Oakpark Healthcare Center

Tujunga Nursing Home Treats Resident’s Cries for
Help by Piling on Psych Drugs
A female resident of Oakpark Healthcare Center died on 1÷27÷2013 from an infected and gangrenous foot wound. The resident was admitted to the facility with kidney disease, dementia, and diabetes. On 11/​12/​2012, she was observed with a Stage 2 left heel wound, but nursing notes since that date failed to document the condition or progression of the wound. The nursing staff also failed to monitor the wound for signs of infection, or obtain a wound consultation in a timely manner per physician’s orders on 12/​19/​2012.
During the painful progression of her pressure sore, the resident repeatedly cried out «help me» to nursing staff. Her cries for help were not linked to her wound; rather her continuous pleas were labeled «psychotic.» The resident’s physician and the facility’s staff responded by increasing her prescriptions for psychoactive medications, including Haldol, Ativan, Depakote, and antidepressants. The cocktail of chemical restraints was unable to stem the resident’s uncontrollable and excruciating pain.
The resident’s care plan did not include a determination of whether the screaming for help was related to severe pain from her gangrenous and ultimately fatal wound.
Originally, the facility was given a deficiency and no monetary fine for this horribly shocking case. After an appeal, the facility was cited and assessed a $ 75,000 fine but not until over two-​and-​a-​half years after the DPH investigation was initiated.
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This place is pathetic, dirty, full of unprofessional staff from top to bottom. Would not recommend this place to anyone

The staff at Oakpark is excellent and I have been really pleased with the care my grandmother is getting here. My grandma was recently brought to Oakpark after a major fall and hip replacement; the rehab team was really friendly and took the time with me and my family to answer all of our questions. She has been doing really well with her rehabilitation and Christian and his rehab team is supporting a speedy recovery to get back home. Also, the facility has a really homely feel to it and is comfortable compared to many of the other facilities we toured in the area. The people are what make this place great and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a place to care for their loved ones!

Oakpark Healthcare
Going to Oakpark Healthcare was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I feel that I received excellent care. The physical therapy that I received daily was amazing as shown by the results of my knee replacement surgery compared to others I’ve known recuperating from similar surgery. Everyone had a great attitude and made me feel that they cared about me and wanted me to get well. Very attentive nursing staff, efficient office and administration staff answered any questions we had.
The food was good and the exercises from OT got me on the road to good health. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the facility and constant daily upkeep. The gardens are beautiful with walking paths, tables and chairs, bird house, lovely to sit and relax especially with visitors or just to lift spirits. Felt like I was at a spa.
I understand they will be remodeling this facility which will make it even better. I would recommend this place to anyone needing a rehab hospital. Got me off to a great start after surgery.