'Report Paints Scathing Picture of Nursing Home Where 17 Bodies Piled Up' diff viewer (12/13)

This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on May 07, 2020 23:54 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/nyregion/coronavirus-nj-nursing-home-andover.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next version

Version 12	Version 13
Report Paints Scathing Picture of Nursing Home Where 17 Bodies Piled Up	Report Paints Scathing Picture of Nursing Home Where 17 Bodies Piled Up
2020-06-24 12:54:34 UTC	2020-06-24 14:49:01 UTC (about 2 hours later)
One patient at a troubled nursing home in northern New Jersey was found dead in bed, 12 hours after falling on a wet floor and suffering a head injury. Rigor mortis had set in. The patient had suffered from a high fever for days, but a doctor was never told.	One patient at a troubled nursing home in northern New Jersey was found dead in bed, 12 hours after falling on a wet floor and suffering a head injury. Rigor mortis had set in. The patient had suffered from a high fever for days, but a doctor was never told.
Sick residents who were awaiting the results of coronavirus tests shared rooms with healthy residents.	Sick residents who were awaiting the results of coronavirus tests shared rooms with healthy residents.
And thermometers used to take employees’ temperatures at the start of each shift did not work.	And thermometers used to take employees’ temperatures at the start of each shift did not work.
Those were among the findings of a federal inspection last month of the nursing home, Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center II, now the site of one of the largest outbreaks of the virus in New Jersey.	Those were among the findings of a federal inspection last month of the nursing home, Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center II, now the site of one of the largest outbreaks of the virus in New Jersey.
The report, released Thursday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, offers the first detailed glimpse into how the pandemic has ravaged nursing homes across the country.	The report, released Thursday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, offers the first detailed glimpse into how the pandemic has ravaged nursing homes across the country.
The privately owned nursing home was found to have placed its residents in “immediate jeopardy” and has been fined $220,000. The median fine by the federal agency over the last three years was $13,000.	The privately owned nursing home was found to have placed its residents in “immediate jeopardy” and has been fined $220,000. The median fine by the federal agency over the last three years was $13,000.
The report was released on the same day that members of the National Guard arrived in Andover, N.J., to assist at the nursing home, a 543-bed facility that has been chronically short of staff and masks and has over the last two years received poor grades from federal and state inspectors.	The report was released on the same day that members of the National Guard arrived in Andover, N.J., to assist at the nursing home, a 543-bed facility that has been chronically short of staff and masks and has over the last two years received poor grades from federal and state inspectors.
At least 53 of its residents have died since March after testing positive for the virus.	At least 53 of its residents have died since March after testing positive for the virus.
An employee at the Andover home said they were told to expect 22 National Guard members whose duties would include cleaning and disinfecting. Over the past week, residents have complained that clothing and bedsheets had not been washed.	An employee at the Andover home said they were told to expect 22 National Guard members whose duties would include cleaning and disinfecting. Over the past week, residents have complained that clothing and bedsheets had not been washed.
“It’s not sanitary,” said Jewell Jones, whose brother, Ronald Young, 69, is a resident. “The lights were out, flies in the room. We’re just worried about him all the time.”	“It’s not sanitary,” said Jewell Jones, whose brother, Ronald Young, 69, is a resident. “The lights were out, flies in the room. We’re just worried about him all the time.”
She said staff members had been more responsive since last month, when federal and state inspectors began a review after the police found 17 bodies piled in a small morgue and employees reported that conditions were dire.	She said staff members had been more responsive since last month, when federal and state inspectors began a review after the police found 17 bodies piled in a small morgue and employees reported that conditions were dire.
The police had gone to the home after getting an anonymous tip that a corpse was stored in a shed.	The police had gone to the home after getting an anonymous tip that a corpse was stored in a shed.
The facility has been temporarily barred since last month from accepting new patients, and penalties will continue accruing daily until it addresses problems cited in the report related to infection control. The nursing home generated $42 million in 2018, mostly from Medicare and Medicaid, according to federal records.	The facility has been temporarily barred since last month from accepting new patients, and penalties will continue accruing daily until it addresses problems cited in the report related to infection control. The nursing home generated $42 million in 2018, mostly from Medicare and Medicaid, according to federal records.
It was also required to complete a plan to hire several new employees for crucial roles, including a chief nurse.	It was also required to complete a plan to hire several new employees for crucial roles, including a chief nurse.
The findings were based on a review of the facility and its records between April 6 and April 21. The operator of the facility, Chaim Scheinbaum, said in a statement released Thursday that he looked forward to working with state and federal officials to “continue to battle this deadly virus.”	The findings were based on a review of the facility and its records between April 6 and April 21. The operator of the facility, Chaim Scheinbaum, said in a statement released Thursday that he looked forward to working with state and federal officials to “continue to battle this deadly virus.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mr. Scheinbaum said, “noted areas of improvement for Andover Subacute II’’ and “determined that the facility’s remediation plan was acceptable as fatalities continue to drop.”	The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mr. Scheinbaum said, “noted areas of improvement for Andover Subacute II’’ and “determined that the facility’s remediation plan was acceptable as fatalities continue to drop.”
The township of Andover had conducted its own inspection in mid-April and found that the facility did not have a sufficient number of body bags to adequately handle patients who had died from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.	The township of Andover had conducted its own inspection in mid-April and found that the facility did not have a sufficient number of body bags to adequately handle patients who had died from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
~~Updated June ~~22,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 24, 2020
	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“The state report has opened up questions about the viability of this facility,” said Andover’s mayor, Michael Lensak. “It makes me concerned for the safety of the residents.”	“The state report has opened up questions about the viability of this facility,” said Andover’s mayor, Michael Lensak. “It makes me concerned for the safety of the residents.”
Family members and Sussex County officials had repeatedly asked Gov. Philip D. Murphy to send the National Guard in to help, as he has done at two state-run veterans’ homes.	Family members and Sussex County officials had repeatedly asked Gov. Philip D. Murphy to send the National Guard in to help, as he has done at two state-run veterans’ homes.
Mr. Murphy said on Thursday that 120 National Guard members would be deployed at private nursing homes, including Andover.	Mr. Murphy said on Thursday that 120 National Guard members would be deployed at private nursing homes, including Andover.
Four members of the military, dressed in camouflage, were seen walking near the nursing home, located in a rural area of New Jersey, 55 miles northwest of New York City, early Thursday.	Four members of the military, dressed in camouflage, were seen walking near the nursing home, located in a rural area of New Jersey, 55 miles northwest of New York City, early Thursday.
The state health commissioner, Judith M. Persichilli, said that members of the National Guard would be on site seven days a week.	The state health commissioner, Judith M. Persichilli, said that members of the National Guard would be on site seven days a week.
“I am absolutely disgusted and heartbroken for the residents, staff, and families about the conditions this C.M.S. inspection has uncovered,” Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat who represents the area, said in a statement. “The loss of life and the circumstances that so many of the residents faced are a complete tragedy.”	“I am absolutely disgusted and heartbroken for the residents, staff, and families about the conditions this C.M.S. inspection has uncovered,” Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat who represents the area, said in a statement. “The loss of life and the circumstances that so many of the residents faced are a complete tragedy.”
There have been 4,556 virus-related deaths linked to nursing homes in New Jersey.	There have been 4,556 virus-related deaths linked to nursing homes in New Jersey.