Brigham Health and Rehabilitation Center is a small, for-profit nursing facility situated in Newburyport, Massachusetts. With a capacity of 64 beds, the center offers both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care to its residents. It is not affiliated with a continuing care retirement community, but it does participate in both Medicare and Medicaid, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals needing nursing and rehabilitative services. The ownership is corporate, and the facility maintains a focus on providing care for those requiring recovery following hospital stays, as well as ongoing assistance with daily living activities.
The center has earned average ratings for both its short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services. For those engaging in short-term rehabilitation, statistics show that nearly half of the residents are able to return home after being discharged from the facility. Nurse staffing is provided at a rate of approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes per resident per day, contributing to the care and attention that each resident receives. Weekend staffing at Brigham Health and Rehabilitation Center is rated above average, indicating consistency in care throughout the week. Residents benefit from a high rate of influenza vaccination coverage, which illustrates the attention given to preventive health measures within the community. Emergency room visits occur at a moderate rate, both for short-term and long-term residents.
The facility has undergone regular health, fire, and safety inspections as part of ongoing oversight to ensure resident welfare. In recent years, inspection findings have noted a number of areas where the center was required to make improvements. These included the fulfillment of residents’ rights to a dignified and respectful environment, maintaining a clean and homelike atmosphere, and ensuring the proper sourcing and handling of food according to professional standards. Additional areas addressed included the protection of residents from various forms of abuse, the accuracy and timeliness of resident assessments and care plans, and ensuring the competency of nursing staff. There were findings related to the prevention of infections and the maintenance of medical records as well.
Instances have been reported where the center was required to improve assistance with activities of daily living and provide better access to vision and hearing services. Other areas of focus included the delivery of respiratory care, pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, and appropriate storage of drugs and biologicals. While most issues identified during inspections were categorized as low or very low in terms of potential harm and involved a limited number of residents, some violations, such as the need to protect against abuse and requirements for staff competency, were considered to pose higher potential for harm, though still affecting only a few individuals.
Brigham Health and Rehabilitation Center has addressed all inspection-related concerns within the prescribed time frames. Over the past three years, the facility has paid three fines totaling $307,426. These actions reflect ongoing updates and adjustments in service delivery in response to state and federal oversight. The center’s commitment to providing essential nursing and rehabilitative services remains supported by its staffing practices, focus on resident safety, and measures to prevent infections and ensure quality care. Despite challenges noted in inspections, the center continues to offer an environment where many residents are able to maintain their personal independence and receive the support necessary to meet their needs.