The rehab facility at the center of the viral outbreak that left 11 children dead will have to pay a $600,000 fine after federal inspectors found systems failures “directly contributed” to the rapid spread of the virus, according to NorthJersey.com.
The federal government is imposing the fine on the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in the wake of a scathing report by investigators on the center’s conditions and lack of leadership, the media outlet said Saturday.
Kids at the Passaic County rehab facility have lifelong disabilities and need constant care to survive. But a deadly adenovirus outbreak started sweeping through the center last September, sickening 36 children and killing 11 others.
Adenovirus includes a number of respiratory virus strains that can cause mild or serious illness.
Federal inspectors alleged the facility was ill-prepared to contain the outbreak because of an absentee medical director, poor infection controls and a “failure to provide timely interventions and care.”
4 kids were dead before doctor realized there was a crisis, scathing report says Eleven children died at the Wanaque Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Haskell.
Federal inspectors strongly criticized the facility’s medical director, Maged Ghaly, who told investigators that he was never given clear direction on his responsibilities.
Ghaly told inspectors that he first thought the state Department of Health had overreacted when the virus first struck.
“I said how is it going to spread? That was in October,” he told investigators. “I knew we had a problem after the fourth death.”
The first child died in early October. The death toll would eventually reach 11 by mid-November.
Wanaque’s attorney Andrew P. Aronson called the report “fundamentally inaccurate, riddled with factual inaccuracies … and sensational accusatory conclusions that lack any support whatsoever," in a letter to the inspectors.
Wanaque will appeal the findings, Aronson wrote.
Editor’s note: Do you have a family member on the pediatric unit at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, or a child who has been affected by the viral outbreak there? NJ.com would like to hear from you. You may reach us at (732) 902-4559, or write to Susan Livio at [email protected], Spencer Kent at [email protected], or Ted Sherman at [email protected].
Karen Yi may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.
pokemonprofessor121 on March 3rd, 2019 at 16:28 UTC »
From the article...
Federal inspectors strongly criticized the facility’s medical director, Maged Ghaly, who told investigators that he was never given clear direction on his responsibilities.
Ghaly told inspectors that he first thought the state Department of Health had overreacted when the virus first struck.
“I said how is it going to spread? That was in October,” he told investigators. “I knew we had a problem after the fourth death.”
Jeeeesus. I feel like this guy shouldn't be competent enough to earn a high school diploma, let alone a medical degree!
hopopo on March 3rd, 2019 at 14:57 UTC »
From Article:
Adenovirus vaccine does exist but FDA unfortunately made it available for US military only.
Hapelaxer on March 3rd, 2019 at 14:53 UTC »
11 kids dead, but it's not his fault because he wasn't given "clear direction on his responsibilities." Riiiight, I'm just the medical director what do I know about disease???!