GINO J MERLI VETERANS CENTER

The nursing staff is the most important part of what determines the quality of care and comfort of a resident in a nursing home. Government regulations set expectations on time spent with each resident based on the services being provided. The breakdown below lists the nursing types (RN, LPN, LVN, CNA) and a comparison of the reported and expected hours per resident per day.

Medicare determines quality of care ratings for nursing facilities by surveying several "quality measures", which are broken down into long-term and short-term stay residents, as well as if the action is preventive or if there is a deficiency in the quality of care. State averages for Pennsylvania are also provided for comparison purposes. Note: Figures below are averaged over the past nine months.

Long-Term Stay Preventive Actions

Long-Term Stay Deficiencies

All Medicare and/or Medicaid certified nursing home must undergo health inspections on average once a year, but may be more frequent if the facility is peforming poorly. These inspections cover most aspects of life in a nursing home, and are broken down into deficiencies types, which including: Pharmacy Service, Administration, Resident Rights, Nutrition and Dietary, Resident Assessment, Environmental, and Mistreatment. Below are the list of deficiencies found by inspectors in the past few years along with the degree of harm and how many residents may have been affected. Note: The most recent health survey was on 05/24/2011.

Administration

Set Up or Keep a Group of People to Review and Ensure Quality. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 12/07/2009
Keep Accurate and Appropriate Medical Records. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Set Up or Keep a Group of People to Review and Ensure Quality. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/28/2010

Environmental

Make Sure That the Nursing Home Area is Free of Dangers That Cause Accidents. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Make Sure That the Nursing Home Area is Free of Dangers That Cause Accidents. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Have a Program to Keep Infection from Spreading. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Make Sure There is a Program to Prevent/Deal with Mice, Insects, or Other Pests. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011

Mistreatment

1) Hire Only People Who Have No Legal History of Abusing, Neglecting or Mistreating Residents; or 2) Report and Investigate Any Acts or Reports of Abuse, Neglect or Mistreatment of Residents. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
1) Hire Only People Who Have No Legal History of Abusing, Neglecting or Mistreating Residents; or 2) Report and Investigate Any Acts or Reports of Abuse, Neglect or Mistreatment of Residents. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011

Nutrition and Dietary

Prepare Food That is Nutritional, Appetizing, Tasty, Attractive, Well-Cooked, and at the Right Temperature. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
Store, Cook, and Give out Food in a Safe and Clean Way. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
1) Provide 3 Meals Daily at Regular Times; or 2) Serve Breakfast Within 14 Hours After Dinner; or 3) Offer a Snack at Bedtime Each Day. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Store, Cook, and Give out Food in a Safe and Clean Way. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
1) Provide 3 Meals Daily at Regular Times; or 2) Serve Breakfast Within 14 Hours After Dinner; or 3) Offer a Snack at Bedtime Each Day. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011

Pharmacy Service

1) Make Sure That Residents Who Take Drugs Are Not Given Too Many Doses or for Too Long; 2) Make Sure That the Use of Drugs is Carefully Watched; or 3) Stop or Change Drugs That Cause Unwanted Effects. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Have Drugs and Other Similar Products Available, Which Are Needed Every Day and in Emergencies, and Give Them out Properly. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
At Least Once a Month, Have a Licensed Pharmacist Check the Drugs That Each Resident Takes. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Properly Mark Drugs and Other Similar Products. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/28/2010

Quality Care

Provide Activities to Meet the Needs of Each Resident. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
Give Residents Proper Treatment to Prevent New Bed (Pressure) Sores or Heal Existing Bed Sores. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
Make Sure That Each Resident Who Enters the Nursing Home Without a Catheter is Not Given a Catheter, Unless It is Necessary. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 12/07/2009
Give Each Resident Enough Fluids to Keep Them Healthy and Prevent Dehydration. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
Give Professional Services That Meet a Professional Standard of Quality. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/28/2010
Give Each Resident Care and Services to Get or Keep the Highest Quality of Life Possible. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Give Residents Proper Treatment to Prevent New Bed (Pressure) Sores or Heal Existing Bed Sores. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Provide Activities to Meet the Needs of Each Resident. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Give Each Resident Care and Services to Get or Keep the Highest Quality of Life Possible. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Make Sure That Residents Who Cannot Care for Themselves Receive Help with Eating/Drinking, Grooming and Hygiene. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Make Sure That Each Resident Who Enters the Nursing Home Without a Catheter is Not Given a Catheter, Unless It is Necessary. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Properly Care for Residents Needing Special Services, Including: Injections, Colostomy, Ureostomy, Ileostomy, Tracheostomy Care, Tracheal Suctioning, Respiratory Care, Foot Care, and Prostheses. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Develop/Implement Required Procedures for the Administration of Immunizations. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011

Resident Assessment

Develop a Complete Care Plan That Meets All of a Resident's Needs, with Timetables and Actions That Can Be Measured. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
Make Sure That Doctors See a Resident's Plan of Care at Every Visit and Make Notes About Progress and Orders in Writing. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Develop a Complete Care Plan That Meets All of a Resident's Needs, with Timetables and Actions That Can Be Measured. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011

Resident Rights

Tell the Resident Completely About His or Her Health Status. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
Try to Resolve Each Resident's Complaints Quickly. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
Send and Promptly Deliver Unopened Mail to Residents. Inspection Date: 08/07/2009 Correction Date: 10/14/2009
Let the Resident Refuse Treatment or Refuse to Take Part in an Experiment. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Tell Each Resident Who Can Get Medicaid Benefits About 1) Which Items and Services Medicaid Covers and Which the Resident Must Pay For; or 2) How to Apply for Medicaid, Along with the Names and Addresses of State Groups That Can Help. Inspection Date: 06/18/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010
Bill Properly: Charged Resident for Items That Medicare or Medicaid Pays For. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Try to Resolve Each Resident's Complaints Quickly. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011
Provide Care in a Way That Keeps or Builds Each Resident's Dignity and Self Respect. Inspection Date: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011

The table below lists incident reports by the nursing staff or administration for Gino J Merli Veterans Center, as well as complaints by residents or their family in the previous three years.

