F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
J

Neglect and Failure to Provide Emergency Care

Vero Health & Rehab Of SylvaSylva, North Carolina Survey Completed on 05-22-2024

Summary

The facility failed to protect a resident's right to be free from neglect when they did not provide appropriate care and services during a medical emergency. Resident #8 was found unresponsive with low oxygen saturation and constricted pupils, indicating a possible drug overdose. Nurse #14 administered two doses of Naloxone but did not activate emergency medical services. Later that day, Resident #8 was found without a heart rate or respiratory rate and was pronounced dead. Additionally, the facility neglected to provide incontinence care to Resident #8, who was cognitively intact but experiencing mental status changes, including hallucinations and confusion. Despite requiring increased assistance with toileting, Resident #8 was left unattended and fell while attempting to go to the bathroom, resulting in a left hip fracture and a laceration that required surgical repair. The facility also failed to notify a medical provider of significant changes in Resident #8's condition and did not ensure that nursing staff were trained and competent in responding to medical emergencies. This lack of proper care and communication contributed to the resident's deteriorating condition and eventual death.

Removal Plan

  • The licensed nursing staff who neglected to activate emergency response were Nurse #14 and Nurse #20.
  • The facility has filed a report of the neglect to the health care personnel registry.
  • Education on the facility policy for Abuse and Neglect Prevention was presented to all facility staff by the Administrator, Director of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing. This educational in-service included the policy and implementation of procedures to prevent abuse and neglect.
  • Included in this education was a review of staff training expectations on preventing, identifying, reporting abuse and neglect.
  • The facility has filed a report of the neglect to the licensing agency.
  • The facility has re-educated the licensed nursing staff on the use of Narcan and activation of the emergency response per physician orders.
  • The actions the facility will take to ensure the nurses have activated the emergency response as indicated in the physician's orders on the administration of Narcan is the DNS will review the 24-hour report on a daily basis for appropriate activation of the emergency response. Feedback will be provided by the DNS addressing any challenges or barriers.
  • Agency licensed nurses working at the facility will receive education on notification to the medical provider on administration of Narcan for a suspected overdose by the DNS/ Assistant Director of Nursing (designee).
  • The nurse who responds to the suspected overdose will direct another staff member to activate the emergency response system which is denoted in the revised Narcan Administration Policy.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $325,56367 days payment denial
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0600 citations
Failure to Protect Resident During Transfer Resulted in Right Tibia Fracture
G
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

An agency NA forcefully pushed a wheelchair-bound resident through a doorway while the resident was caught in the frame, causing the resident’s foot to strike both shins and resulting in bruising, swelling, pain, and an acute right tibia fracture. The resident had dementia, muscle weakness, and required assistance with mobility and transfers. CCTV and the facility’s investigation showed the NA did not follow safety measures during the transfer.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Prevent Resident-to-Resident Abuse During Constant Observation
J
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia and a history of aggression assaulted another resident in a hallway, pushing him from a chair onto the floor and then attempting to strike him with a chair while a third resident was nearby. Staff on constant observation and another observer did not intervene until after the resident had already been pushed down, despite the resident being on enhanced supervision for prior resident-to-resident altercations. Both residents had severe cognitive impairment, and interviews showed the assigned aide did not understand the urgency of the constant observation role.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Delayed Reporting of Resident-on-Resident Sexual Abuse
J
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

Delayed reporting of resident-on-resident sexual abuse allowed continued nonconsensual sexual contact. A resident with schizophrenia and moderate cognitive impairment reported that his roommate kissed, touched, and sexually assaulted him without consent, while the roommate admitted to sexual contact. A nurse aide heard the allegation but did not report it right away, and the unit manager later confirmed the delay.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Respond to Alleged Sexual Abuse and Assess Resident Distress
J
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

Failure to respond appropriately to an alleged sexual abuse incident: a resident with intact cognition alleged a CNA raped them during incontinence care, but the resident remained in the facility for hours without a documented medical or psychosocial assessment. The CNA said they provided care and applied ointment to the resident’s groin and vaginal area, while video showed the CNA in the room for 36 minutes. The resident was later tearful, fearful, and distrustful of staff, and the DON and admin did not report the allegation to DOH because the resident later described rough handling.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Maintain Separation Between Residents With Known History of Aggression
G
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

Failure to Maintain Separation Between Residents With Known Aggression: A resident with a known hx of resident-to-resident physical aggression struck another resident in the head with a cane in the dining room, causing a bump, laceration, and bruising. The assaulted resident was non-ambulatory, dependent on staff for transfers, and had dementia, while the aggressive resident had intact cognition, used a cane, and had a care plan for prior physical altercations. Staff placed the residents in the same area with limited supervision, and the aggressive resident stated the other resident deserved it and that he would hit him again.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Verbal Abuse During Hospital Discharge Discussions
G
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

A resident with stroke-related diagnoses and cognitive intact status was transferred to the hospital for weakness, dizziness, pallor, and low K+. After the resident was stable for return, the DON and administrator went to the hospital and, along with the owner and corporate administrator on speaker phone, were reported by the resident and hospital staff to have yelled, been rude and aggressive, and told the resident the facility would not take the resident back because of behaviors and money owed. The resident stated feeling pressured, outnumbered, and insignificant.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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