Fulton County infirmary cited
Nursing assistant fired over incidentBy MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN - The Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility this spring was cited by the state for three deficiencies, resulting in the firing of a certified nursing assistant and revision of hydration protocols.
Acting Nursing Home Administrator Jennifer Gilston gave a report Tuesday to the county Board of Supervisors' Health Services Committee about the state Department of Health's recent unannounced checkup.
Committee members made no public comments about the inspection, and panel Chairman David Howard couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.
DOH conducts inspections - usually every 12 to 18 months - at facilities such as nursing homes and reviews all facets of the operations.
Gilston said the 176-bed Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility was cited by the state for three deficiencies. She said the state indicated "no actual harm" resulted from the deficiencies, and no fines were assessed.
She said the facility already created a plan of corrective action, and DOH approved the plan in a June 16 letter.
"We are being proactive, and that's why our plan of corrective action has been extensive," Gilston said.
Specific details weren't released at Tuesday's meeting, but Gilston said one of the deficiencies resulted in what the state deemed "potential resident abuse" because the facility didn't act quickly enough to a resident's hotline report to DOH.
Gilston said the facility didn't act "in a timely manner," but the corrective plan now calls for action within five days. A certified nursing assistant has been terminated due to the deficiency, she said.
In another finding, Gilston said the state said the facility did not meet professional standards in a case that included a "lack of documentation."
A third deficiency, she said, involved a "lack of hydration" for a resident. Gilston said staff didn't provide sufficient fluid to one of seven residents whose cases were reviewed by the state. Among the corrective action, she said, was a revised hydration protocol being put in place and the initiation of at least two committees to review such situations.
Gilston said her staff acted quickly to remedy past problems cited by the DOH.
"They really did a great job," she said.
Gilston told supervisors that the infirmary has already begun preparing for the next inspection, updating policies and procedures.
Organizational charts have been updated for each department, Gilston said.
She said the facility is working closely with Dr. R. Curtis Mills, medical director, and predicted the 2009 survey will be "different."
"I think we'll be in good shape for the next survey," she said.
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guardianangel
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07-03-08 10:45 PM
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THANK YOU!Reader
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reader
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07-03-08 9:15 PM
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Cutting back on Meals on Wheels will have people going to the nursing home sooner! The volunteers for the Meals program are Saints, as is the staff at the RHCF. God bless you wonderful people, that give so much of yourselves to help the elderly.
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guardianangel
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07-03-08 7:40 PM
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One last comment. On july 1 article on cutting back "meals on wheels" program for elderly.Today this article!Whats up Fulton County?
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guardianangel
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07-03-08 7:25 PM
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Remember the facility is "PUBLIC OWNED" get involved.
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guardianangel
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07-03-08 7:22 PM
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I'm happy to see so many comments on this article.Please! dont be harsh on the nursing staff,most are very sweet, dedicated, and hardworking.
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JustMyThoughts
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07-03-08 7:13 PM
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Before you go condeming this people, I ask you all to walk a week in thier shoes! Being an Aide is NOT an easy job. Long hours, understaffed, mandations etc. And the funny part is a CNA loves thier job and would do almost anything for a resident including bringing them presonal hygene items, clothing and special treats as allowed. A resident can become dehydrated very easily and confusion makes them NOT drink when they need it.You can't FORCE them to drink, that is abuse, you can only keep trying. So before you judge them work with them for a week! Kudos to all CNA's and Nurses in Nursing Homes
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abruzzi
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07-03-08 2:36 PM
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i have cousins that work their and friends that have family their-my point my cousins say it's not a easy job but they love helping the patients-my friends say they love the care their family gets.i hope it's the same when we get their.
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enough
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07-03-08 2:13 PM
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Yes, thank you JUSTME2008!! nice to see some one appreciates why the RHCF is here! These are not easy jobs, all the staff at the RHCF do an incrediable job!!
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Opinionated1
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07-03-08 1:48 PM
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Thank You JUSTME2008. I'm sure my hard working co-workers will really appreciate your support. I know I do.
