North Port Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a for-profit 120-bed nursing home located at 6940 Outreach Way, North Port, Florida 34287. This nursing home received complaints during 2019 that were investigated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Also, On October 31, 2019, an inspection was completed which revealed multiple areas of non-compliance.
Investigators found violations of law
In Florida, a nursing home must renew its license every two years. As part of the license renewal process, the State of Florida conducts an inspection. During this inspection, investigators speak with staff, residents and family members, review records and make observations about the nursing home.
During the inspection, Florida officials found what they believed to be sufficient evidence to cite North Port Rehabilitation and Nursing Center with multiple Class III deficiencies and one Class IV deficiency.
Deficiencies found in relation to infection control, resident grievances and complaints, bed rails and employee background screening
State investigators cited the nursing home failing to comply with different requirements under Florida law that included:
For a health care facility project to support safe designs, finishes, surfaces, and HVAC/plumbing systems, an infection control risk assessment shall be a part of integrated facility planning, design, construction, and commissioning activities. An ICRA shall be conducted during the early planning phase of a project, before construction begins, and continue through project construction and commissioning. At minimum, an ICRA shall be conducted by a team with expertise in infection prevention and control, direct patient care (clinical use of relevant areas), facility design, construction, and HVAC and plumbing systems when these systems are involved. The scope and nature of the project shall dictate others to be involved. Florida Building Code (2014) 5th edition Section 450.2.2. Guidelines for Design and Construction of Healthcare Facilities 2010 Edition 1.2-3 FAC 59A-4.133
and
435.12(2) Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse.- (b) Until such time as the fingerprints are enrolled in the national retained print arrest notification program at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an employee with a break in service of more than 90 days from a position that requires screening by a specified agency must submit to a national screening if the person returns to a position that requires screening by a specified agency. (c) An employer of persons subject to screening by a specified agency must register with the clearinghouse and maintain the employment status of all employees within the clearinghouse. Initial employment status and any changes in status must be reported within 10 business days. (d) An employer must register with and initiate all criminal history checks through the clearinghouse before referring an employee or potential employee for electronic fingerprint submission to the Department of Law Enforcement. The registration must include the employee’s full first name, middle initial, and last name; social security number; date of birth; mailing address; sex; and race. Individuals, persons, applicants, and controlling interests that cannot legally obtain a social security number must provide an individual taxpayer identification number.
and
(1) Every nursing home must have a grievance procedure available to its residents and their families. The grievance procedure must include: (a) An explanation of how to pursue redress of a grievance. (b) The names, job titles, and telephone numbers of the employees responsible for implementing the facility’s grievance procedure. The list must include the address and the toll-free telephone numbers of the ombudsman and the agency. (c) A simple description of the process through which a resident may, at any time, contact the toll-free telephone hotline of the ombudsman or the agency to report the unresolved grievance. (d) A procedure for providing assistance to residents who cannot prepare a written grievance without help. (2) Each nursing home facility shall maintain records of all grievances and a report, subject to agency inspection, of the total number of grievances handled, a categorization of the cases underlying the grievances, and the final disposition of the grievances. (3) Each facility must respond to the grievance within a reasonable time after its submission. (4) The agency may investigate any grievance at any time.
The complete survey results may be reviewed here: https://tinyurl.com/uek9dpv
Do you wish to discuss the poor care and treatment of a loved one in a local nursing home? Call me at (941) 485-7600.
I fight to hold bad nursing home corporations and their executives accountable for the neglect, abuse and exploitation of the elderly. If you wish to discuss a potential case, you may call me for a free, confidential consultation at (941) 485-7600. James Edwin Keim, Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer.