with respect and dignity, including:

§483.10(e)(1) The right to be free from any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience, and not required to treat the resident's medical symptoms, consistent with §483.12(a)(2).

§483.12
The resident has the right to be free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation of resident property, and exploitation as defined in this subpart. This includes but is not limited to freedom from corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion and any physical or chemical restraint not required to treat the resident's medical symptoms.

§483.12(a) The facility must-

§483.12(a)(2) Ensure that the resident is free from physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and that are not required to treat the resident's medical symptoms. When the use of restraints is indicated, the facility must use the least restrictive alternative for the least amount of time and document ongoing re-evaluation of the need for restraints.
Observations:


Based on observation, clinical record review, facility document review, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure one of three residents reviewed were free of physical restraints (Resident 2).

Findings include:

Review of facility document, with subject of, "Use of Restraints, Seclusion, and Exclusion in State Mental Hospitals and the [South Mountain] Restoration Center," revealed section VII. Restraint," defined a restraint as, "Any method of restricting a person's freedom of movement, physical activity, or normal access to his/her body."

Review of Resident 2's clinical record on July 29, 2019, at approximately 11:30 AM, revealed diagnoses of anoxic brain injury (injury of the brain caused by lack of oxygen that can cause functional and cognitive deficits) and dementia (irreversible, progressive degenerative disease of the brain that results in decreased reality contact and daily functioning ability).

During general observation of the third floor unit on July 29, 2019, at approximately 10:30 AM, Resident 2 was observed ambulating independently in the hallway. Upon observation of Resident 2 it was revealed that Resident 2 had a one-piece suit on that covered Resident 2 from mid-thigh to the neck, and down to mid biceps. Observations of the one-piece suit revaluated an opening in the back of the one-piece suit.

Review of Resident 2's comprehensive plan of care revealed a care plan with a focus of, "Resident 2 has an [activities of daily living] self-care performance deficit," initiated on February 11, 2015 and last revised on June 23, 2017. Review of the interventions for the aforementioned care plan revealed an intervention of, "[Resident 2] wears one piece jumpsuit open in back due to history of frequently exposing himself," which was initiated on February 11, 2015, and last revised on July 23, 2017.

During a staff interview on July 29, 2019, at approximately 12:30 PM, Nursing Home Administrator revealed that Resident 2 is not able to easily remove the one-piece suit.

Review of Resident 2's physician orders revealed no order for the one-piece suit. Review of Resident 2's clinical record revealed no restraint assessment, and no care plan for the one-piece suit.

During a staff interview on July 29, 2019, at approximately 2:30 PM, Nursing Home Administrator revealed that Resident 2's one-piece suit was considered a safety device. During the interview, Nursing Home Administrator revealed that safety devices were not considered restraints.

28 Pa Code 211.8(c)(d)(e)(f) Use of restraints

28 Pa Code 211.12(d)(5) Nursing services



Plan of Correction - To be completed: 08/30/2019

1. The staff began a trial with traditional clothing for Resident #2 immediately following the survey. Staff are working to identify style of clothing best suited to resident's need given activity level and safety awareness.. Resident #2's Plan of Care has been updated to reflect that he no longer wears one piece suits and utilizes typical clothing. The facility has developed a Procedure for the use of one-piece suit for the purpose of health, safety or dignity of residents or peers and the nursing staff and physicians will be educated on this procedure. If R2 presents with the potential need for one piece suits, the procedure will be followed.

2. There are no other residents in this facility using a one piece suit at this time. If a resident presents with the potential need in the future, the facility procedure will be followed.

3. In-service training will be completed with nursing staff and facility staff physicians regarding One Piece Suit Procedure and in relation to the F604 tag, requirements of trial use when implementing, observations, need for physician's order, and proper Care Planning of use. Training completion will be reported to the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Committee.

4. The Quality Assurance Director and/or designee will review and monitor all residents in the facility for use on One Piece Suits for a period of 6 months. This review will include proper implementation of the procedures, proper documentation of the trial and implementation of physician order, and communication of need with the staff. Any new implementations of One Piece Suits will be reported to the Executive Staff via the Executive Staff Morning Report. Monitoring will be reported monthly to the QAPI Committee.
______
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
PA Run Home Failed to Protect Patients


