BEAVER COUNTY, Pa — 11 Investigates has discovered a troubling pattern of violations at the nursing home, which is a hotspot for the COVID-19 crisis in the Pittsburgh area. Brighton Rehab and Wellness Center in Beaver County has 38 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and three residents who’ve died.
11 Investigates Angie Moreschi searched through Brighton’s inspection reports for the last year. She found a total of 26 reports since the beginning of 2019 alone, which is a significant number. The reports showed a pattern of serious violations, including several regarding sanitation and infection control issues.
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That is a big red flag for the coronavirus outbreak at the facility, because sanitary issues and infection control problems could contribute to the spread.
Among the troubling violations, were citations for failing to provide “a clean environment”’; and not establishing and maintaining adequate “infection control and prevention.” One report from 2019 said the facility failed to prevent the "potential spread of infections," maintain "adequate handwashing " and prevent “potential cross contamination".
The facility has such a poor record it is listed as a candidate for the federal government’s special focus facility list, which designates the worst nursing homes in the country.
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The Pennsylvania state health department, which conducts the inspections would not comment, only saying their inspection reports speak for themselves.
Brighton would not comment on its history of violations and whether lax sanitation could have played a role in the current coronavirus outbreak.
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