State revokes Quadrangle nursing-home license in Delaware County

The state has revoked a Delaware County nursing-care facility's license following the arrest this month of three workers on allegations that they abused a patient.

A Department of Public Welfare report, released Friday, found "gross incompetence, negligence, and misconduct on the part of officials" at Quadrangle Sunrise Senior Living Center in Haverford as well as its parent company, Sunrise Senior Living of McLean, Va.

In a statement Friday evening, company administrators said they had filed an appeal, and expressed hope that they "can quickly resolve this unfortunate matter."

The investigation into abuses at the center will continue, said Michael Race, a DPW spokesman. "It remains to be seen if this instance was an aberration," he added.

Calls to Quadrangle, a 143-bed facility at 3300 Darby Rd., were not returned.

The three "care managers" were charged with taunting and physically abusing Lois McCallister, a 78-year-old dementia patient, for 12 minutes and blocking her door when she tried to escape.

McCallister's family contacted Quadrangle administrators in March after she complained of being punched and slapped, but said they were told the allegations were products of McCallister's dementia. The relatives then installed a camera disguised as a clock in her room and turned over the resulting video to Haverford police.

Tyrina Griffin, 21, and Ayesha Muhammad, 19, both of Philadelphia, and Samirah Traynham, 22, of Yeadon, were charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal conspiracy, harassment, neglect of a care-dependent person, and related crimes. They have posted bail and await court hearings.

McCallister's family is "gratified that the Department of Public Welfare, which protects our most vulnerable citizens, has revoked the license of the Quadrangle," said Robert J. Mongeluzzi, the family's attorney.

Quadrangle may continue to operate while it appeals. Race said its day-to-day operations would be closely scrutinized until the appeal is resolved.

The violations detailed in the report included: failure to report abuse allegations and police investigations to the state; failure to conduct timely criminal background checks for private-duty aides; no effort to return found valuables, including 10 pairs of prescription glasses, in the secure dementia unit; and lack of required fire safety training for staff.

The report also indicated record-keeping problems. Prescribed medications were not given to a patient when needed, and physician orders could not be found for two other residents' medications.

"This type of conduct, or a management culture that allows it, is simply appalling," Race said in a statement.

Sunrise has 18 facilities in Pennsylvania, including one in Bucks County, three each in Chester and Delaware Counties, and five in Montgomery County. It has facilities in 35 other states, Canada, and Britain.

A provisional license was issued to Quadrangle in May 2009 after a patient in the dementia-care unit ingested paint and another patient swallowed antibacterial cleanser.

On Dec. 8, 2010, Quadrangle was given a full license to operate for one year.