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Pennsylvania run nursing home has been cited by one of its own agencies for failing to meet federal health care standards including leaving female residents subject to sexual abuse by a male resident, whose behavior could not be controlled.
In a lengthy report issued by the state Health Department, the South Mountain Restoration Center in rural Franklin County, was also faulted for failing to take steps to prevent vulnerable residents from repeated falls, falls resulting in fractures and other injuries.
The report was based on an inspection conducted earlier this year to determine the facilities compliance with minimum standards for the federally funded Medicare and Medicaid programs. The 159-bed facility is licensed as a nursing home and bills itself as a provider of "compassionate, professional quality care" for patients who have "exhausted other alternatives."
According to the state web site for the center, its patients include former residents of state centers and correctional institutions.
Based on a review of patient records and interviews with patients and employees, surveyors from the state Health Department listed multiple examples of the failure to meet minimum standards in categories ranging from infection control to food handling and maintaining proper individual patient records. The facility was cite for similar deficiencies in the past but failed to implement promised corrective action plans filed in response to those prior citations.
The state Department of Human Services did not respond to a request for comment on the report. The facility did file a corrective action plan in which it promised to make needed corrections.
One male resident, was the focus of several citations in the new report, including touching the breast of one patient and placing his hands in the underwear of another.
The facility "failed to ensure patients were free of non-consensual sexual contact," the report states.
In mid-May the male patient was found in the room of a female patient with his hand in her briefs.
He was asked to leave immediately, according to the report.
Later that same month he was cited again for touching the breast of another female.
The male patient, the report concludes "did not receive adequate interventions to prevent him from inappropriately touching female patients."
In a separate incident with another male resident, a staffer was cited for slapping the patient with a wet facecloth after he was observed with his genitals exposed. The aide had taken the male patient into a woman's room which was in use by a female patient.
The surveyors review of records showed that steps were not taken to prevent additional falls by patients who were considered at risk for falls. And even when falls occurred facility personnel failed to investigate the cause.
In addition in some cases patient records failed to include details of the fall and resulting injuries.
The 2019 report states that South Mountain failed to ensure that effective infection control plans ere in effect. Residents who had tested positive for the flu were observed wandering around without protective masks.
Staffers, according to the report, failed to follow a doctor's orders for a patient on a feeding tube and, in one case, wrongly recorded the amount of nutrient the patient had received.
Still other deficiencies included failure to investigate a patient's charge of abuse and placing an in-dwelling catheter in a patient without a physician's order.
Contact:wfrochejr999@gmail.com



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Honesdale Hospital Fails Inspection

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Multiple deficiencies, including overuse of restraints on a child, were uncovered in a recent state Health Department review of a Wayne County 114-bed hospital.
The Sept. 27 inspection report on the Wayne Memorial Hospital concluded that the facility failed to meet the minimum requirements for participation in the federally funded Medicare and Medicaid programs.
In addition to the misuse of restraints the surveyors, during a three day site visit, found that hospital failed to obtain proper informed consent in nine of 52 patient records reviewed.
On the restraint issue, state surveyors cited the case of a 13-year-old child who was suicidal and aggressive. Though hospital policy limited juvenile restraint use to two hours, the unnamed patient was kept in restraints on Sept. 22 for four hours in the emergency department.
The informed consent records reviewed during the inspection showed a variety of omissions. Nine of 52 records lacked witness signatures or the time the consent was obtained.
The inspectors found that crash carts had not undergone daily inspections 17 times over a two month period.
More than a dozen physicians at the facility frequently failed to complete patient records within 30 days of discharge.
Other deficiencies included failure to maintain an accurate inventory of controlled substances and failure to properly re-credential seven staffers.
The report cites multiple sanitation issues including dirt, dust and dried food debris in food preparation areas and dust and debris in patient rooms "considered clean and ready for patient admission."
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Geisinger Facility Failed Medicare Certification

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Multiple deficiencies were observed when Pennsylvania health surveyors conducted a Medicare/Medicaid re-certification survey of a Columbia County hospital.
The survey findings on the 76-bed Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital were detailed in a report dated Oct. 11 and made public last week. The deficiencies range from failure to properly complete pre-operative exams to failure to maintain one-to-one observation on a patient deemed to be a danger to self.
The surveyors observed hospital personnel examining patients prior to surgery without listening to the heart and lungs. In some cases they reported staffers failed to get complete medical histories
A review of supplies in the obstetrics department showed that sexual assault examination kits were outdated by a year.
"The room had no acceptable sexual assault kits available for immediate use," the report states.
In another finding the report said records showed a failure to perform a mandated review of available equipment.
The inspectors found that in at least two cases the hospital failed to inform the area organ procurement agency of patient deaths.
The surveyors also observed an employee in an operating room without proper attire.
Finally the surveyors cited the hospital for failure to follow established procedures for the use of pain medications. Patient pain assessments both before and after the administration of the pain medication were not always performed.
"The facility was not in compliance" with requirements for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the report states.
Facility officials filed a plan of correction in which they said equipment and other deficiencies would be corrected and employees would be given re-education programs and audits would be performed to ensure compliance.
Hospital officials did not respond to questions about the state report.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Vet Home Errors Caused Actual Harm

