F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
J

Failure to Prevent Elopement of Cognitively Impaired Resident

Parkview Northwest Healthcare CenterCincinnati, Ohio Survey Completed on 05-07-2024

Summary

The facility failed to provide adequate supervision and timely interventions for a cognitively impaired resident with a history of exit-seeking behaviors, resulting in the resident's elopement. The resident, who resided in a secured unit, broke a window in his room using a fire extinguisher and later exited the building by jumping out of the second-story window. The resident was missing for approximately 12 hours before being found by police and EMS six miles from the facility. This incident affected one of three residents reviewed for elopement risk and highlighted the facility's failure to ensure the safety of residents at risk for elopement. On the morning of the incident, a State-tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) discovered the broken window and reported it to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The staff moved the resident to a common area but later allowed him to return to his room with the broken window. The LPN assigned to monitor the resident left him unsupervised to attend to another resident, during which time the resident eloped through the broken window. The facility's failure to provide continuous supervision and secure the environment contributed to the resident's ability to elope. The resident's medical record revealed a history of schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, and other mental health conditions, making him a high risk for elopement. Despite being identified as an elopement risk and residing in a secured unit, the facility did not implement adequate measures to prevent his escape. The incident underscores the facility's shortcomings in monitoring and safeguarding residents with known exit-seeking behaviors, leading to a serious lapse in resident safety.