Environmental

Provide Needed Housekeeping and Maintenance. Complaint Filed: 11/03/2009 Correction Date: 12/07/2009
Provide Needed Housekeeping and Maintenance. Complaint Filed: 05/24/2011 Correction Date: 07/23/2011

Mistreatment

Protect Each Resident from All Abuse, Physical Punishment, and Being Separated from Others. Complaint Filed: 08/11/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010

Nutrition and Dietary

Provide Food in a Way That Meets a Resident's Needs. Complaint Filed: 11/03/2009 Correction Date: 12/07/2009

Pharmacy Service

1) Make Sure That Residents Who Take Drugs Are Not Given Too Many Doses or for Too Long; 2) Make Sure That the Use of Drugs is Carefully Watched; or 3) Stop or Change Drugs That Cause Unwanted Effects. Complaint Filed: 11/03/2009 Correction Date: 12/07/2009

Quality Care

Give Each Resident Care and Services to Get or Keep the Highest Quality of Life Possible. Complaint Filed: 11/03/2009 Correction Date: 12/07/2009

Resident Assessment

Develop a Plan with the Resident and Family for the Resident's Care After Leaving the Nursing Home. Complaint Filed: 08/11/2010 Correction Date: 10/01/2010

Resident Rights

Try to Resolve Each Resident's Complaints Quickly. Complaint Filed: 11/03/2009 Correction Date: 12/07/2009
Provide Care for Each Resident in a Way That Keeps or Builds the Resident's Quality of Life. Complaint Filed: 02/22/2010 Correction Date: 04/23/2010

Nursing homes certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid are required to have fire safety inspections to meet Life Safety Code (LSC) standards. Below is a list of deficiencies that Gino J Merli Veterans Center had in recent fire safety inspections. This information can be used to see if all standards were met, the degree of harm, the number of residents affected, and the date when deficiencies were corrected. Note: The most recent fire safety survey was on 05/03/2011.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems

An Approved Automatic Sprinkler System Connected to the Fire Alarm System. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009
Automatic Sprinkler Systems That Have Been Maintained in Working Order. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009
Portable Fire Extinguishers. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009

Building Service Equipment

Heating and Ventilation Systems That Have Been Properly Installed According to the Manufacturer's Instructions. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009
Heating and Ventilation Systems That Have Been Properly Installed According to the Manufacturer's Instructions. Inspection Date: 07/01/2010 Correction Date: 08/30/2010

Corridor Walls and Doors

Corridor and Hallway Doors That Block Smoke. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009
Corridor and Hallway Doors That Block Smoke. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011

Electrical

Properly Installed Electrical Wiring and Equipment. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009
Weekly Inspections and Monthly Testing of Generators. Inspection Date: 07/01/2010 Correction Date: 08/30/2010
Properly Installed Electrical Wiring and Equipment. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011

Emergency Plans and Fire Drills

Record of Quarterly Fire Drills for Each Shift Under Varying Conditions. Inspection Date: 07/01/2010 Correction Date: 08/30/2010

Exits and Egress

Corridors or Aisles That Are Unobstructed and Are at Least 8 Feet in Width. Inspection Date: 07/01/2010 Correction Date: 08/30/2010
Exit Stairways and Towers That Are Smoke Proof. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011

Fire Alarm Systems

An Approved Installation, Maintenance and Testing Program for Fire Alarm Systems. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011
Properly Maintained Smoke Detectors. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011

Hazardous Area

Construction That Can Resist Fire for One Hour or an Approved Fire Extinguishing System. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009

Illumination and Emergency Power

Properly Located and Lighted "Exit" Signs. Inspection Date: 07/01/2010 Correction Date: 09/28/2010

Medical Gases and Anesthetizing Areas

Proper Medical Gas Storage and Administration Areas. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009

Smoke Compartmentation and Control

Walls or Barriers That Prevent Smoke from Passing Through and Would Resist Fire for at Least One Hour. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009
Walls or Barriers That Prevent Smoke from Passing Through and Would Resist Fire for at Least One Hour. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011
Smoke Barrier Doors That Can Resist Smoke for at Least 20 Minutes. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011

Smoking Regulations

Posted "No-Smoking" Signs in Areas Where Smoking is Not Permitted or Did Not Provide Ashtrays Where Smoking Was Allowed. Inspection Date: 08/25/2009 Correction Date: 10/10/2009

Vertical Openings

Proper Stairway Enclosures and Vertical Shafts. Inspection Date: 07/01/2010 Correction Date: 08/30/2010
Protected Exits That Allow the Resident to Escape the Building. Inspection Date: 07/01/2010 Correction Date: 08/30/2010
Proper Stairway Enclosures and Vertical Shafts. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011
Exit Doors That Are Held Open by Devices That Will Automatically Close on the Activation of a Fire Alarm or Smoke Detectors. Inspection Date: 05/03/2011 Correction Date: 06/17/2011