The Ivy at Gastonia

Charlie Carter

I was at The Ivy recently for over a week for rehab, and my wife and I were very pleased with the services we received. The rooms were cleaned daily, the food was good and the staff was outstanding. I could not have asked for a better week's stay. I would definitely stay there again if necessary.

Stephanie B. RN BSN

My mother, Trudy C., unfortunately was discharged to the Ivy of Gastonia on 10/25/21 following a 17-day hospital admission for COVID. The Ivy required an additional 2 week quarantine before visitation by family. Once the quarantine lifted, family was able to visit on 11/6/21. She was visited once daily by a family member “by appointment only” per the Ivy regulations. From the first visit I was alarmed at the condition and steady decline in mothers’ health while under their care. I voiced my concerns with several staff members on multiple occasions. The actions attempted by the staff to address my complaints proved minimal and incompetent. On 11/10/21, I went to visit mother at my “appointed time”, but was immediately directed to the then Administrators office, where I was also met by her assistant and social worker. The Administrator proceeded to say that as of today, mothers’ insurance benefits had “ended” and that she would be discharged home tomorrow, knowing she lived alone. She then gave the option for mothers’ status to change to a “permanent resident” of the Ivy and they would at that time start receiving her social security checks. This was clearly their objective, as there was no notification to the family (who visited daily) that there would be any cancellation of insurance. When I saw mother, I was shocked at her condition. I had 911 called and she was sent back to Caromont’s Emergency Department where she immediately met their “sepsis/trauma alert” criteria. These are the diagnoses’ she received at Caromont ED upon admission: sepsis, clostridium difficile (c-diff), new onset colitis from untreated c-diff, unintended weight loss, acute organ disfunction, metabolic encephalopathy, acute renal failure, new onset A-fib (from dehydration), stage 2 decubitus ulcer to the sacrum, pneumonia, and septic shock. These diagnoses are life threatening. After another 3-week admission to the hospital in critical care, mother WAS discharged to home. With Hospice. She was sent to the Ivy for “rehab and strengthening conditioning” only, and fter 16 days under their “care” she did come home, to die. COVID didn’t kill her. The Ivy of Gastonia did, as she had none of these diagnoses prior to arriving to their facility. I then contacted the North Carolina Division of Health Services for Aging Adults, who oversees skilled nursing facilities. Who opened an investigation of the Ivy of Gastonia. The investigation was on site and lasted from 6/7/22-6/23/22 where the Ivy was given 15 citations. During the States investigation of current Ivy residents, 5 were sent to the hospital classified as “Immediate Jeopardy,” due to “Substandard Quality of Care.” These patients were identified as, “those recipients who have suffered, or are likely to suffer, a serious adverse outcome as a result of the noncompliance.” Like mother, their diagnoses proved “life threatening” and for one resident required “immediate surgical intervention with colostomy placement.” All from the results of the neglect inflicted while a resident at the Ivy. During the States investigation the then Administrator, Director of Nursing and the Nurse Practitioner either quit or were fired from their positions. The DON eventually became “unreachable” after multiple attempts made by the State. The results from this investigation (and others against the Ivy of Gastonia) can be found online at: https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/facilities/search.asp. The neglect inflicted upon my mother is what led to her demise. Hopefully, the new change in administration and education of the staff will improve this facility and the quality of life for their current and future residents. Stephanie B. RN BSN (daughter/patient advocate)

Barbara Goins

Very friendly staff always around when you someone takes very good care of thier patients highly recommend this place

Sandra

We are putting mom for respite care at The Ivy at Gastonia for one week for a trial run. I liked the administrator there. She gave me the tour, and she was very nice, informative, and friendly. They only have 50 beds in there. Mom will be sharing a room with someone else. It is big enough for her to have her own space. She will have a TV of her own, which is good. They need to do some remodeling, but overall the place was clean. They allow service dogs to live with the residents in the facility. I saw the dining area and the sitting areas out front and back.

BChristenbury

My mother was sent to The Ivy from Caromont Hospital. It was so hard for our family to leave our loved one in the care of someone else and not bring her home. We cried, prayed and took each day one day at a time. This place welcomed my mother and has taken care of all her needs. The staff always goes out of there way to give her hugs and make sure she has what she needs. She has been very happy and loves so many of the Nurses, CNA’s and Staff ……(Administration, Dietitian, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Activities Director, etc. ) They all need Recognition. If we have concerns about her care, the Administrator will listen and make sure we get the answers we need. My sister and I only have goods things to say about the staff that works with our mom. They have been great! She loves the activities and looks forward to them daily. I do recommend this facility. They are continuing to make improvements so all patients can have a Happy, Caring, Safe and Loving Environment to live in.

Concerned Family Member 2022

Absolutely one of the worst places I have ever seen. Wrong medication was given Patient fell out of the bed Stayed in soiled mess all night Doesn't get warm food and very little food given. Doesn't get proper care AT ALL!!!!! I witnessed a nurse arguing with a patient with obvious dementia. I can't believe this is a licensed facility. This was the only facility with an open bed, we transferred out of there as soon as we could.