I’m Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehab Center: A Closer Look at Its Performance and SFF Status

For those considering long-term care options, understanding a facility’s quality of care is crucial. Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehab Center, located at 200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Shenandoah, PA, is a medium-sized nursing home with 100 certified beds. While it participates in Medicare and Medicaid, recent evaluations have raised concerns about the quality of care provided to residents.  If you or a loved one have concerns, it is important to consider the possibility of bringing a nursing home lawsuit to hold the facility accountable and help protect your loved one and others from future falls, abuse and neglect.

Facility Overview

• Certified Beds: 100
• Average Residents Per Day: 100
• Nurse Staffing Hours per Resident per Day: 3.37 (State Average: 3.8)
• Nurse Turnover Rate: 49.5% (State Average: 47.6%)

Recent Special Focus Facility (SFF) Status

Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehab Center has been designated as a Special Focus Facility (SFF) for 18 months as of April 2024. The SFF program, overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), identifies nursing homes with a persistent pattern of serious quality issues. Facilities on this list are subject to increased oversight and more frequent inspections to drive necessary improvements.

Unfortunately, Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehab Center has not met the required survey criteria to demonstrate sufficient improvement in care quality.

Most Recent Inspection Findings (01/26/2024)

The most recent inspection of Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehab Center uncovered 18 deficiencies, highlighting multiple areas of concern, including:

• Failure to Protect Residents from Abuse or Neglect (F0600): Resulted in actual harm to a few residents.
• Infection Control Violations (F0880): Widespread issues affecting many residents.
• Delayed Responses to Resident Requests (F0550): Contributing to poor quality of life.
• Failure to Maintain a Safe and Homelike Environment (F0584).
• Issues with IV Fluid Administration, Physician Visits, Medication Management, and Dietary Services.
• Deficiencies in Accident Prevention and Hospice Arrangements.
• Lack of Proper Quality Assurance Procedures and Staff Training on Abuse Prevention (F0943).

These violations varied in severity, with some presenting minimal harm while others resulted in actual harm to residents.

Labor Law Concerns: Signed Charge Against Employer

Beyond care deficiencies, Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehab Center is also facing legal scrutiny on labor issues. A Signed Charge Against Employer has been filed against the facility, alleging violations of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). This means that an individual or organization—such as an employee or a union—has accused Ridgeview Healthcare of unfair labor practices, such as interfering with employees’ rights to organize or engaging in retaliation.

Since the case remains open, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will investigate these allegations and determine whether legal action is warranted.

If the charge is valid, the employer may face legal consequences, including reinstating employees, back pay, or workplace policy changes. The employer can fight the charge or settle, while employees may be called as witnesses, potentially impacting workplace dynamics. If dismissed, the employer faces no penalties.

The NLRB process can take weeks to months, depending on the complexity of the case. After a charge is filed, an investigation (which can take several weeks) determines if there is enough evidence for a formal complaint. If the case proceeds, it may be settled early or go to a hearing, which can take several more months. If the employer loses, they must comply with the NLRB’s ruling, but they can also appeal, further extending the process. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others take a year or more, especially if legal challenges arise.

These kinds of labor violations can lead to serious endangerment of patients due to inadequate care and supervision.  In the meantime, falls, pressure sores, bedsores and other elder abuse and neglect can occur.  It is important to consult with a qualified nursing home attorney to further understand the impact of inadequate staffing.

The Importance of Staying Informed

At KBA Attorneys, we are committed to keeping families informed about the quality of care provided in nursing homes across the country. If you suspect a serious injury, it is important that you consult a nursing home abuse lawyer who specializes in taking on  a  facility like Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehab Center, it’s essential to stay vigilant and understand your rights. Negligence, improper care, and lack of oversight can lead to serious harm, including bed sores, infections, and preventable injuries.  A qualified lawyer who specializes in bedsore and nursing home abuse such as the team at KBA can help identify serious injuries such as pressure sores and serious nursing home falls. 

As nursing home attorneys, we take on cases involving neglect, abuse, and inadequate care. If you believe your loved one has suffered due to poor nursing home conditions, we can help. Contact KBA Attorneys to learn more about your legal options.

Check the Latest SFF List

The Special Focus Facility program is continuously updated as facilities improve—or fail to make the necessary changes. To check the latest list and learn more about what the SFF designation means, visit our page.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of nursing home residents is a collective responsibility. By staying informed, advocating for better care, and taking legal action when necessary, families can help drive meaningful change in their industry.