Removal Plan

  • LPN #220 was informed the window in Resident #39's room was broken.
  • LPN #220 was stationed outside the resident's room to supervise and ensure the safety of Resident #39 and to prevent re-entrance and access to the resident's room.
  • LPN #220 stationed outside of the resident's room responded to another resident screaming and went to check on the resident.
  • STNA #265 checked the resident's room for the resident and noted him missing.
  • Resident #39 was believed to have exited through the broken second floor window and landed 13 feet below on the exterior ground which consisted of grass and concrete and was unsecured. On the ground there was a pillow, unused gloves, wipes, a flat bed sheet and a bed spread. A head count was conducted immediately and there was a total of 45 residents present in-house out of a census of 47 (there was one resident on a Leave of Absence (LOA) with family and Resident #39 was unaccounted for).
  • Upon discovering the Resident #39 could not be located, STNAs #218, #217, #312, #265 and LPN #251 began searching the facility.
  • All other windows were checked by STNAs #216 and #312 and validated as being secured, and all exits/entrances were validated as being secured by STNA #218.
  • STNAs #218 and #312 searched the perimeter of the facility.
  • LPN #293 notified the local Police Department Resident #39 was missing. Resident #39's Guardian, Psychiatric (Psych) Physician #316 and Medical Director (MD) #317 were notified by LPN #251.
  • Maintenance Technician (MT) #318 arrived at the facility.
  • The DON and Administrator were notified that Resident #39 could not be located.
  • LPN #293 was placed on door watch outside of Resident #39's room to ensure the resident's room was not entered due to the broken window where she remained until the window was fixed by MT #318.
  • The DON, Business Office Manager (BOM) #207, Therapy Manager #258, Activities Director (AD) #305, MT #318, Administrator, RDO #315, Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coordinator #256 and Social Services Designee (SSD) #271 arrived at the facility and conducted an additional neighboring community search to locate the missing resident.
  • Calls were made to all local hospitals by SSD #271 and Resident #39 was not located.
  • The Administrator conducted a second audit of all door alarms and the elevator keypads to check for proper function and locking mechanism. No concerns were identified.
  • MT #318 conducted a second window audit to ensure all windows were secured and in proper function. There were no concerns identified.
  • The DON and RDO #315 reviewed/completed wandering observation tools for each resident. No new residents were identified as an elopement risk.
  • MDS Coordinator #256 reviewed/updated all care plans to identify residents who were at risk for wandering and elopement. No new residents identified.
  • The DON reviewed the elopement binder, the elopement policy, pictures, and face sheets of all at risk residents and no corrections were needed.
  • The search for Resident #39 was concluded by the facility staff.
  • The DON and Administrator initiated education on elopement management with all facility staff. There were 108 educated out of 108 total staff and completed and the facility utilized no agency staff. All 108 staff were educated electronically and any staff member not present was instructed to sign off on the education prior to the next scheduled shift.
  • Education was provided to the Administrator by RDO #315 on elopement management and elopement prevention.
  • Education was provided to the Administrator and DON by RDO #315 on management of potential risks and hazards to prevent accidents that include but not limited to safeguarding identified risks/hazards to avoid exposure to residents.
  • Education was provided to the Administrator and DON by RDO #315 on supervision of residents when known risks or hazards are identified that include but not limited to one-on-one (1:1) supervision.
  • Resident #39 was located in a neighboring community six miles away by STNA #265 who was heading home and familiar with the area. STNA #265 observed the resident with the police and EMS. STNA #265 notified the DON Resident #39 had been located.
  • RDO #315 was notified by the Administrator that Resident #39 had been located by STNA #265.
  • An unknown Dispatcher at the local Police Department (PD) called the Administrator to provide an update on the status of Resident #39. The PD Dispatcher was instructed to have EMS transport Resident #39 to the local hospital for a psychological evaluation.
  • Resident's #39's Guardian was notified by the DON and Administrator Resident #39 had been located and was being transported to the local hospital for a medical and psychological evaluation.
  • Psych Physician #316 was updated by the Administrator and DON on the status of the resident being transitioned to the hospital's Psychiatric Unit. Psych Physician #316 reported the hospital would evaluate the resident and determine if he was appropriate for a 72-hour hold (psychiatric admission).
  • An unknown ER Nurse at the local hospital called and spoke with the Administrator and DON and informed them Resident #39 would be assessed psychologically and medically.
  • Medical Director #317 was updated on Resident #39's status by the Administrator.
  • The DON and Administrator reported to the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) committee the findings related to compliance. The QAPI committee consists of the Administrator, DON, SSD #271, RD #252, BOM #207, MDS Coordinator #256, RDO #315, Therapy Manager #258, and MD #317 (via telephone).
  • The DON called the local hospital for an update on Resident #39. The hospital noted Resident #39 was assessed, and no new discoveries or diagnoses were determined, thus the resident was set for discharge back to the facility.
  • An elopement drill was conducted by the DON and Administrator. No issues were identified.
  • Resident #39 returned to the facility. The resident's Guardian and MD #317 were notified of the resident's return with no new orders given.
  • Resident #39 was immediately placed on 1:1 observation and will remain until determined by the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and MD #317 that 1:1 observation was no longer required. All staff were educated on expectations of the resident being on 1:1 observation by the DON and Administrator.
  • An admission assessment was completed (including skin, pain, and a Braden Scale) on Resident #39. A care conference with the facility's IDT and Resident #39's Guardian/mother was scheduled.
  • To monitor for ongoing compliance, elopement drills will be completed twice weekly for four weeks, then monthly. The drills will be conducted by the DON or Administrator on day shifts and night shifts.
  • A 72-hour care conference was held with the facility's IDT which included SSD #271, DON, Administrator, Therapy Manager #258, MD #317, RDO #315, Registered Dietitian (RD) #252, BOM #275 and Resident #39's Guardian/mother. The Guardian was okay with the new interventions of a room move, 1:1 observation, and a psychiatric consultation. A Brief Interview Mental Status (BIMS) assessment was completed on Resident #39 and noted to be a 12 which indicated the resident was cognitively intact. Resident #39's care plan was updated to show the resident eloped and new interventions include 1:1 observation, educate the resident to speak with staff if he would like to take a walk outside, provide diversionary activities, notify the physician of behavior changes, and offer additional snacks and hydration.
  • Resident #39's room change was conducted. Resident remains on 1:1 observation close to the nurse's station.

Penalty

Fine: $36,185
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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 F0689 citations
Failure to Prevent Elopement From Secured Unit
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety, residing on a locked unit with a wander guard, was able to leave the secured area by closely following a housekeeper through coded double doors and out a side door without being noticed. Staff did not check for residents before and after exiting the unit, and the resident left the premises, traveled into the community, and purchased food and a drink before being located by local police and returned without injury. The facility’s elopement policy required monitoring for missing residents and initiation of emergency procedures, but these measures were only implemented after the resident was discovered missing and an elopement alarm was activated.

