F0725 F725: Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
E

Insufficient Staffing and Inconsistent RNA Services

Kern Valley Healthcare District Dp SnfLake Isabella, California Survey Completed on 04-25-2024

Summary

The facility failed to provide sufficient Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Restorative Nursing Assistants (RNA) to meet the needs of 20 out of 31 sampled residents. Interviews with residents and staff revealed that the facility was consistently short-staffed, particularly during the night shift. Residents reported long wait times for call lights to be answered, with one resident stating it took up to 45 minutes, and another reporting a wait time of five hours. Additionally, several residents indicated they had not received their prescribed restorative nursing exercises for several days or weeks, which are crucial for maintaining their range of motion and mobility. The staffing coordinator confirmed that on a specific night, only one CNA was available to cover a census of 43 residents, as two CNAs from the Emergency Department who were supposed to assist left after a few minutes. This left the lone CNA to handle all responsibilities, including answering call lights and changing residents. The facility's staffing schedule typically included four CNAs for the day shift and three for the night shift, but they were not always able to meet the required Direct Care Service Hours per Patient Day (DHPPD). Record reviews showed that multiple residents had physician orders for RNA services, such as range of motion exercises and ambulation, which were not provided for an entire week. Interviews with CNAs and residents confirmed that RNA services were inconsistent, with CNAs often being pulled to cover other duties due to staffing shortages. The facility's policy on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) emphasized the importance of following daily work assignments and providing necessary care, including answering call lights promptly and performing daily range of motion exercises, which were not adhered to due to the staffing issues.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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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

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See other F0725 citations
Insufficient nursing staff on unit
D
F0725 F725: Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Short Summary

Insufficient nursing staff were present on a unit when a resident who required 2-person assist for ambulation and toileting was found walking from the bathroom to bed alone after waiting for help. At the time, only an LPN and a clerk were observed on the unit, while other NA staff had already punched out and the second nurse was charting on another unit.

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.
Insufficient CNA Staffing and Delayed Resident Care
F
F0725 F725: Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Short Summary

Insufficient CNA Staffing and Delayed Resident Care: Residents and staff reported that CNA coverage was inadequate on evenings, nights, and weekends, leading to delayed call light response and unmet care needs. A resident with impaired mobility and another with CVA-related deficits reported long waits for assistance, while a CNA stated she was the only CNA on a hall overnight and had not been able to check many rooms. The Administrator and CNA Supervisor acknowledged staffing shortages, especially on nights and weekends, and resident council and grievance records also documented concerns about short staffing.

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.
Insufficient Nursing Staffing and Delayed Resident Care
D
F0725 F725: Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Short Summary

Insufficient nursing staffing led to delayed and incomplete resident care. The facility scheduled fewer CNAs than required by its assessment, often leaving only 5 to 6 CNAs on day shift instead of 8, and staff were told to cancel shifts when census dropped. Residents reported long waits for toileting and assistance, including being left in feces and waiting during meals for help, while CNAs described working alone, delayed call light response, missed or delayed ADL care, and difficulty completing 2-person transfers and mechanical lifts.

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 Response to Resident Call Lights
D
F0725 F725: Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Short Summary

Delayed response to activated call lights was identified for a resident with intact cognition who required assistance with toileting, transfers, and ambulation and had care plan interventions for impaired mobility, safety, weakness from TIA, and fall risk. The resident reported staff often shut off the call light without providing help, and alarm records showed multiple response times over 15 minutes, including several lasting more than 30 minutes and up to nearly an hour. Staff and the DON acknowledged that response times had exceeded the expected timeframe, and the facility policy required staff to respond to engaged call lights in a timely manner.

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.
Missing Medication Documentation After Short-Staffed Shift
D
F0725 F725: Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Short Summary

A resident with a PEG tube, dysphagia, dementia, epilepsy, and other neurologic conditions had scheduled meds ordered through the tube, but the eMAR showed no meds documented for an entire evening med pass. The RN/UM said she worked a double shift because of a nursing call-out and forgot to document the meds as given, and the DON acknowledged the missed documentation.

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.
Insufficient Nursing Staffing and Delayed Call Light Response
F
F0725 F725: Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Short Summary

Insufficient nursing staffing and delayed call light response were identified after residents reported waits of 30 minutes to 2 hours for assistance, including one resident left in the bathroom for 45 minutes and another with a 55-minute wait after activating a call light. The CNA scheduler said staffing was based on a corporate PPD target of 2.85 hours per resident rather than acuity, and records showed multiple weekend shifts with CNA, UM, and RN call-offs or no-shows. Residents also reported staff sitting in the lounge, not responding to lights, and unmet toileting and care needs.

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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