It is a fight to level the playing field to be able to compete for jobs and careers on the basis of skills and make available apprentice training to all. In 1973 Al Percy launched a class action lawsuit to give workers like him a chance to better their lot in life. It would also ensure the availability of skilled workers to build the infrastructure of the future.
Case 1:21-cv-01421-NGG Case MDL No. 3011 Document 1 25-6 Filed 03/17/21 Filed 06/24/21 Page 52 Page of 154 52 of PageID 154 #: 308 Corrections officers Food service workers Janitors Retail workers Maintenance Workers Mechanics Nurses and Nurses Assistants Physicians and Physicians’ Assistants Administrative Personnel 374. The AG Report found that nursing home operators failed to comply with the State's infection control protocols. The problem is that this triage is all after the fact. Lack of reasonable preparation in readiness was sorely lacking. The OAG Report found that operators failed to properly isolate COVID-positive residents; failed to adequately screen or test employees; forced sick staff to continue working and caring for residents; failed to train employees in infection control protocols; and failed to obtain, fit, and train caregivers with PPE. 375. Staffing in the Nursing Home – Many nursing homes had staff absent with symptoms, self-quarantining, or at home due to child-care issues, since schools were closed and there were few alternative child-care options. Staffing agencies were being stretched thin and have limited ability to fill in gaps. Moreover, agency staff increase risk as these staff may be working in numerous buildings. 376. While New York has minimal staffing level requirements for nursing homes, nursing homes require sufficient staffing levels on a daily basis and over the long haul in order to be able to provide the care required by New York law, including by individualized resident care plans. 377. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), and Registered Nurses (RN) are the bulk of the caregivers who have primary, daily contact with residents. CNAs aid with activities of daily living, such as ambulation, transfers to/from bed, feeding, hygiene, toileting, bathing, dressing, bed cleaning and adjustments, turning and positioning of immobile patients, and other care and comfort. LPNs primarily focus on medication administration, monitoring vital signs, and providing certain treatments. RNs primarily focus on acute care needs, complex treatments, compliance with medical orders, communication with physicians and specialists, record-keeping, and complex health assessments AG Report page 22. 52
Case 1:21-cv-01421-NGG Case MDL No. 3011 Document 1 25-6 Filed 03/17/21 Filed 06/24/21 Page 53 Page of 154 53 of PageID 154 #: 309 378. The business model in too many for-profit nursing homes: (1) seeks admission of increased numbers of residents to increase income per occupied bed; (2) assigns low numbers of staff to cover the care needs of as many residents as feasible; and (3) transfers facility funds to related parties and investors that the home could otherwise invest in staffing to care for residents – essentially taking profit prior to ensuring care, AG Report page 23. 379. On March 25, 2020, the state's Health Department issued an advisory requiring nursing homes to accept "the expedited receipt of residents returning from hospitals" if the patients were deemed medically stable. 380. Why it issued its March 25, 2020 advisory to nursing home administrators, directors of nursing and hospital discharge planners: the explanation was that there was an "urgent need" to free up space in hospitals for seriously ill coronavirus patients. The advisory said all nursing homes "must comply with the expedited receipt of residents returning from hospitals to" nursing homes, and that hospitals must declare residents medically stable before they are sent back to the nursing homes. 381. The March 25, 2020 DOH issued order under the authority of the Governor provided that “[n]o resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the nursing home solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. Nursing homes are prohibited from requiring a hospitalized resident who is determined medically stable to be tested forCOVID-19 prior to admission or re-admission.” [footnote 43 AG Report] The guidance was rescinded on May 10, 2020 in Executive Order 202.30. From March 25 to May 8, 2020, 326 hospital patients were admitted to 310 nursing homes. The peak of these admissions was the week of April 14, 2020. [footnote 44 AG Report] The peak single day in reported resident COVID-19 deaths was April 8, with 4,000 reported deaths occurring after that date. AG Report page 36. 382. DOH’s March 25, 2020 order directing nursing homes to accept incoming residents known to have the corona virus, an order that the State Officers of the DOH and of the Governor’s Office, did not rescind until May 10, stands out as foolish and disastrous — especially because the State Officers were warned of the danger. 383. Many nursing home industry and other commentators have criticized DOH’s March 25, 2020 guidance as a directive that nursing homes had to accept COVID-19 patients who were infectious. [Footnote 45 of the AG Report]. At the same time, the DOH asserts that the March 25, 2020 guidance was consistent with the CMS guidance on March 4 that said nursing homes should accept residents they would have normally admitted, even if from a hospital with COVID-19, and that patients from hospitals can be transferred to nursing homes if the nursing homes have the ability to adhere to infection prevention and control recommendations. AG Report page 36. 53
