GREENDALE FOREST NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER
LOCATED: 1304 SE SECOND STREET, SNOW HILL, NC 28580

GREENDALE FOREST NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER 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 protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY**

Based on observation, record review, family, staff and law enforcement interviews the facility failed to protect one of three sampled residents (Resident #1) from being physically abused by a staff member who applied baby oil to Resident #1’s feet with intent for Resident #1 to fall and placed a pillow on Resident #1 ‘ s face and attempted to force Resident #1 to remain in place by grabbing his arm while he called out for help.

An interview was conducted with the Responsible Party (RP #1) of Resident #1 on 12/10/17 at 2:51 pm via phone. RP #1 revealed she was out of town the weekend of 11/25/17. RP #1 stated she was informed by another family member of Resident #1 that a female person in the community who was a family member (FM #1) of NA #2 and NA #3 sent a video to RP #1 of Resident #1 being abused by NA #1 and was informed NA #2 videotaped the incident. RP #1 reported the video showed NA #1 was putting a pillow over Resident #1’s face, she had her hand around his throat, and her knee was in between the resident’s legs and she was unbuckling his pants. RP #1 reported she saw this video on 11/26/17 and called 911. RP #1 stated she spoke with Detective #1 at the local County Sherriff ‘ s Department and shared the video she had on her phone with Detective #1. RP #1 indicated she notified the Administrator with Detective #1 via phone. RP #1 stated Detective #1 went to the facility and interviewed NA #1, NA #2 and NA #3. RP #1 reported that NA #2 and FM #1 who shared the video with Resident #1’s RP, shared a cell phone and that was how the FM #1 of NA #2 and NA #3 became aware of the incident.

A review of the video was conducted. The video revealed NA #1 standing in front of Resident #1’s bed. Resident #1 was sitting upright in the bed with his feet on the floor. Resident #1 was fully dressed and shoes were on his feet. NA #1 had one knee up on the bed between Resident #1’s legs. NA #1 was observed pulling Resident #1’s right arm as he attempted to move away from NA #1. Resident #1 was observed yelling, Help, help, somebody call the police! NA #1 was observed placing a pillow over Resident #1’s face.

An interview was conducted with Nurse #1 on 12/12/17 at 6:00 am. Nurse #1 revealed on 11/26/17 at 6:45 am, she was called to go to Resident #1’s room from the on-coming nurse (Nurse #2) because she was needed. Nurse #1 stated NA #1 told her he had a skin tear. Nurse #1 stated NA #1 did not say anything about Resident #1 having a fall. Upon arrival to Resident #1’s room, Nurse #1 stated she noted the resident had a skin tear to his right elbow and an abrasion to the right side of his face and he was sitting on the recliner with both feet on the floor. The nurse did not remember if he had socks or shoes on his feet. The nurse reported she asked the resident what happened, but he was unable to give a clear statement due to his cognitive status. Nurse #1 stated by the time she finished the treatment on Resident #1, NA #1 had already left the facility. Nurse #1 stated she did not notice if the floor was wet or slippery. Nurse #1 stated she notified the DON, RP #1, and physician of the injury. Nurse #1 stated the staff padded the bed rails on his bed as an intervention.

An interview was conducted with Detective #2 on 12/11/17 at 3:49 pm. Detective #2 stated Detective #1 did the initial interview with NA #1 and NA #2 on 11/26/17. Detective #2 stated on 11/26/17 when Detective #1 interviewed NA #2, she denied she took the video of NA #1. Detective #2 stated during her interview with NA #2, she admitted she took the video of NA #1 and also stated NA #1 told her she put baby oil on Resident #1’s feet so he would not get up, and if he did, he would fall. Detective #2 stated during an interview with FM #1 she stated that FM #1 and NA #2 shared a phone and while she was at church services on 11/26/17, she saw the video of the abuse on the shared cell phone. FM #1 stated she sent the video to RP #1. FM #1 also reported to Detective #2 during this interview that NA #2 stated NA #1 said she puts baby oil on Resident #1’s feet and she messed up one night because he fell. FM #1 stated she spoke with NA #4 and NA #4 stated that NA #1 only put baby oil on the resident’s feet once. Detective #2 stated she interviewed NA #1 on 11/27/17. Detective #2 stated NA #1 stated she never hit Resident #1 or put her hands on him. She stated Resident #1 got up a lot at night and would fall. NA #1 confirmed NA #1 put baby oil on his feet but stated he did not have a fall as a result of this. NA #1 stated she put baby oil on his feet the night of 11/26/17. NA #1 admitted to putting baby oil on the residents’ feet to cause him to fall, but she had nothing to say about the video recording of her hitting the resident and putting a pillow over his face. NA #1 stated she did not think putting baby oil on the resident’s feet was considered abuse and confirmed that he did actually fall from the baby oil. NA #1 was charged with felony of patient abuse and neglect as well as misdemeanor assault on a handicapped person.

Personal Note from NHA–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 have helped many already and we can help you and your loved one as well by filing a state complaint, hiring a specialized nursing home attorney or helping you find a more suitable location for your loved one.

Contact us through our CONTACT FORM located on our website here below or on the sidebar 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.