CT Officials Cite Rocky Hill Nursing Home For Health Violations

ROCKY HILL, CT — The Apple Rehab nursing home in Rocky Hill failed to respond adequately to drinking and bathing water samples testing positive for Legionella, according to emergency orders issued by the state Department of Public Health.

The actions by DPH include a suspension of new admissions and remedial actions to protect the health and safety of residents. Apple Rehab is a 120-bed chronic and convalescent nursing home that currently has 64 residents.

Legionella bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems like shower heads and tubs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The actions come after Apple Rehab of Rocky Hill failed DPH inspections which included, but were not limited to, failing to maintain a water management plan to mitigate the risk of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens; and failure to establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of waterborne pathogen diseases and infections.

The DPH emergency order includes: prohibition of admission of new residents; requirement to use bottled water; retrospective surveillance review to identify residents with pneumonia of unknown etiology; testing of all residents for Legionella; environmental assessments and sampling activities; establishment of a water sampling plan; remediation/decontamination of possible environmental sources when identified; contracting with an independent contractor with expertise in waterborne pathogens to conduct a water management review, remediation and to repair/replace/correct identified deficiencies; provision of a comprehensive plan of correction to DPH by Apr. 16.

In 2017 and 2018, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid directed that skilled nursing facilities must develop and adhere to policies and procedures that inhibit microbial growth in building water systems that reduce the risk of growth and spread of Legionella and other such pathogens in water.

'DPH will continue to closely monitor this deeply concerning situation and take further action, if necessary, to protect the health and safety of residents,” Acting DPH Commissioner Diedre Gifford said.