By Cara Rosner

Four nursing homes have been fined by the state Department of Public Health (DPH) for violations that hurt or endangered residents.

The Springs at Watermark 3030 Park in Bridgeport was fined $6,960 after a resident fell onto the floor when being moved from a bed to a wheelchair by two nurse aides.

The resident suffered a broken right tibia and fibula in the fall, which happened May 4, 2018, according to DPH. An investigation found the nurse aides were using a Hoyer lift to help with the transfer, as outlined in the resident’s care plan, but the resident slid out of the lift pad. The pad was “bunched up” and had been incorrectly put above the resident’s head when it should have been placed at the base of the resident’s neck, according to the citation. Also, the wheelchair the resident was being moved into was incorrectly positioned.

Following the incident, the nurse aides were fired.

“The safety and well-being of our residents is our top priority,” said Kristin Butler, executive director and administrator. “At the time of the occurrence, we immediately self-reported the incident and performed an extensive internal investigation, which determined that the individuals did not follow our training and protocol, resulting in their termination. We retrained our entire care team and for three months following, a registered nurse was present at every Hoyer lift to ensure our protocol is followed, to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents.”

Harrington Court in Colchester was fined $6,120 after a resident received too much of a prescribed medication.

On Feb. 18, 2018, the resident, who had atrial fibrillation, had multiple wounds on the right lower leg that began excessively bleeding. Staff changing the resident’s dressing noticed an ace wrap, sock and shoe were soaked with blood and the resident was sent to an emergency room for evaluation, according to DPH.

An investigation found the resident had been given too much coumadin, a prescribed blood thinner, after a registered nurse transcribed a physician’s order incorrectly. According to the citation, the resident was supposed to get 2 milligrams of the medication daily Monday through Friday and 1.5 milligrams Saturday and Sunday, but instead was given 5 milligrams Monday through Friday.

“Harrington Court is committed to providing high-quality care to our patients and residents,” said spokeswoman Lori Mayer. “Unfortunately, we did receive a citation from the Department of Public Health in 2019 for an incident that happened in February 2018.  Since that time, we provided additional staff education and training, and submitted a plan of correction to the state. At this time, we are in compliance with state and federal regulations.”

Seacrest Retirement Center in West Haven was fined $1,530 after an employee hit a resident in the face.

On Feb. 6, an employee reported to a care coordinator that a resident had swollen right eye. According to DPH, the resident said that the employee who reported the swollen eye injury caused the injury. The employee later admitted to hitting the resident in face with an open hand; the resident was taken to a hospital and treated for a right eye orbit fracture.

The employee said the resident became combative while receiving incontinence care and started hitting the employee in the face with a closed fist, according to the citation. The employee hit the resident back, with an open hand, but originally denied doing so out of fear of getting in trouble.

Following the incident, the employee was fired and staff were educated on how to deal with residents’ aggressive and agitated behaviors, according to DPH.

“Seacrest take the care and safety of our residents very seriously,” said owner Lewis Bower. “The employee involved was removed from the facility immediately once the incident was reported, and then was terminated.”

West River Rehab Center in Milford was fined $1,160 after a resident removed a WanderGuard bracelet and left the facility. The resident indicated to staff the desire to see a family member, but left the facility without being signed out by family. The resident was found, returned to the facility and placed on one-to-one supervision, the citation said.

Officials at West River did not return a call seeking comment.

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