Suffolk County Nursing Home Violations and Inspections (2025): What Long Island Families Should Know
- Brett Leitner
- Oct 26
- 5 min read
Introduction
Across Suffolk County, families depend on nursing homes to care for loved ones safely and respectfully. Yet recent data show that some facilities continue to fall short of state safety standards. In 2024, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) fined 15 Long Island facilities for endangering residents or providing substandard care.
From Brentwood to East Islip, inspections revealed serious gaps in supervision, infection control, and staffing. This blog explores the 2025 Suffolk County inspection results, key violations, and how families can verify nursing home performance before a crisis occurs.
The State of Suffolk County Nursing Homes
According to NYSDOH’s Health Profiles database, Suffolk County has more than 40 active licensed nursing homes. These facilities undergo regular federal and state inspections that evaluate resident care, safety, hygiene, and rights compliance.
However, statewide audits show DOH inspectors are often months—sometimes years—behind schedule, delaying accountability. (State Health Department Audit – NY Comptroller)
Among the most cited issues in Suffolk County facilities:
• Insufficient nursing staff coverage during overnight shifts
• Poor infection prevention practices
• Failure to protect residents from avoidable injury or neglect
• Underreporting of abuse allegations
These violations mirror national trends, but their frequency on Long Island underscores persistent regional staffing and management problems.
Examples of Facilities with Repeated Violations
Recent enforcement reports identified several Suffolk County facilities facing penalties for serious deficiencies.
Maria Regina Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (Brentwood)
In 2024, inspectors found the facility at fault after a dementia patient ingested hair dye due to staff negligence. This resulted in state and federal penalties totaling more than $100,000.
Medford Multicare Center for Living (Medford)
Cited repeatedly for failure to report abuse, this facility incurred six major deficiencies under “substandard quality of care.” It remains under compliance monitoring by both DOH and CMS.
Momentum at South Bay for Rehabilitation and Nursing (East Islip)
Reported by state inspectors for inadequate infection control and mattress sanitation, as well as prolonged call-bell response times.
St. Catherine of Siena Nursing & Rehabilitation Care Center (Smithtown)
Noted by reviewers for medication administration delays and lack of fall prevention measures.
St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (St. James)
Inspections uncovered staff shortages and failure to comply with minimum staffing ratios established under the 2022 New York law.
Suffolk County Facilities and Inspection Links
For families researching options or tracking inspection outcomes, these official profiles provide real-time quality, enforcement, and complaint information:
Each listing includes detailed summaries on inspection type, citation severity, and scope of harm—essential data when evaluating where a loved one will receive care.
Common Violations Found in 2025 Inspections
NYSDOH inspection records for Suffolk County align closely with issues identified throughout the state:
• Infection control problems – Reusing medical equipment without sterilization, inadequate handwashing, or improper use of gloves and masks.
• Understaffing and inadequate supervision – Resulting in falls, dehydration, or missed medication doses.
• Failure to document care – Incomplete records of turning schedules, dietary needs, or wound treatment.
• Resident rights violations – Failing to honor residents’ privacy or respond promptly to complaints.
• Environmental hazards – Blocked fire exits, faulty alarms, and unclean bathing facilities.
Violations rated as “Immediate Jeopardy” indicate an immediate risk to resident health and often result in administrative fines or suspension of facility admissions until resolved.
The Impact of Understaffing
A 2025 Long Island Nursing Homes Staffing Study revealed that two-thirds of Suffolk County nursing homes operate below New York’s minimum staffing thresholds, leaving aides responsible for up to 25 residents each night.
This chronic shortage contributes to medication errors, delayed emergency responses, and widespread burnout among care staff. Understaffed facilities are twice as likely to receive deficiency citations compared with fully staffed facilities, according to DOH’s enforcement database.
How Families Can Verify a Nursing Home’s Record
Before placement, Long Island families should use New York’s Health Profiles to verify each facility’s record.
Search by name (for example, “Momentum at South Bay”).
Review the tabs for “Complaints,” “Inspections,” and “Quality.”
Check the “Enforcement Actions” section for fines or immediate jeopardy events.
Families can also track statewide enforcement activity at Nursing Home Enforcement Search, which lists all current penalties and correction deadlines.
Reporting Neglect or Unsafe Conditions
If you suspect neglect or abuse, file a complaint directly through DOH’s secure form:
Residents or family members can also call 1-888-201-4563 during business hours.
Complaints are logged and triaged to investigative teams, and findings appear in future public inspection reports.
Taking Legal Action
When a facility’s negligence causes injuries such as pressure sores, infections, malnutrition, or wrongful death, families have the right to pursue compensation.
Under New York Public Health Law §2801-d, residents harmed by deprivation of proper care or services can sue the facility in civil court independent of DOH penalties.
Leitner Warywoda PLLC investigates these claims by:
• Securing certified DOH inspection and enforcement records
• Reviewing staffing and payroll logs for understaffing patterns
• Consulting medical experts on causation
• Pursuing claims for pain, suffering, medical costs, and loss of life quality
The firm’s long history with nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, and wrongful death litigation means families on Long Island can act swiftly to protect vulnerable loved ones.
Conclusion
Inspection reports reveal both progress and ongoing concerns across Suffolk County’s long-term care network. While some facilities maintain excellent records, others continue to accumulate fines for repeated failures.
Before trusting any nursing home, families should review NYSDOH inspection results, staffing data, and enforcement history—and act immediately if signs of neglect appear.
If you suspect abuse or negligence in a Suffolk County facility, contact Leitner Warywoda PLLC for compassionate, informed legal counsel. Together, we can demand accountability and safer nursing home care across Long Island.
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