F0837 F837: Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
F

Financial Mismanagement Leads to Service Disruptions

Watertown Health Care CenterWatertown, Wisconsin Survey Completed on 07-16-2024

Summary

The Bedrock Corporation's governing body failed to ensure adequate funds were available for the safe and efficient management of the facility, affecting all 72 residents. The corporation did not maintain current payment status with several service providers and vendors, leading to potential disruptions in essential services. The facility's pharmacy provider, Alixa Pharmacy, terminated its services due to unpaid invoices, and the account is currently in litigation. Additionally, the facility owes significant amounts to other vendors, including Sysco, Synapse Health, Point Click Care, Twinmed, Comprehensive Therapy Specialist, and We-Energies, with some accounts being overdue by more than 150 days. The facility's financial mismanagement extended to delinquent property taxes and utilities, with outstanding amounts for 2022 and 2023. The Wisconsin Division of Medicaid Service reported a substantial unpaid bed tax assessment, and the facility also owes federal Civil Money Penalties. The corporation's failure to maintain financial obligations has resulted in notices of service disruption and potential disconnection of utilities, which could severely impact the quality of care and life for the residents. Interviews with various accounts payable representatives and vendors revealed ongoing issues with communication and payment resolutions. The facility owner acknowledged the financial difficulties and stated efforts were being made to address the outstanding debts. However, the lack of timely payments and unresolved financial obligations continue to pose a risk to the facility's operations and the well-being of its residents.

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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DSD Not Department-Approved and Employment Reference Checks Not Properly Completed
E
F0837 F837: Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Short Summary

DSD Not Approved and Reference Checks Incomplete The facility allowed an LVN to function as DSD and provide CNA orientation and in-service training without Department approval, even though the approved NATPN listed a different DSD. The LVN stated she had not received approval and had not applied for it, while the ADM said the facility had two full-time DSDs and the LVN worked the p.m. shift. The facility also lacked a policy for former employment reference checks and hired staff without properly verifying prior employment. Personnel files showed references from friends, spouses, and co-workers instead of former employers, and the DON stated these sources could not confirm job performance, length of employment, resident abuse history, or rehire eligibility.

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.
Lack of Policy for Residents Signing Themselves Out
E
F0837 F837: Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Short Summary

The facility failed to develop and implement policies and procedures for residents independently signing themselves out and leaving without supervision. The CQA Director stated nurses ask the resident’s expected return time, check the elopement book, and may send medication, but she was unaware of a specific policy for assessing whether a resident could sign out independently or with supervision. She also stated the decision would rely on resident rights, the MDS, the elopement assessment, and BIMS, and that a refusal to sign out could be treated as AMA if the BIMS score was high enough.

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.
Lack of Governing Body Oversight
F
F0837 F837: Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Short Summary

Lack of Governing Body Oversight: The facility failed to have a governing body in place to oversee the Administrator and facility operations. Records showed key program agreements signed by the Administrator as Owner/Administrator, and the Administrator provided a written statement identifying self as the sole governing body. The DON and an RN stated the Administrator handled all banking and monies.

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 Timely Report Resident Fall With Fracture
D
F0837 F837: Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Short Summary

Failure to Timely Report Resident Fall With Fracture: A resident with dementia, OA, and unsteadiness on feet fell and sustained a nondisplaced distal R femur fracture, but the event was not reported to CDPH within the facility’s required timeframe. The admin acknowledged the unusual occurrence should have been reported per policy and was not submitted until much later.

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.
No Licensed Administrator in Place
D
F0837 F837: Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Short Summary

No Licensed Administrator in Place: Record review and interviews showed the facility had no current ADM listed and had been without a licensed ADM for over 30 days. The former ADM stated his license had been pulled from the building and a new ADM had not been officially onboarded, while the HRD, SW, AD, and OM all confirmed there was no ADM currently in place and no clear start date for one.

Inspection fine: $13,070
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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.
Failure of Governing Body to Ensure Safe Facility Operations
F
F0837 F837: Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Short Summary

Failure of Governing Body to Ensure Safe Facility Operations: The governing body did not ensure the facility was managed in a manner that protected the safety, dignity, and overall well-being of 45 residents. Survey findings identified widespread breakdowns involving psychotropic meds, resident rights and grievances, abuse allegations, MDS/PASSR accuracy, care planning, physician notification, bed rail safety, medication management, and storage of drugs and biologicals. Administrator A stated she was told there were serious issues to address and that multiple corporate consultants were being used for support, while the Administrator and DON job descriptions assigned them responsibility for overall compliance and nursing operations.

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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