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Pennsylvania nursing home serving veterans failed to give a patient needed treatment resulting in "actual harm," including hospitalization and surgery to treat necrotic pressure ulcers, according to a state Health Department report.
Cited by state surveyors was the Southeast Veterans Center in Spring City Chester County which was the subject of an Oct. 10 inspection to determine whether the facility met the minimum requirements for participation in the federally funded Medicare and Medicaid programs. The report concluded that the veterans center did not meet those standards.
The facility failed to monitor and assess the patient's pressure sores and failed to provide necessary treatment for those sores, the report states, adding that those failures resulted in actual harm to the unnamed patient.
Administrators of the 238-bed state run nursing home did file a plan of correction in response to the report and promised to examine each current resident for evidence of pressure sores and to institute a re-education program for employees and to set up an audit program to ensure that all patients get the proper pressure sore care.
Officials of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which runs state veterans homes, did not respond to requests for comment.
The patient, according to the report, suffered from diabetes and multiple sclerosis and required the assistance of two aides to get out of bed. He also had suffered a stroke.
A review of patient records showed the patient needed to be turned and re-positioned and examined at regular intervals, but records verifying those actually occurred were missing. The records indicated he was only re-positioned twice between July 11 and July 15.
"There was no evidence wound treatment was ordered," the report also states.
As his condition worsened the patient was transferred to a hospital for treatment of a wound infection.
He then underwent surgery for a "necrotic infected stage four sacral decubitus.
"The facility failed to provide the services ordered in the plan of care and failed to identify, assess, monitor and provide treatment necessary in preventing skin breakdown," the surveyors concluded.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Eloping Patient Struck By Vehicle

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A suicidal patient at a Chester County hospital, who was supposed to be on a one-to-one watch, was able to walk out the door without detection only to be hit by a motor vehicle shortly afterwards.
According to a report by Pennsylvania Health Department surveyors the incident occurred on Aug. 27 at the Chester County Hospital. The surveyors cited the hospital for its failure to protect the patient, a minor, and for its handling of several other psychiatric patients in its emergency department.
The report does not give any details of the injuries suffered by the unnamed patient.
Employees of the 248 bed hospital told the state inspection team that the hospital simply did not have the resources "to handle these patients with behavioral issues. We are dependent on the county to place these patients."
The hospital had yet to file an approved plan of correction when the report was first made public last week. Hospital officials did not respond to a request for comment.
On their Oct. 3 visit to the Penn Health facility observed several patients being kept in hallways due to a lack of available beds.
In fact the eloping patient had just been moved from a patient room to make room for another more critical patient. And the day before that the same patient had eloped by the same door.
The staffer who moved the patient to the emergency area told surveyors,"If I had it to do over again I would not have moved her to a hallway bed."
According to a review of hospital records the patient had told staffers that she needed to go to the bathroom, but instead at 11:50 p.m. exited through an ambulance door, the same one she had used the day before.
The patient, who had been in the hospital for a total of 47 hours, had earlier expressed suicidal ideations telling hospital aides that she didn't want to live anymore. At one point she was placed in a four point restraint, the report states. Then she tried to bite off the restraints.
The surveyors observed other patients in the emergency department bedded indefinitely in hallways. Hospital workers were taking patient histories oin open areas.
They also cited the hospital for failing to protect patients' privacy. One patient was observed in open view removing her gown while undergoing an examination.
Another patient was observed in a loud verbal exchange with security guards.
A hospital employee told the surveyors, "We have to acquire privacy screens."
The staffer assigned to constantly monitor another patient was actually sitting across the hallway from the patient's room.
Citing "a systemic nature of non-compliance," the report states, "A hospital must protect and promote each patient's rights."
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

PA Hospital Lacks Staff, Patients

By Walter F. Roche Jr.


A tiny 10 bed western Pennsylvania hospital has been cited for not functioning as a hospital because of its limited staff and hours.
According to a report from the state Health Department the Edgewood Surgical Hospital in Transfer, PA is only open five days a week and locks its doors on those days at 6 p.m. Transfer is located in Mercer County some 70 miles south of Erie.
Inspectors visited the facility in August and September and found there were no inpatients on either day. The survey was conducted to determine if the facility met minimum standards for participation in the federally funded Medicare and Medicaid programs/
"It was determined the facility failed to function as a hospital, as defined by the Social Security Act in that they in that they were not primarily engaged in providing services to inpatients," the report states.
in December 2018, the facility had one inpatient that stayed for a total of 76 hours and 37 minutes.
A review of hospital record showed that the average length of stay for patients was a little over three days. A further review showed where there were no nurses on duty for extended periods.
The surveyors cited a notice displayed at the facility stating that "A doctor is not present 24 hours a day seven days a week."
A review of monthly logs showed that in December of last year the facility had but one inpatient that stayed for a total of 76 hours and 37 minutes.
When questioned about the inpatient census numbers, a staffer acknowledged that in 43 weeks of a 52 week period there were no inpatients and hospital records listed the hospital as "closed" for those 43 weeks.
In a Plan of Correction filed in response to the inspection report, Edgewood officials promised increased staffing and to remain open 24 hours per day seven days a week.
The Edgewood report marks the second time in recent months that a Pennsylvania hospital has been cited for not functioning as a hospital. A Bucks County hospital, Barix Clinic. surrendered its license as a result of the report.
Inspectors found that that the Langhorne clinic had gone 150 days without having a single patient.
The hospital did not respond to requests for comment.


