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Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center Nursing Home Violations and Ratings

Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is a skilled nursing facility located in Albuquerque, NM. This nursing home is operated by Genesis Healthcare, a large healthcare entity that oversees hundreds of other facilities in the United States.

With the resources of a large healthcare parent company at its disposal, this nursing home is able to cater to a wide range of needs, including short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, respite care, post-hospital services, and transitional care.

However, even with the resources of Genesis Healthcare, the rehabilitation center struggles to maintain professional standards consistently. Many nursing homes struggle to prevent all types of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of residents, and this facility is no exception. As a result, some patients have suffered physical and emotional harm.

At the Nursing Home Law Center, we can help you seek compensation for nursing home abuse or neglect. Our firm specializes in holding staff members and nursing facilities accountable for their mistreatment of patients. Contact our team today to discuss your case during a free consultation.

Experienced nursing home abuse lawyer assisting residents at Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Quick Facts: Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Address: 103 Hospital Loop NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
CMS Overall Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Health Inspections Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Staffing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Quality Measures Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Federal Fines (Last 3 Years): 2 fines totaling $19,500
Payment Denials (Last 3 Years): 0
Ownership Type: For-profit corporation
Total Bed Capacity: 134
Consumer Alert: Yes

What Services Does Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center Offer?

In terms of rehabilitation, Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center provides a wide range of services. Residents at this facility have access to a long list of care services and amenities that support their medical, social, and daily living needs.

Here are some notable service offerings at Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center:

Total parenteral nutrition
Memory support
Palliative care
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
VA-contracted
Physiatry services
Podiatry care
Psychiatric services
Wound care
Hospice care
Pain management
Discharge planning
Medication management and dietary accommodations
Individual treatment plans
Cultural, educational, religious, and social activities
On-site dialysis care

CMS Ratings: What They Mean For You

CMS ratings are a straightforward way to assess the quality of various nursing homes in the United States. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services assigns four scores to each facility for the following categories: Health inspections, staffing, quality measures, and overall. Each rating is based on a five-star scoring system, which translates to the following:

1 star – Much below average
2 stars – Below average
3 stars – Average
4 stars – Above average
5 stars – Much above average

According to these CMS ratings, Albuquerque Heights has a below-average health inspection score, an above-average staffing score, an average quality measures score, and a below-average overall score. These inconsistent ratings reflect a facility that is prone to violations and deficiencies. It also has a consumer alert because of issues with abuse and neglect.

Sample Settlements for Nursing Home Abuse

Some nursing home neglect claims are worth more than others. It typically depends on the extent of your suffering and the effectiveness of your attorney in proving liability and damages, but each case is unique. One of our lawyers can help you assess all damages to determine a fair settlement amount.

Here are some sample settlements you could obtain depending on the extent of your suffering.

Pressure ulcer injuries: $150,000 – $400,000+
Falls with fractures or head trauma: $250,000 – $500,000+
Severe neglect resulting in death: $500,000 – $1,000,000+
Sexual abuse cases: $1,000,000 in many cases, depending on severity

The value of your abuse or neglect claim depends on the extent of your legal damages and the strength of the evidence.

Legal help for families dealing with abuse and neglect in nursing homes.

Recent Violations and Citations at Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

According to inspection reports and reviews of Albuquerque Heights, there is a long history of violations that pose a danger to residents. In the most recent inspection, conducted in January 2024, 26 health citations were issued. This far exceeds the national average of 9.6 violations. Over the last three years, 26 complaints against the facility have resulted in health citations.

Let’s examine some specific deficiencies and violations that have put residents at risk of harm in this nursing home.

8.5% of long-stay patients develop pressure ulcers, compared to a national average of 5.6%.
24.6% of long-stay patients have experienced an increase in their daily living assistance needs, compared to a national average of 17.7%.
1 hour and 55 minutes of nurse aide hours per resident per day, compared to a national average of 2 hours and 19 minutes.
A failure to protect each resident of this facility from abuse and neglect.
A failure to honor the resident’s right to a safe, clean, and homelike environment.
A failure to ensure the nursing home is free of accident hazards.
A failure to provide adequate food to support each resident’s needs.
A failure to develop complete care plans for all residents within seven days of admission.
A failure to observe each nurse aide’s job performance and provide adequate training.
A failure to procure food from sources approved or considered adequate.
A failure to provide enough nursing staff to meet every resident’s care needs.
A failure to respond appropriately to abuse allegations and report these allegations to the proper authorities.
A failure to honor the resident’s right to a dignified existence.
A failure to reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
A failure to assist with daily living activities for a resident who needed it.
A failure to ensure food and drink are palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

One of the most concerning trends at Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is the number of inspections that reveal many violations.

