Daniel E. Holloway
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Sandy Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center complaint alleges a therapy skin tear and incomplete skin checks

The complaint alleges that Sandy Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center admitted a resident with dementia and a risk of skin breakdown from anticoagulant therapy. A care plan ordered weekly skin checks, but two skin-assessment notes were blank and one weekly assessment was not completed. During a therapy session, Barbara C. Ferreira did not move the resident’s oxygen tank before repositioning her legs. The tank tore open her left shin. A June 23, 2021 skin assessment noted a new skin tear to the lower left leg and excoriation to the buttocks.

System
Sandy Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center
Facility
Sandy Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center
Providers involved
SSC Atlanta Operating Company, LLC d/b/a Sandy Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center / Barbara C. Ferreira
Pattern
Alleged failure to move an oxygen tank before a therapy repositioning and to complete scheduled skin checks for a resident
Harm
Alleged leg skin tear and buttocks redness and excoriation in a nursing-home resident

Overview

This page concerns a public complaint alleging that a nursing home did not move a resident’s oxygen tank before therapy repositioning. It alleges some skin assessments were blank or incomplete.

Chronology

The complaint alleges as follows:

  1. The resident was admitted to Sandy Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center on May 11, 2021, after a hospital discharge that noted existing bruising.
  2. Facility nursing staff found her cognitively impaired by dementia, incontinent, and at risk for skin breakdown. A care plan created that day ordered weekly skin checks.
  3. A May 13, 2021 nursing note documented her skin as intact, with no bruising or excoriation.
  4. On May 14, 2021, Barbara C. Ferreira did not move the resident’s oxygen tank before repositioning her legs, and it tore open her left shin.
  5. Skin-assessment notes dated May 18 and May 21, 2021 were blank.
  6. A May 27, 2021 assessment documented redness and excoriation to the buttocks, and the June 3 weekly assessment was not completed.
  7. A June 23, 2021 assessment documented a new skin tear to the lower left leg and excoriation to the buttocks.

Alleged failures

The complaint alleges the following failures:

  • The facility did not keep the resident’s pathway clear of her oxygen tank before repositioning her during therapy.
  • The facility did not consistently complete the weekly skin assessments called for in the resident’s care plan.
  • The facility did not hire, train, and supervise adequate staff to monitor and care for residents like her.
  • The facility did not maintain systems for nurses and aides to communicate changes in a resident’s condition.
  • The complaint pleads ordinary negligence and vicarious liability. Its prayer seeks damages for claims that amount to medical malpractice, and punitive damages.

Entities and tags

SSC Atlanta Operating Company, LLCSandy Springs Health and Rehabilitation CenterBarbara C. FerreiraSkin tearSkin breakdownAnticoagulant therapyFulton CountyNursing-home neglectFailure to monitorFallsPressure ulcersLong-term careNursing home careOccupational therapy