When a loved one needs nursing home care, families often find themselves scrambling to select a facility. Selecting the right nursing home for a loved one can be an arduous task, and a nursing home’s website that promotes premium care may not tell the full story. A nursing home abuse lawyer Philadelphia PA trusts at the Wieand Law Firm urges consumers to look for certain indicators that may indicate that a nursing home has a quality issue.
Indicators of Potential Quality Issues
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes data on its Care Compare website to help consumers make informed choices. CMS urges consumers to consider multiple criteria when selecting a nursing home. This data include:
- Health inspection history
- Staffing levels
- Quality of Nursing Home Care
A nursing home abuse lawyer Philadelphia PA counts on urges families to review this data and look for certain indicators that a nursing home may have a quality issue including:
Indicator #1: Facilities on the Special Focus Program
Nursing homes that are placed on the Special Focus Program have been identified by CMS to have demonstrated:
- More deficiencies than other facilities
- More serious deficiencies than other facilities
- A pattern of quality problems
CMS identifies these problems during health and safety inspections over the course of a three-year period. Nursing homes that qualify for the program based on their deficiencies are listed as “Special Focus Facility (SFF) Candidates.” A fraction of these nursing homes are then selected to the Special Focus Facilities” list and are subjected to additional quality oversight and reviews.
As of March 29, 2023, four Pennsylvania Nursing Homes were identified as participants on the Special Focus Facility List or were Special Focus Facility Candidates. These nursing homes are:
| Provider Name | Provider City | Special Focus Status |
| SQUIRREL HILL WELLNESS AND REHABILITATION CENTER | PITTSBURGH | SFF Candidate |
| SPRING CREEK REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER | HARRISBURG | SFF Candidate |
| ST JOHN NEUMANN CTR FOR REHAB & HEALTHCARE | PHILADELPHIA | SFF Candidate |
| ROSEMONT CENTER | ROSEMONT | SFF |
| BELAIR HEALTHCARE AND REHABILITATION CENTER | LOWER BURRELL | SFF Candidate |
| GARDENS AT SCRANTON, THE | SCRANTON | SFF Candidate |
| GERMANTOWN HOME | PHILADELPHIA | SFF Candidate |
| GROVE AT NORTH HUNTINGDON, THE | NORTH HUNTINGDON | SFF Candidate |
| KINGSTON REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER | KINGSTON | SFF |
| AVENTURA AT TERRACE VIEW | OLYPHANT | SFF Candidate |
| GLEN BROOK REHABILITATION AND HEALTHCARE CENTER | BERWICK | SFF |
| MILFORD HEALTHCARE AND REHABILITATION CENTER | MILFORD | SFF Candidate |
| PLEASANT VALLEY MANOR, INC | STROUDSBURG | SFF Candidate |
| TWIN LAKES REHABILITATION AND HEALTHCARE CENTER | GREENSBURG | SFF Candidate |
| KADIMA REHABILITATION & NURSING AT PALMYRA | PALMYRA | SFF Candidate |
| SAINT ANNE HOME | GREENSBURG | SFF Candidate |
| GUARDIAN HEALTHCARE AT TAYLOR | TAYLOR | SFF Candidate |
| GRANDVIEW NURSING AND REHABILITATION | DANVILLE | SFF Candidate |
| SPRING HILL REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER | PITTSBURGH | SFF Candidate |
| KADIMA REHABILITATION & NURSING AT LAKESIDE | DALLAS | SFF Candidate |
| BALDWIN HEALTH CENTER | PITTSBURGH | SFF Candidate |
| EMBASSY OF HEARTHSIDE | STATE COLLEGE | SFF Candidate |
| GREENWOOD CENTER FOR NURSING AND REHAB | TAMAQUA | SFF Candidate |
| RIDGEVIEW HEALTHCARE & REHAB CENTER | SHENANDOAH | SFF |
Before considering admission to a nursing home this list, CMS recommends taking the following steps to learn more about the nursing home:
- Visit the Care Compare website to view information about their star ratings, staffing, quality measures, and inspection results
- Visit the nursing home and ask the staff what they are doing to improve quality of care
- Call the Department of Health to find out more about the nursing home
- Call your local state ombudsman or Administration on Aging to find out more about the nursing home
If your loved on resides in a nursing home and has experienced abuse or neglect, contact the nursing home abuse lawyer Philadelphia PA depends on for these types of cases. Call 215-666-7777 to speak directly with an experienced attorney at the Wieand Law Firm.