A January 2024 report listed eighteen deficiencies. In January 2023, a report identified 23 deficiencies, some of which were classified as extremely severe violations. A 2022 standard inspection also listed 22 deficiencies. Each year, this nursing home has been found to have a long list of shortcomings that put residents at risk of harm.

How These Violations Harm Residents

When a nursing home fails to meet expected standards, it is residents who suffer the most. Insufficient staffing can cause patients to experience neglect and worsening health conditions. Improperly trained nurses are unable to meet all the needs of their patients. Cutting corners can make the facility more hazardous, leading to slips and falls that result in serious injuries.

Residents at Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center are more likely to experience abuse, neglect, or mistreatment because of these nursing home violations. Victims of this mistreatment could suffer from physical or emotional harm.

Physical Harm

Violations in nursing homes often put residents at risk physically. They could be harmed because of the inaction of registered nurses or intentional physical abuse.

Here are some examples of bodily harm that could lead to a nursing home lawsuit:

Increased risk of infections, sepsis, physical injuries, and bed sores (pressure ulcers)
Delayed responses to emergencies
Malnutrition
Medication errors
Unwitnessed fall injuries
Broken bones
Contusions
Declining health conditions
Failing personal hygiene

Albuquerque attorney fighting for elder abuse victims in nursing homes.

Emotional and Psychological Toll

Abuse and neglect can also have a psychological impact on patients that lasts beyond their physical recovery. These emotional effects could be included in non-economic damages in a lawsuit for compensation.

Here are a few emotional consequences that may manifest because of abuse or neglect:

Loss of trust in caregivers
Withdrawal from normal activities
Disinterest in eating food
Frustration with staff, other residents, or family members during a visit
Anxiety, fear, and depression
Isolation from social activities
Declining mental health

Legal Rights for Nursing Home Residents in New Mexico

State and federal governments have created protections for nursing home residents. Facility administrators and nurses must adhere to these regulations to ensure the prioritization of patient care. When these ordinances are violated, it places residents in danger. However, these laws can be used to seek compensation if the at-fault party can be held liable for legal damages.

Here are some relevant laws that grant protections to nursing home residents in New Mexico.

New Mexico statute section 30-47-4 states that anyone who abuses a resident and causes physical or psychological harm may be guilty of a fourth-degree felony.
New Mexico statute section 30-47-9 states that anyone who is paid to provide care or services to a resident is legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect, including the nursing staff.
The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 guarantees residents certain rights, such as the right to a dignified existence, the right to participate in social activities, the right to comfort, and the right to be protected from physical and mental abuse.

What to Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect

Family and friends are often the first to notice the signs of mistreatment in a long-term care facility. Some of the most common signs of abuse and neglect include unexplained injuries, withdrawal, agitation, declining health, poor hygiene, and fearfulness. If you notice these signs as a friend or relative of a resident, it is essential to take action quickly.

Here is what you should do to hold the nursing home and its staff accountable and protect your family member from further harm:

Document the abuse or neglect by taking photos, speaking to witnesses, and taking notes.
Report the issues to a state agency, such as the New Mexico ombudsman program.
Consult nursing home abuse lawyers in Albuquerque about your legal options for compensation.
Consider relocating the resident to a safer nursing home in New Mexico to protect them from further harm.

Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today

A New Mexico nursing home abuse attorney can be a valuable resource if you or a loved one has suffered from nursing home neglect or abuse. Our firm can guide you through the claims process to increase your chances of winning compensation and forcing a provider response. You may be eligible for legal damages, such as medical bills, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

The Nursing Home Law Center provides numerous legal services, including:

Contingency fee agreement – You owe nothing unless we win your case.
Free consultation – Tell us the details about your experience and ask questions about the legal process.
Gathering evidence – We know how to compile strong evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, and surveillance footage.
Experience with Genesis Healthcare – We are familiar with abuse and neglect cases at Genesis facilities like Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
98% success rate – Our team has served over 5,000 clients with a high rate of success in securing fair compensation.

Contact us today at 800-926-7565 or complete our online form to request a free initial consultation about your claim in Albuquerque, NM. We serve clients throughout the state of New Mexico and know what it takes to hold nursing homes accountable for abuse and neglect.

Other Genesis Healthcare Facilities We Monitor in New Mexico

Rio Rancho Center – Rio Rancho, NM
Bloomfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – Bloomfield, NM
The Skies Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center – Albuquerque, NM
Ladera Center – Albuquerque, NM
Casa de Oro Center – Las Cruces, NM

Maryland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

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