[URO-RN]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/01/05/D8EUNVD0I.html

Hidden cameras recorded nursing-home patients being left in their own waste while staffers watched movies, and 19 workers at two facilities have been arrested, prosecutors said Thursday.
Attorney General Eliot Spitzer also filed civil charges against the owner of one facility, saying it received state Medicare money for care that wasn't provided.
Videotape from that facility, the Jennifer Matthew Nursing Home in Rochester, showed a patient and other residents who hadn't been repositioned to avoid bed sores and were often left for hours to lie in their own urine and waste, Spitzer said. Medications and treatments were not provided as prescribed, he said.
Staff had moved call bells away from patients and stopped doing their rounds so they could socialize, watch movies, sleep or leave the building, Spitzer said. Some employees were also accused of falsely filing records that claimed they provided required care. The arrests involved employees there and at Northwoods Nursing Home in Cortland.

[suzy253]

Ugh. This so ****** me off. Exactly why I want to work geriatrics as this won't happen on my shift if I have to take care of each and every patient myself. There's absolutely no excuse for this and it just sickens me every time I hear about this.

[grannynurse FNP student]

What I loved was the comment that the owner had collected more then ten million dollars from NYS Medicaid system. Wonder how some will square this with their fraud and abuse comments about people on Medicaid?

Grannynurse

[Marylou1102]

This makes me want to cry for the poor residents, and it makes me so very angry. Those of us who are caring and try to provide excellent care for our residents will be the ones to pay the price of their neglect.

[NRSKarenRN]

Reporting neglect to Office of AttorneyGeneral if no local movement best way to get changes made. Under Medicare and Medicaid laws, each facility is quired to have publically posted ombudsman number.

Having served as local ombudman, my reports on conditions added to the collection against one facility. Once kicked upstairs to PA OAG, facility shut down...2 years later another local chain owner convicted Medicare fraud and permanently banned. Sad that it takes years of neglect before action usually taken.

Even sadder to read OAG article and see that licensed professionals LPN's and RN arreasted and plead guilty. Where is the attending physician in all of this, along with facility Medical director ????

To date, eight former licensed or certified Jennifer Matthew professionals have pleaded guilty in connection with the neglect and record falsification. An additional former employee was arrested on December 6, 2005, and five more were arrested on criminal complaints today.....

Five employees have been charged with Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a class "E" felony, and misdemeanor neglect and endangerment in the Northwoods matter.

NY state OAG: Hidden Cameras Reveal Neglect At Nursing Homes


See OAG report:

Staffing Levels in New York Nursing Homes: Important Information for Making Choices
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2006/jan/final.pdf

[luvmy2angels]

It's a shame that it would have to come to this, but if it takes putting hidden cameras in nursing homes to protect the rights of the residents I say "Bring it on!!" I wonder (and doubt) if any of the people arrested will do jail time?? They certainly should!! I would welcome cameras into my facility. It would give proof to get rid of the trash and get employees that actually care for the residents and take pride in their work!!

[suzyderkins]

My hometown sadly.

Related article - specifically tying to staffing level issues.


Part of the article quotes are representative of nursing homes:

A spokesman for the New York Association for Homes and Services for the Aging, which represents nursing homes, said that no real link could be drawn between staffing and caliber of care. "It's not the number of staff but the quality of staff that matters," said Dan Curran.

"You could have a 2-on-1 ratio but if the people are not committed to serving the needs of the residents, it will not help you."

Given that logic, if you have 200 residents and one "super committed" person that would be okay????

[kiyasmom]

I have a relative that works in this facility as a nurse. She and some of my classmates rave about the place because they are one of the highest paying facilities in the area. I REFUSED to apply there! The slack care of the residents is evident as soon as you walk in the door. It's sad to say, because these are helpless, human lives, but it's true.

Sidenote: I thank God I followed my heart and didn't go after the monetary aspect of it. I could be in a really bad position right now! Praise be to God!

[bon149]

I can hardly wrap my brain around this. How does this even happen? How can so many people care so little. I hope they all do jail time...I can't believe it took a hidden camera to bring this out. Everyone had to know. Who is taking care of those people right now? I feel like I should go and help the residents of the facility, volunteer or something. It is so very sad and awful.

[GingerSue]

who is there to help these residents?