F0838 F838: Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
C

Failure to Document and Assess Secured Unit

Norwalk Care CenterNorwalk, Connecticut Survey Completed on 10-09-2024

Summary

The facility failed to properly document and assess the presence of a secured unit within its premises, as observed during a survey. The East 1 Unit was identified as a secured unit requiring a code for entry and exit, with additional security features such as wanderguard alarm sensors on fire exits. However, the facility's assessment did not acknowledge the existence of this secured unit, nor did it include criteria for resident placement or the physical and environmental characteristics of the unit. The assessment was outdated, containing signatures from former staff and information from the previous year, and was signed by the current administrator and DNS without their participation in its completion. Interviews with the DNS and Administrator revealed that they were unaware of the details of the facility assessment they signed, and the secured unit was not included in the assessment. The Corporate Administrator later provided a new assessment, which still failed to identify the secured unit. The facility policy for the secured unit outlined criteria for placement and quarterly assessments, but the facility could not provide policies or procedures for ongoing assessments or physician input. Interviews with medical staff indicated a lack of participation in the facility assessment process, highlighting a disconnect between the facility's documentation and its operational practices.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $38,422
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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 F0838 citations
Failure to Update Facility Assessment Annually
C
F0838 F838: Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Short Summary

Failure to Update Facility Assessment Annually: The facility failed to conduct and document an annual facility-wide assessment to determine resources needed to care for residents competently. Record review showed the Facility Assessment had not been updated since January 2025. The AIT and Interim ADM both stated they had not reviewed the assessment after assuming their roles and acknowledged it should be reviewed and updated annually or when significant changes occurred.

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.
Facility Assessment Missing Staffing and Resource Details
E
F0838 F838: Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Short Summary

Facility Assessment Missing Staffing and Resource Details: The facility failed to complete a Facility Assessment with the required details on staffing decisions, specific staffing needs by unit and shift, staff competencies, and a plan to maximize recruitment and retention of direct care staff. The assessment also lacked evidence of the resources needed for competent resident care during routine operations and emergencies. The ADMN stated she used the prior administrator’s assessment as a template and was unaware these items needed to be included; the facility also had no policy for the Facility Assessment.

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.
Facility Assessment Not Updated for Lack of RT Contract
D
F0838 F838: Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Short Summary

Facility Assessment Not Updated for Lack of RT Contract: The facility failed to update its Facility Assessment after it no longer had an active RT contract. The assessment still listed RT as a needed resource, while the Admin confirmed there was no contracted RT company in place and acknowledged the assessment should be updated annually and as needed.

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.
Incomplete Facility Assessment With Blank Nurse Staffing Section
D
F0838 F838: Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Short Summary

Incomplete Facility Assessment With Blank Nurse Staffing Section: The facility failed to complete and document a facility-wide assessment used to staff the facility, leaving the nurse staffing section blank. The Administrator stated she had not updated the assessment based on census, and the RCN stated residents were at risk of not receiving timely care. The facility also stated it did not have a facility assessment policy it followed.

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.
Facility Assessment Not Updated to Reflect Staffing Needs
C
F0838 F838: Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Short Summary

The facility failed to complete and document a comprehensive facility-wide assessment for resident care needs during routine operations and emergencies. The 2025 Facility Assessment was signed by former leadership, referenced a missing Staffing and Personnel Worksheet, listed prior admin and DON staff, and contained multiple sections stating no records were found. The facility also could not provide evidence of a plan to maximize recruitment and retention of direct care staff, and the DON acknowledged the assessment did not accurately reflect staffing patterns.

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.
Facility Assessment Not Reviewed Annually
F
F0838 F838: Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Short Summary

Facility Assessment Not Reviewed Annually: The facility failed to review and update its Facility Assessment annually. The ADON confirmed the assessment had not been updated or reviewed since 2023, despite 77 residents in the facility, and stated there was no policy on Facility Assessment. The Administrator was unavailable for interview initially and later said he thought the assessment had been reviewed last year.

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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