Indicator #2: Abuse Icon
CMS Care Compare began use of an “abuse icon” in 2019. This icon alerts consumers that the nursing home has been cited for an abuse violation in the past year, or over each of the past 2 years depending on the level of harm. CMS advises consumers who see this icon to ask the nursing home administrator about what they are doing to keep residents safe from abuse, neglect, mistreatment and exploitation.
The Center for Medicare Advocacy reminds consumers that the absence of an abuse icon on Care Compare does not necessarily indicate the absence of abuse. Federal reports have documented that state health agencies have a history of missing problems and sometimes fail to site violations. If you believe that abuse has occurred, reach out to nursing home abuse lawyer Philadelphia PA trusts for information about your legal rights and options.
Pennsylvania nursing homes that are listed with an Abuse Icon on CMS Care Compare as of March 2023 include:
| Provider Name | Provider City | Abuse Icon |
| MAYBROOK HILLS REHABILITATION AND HEALTHCARE CENTE | ALTOONA | Y |
| PLATINUM RIDGE CTR FOR REHAB & HEALING | BRACKENRIDGE | Y |
| SILVER LAKE HEALTHCARE CENTER | BRISTOL | Y |
| MARPLE GARDENS REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER | BROOMALL | Y |
| BRYN MAWR EXTENDED CARE CENTER | BRYN MAWR | Y |
| NORTH STRABANE REHABILITATION AND WELLNESS CTR, LL | CANONSBURG | Y |
| SARAH A TODD MEMORIAL HOME | CARLISLE | Y |
| CARLISLE SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER | CARLISLE | Y |
| HARMAR VILLAGE CARE CENTER | CHESWICK | Y |
| MEADOWS NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER | DALLAS | Y |
| INNERS CREEK SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION CE | DALLASTOWN | Y |
| ST FRANCIS CENTER FOR REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE | DARBY | Y |
| DUNMORE HEALTH CARE CENTER | DUNMORE | Y |
| GARDENS AT STROUD, THE | EAST STROUDSBURG | Y |
| SARAH REED SENIOR LIVING | ERIE | Y |
| WILLOWBROOKE CTSKDCARECTR AT FORTWASHINGTONESTATES | FORT WASHINGTON | Y |
| TWIN LAKES REHABILITATION AND HEALTHCARE CENTER | GREENSBURG | Y |
| HANOVER HALL FOR NURSING AND REHABILITATION | HANOVER | Y |
| HERMITAGE NURSING AND REHABILITATION | HERMITAGE | Y |
| EMBASSY OF HILLSDALE PARK | HILLSDALE | Y |
| GARVEY MANOR | HOLLIDAYSBURG | Y |
| ARBUTUS PARK MANOR | JOHNSTOWN | Y |
| KINGSTON REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER | KINGSTON | Y |
| NEFFSVILLE NURSING AND REHABILITATION | LANCASTER | Y |
| FAIR ACRES GERIATRIC CENTER | LIMA | Y |
| KADIMA REHABILITATION & NURSING AT LITITZ | LITITZ | Y |
| WOODHAVEN CARE CENTER | MONROEVILLE | Y |
| HARMONY PHYSICAL REHABILITATION | MONROEVILLE | Y |
| GROVE AT NEW WILMINGTON, THE | NEW WILMINGTON | Y |
| TOWNE MANOR EAST | NORRISTOWN | Y |
| OAKWOOD HEIGHTS OF PRESBYTERIAN SENIORCARE | OIL CITY | Y |
| ST JOHN NEUMANN CTR FOR REHAB & HEALTHCARE | PHILADELPHIA | Y |
| GERMANTOWN HOME | PHILADELPHIA | Y |
| ROOSEVELT REHABILITATION AND HEALTHCARE CENTER | PHILADELPHIA | Y |
| YORK NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER | PHILADELPHIA | Y |
| MONUMENTALPOSTACUTECARE AT WOODSIDE PARK | PHILADELPHIA | Y |
| SQUIRREL HILL WELLNESS AND REHABILITATION CENTER | PITTSBURGH | Y |
| CANTERBURY PLACE | PITTSBURGH | Y |
| SHADYSIDE SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION CTR | PITTSBURGH | Y |
| MT LEBANON REHABILITATION AND WELLNESS CENTER | PITTSBURGH | Y |
| POTTSVILLE REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER | POTTSVILLE | Y |
| COMPLETE CARE AT BERKSHIRE LLC | READING | Y |
| ROSEMONT CENTER | ROSEMONT | Y |
| RIDGEVIEW HEALTHCARE & REHAB CENTER | SHENANDOAH | Y |
| SINKING SPRING SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION | SINKING SPRING | Y |
