Firings, staff re-education as Extendicare Oshawa responds to damning ministry inspection

An Oshawa long term care home has put an action plan into place following a provincial inspection that discovered a long list of complaints and alleged infractions, from falsified physiotherapy records to an unreported case of verbal and emotional abuse.

One of the most damning critical incidents contained in the report on Extendicare Oshawa was regarding a resident who was documented as receiving 15-minute physiotherapy sessions on at least 16 occasions. The investigation, however, discovered the resident was not receiving the therapy and the documentation was “falsified.”

A joint investigation with the home’s contracted provider for physiotherapy services has since been launched and the physiotherapist involved has been terminated and permanently replaced, Extendicare said.

As well, a spokesperson for the long-term care provider said re-education of all physiotherapy staff has been completed

The investigation also discovered a housekeeping staff member did not provide a police check upon hiring; a fact only discovered after a complaint was received when the employee gave a resident a THC gummy.

The incident involving unprescribed medication was investigated “immediately,” the spokesperson said, and the employee involved was “terminated on the same day.”

“It is mandatory that police checks be provided by all staff, prior to any contact with residents. The home has since audited police check records for every staff member and have confirmed all necessary documentation is in place.”

Medication is to be administered exclusively by registered care staff based on physician assessment, and their orders, and detailed in the resident’s plan of care, Extendicare’s statement added, and re-education of all staff on the subject has already been performed.

The report, documented by ministry-contracted inspectors over three reporting periods in April and released May 17, cited five critical incident intakes related to the prevention of abuse and neglect at the long-term care home on Park Road in Oshawa. A total of 10 written notifications and two compliance orders were given to the 175-bed facility.

One notification concerned a nurse who “witnessed and documented” an incident of “verbal and emotional abuse” by a personal support worker (PSW) but reported it only to a colleague and not to Extendicare Director of Care Amy Prentice.

“The licensee failed to ensure that a person who has reasonable grounds to suspect that improper or incompetent treatment or care of a resident has occurred shall immediately report the suspicion and the information upon which it is based to the Director.”

Other complaints were about alleged “improper or incompetent” continence care for a resident that “did not promote dignity … and could cause skin breakdown” and products being used “not intended for continence care.”

There were also several complaints of improper wound care and of a lack of required follow-up and one received after a resident suffered an injury during a transfer using a mechanical lift.

Extendicare said they are working on addressing all the concerns contained in the report.

“Ministry inspectors offer important guidance and direction to long-term care homes across the province. We welcome their insights and ensure careful, thorough response to any findings as part of our commitment to the delivery of high-quality care for every resident we serve.”

The long-term care provider said they will continue to maintain a “transparent and open dialogue” with families, residents and staff and are providing regular updates to the community. “We remain focused on supporting all those who live and work at Extendicare Oshawa, to ensure residents receive the high-quality care and supports they deserve.”