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 Use Wheelchair Foot Pedals When Assisting a Resident
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A resident with severe morbid obesity, vascular dementia, anxiety, and a history of falls, but intact cognition per BIMS, was repeatedly assisted in a wheelchair by staff without foot pedals in place. On multiple observed occasions, staff pushed and turned the resident in the wheelchair while the resident held his feet off the floor and a sock was seen dragging on the floor. Interviews showed staff uncertainty and inconsistency regarding the requirement for foot pedals when assisting the resident, despite the resident’s documented fall risk and a facility falls policy requiring interventions to reduce fall risk.

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.
Unsecured Emergency Exit Allows Repeated Elopement of High-Risk Resident
J
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A cognitively impaired, exit-seeking resident with dementia, insomnia, gait abnormalities, orthostatic hypotension, and high fall risk repeatedly wandered at night and was known by staff to push on an emergency exit door. On two consecutive nights, the resident left the building unsupervised through a west hall emergency exit that had been manually left unlocked and with its door alarm turned off, so no alarm sounded when it was used. After the first elopement, the nurse and NA did not verify that the door’s lock and alarm were re-engaged, and no new monitoring was implemented, allowing the resident to exit again a few hours later. Maintenance later confirmed the door hardware and alarm were functioning properly and could only be disabled manually, meaning staff actions and inactions in securing and monitoring the door directly enabled both elopements.

Fine: $59,580
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 Adequately Supervise Resident After Reported Inappropriate Touching
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A cognitively impaired resident with dementia and prior stroke was seated in a crowded dining room with about 50 residents and two activity aides when another resident reported that a male resident with schizoaffective disorder and frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder was inappropriately touching her. An activity worker removed the male resident to the nurses’ station after being told he was feeling the female resident’s thighs and breast and putting his hands in her pants, but the male resident was later observed back in the dining room near the same resident with his hand on her inner thigh and was also reported to have kissed her. Although nursing staff documented that the male resident had been placed at the nurses’ station for supervision, he was able to return to the dining room and have further contact with the cognitively impaired resident, and the facility’s investigation lacked resident witness statements and a statement from the second activity worker who was present.

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 Follow Fall-Prevention Care Plan and Supervise High-Risk Resident in Dining Room
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A resident with Alzheimer’s disease, muscle weakness, and moderately impaired cognition, assessed as high risk for falls and dependent for transfers and toileting, experienced multiple falls in the dining room when staff did not consistently follow the fall-prevention care plan. The plan required non-slip footwear, not leaving the resident unattended in the dining room after meals, keeping the resident in a wheelchair rather than a dining chair, using an antithrust cushion with Dycem, and removing the Hoyer sling from the wheelchair after transfers. Fall investigations documented that the resident was found on the dining room floor on several occasions, including after not being offered toileting post-meal and when the lift sling had not been removed. Observations showed the resident being transported with the sling still under her and sling straps looped on wheelchair handles, while staff acknowledged the resident’s impulsivity and history of falls, demonstrating inadequate supervision and failure to implement care-planned interventions.

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 Follow Care-Planned Transfer Method and Use Required Assistance
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A resident with CVA, hemiplegia, hemiparesis, and expressive aphasia, care-planned for slide board and two-person assistance for wheelchair-to-bed transfers, was instead lifted by the back of her pants by a CNA without using the slide board or a second staff member. The resident’s pants were ripped, she became upset and cried, and she later reported feeling unsafe during the transfer due to inability to use her right arm and leg. A cognitively intact roommate witnessed the event, confirmed that the CNA hoisted the resident by her pants without assistance, and stated the CNA declined an offered gait belt. Nursing documentation and staff interviews corroborated that the prescribed transfer method and required assistance were not followed, and the resident told the NP that the CNA had been rough, though no physical injury was found.

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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