RESTIERI: Tell your RTM representatives to “Vote No” to reappoint Laurence Simon to Board of The Nathaniel Witherell

Submitted by Tara Restieri, Greenwich

What does it take to ensure that the health and welfare of the senior residents at The Nathaniel Witherell (are cared for with the highest level of care? It takes accountability. Sixteen violations and a 1-star rating are NOT acceptable. We need to hold the Board of Directors accountable.

In 2021 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS) downgraded Nathaniel Witherell’s 5-star rating to 3-stars. Then, in March of 2022 things got even worse. The March 22nd spot (surprise) inspection by CMMS of Nathaniel Witherell revealed violations such as “mistreatment of residents, verbal abuse by staff, improper resident care, building condition violations, and improper storage of both prescription and non-prescription medications,” resulting in another downgrade to what we now have, 1-star rating. This is NOT acceptable.

For some perspective and, to add to my horror, according to Medicare.gov, the average number of health citations for nursing homes in the State of Connecticut is 6.9, Nathaniel Witherell had 16 citations!! During a recent RTM committee meeting that I attended with Nathaniel Witherell board members, I was told that the issues are “fixed.” Fixed is not good enough. This is simply NOT acceptable. They should never have happened in the first place.

Board Chairman, Laurence Simon, was quoted in a November 2021 Greenwich Time article in response to the Witherell downgrade to the 3-star rating as saying, “things that are more damaging to me are – patient neglect, improper medication, bedsores, failure to treat, and falls. Those are really a sign of bad nursing.” Well, Mr. Simon the more damaging has now happened. The CMMS citations include patient neglect, improper storage and handling of medication, failure to treat or change treatment, lack of notification to family and physician of patient status and events, falls to name a few. It is time for accountability.

So, why am I writing this letter? It is a call to action. On October 24 members of the RTM will be voting on the possible reappointment of the Board Chair Laurence Simon. I am asking for you to send a clear and decisive message to the Board of Directors that Laurence Simon and the rest of the Board be held accountable for their decision making, or lack thereof. I am asking you to reach out to your RTM members and ask them to ensure that Nathaniel Witherell puts the care of all its residents FIRST. On October 24 VOTE NO for the reappointment of Laurence Simon.

One additional point I would like to make about the Board. There is currently NO sitting member of the Board that has clinical experience. That means that there is no one with health care experience, or clinical care experience that can help shape patient care policy and protocols. This needs to change. By asking RTM members to vote NO you will allow the First Selectman’s Office and the RTM to appoint a board member with actual health care proficiency.

I will leave you with this, how would you like your own family member to be treated? I think we would all agree that we would expect and hope for something much better than one star treatment and care.

Tara Restieri
Greenwich Resident

If you are interested in the list of categories in which the sixteen CMMS violations fall, they are:

“Honor the resident’s right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.” – VIOLATION

“Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.” – VIOLATION

“Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.” – VIOLATION
“Immediately tell the resident, the resident’s doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.” – VIOLATION

“Honor the resident’s right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.” – VIOLATION

“Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident’s most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted.” – VIOLATION

“Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel, subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.” – VIOLATION

“Psychiatric change in medication not reviewed with staff” – VIOLATION

“Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.” – VIOLATION