THUNDER BAY — The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has issued two Compliance Orders to Southbridge Health Care, the licensee of the Southbridge Pinewood long-term care home in Thunder Bay.
The orders follow recent investigations into incidents in 2018 at the East Walsh Street facility.
One order requires Southbridge to "ensure that residents are protected from abuse by anyone and are not neglected by the licensee or staff."
According to the inspection report, in the autumn of last year, one individual was hospitalized with injuries suffered from falling.
Staff filed a report on the incident, but a ministry inspector learned that it was amended multiple weeks later to correct inaccurate information:
- the fall was not of a characteristic reported and did not occur at the time reported
- the mechanism of the fall differed from what was initially reported
- a post-fall assessment of the resident had not been completed
- the resident was not transferred in the manner reported
- post-fall monitoring of the resident had not occurred
- incorrect information had been reported which was subsequently communicated to the physician
- the physician determined the resident’s care and treatment needs based on false information
- the resident’s substitute decision-maker was provided with inaccurate information regarding the circumstances of the fall
The inspector concluded that the nursing home had failed to provide the resident with the appropriate care, and had demonstrated "inaction or a pattern of inaction that jeopardized the health, safety or well-being of the resident."
She said treatment fell short "specifically regarding falls prevention and management, skin and wound care and pain management."
The compliance order, the ministry report says, "was based on the severity...as actual harm occurred to the resident."
A second order requires Southbridge to ensure there is a written plan of care for each resident that includes the plan's goals, and clear directions to staff.
It's mostly in relation to skin and wound care provided to two residents of Pinewood, including the resident connected to the first order, in 2018.
Southbridge management says 'there is no risk' to residents
The management of Cambridge-based Southbridge issued a statement to Tbnewswatch saying the Pinewood long-term care home has "robust fall prevention and skin care programs, and there is no risk to residents."
In an email, Director of Communications Patrick Moore said the company's staff endeavour to follow all Ministry protocols.
"If at times there are gaps identified, we take this opportunity to review and adjust as needed by conducting environmental risk and skin care reviews," Moore said.
He added that all staff have received education regarding prevention and treatment for falls and skin care.
"Through an ongoing auditing process, we are providing re-education with corporate policies and for home procedures."
Southbridge manages 37 long-term care homes, retirement and independent living facilities across Ontario.
The company's statement said "creating caring environments for seniors is a remarkable responsibility that Southbridge takes seriously."