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JUSTME2008
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07-03-08 1:41 PM
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After reading this article I feel that the infirmary got a "good" review. There are many nursing facilities that are fined and have other actions taken.... for things that would make you cringe to know a loved one is living there or anyone for that matter. I feel that we are fortunate in this small area to have the doc's/nurses/staff doing such a fantastic job. Keep up the good work !
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Ernie9
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07-03-08 1:34 PM
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I am sure that if there were some harmful conditions there, they would be found. These malcontents that talk about "what goes on behind doors" are talking through their proverbial hats. Everything I have heard for years is the the infirmary is a fine facility and their are some very dedicated people working there. The violations are just technical and need to be corrected, but no no is being hurt by them.
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Ernie9
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07-03-08 1:26 PM
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Opinionated1, Bravo...when these malcontents say something out of line, blast them. specialy wen thy kant spel.
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Ernie9
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07-03-08 1:23 PM
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Mickey1, maybe there is a literacy requirement.
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wirlwind
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07-03-08 12:49 PM
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For those of you who resort to name calling rather than adding to the article's content, then name calling is all you have.
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Opinionated1
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07-03-08 12:49 PM
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mickey1... You quit? Are you kidding me? I don't know what you think was going on behind closed doors, but what did you do about it? Did you do anything to help the Residents? No, you just quit!!! Very selfish. And, yes, I work at the RHCF so don't even think about telling me that I don't know what I am talking about!!!
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wirlwind
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07-03-08 12:45 PM
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Jessica, I took care of my mom until she needed MEDICAL care. I did the very best for my mom. Windy is disrespectful. I check my mom most days, and she, like Laurie's mom is treated like a queen. Disgruntled employees and people who have been fired will not have good things to say about their former employer. I used to work for a nursing home many years ago, so I too know what goes on behind closed doors. If all this injustice were happening, causing people ill health, I'm sure more would be "out in the open".
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enough
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07-03-08 12:45 PM
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OK, The situation in the RHCF is that the citation was actually from early this year, lack of hydration was due to not documenting the glass of water the resident was given. Nursing staff in the RHCF are top notch, but NURSing is more an administrative function than it has ever been, these nurses have more documentation to do than actual care - - mostly because of all levels of ignorance from people that have an opinion without all the facts. Nurses have to document ever little thing they do with each patient to keep people from assuming their family member isnt being cared for which leaves little time for actual care. Most of the complaints come from INACTIVE family members who forget they have a loved one in a facility but have a ton of opinion about how they are cared for. PRETTY SAD WHEN YOU THINK OF IT!!
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zeus77
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07-03-08 12:44 PM
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I also have had two uncles and thee aunts and several family friends there and I don't remember any one related to these patients complaining about the care their family members receive, some of the employees go above and beyond to give their patients the best and Any time a question came up they were answered very professionally. IO am happy to see that when they found an employee that was doing wrong they got rid of that employee before that employee could do real harm to a patient.
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Laurie
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07-03-08 12:32 PM
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Our mother is there as well and they treat her like a queen. I agree, your comments may have been a bit brash - as the saying goes, "One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch." The newspaper just reported the story, however, it didn't interview people whose families have residents. That's why they offer the guestbook-our family is pleased with her care. Judge with your heart-elder care is a difficult topic and many family members live out-of-state, like ours.
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BPJessica
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07-03-08 11:36 AM
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Sorry, I will try to be more upbeat. It makes me mad when I think of the residents being abused and mistreated.
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BPJessica
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07-03-08 11:35 AM
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Potential resident abuse... lack of hydration. Mmmmmmm... maybe Mom should be with you.
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BPJessica
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07-03-08 11:34 AM
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Well windy- they fired one CNA for an "incident" and another resident wasn't hydrated- which means no water. What inference should I be drawing?
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kate68
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07-03-08 11:34 AM
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BPJessica why so negative all the time? Whenever I read your comments you never have anything nice to say.....
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mickey1
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07-03-08 11:33 AM
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DOESN'T SURPRISEME TAHT PLACE IS BAD I USED TO WORK THERE YOU DON'T KNOPW WHAT THEY DO BE HIND CLOSED DOORS I QUIT
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wirlwind
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07-03-08 11:29 AM
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There are not Jessica, my mom is there and I know she is getting good care. Please be careful calling names.
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