Aventura At Terrace View: Special Focus Facility (SFF) Designation

Aventura At Terrace View, located at 260 Terrace Drive in Peckville, Pennsylvania, is a for-profit nursing home. The facility offers  services, including subacute rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing care, dementia memory care, and hospice services

Peckville, PA is a village (or section) within Blakely Borough. So, while people refer to “Peckville” as a place, it is officially governed by Blakely Borough. Blakely, PA is the actual borough that governs Peckville and some surrounding areas. It has its own municipal government, police department, and services.

Aventura At Terrace View: Special Focus Facility (SFF) Designation

As of October 2024, Aventura At Terrace View has been designated as a Special Focus Facility (SFF) for eight months. The most recent inspection on October 4, 2024, indicated that the facility did not meet the required survey criteria. The SFF program targets nursing homes with a history of serious quality issues, subjecting them to increased oversight. Facilities that fail to demonstrate significant and sustained improvements risk termination from Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Facility Ratings and Concerns

Due to its inclusion in the SFF program, Aventura At Terrace View has not received standard ratings across various categories, including health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.

Facility Ratings Summary

According to https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes/area/pa/aventura-at-terrace-view-395414, here are some of the facility ratings.

Short-Term Rehabilitation Rating

Overall Rating: Below Average (1/3)

• Residents Able to Return Home: 33.6% (PA: 48.1%, National: 50.4%)
• Falls with Major Injury: 1.4% (PA: 0.7%, National: 1.0%)
• Infections Resulting in Hospitalization: 5.8% (PA: 6.3%, National: 7.0%)
• Emergency Room Visits: 16.5% (PA: 9.8%, National: 11.9%)
• Nurse Staffing: 3 hours 4 minutes per resident per day (PA: 3h 48m, National: 3h 46m)

Long-Term Care Rating

Overall Rating: Below Average (1/3)

• Emergency Room Visits: 2.4 per 1000 patient days (PA: 0.9, National: 1.4)
• Ability to Self-Care: 82.3% maintained independence (PA: 85.3%, National: 85.9%)
• Flu Vaccination Rate: 91.4% (PA: 93.7%, National: 94.8%)
• Nurse Staffing: 3 hours 4 minutes per resident per day (PA: 3h 48m, National: 3h 46m)
• Weekend Staffing: Rated above average for consistency between weekday and weekend care

Government Inspections & Penalties

• Recent Health Inspection Rating: Below average compliance with health and safety standards
• Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness Violations: Multiple infractions noted
• Fines: 7 fines in the last three years, totaling $363,618

Recent Lawsuit Against Aventura At Terrace View

Disclaimer: Aventura at Terrace View is often associated with Peckville but is technically located in Blakely Borough. Since Blakely governs Peckville, the legal and police actions of this case are under Blakely’s jurisdiction, even though many people refer to the nursing home as being in Peckville.

In April 2022, an 88-year-old resident named Carmella Mecca at Aventura at Terrace View nursing home in Blakely, Pennsylvania, suffered a severe hand wound due to untrimmed fingernails, which went untreated. This led to criminal charges in July 2022 against three employees: Licensed Practical Nurse Kathleen Krajkovich, Certified Nursing Assistant Alexis Rivera, and Temporary Nurse’s Aide Danitza Pula-Acosta. They were accused of endangering the welfare of a care-dependent person.

In November 2022, Lackawanna County Judge Alyce Hailstone Farrell dismissed the charges, citing insufficient evidence. Following their exoneration, Krajkovich and Rivera filed a lawsuit in December 2022 against Blakely Borough, Officer Peter Petrucci, Aventura at Terrace View LLC, and Director of Nursing Dawn Ferguson. The lawsuit alleges false arrest and malicious prosecution, claiming the defendants conspired to violate their constitutional rights.

As of October 2023, the lawsuit was proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Aventura at Terrace View has faced scrutiny for its care standards, with the Pennsylvania Department of Health citing the facility in April 2022 for failing to properly care for Mecca. Between January 2019 and December 2022, the facility received 122 health and safety citations, nearly five times the state average.

In August 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) notified Aventura at Terrace View of the termination of its Medicare and Medicaid provider agreements, effective August 17, 2024, due to ongoing non-compliance with required health and safety standards.

In summary, the case involves allegations of patient neglect at Aventura at Terrace View, leading to criminal charges against three employees. After the charges were dismissed, two of the employees initiated a lawsuit against the borough and their former employer, alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution. The nursing home has since faced significant regulatory actions due to persistent care deficiencies.

Legal Support for Nursing Home Negligence Cases

If you have concerns about the care provided at Aventura At Terrace View or any other nursing facility in Pennsylvania, it’s crucial to seek legal guidance. KBA Attorneys has experience in nursing home abuse and neglect cases, advocating for residents’ rights and holding negligent facilities accountable. Our legal team is assisting families affected by substandard care, ensuring that your loved ones receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

We have also written about other nursing homes in the SFF program.

Protecting Your Loved Ones

Choosing the right nursing home is a critical decision. Given the SFF designation of Aventura At Terrace View, families are advised to exercise caution and thoroughly research the facility’s current status and any reported improvements. Staying informed and proactive is essential in safeguarding your loved ones from potential neglect or abuse.

For more information or to discuss potential legal actions, contact KBA Attorneys for a consultation. Our nursing home team is here to provide the support and representation you need during this challenging time.