In Florida, you can use a letter of protection (LOP) to form an agreement between you and your medical provider that ensures you get medical treatment while you anticipate getting settlement awards. This can be a beneficial option if you are currently unable to pay for your medical expenses. A personal injury lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can help ... Read More
As the repercussions of COVID-19 continue to affect people in Tampa Bay, our team at Distasio Law Firm wanted to do our part and give back to the community in a time of great need. The holidays can be hard for families who are struggling to make ends meet or even get food on the table. With multiple local businesses closed or at threat of shutting ... Read More
Congratulations to Shelby Harper, the recipient of the Distasio Law Firm Distraction-Free Driving PSA Scholarship. Shelby, 20, a junior at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, submitted a powerful Public Service Announcement (PSA) video about answering the phone while driving. Safe driving is a subject close to Shelby’s heart. In 2012, a 16-year- ... Read More
A COVID-19 survey was conducted at Apollo Health and Rehabilitation. Following the observation, the facility was cited for failing to maintain a “prevention and control program related to not properly maintaining and implementing best practices for COVID-19.” The investigator listed the following reasons for the citation: a screening device used f ... Read More
South Heritage Health & Rehabilitation Center was cited after failing “to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.” After observation, interviews with staff, review of resident records, review of hospital records, and local police department photographic evidence, two residents were found to be affected. T ... Read More
Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center of Tampa was cited after failing to “provide nursing and related services to enable residents to attain and maintain their highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.” During an observation and interview with a resident, long wait times for call lights were reported. The resident’s son was ... Read More
After a COVID-19 visit for Palm Garden of Pinellas, the nursing home facility was cited for failing to comply with infection prevention and control requirements. This facility was also discussed in a past blog post, which you can read here. Based on observation, interview, policy and procedure, standard precautions, and the Centers for Disease Cont ... Read More
Distasio Law Firm donates to Feeding Tampa Bay, supporting the local nonprofit’s efforts to ensure all families in the area have groceries and food to eat amidst COVID-19. With extended layoffs, school closures, and delayed benefits, the need for organizations to provide food for families is more significant now than at any other time in recent mem ... Read More
Excel Care Center was cited after the facility failed to ensure “appropriate infection practices were implemented” on multiple occasions. Appropriate infection practices were not taken in relation to glucometer disinfection; personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper hand washing for two residents on contact isolation; and proper eye drop admin ... Read More
Golfport Rehabilitation Center was cited after the facility failed to ensure a resident was “provided with interventions and supervision after a fall that resulted in a fracture.” The resident was known to be at “high risk” for falls. The right side of her body was particularly weak, as she had suffered a stroke. The surveyor of this citation condu ... Read More
Carrington Place of St. Pete was cited after the facility “failed to ensure nurse’s aides demonstrated competencies” and did not “provide the resources and orientation necessary to provide care and services to vulnerable residents.” The lack of training resulted in two residents soiling their pants because the staff did not assist them to the ... Read More
Valencia Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center was cited by the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration because “the facility allowed a resident who was at risk for dehydration related to diuretic use, hypertension, and diabetes and at risk for skin breakdown remain outside on a day with a temperature of 93 degrees Fahrenheit.” The lack of su ... Read More
West Bay of Tampa has been cited by the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration because “the facility failed to ensure interventions were implemented for one… [resident] after a fall with a major injury.” This resident had three recent falls by the time the state investigative team was able to visit the facility. After the resident’s fal ... Read More
Southern Pines Healthcare Center was cited after an investigator found that the facility “failed to perform hand hygiene during the task of medication administration… and failed to ensure the indwelling catheter tubing and bag were appropriately maintained.” The investigator of this citation visited the facility in order to verify the nursing home ... Read More
West Melbourne Health & Rehabilitation Center has been cited for failing “to provide a secure environment and adequate supervision” for a resident. “These failures contributed to the elopement of [the resident] and placed him at risk for serious injury/impairment/death. While [the resident] was out of the facility unsupervised, there was ... Read More
