Long list of infractions, from abuse to falsifying records, cited in inspection of LTC home in Oshawa

A Health Ministry inspection report of an Oshawa Long Term Care Home discovered a long list of complaints and alleged infractions, from falsified physiotherapy records to an unreported case of verbal and emotional abuse.

The report, documented by ministry-contracted inspectors over three reporting periods in April and released May 17, cited five critical incident intakes related to the prevention of abuse and neglect at Extendicare Oshawa, a long term care home on Park Road in Oshawa. A total of 10 written notifications and two compliance orders were given to the 175-bed facility.

One of the complaints was about a resident who was documented as receiving 15-minute physiotherapy sessions on at least 16 occasions. The investigation, however, discovered the resident was not receiving the therapy and the documentation was “falsified.”

Another notification concerned a nurse who “witnessed and documented” an incident of “verbal and emotional abuse” by a personal support worker (PSW) but reported it only to a colleague and not to Extendicare Director of Care Amy Prentice.

“The licensee failed to ensure that a person who has reasonable grounds to suspect that improper or incompetent treatment or care of a resident has occurred shall immediately report the suspicion and the information upon which it is based to the Director.”

In another complaint, Prentice was ordered to provide ‘re-education’ to two staff members on reporting requirements for alleged “improper or incompetent” continence care for a resident that “did not promote dignity … and could cause skin breakdown.”

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The investigation also found products being used “not intended for continence care.”

The investigation also discovered a housekeeping staff member did not provide a police check upon hiring; a fact only discovered after a complaint was received when the employee gave a resident a THC gummy.

There were several complaints of improper wound care and of a lack of required follow-up and a another complaint received after a resident suffered an injury during a transfer using a mechanical lift. A nurse and a PSW confirmed to the inspector the lift was too low.

“There were no treatment orders entered into the resident’s Treatment Administrative Record until 15 days after the injury,” the report declared, with the inspector also stating an incorrect dressing was applied by the nurse on duty.

Other complaints in the report were about hand hygiene protocols not being followed when handing out meals and snacks during a flu outbreak (the inspector also found ten locations inside the facility with expired hygiene products); and of a verbal complaint about resident care and a dining experience that was not addressed for five weeks.

Extendicare Oshawa has the right to request a review of the notifications and of the compliance orders and of any administrative penalties. The licensee can also request that the orders be stayed pending the review.

A call to Extendicare’s Director of Care has not yet been returned.