State Health Department Files Additional Charges Against Beechwood Restorative Care Center

State Alleges Continuing Deficiencies at Rochester Nursing Home

Albany, July 1 – The New York State Department of Health today filed supplemental charges against the Beechwood Restorative Care Center, based on new findings of seriously deficient care at the Rochester facility.

The new charges amend the original 17–page statement of charges issued on June 6.

The additional charges were presented today at a hearing to determine whether Beechwood's operators, Olive and Brook Chambery, should lose their license to operate the nursing home.

The new charges, based on the Health Department's continuing onsite monitoring of the facility, include allegations that:

  1. The nursing home failed to provide appropriate treatment for a resident who suffered from pressure sores, resulting in a reoccurrence of his wounds;
  2. Two other residents, including a 97 year old resident suffering from dementia, were left unattended in Century tubs at Beechwood, putting them in danger of drowning;
  3. The nursing home failed to take appropriate interventions on behalf of a resident who was known to be at risk for falls. As a result, the resident fell and was transported by ambulance to the hospital on June 5;
  4. The facility breached infection control protocols (including the failure of some staff to follow standard hand washing practices);
  5. The facility failed to promptly administer prescribed medication to a resident who suffered from a urinary tract infection; delays ranged from 28 to 45 hours; and
  6. The nursing home failed to assess or alter the care plan for a resident who complained of severe and persistent pain.

The revocation hearing began last week and continues today at the Alliance Building in Rochester. Because the Chamberys have refused to comply with federal and state regulations to correct deficiencies, the Federal Health Care Financing Administration has required the State to begin moving Medicaid and Medicare residents from Beechwood Restorative Care Center as of July 17.

7–1–99–68 OPA