ESPANOLA VALLEY NURSING AND REHAB
LOCATED: 720 HACIENDA STREET, ESPANOLA, NM 87532
ESPANOLA VALLEY NURSING AND REHAB was cited by the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES for the following deficiencies:
PLEASE NOTE: The following highlighted quoted text is only a portion of the full report/survey submitted by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES. The full report/survey can be found here. 

FACILITY FAILED TO CONDUCT EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECKS AND CRIMINAL CONVICTION CHECKS FOR

6 OF 11 EMPLOYEES

Level of harm – Immediate Jeopardy

The facility failed to conduct employment background checks and criminal conviction checks prior to offering employment for 6 out of 11 employees. These employees were offered employment before a Consolidated Online Registry (COR) screening was completed. Upon review of these employee records on 07/28/14, the COR had still not been obtained. They also continued to employee the Van Driver (VD) for 6 months after receiving information that revealed he had 2 past criminal convictions that made him ineligible for employment.

Continuing: Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to follow their policy and procedures regarding background screening investigations by: 1. Not conducting employment background checks and criminal conviction checks prior to offering employment for 6 out of 11 employees reviewed during Abuse Prohibition Review for new employees pre-screening 2. Continuing to employee an individual who had past criminal convictions that made him ineligible for employment for 1 of 11 employees reviewed for Abuse Prohibition Reveiw. If the facility employs individuals with past criminal convictions and is not ensuring that their employees do not have a history of abuse, neglect, exploitation, mistreatment, and misappropriation of property, they put the residents at risk of being victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Personal Note from NHAA Advocates: NHAA shares with all the families of loved ones who are confined to nursing homes the pain and anguish of putting them in the care of someone else. We expect our loved ones to be treated with dignity and honor in the homes we place them. We cannot emphasize enough to family members of nursing home residents; frequent visits are essential to our loved ones’ well-being and safety. This nursing home and many others across the country are cited for abuse and neglect.

You can make a difference. If you have a loved one living in this nursing home or any other nursing home where you suspect any form of abuse or neglect, contact us immediately. We can help you file a state complaint, hire a specialized nursing home attorney or help you find a more suitable location for your loved one.

Contact us through our CONTACT FORM located on our website here or call our toll free hot line number: 1-800-645-5262

You can make a difference even if your loved one has already passed away.