| BARNES-KASSON COUNTY HOSPITAL | SUSQUEHANNA | Y |
| GREENWOOD CENTER FOR NURSING AND REHAB | TAMAQUA | Y |
| GUARDIAN HEALTHCARE AT TAYLOR | TAYLOR | Y |
| MAJESTIC OAKS REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER | WARMINSTER | Y |
| TWIN PINES HEALTH CARE CENTER | WEST GROVE | Y |
| WEXFORD HEALTHCARE CENTER | WEXFORD | Y |
| MEADOWVIEW REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER | WHITE MARSH | Y |
| RIVER VIEW NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER | WILKES BARRE | Y |
| QUALITY LIFE SERVICES – SUGAR CREEK | WORTHINGTON | Y |
Indicator #3: Understaffing
Nursing home understaffing can be an indicator of a potential problem within a nursing home. Studies have shown correlations between some quality measures, such as preventable falls and avoidable pressure ulcers, and lower staffing patterns. Nursing homes that do not staff enough caregivers and nurses to meet resident needs may have poorer outcomes.
CMS Care Compare provides information regarding a nursing home’s staffing. This information includes staffing levels for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, including weekend staffing. A nursing home abuse lawyer Philadelphia PA depends on recommends consulting Care Compare to gain information about facility staffing prior to admitting a loved one to a nursing home. Compare the facility’s staffing to state and national averages. Also, look for any variations in staffing that could indicate a potential deficit in staffing during weekends.
Indicator #4: High Staff Turnover
Nursing homes with high staff turnover may be indicate quality issues at the nursing home. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now published turnover numbers for nursing staff and Administrators on Care Compare. Higher turnover may be a sign that there is a lack of continuity of care within the facility. Nursing homes without consistent management from leadership, such as the nursing home administrator, may suffer from instability and operation challenges. CMS publishes turnover data because turnover can be an indicator of problems within a nursing home.
Nursing Home Abuse Settlements
Our Philadelphia nursing home lawyers represent families who want to take a stand against nursing home abuse and neglect. After a family member has suffered an injury or died because of abuse or neglect, their family members don’t know where to turn for help. Our lawyers are both knowledgeable and compassionate during these difficult times.
Nursing home abuse settlements are intended to reimburse the client for the damages they sustained from nursing home abuse or neglect. Nursing home abuse settlements often are the result of catastrophic injuries, such as pressure ulcers or injuries sustained from falls.
Examples of damages from a nursing home abuse or neglect claim may include:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses
- Prescription Medications
- Rehabilitation Expenses
- Lost wages
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
The attorneys at the Wieand Law Firm will fight valiantly to obtain full reimbursement for the damages you sustained from abuse or neglect suffered at a nursing home or assisted living.
Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Philadelphia PA Trusts at the Wieand Law Firm
Call the Philadelphia nursing home lawyers at the Wieand Law Firm if your loved one suffered abuse at a Pennsylvania or New Jersey nursing home. Our team of attorneys can help you pursue reimbursement for the injuries and seek justice for the abuse and neglect your loved one suffered. Our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers have years of experience representing clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call 215-666-7777 to speak directly with an attorney about your legal rights and options.
