Hudson Hill Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing got laboratory results on January 31st showing Resident #3 had tested positive for Influenza A. Staff didn't document reviewing the results that day or the next. The physician wasn't notified until February 2nd.
Resident #3 had severe cognitive impairment along with brain cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and a blood clotting disorder. The facility's own policy stated that flu antiviral treatment should follow CDC guidelines and "should not be delayed while awaiting test results."
Nobody started treatment until February 2nd, when Tamiflu was finally prescribed.
The Medical Director told inspectors in September that Tamiflu should be started within 48 hours of a positive result to be most effective. "There was a delay in treatment due to a lack of timely communication from nursing staff," the Medical Director said, adding they couldn't recall if they were notified of the positive results.
The delay occurred during what nursing staff described as an "Influenza outbreak" at the facility. The respiratory test had been ordered "as a precautionary measure," according to Registered Nurse Unit Manager #4.
When asked about the timeline, the unit manager admitted "there was no documentation showing the physician was notified when the positive results were received" and acknowledged "they should have followed up with the physician to obtain timely treatment orders."
Staff could have implemented infection control measures immediately without waiting for physician orders. The Medical Director confirmed that "nursing staff could have implemented droplet precautions before the physician was notified and that a physician's order is not required to begin droplet precautions when Influenza is suspected or confirmed."
They didn't.
The Director of Nursing told inspectors that "Tamiflu should be started at the onset of symptoms and no later than 48 hours after a positive Influenza result to ensure effectiveness." Nursing staff, the director said, "are responsible for promptly notifying the physician of critical results and obtaining treatment orders."
The director acknowledged that "droplet precautions could have been implemented sooner while awaiting physician notification" and called the delay "a delay in treatment and response to the positive Influenza diagnosis."
For two days, Resident #3 remained without antiviral treatment despite the facility having clear test results confirming Influenza A infection. The resident also remained without proper isolation precautions that could have prevented spread to other vulnerable residents during an active outbreak.
The 48-hour treatment window is critical for Tamiflu effectiveness, particularly for high-risk patients like Resident #3 with multiple serious medical conditions and severe cognitive impairment. Research shows antiviral medications lose significant effectiveness when started beyond this timeframe.
Federal inspectors found the facility failed to ensure necessary care was provided to maintain the resident's highest practicable physical well-being. The violation occurred despite the facility having written policies requiring prompt flu treatment according to CDC guidelines.
The inspection was conducted in response to a complaint. Inspectors reviewed three residents with respiratory infections and found treatment delays affected at least one of them.
Hudson Hill Center operates at 65 Ashburton Avenue in Yonkers. The facility's failure to follow its own influenza protocols left a vulnerable resident without timely treatment during a critical period when intervention could have been most beneficial.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Hudson Hill Center For Rehabilitation & Nursing from 2025-11-26 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.