1 week Ago
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Dawn Easterling says she was shocked by conditions during a recent visit to see her father at the Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.
"The entire building smells like a Porta Potty," she told 2 On Your Side following her visit on Saturday, April 5. The New York State Department of Health gives the facility on the Northwest corner of Delaware Avenue and West Utica Street a rating of 2 out of 5 Stars for quality of care, and records indicate it has been fined several times in the past six years. Prior problems The facility is owned by a company that was heavily fined late last year following a year long investigation by the New York State Attorney General's Office.
The investigation of Centers Health Care focused on four of its facilities across the state including the Buffalo Center. It found mistreatment and lack of proper care of patients due to under staffing. This included residents being forced to sit in their own urine and feces for hours.
The investigation also found that the owners of the company diverted over $83 million in government funds to their own investments. Along with $45 million in fines, Centers Health Care agreed to increase staffing and make reforms at its facilities as directed by an independent health care monitor. However, if any of that's been happening at the Buffalo Center it would come as a surprise to Easterling.
A sad scene "Patients were just wandering all around. There was a gentleman walking around in a diaper and a gown the diaper was so saturated he was walking around holding it up with his hand," she claimed. As she made her way to her 71-year-old father's room, she noticed his call light was on.
"He was laying in bed with nothing but a diaper. I asked what he needed, and he needed a breathing treatment, so I waited a couple of minutes to see if a nurse would come. I went to the desk, and I waited for a nurse, and I waited about 15 minutes but there was no one at the nurses station," she said.
When she finally spoke to someone, Easterling claims she was told by them the facility was understaffed. "I can understand that, but at the same time you're running a medical facility, and you really need to have adequate staffing and staff that wants to work and take care of the patients," she said. Buffalo Center responds 2 On Your Side contacted the Buffalo Center for comment.
In an email, Izzy Levinson, an administrator at the facility, wrote: "We take all concerns seriously and are investigating each allegation. The level of staffing at Buffalo Center exceeds required standards, including on the particular Saturday in question. No formal complaint was received for that date, and feedback can be submitted anonymously or directly through staff or administration.
" In a subsequent visit earlier this week Easterling said conditions seemed to have improved. However, she says she is exploring other options for her father's continued care. "He's getting out of there one way or another.
If I have to have him transferred or if I have to bring him home, he's leaving that facility," she said..
