Westmoreland Manor: Torn Wheelchairs, Duct Tape - PA
She told federal inspectors during an April interview that her wheelchair was old and she had repeatedly asked for a new one. The facility never provided it.
The scene at Westmoreland Manor reflected a broader maintenance problem that left residents using damaged equipment while administrators struggled to track repair requests. Inspectors found similar conditions affecting Resident 134, whose wheelchair armrests had vinyl peeling off in multiple places.
Licensed Practical Nurse 1 confirmed the deplorable condition of Resident 135's wheelchair when inspectors interviewed her the following day. The torn vinyl and exposed foam were obvious, she said, along with the duct tape wrapped around the other armrest.
When asked about repairs, the nurse called maintenance during the interview. They told her to submit a work order.
Nobody had.
Maintenance Employee 2 acknowledged the peeling vinyl on Resident 134's wheelchair when inspectors pointed it out during their April 7 visit. He said maintenance typically handles wheelchair repairs when nursing or therapy staff submit work orders.
But the facility had no routine system for checking wheelchair conditions, he told inspectors. Maybe therapy does inspections, he suggested, though he wasn't sure.
The administrator knew about Resident 135's torn wheelchair, she told inspectors that afternoon. Maintenance was "currently working on them," she claimed.
When inspectors informed her that Resident 134's wheelchair also had damaged armrests, the administrator said anyone could submit work orders for needed repairs. Housekeeping cleaned wheelchairs on a routine schedule and would report problems, she added.
The records told a different story.
Resident 135's wheelchair received cleaning on March 18, but housekeeping noted no repair needs despite the obvious damage. A work order from January mentioned a "general wheelchair assessment" but included no specific repair requests.
No work orders existed for Resident 134's wheelchair repairs.
The administrator's explanation unraveled further when inspectors pressed for details. The facility's system depended on staff noticing problems and filing paperwork, yet staff either missed obvious damage during routine cleaning or failed to follow through with repair requests.
Resident 135 had been asking for wheelchair replacement while sitting daily in equipment held together with duct tape. The exposed foam padding created hygiene concerns and comfort issues for someone who relied on the wheelchair for mobility and positioning throughout each day.
The maintenance employee's uncertainty about inspection protocols revealed gaps in the facility's oversight. With 55 residents, many requiring wheelchairs for daily activities, the lack of routine equipment checks meant problems went unaddressed until they became severe.
Federal inspectors cited the facility for failing to provide a clean and homelike environment. The wheelchair conditions violated Pennsylvania regulations requiring administrators to ensure resident rights and maintain facility standards.
The contrast between policy and practice was stark. While the administrator described systems for reporting and addressing maintenance issues, residents continued using damaged equipment that compromised their dignity and comfort.
Resident 134's peeling vinyl created sharp edges and unsanitary surfaces. Resident 135's exposed foam collected debris and bodily fluids that routine cleaning couldn't adequately address.
The duct tape repair represented the facility's approach to resident care: temporary fixes that ignored underlying problems while residents suffered the consequences of deferred maintenance.
Both residents depended on their wheelchairs for mobility, positioning, and participation in daily activities. The damaged equipment limited their ability to move safely and comfortably through the facility.
Inspectors found these conditions during routine observations and interviews, suggesting the problems had persisted long enough to become normalized by staff. The administrator's awareness of at least one resident's situation, combined with the lack of action, demonstrated institutional indifference to resident dignity.
Resident 135 continues using the same damaged wheelchair, still asking for replacement equipment that meets basic standards for cleanliness and function.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Westmoreland Manor from 2026-04-09 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 13, 2026 · Our methodology
Westmoreland Manor in GREENSBURG, PA was cited for violations during a health inspection on April 9, 2026.
She told federal inspectors during an April interview that her wheelchair was old and she had repeatedly asked for a new one.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened at Westmoreland Manor?
- She told federal inspectors during an April interview that her wheelchair was old and she had repeatedly asked for a new one.
- How serious are these violations?
- Violation severity varies from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the inspection report for specific deficiency codes and scope. All violations must be corrected within required timeframes and are subject to follow-up verification inspections.
- What should families do?
- Families should: (1) Ask facility administration about specific corrective actions taken, (2) Request to see the follow-up inspection report verifying corrections, (3) Check if this represents a pattern by reviewing prior inspection reports, (4) Compare this facility's ratings with other nursing homes in GREENSBURG, PA, (5) Report any new concerns directly to state authorities.
- Where can I see the full inspection report?
- The complete inspection report is available on Medicare.gov's Care Compare website (www.medicare.gov/care-compare). You can also request a copy directly from Westmoreland Manor or from the state Department of Health. The report includes specific deficiency codes, facility responses, and correction timelines. This facility's federal provider number is 395435.
- Has this facility had violations before?
- To check Westmoreland Manor's history, visit Medicare.gov's Care Compare and review their inspection history, quality ratings, and staffing levels. Look for patterns of repeated violations, especially in critical areas like abuse prevention, medication management, infection control, and resident safety.