A tiny Pennsylvania hospital specializing in bariatric surgery has closed its doors and surrendered its license to state health officials.
Once part of a nationwide chain, the Bucks County 23 bed facility was part of Barix Clinics. The only remaining facility is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Known as the Forest Health Medical Center, the Pennsylvania facility has been the subject of critical inspection reports by state Health Department surveyors. In one recent report surveyors noted the facility had gone 150 days without a single patient.
The latest report on the Langhorne clinic is the notation that the facility "relinquished" its certificate of licensure.
A closure inspection was completed on June 19.
Several deficiencies had been cited when the facility underwent a Medicare re-certification in 2018. The Barix company signed a settlement agreement with the federal government in 2013 after investigators found that two HIV positive patients had their surgeries canceled when the test results came in.
The Bucks County hospital has posted a notice on its web site blaming the closure on the refusal of insurance companies to provide adequate patient coverage
"Over the past 15 years, insurance reimbursement to small specialty hospitals has declined significantly. After several years of losses we chose to close rather than drastically cut costs and compromise our unwavering commitment to providing the best patient care. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause," the notice states.
Following the critical inspection report the hospital did not file a plan of correction acceptable to the state.
"The facility failed to function as a hospital," the report states, noting that the average daily census ranged from 1.2 to 3.3 patients.
The building at 289 Middletown Boulevard in Langhorne has been sold to Capital Health Primary Care.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Wilkes Barre Hospital Cited Again

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Wilkes Barre hospital which was cited for multiple deficiencies last summer has been hit again by a highly critical report by surveyors from the Pennsylvania Health Department.
In a report just made public the state surveyors concluded the PAM (Post Acute Medical) Specialty Hospital, did not meet the basic requirements for participation in the federal Medicare program. The latest report cites the hospital for the way it handled a patient's request to have a so-called full code implemented in a medical emergency'
According to the report the patient had requested to be full code at the time of admission, but was not coded on the date of death, Sept. 9 of this year. The patient died at 2:40 a.m., but a Do Not Resuscitate order was not signed by a physician until 7 p.m.of the same day.
The inspectors also cited the facility for improper handling of several other Do Not Resuscitate orders. In some cases the hospital records showed a lack of verification that a physician discussed end-of-life choices with the patients.
The same facility was cited earlier this year by state surveyors for deficient care provided to patients by nursing staff and a lack of adequate nursing staff. The 36-bed unit is located within the Wilkes Barre General Hospital.
"The nursing service must have adequate numbers of licensed registered nurses and other personnel," the earlier report states.
The latest report also faults the hospital for failing to have dietary orders approved by appropriate staff and for improper handling of organ donor forms.
The hospital did file a Plan of Correction in which it promised to have physicians fully fill out the appropriate forms for end-of-life preferences and for an auditing process to ensure compliance. The plan also calls for disciplinary action to be initiated for non-compliance.
Hospital officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com














Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Wilkes Barre Hospital Understaffed?

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A specialty hospital in Wilkes Barre "showed a systemic nature of non-compliance with nursing services," according to a report from the Pennsylvania Health Department.
The highly critical report, the result of three recent visits to the PAM (Post Acute Medical) Specialty Hospital, cited multiple deficiencies in the care provided to patients by the nursing staff.
Six patients were not re-positioned every two hours as ordered, five patients missed weight checks and no assistance was provided a patient who needed help in feeding.
The facility "failed to ensure that nursing administration provided oversight of nursing services," the report states.
The 36-bed unit is located within the Wilkes Barre General Hospital.
Still other deficiencies included failure to check glucose levels before insulin injection, failure to bathe four patients, delays in performing dietary assessments, and failure to send a patient's record to the emergency room along with the patient. The patient ended up in intensive care suffering from acute respiratory failure.
Other records, the surveyors reported, were filled out in advance and inaccurately.
"The nursing service must have adequate numbers of licensed registered nurses and other personnel," the report states
Also noted in the report was the fact that the state surveyor slipped on a wet floor which had no signage.
A plan of correction filed by the hospital includes retraining of staffers and audits to ensure compliance with standards.
The report noted that the hospital failed to implement a prior plan of correction filed earlier this year in response to another critical inspection report.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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