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

Inadequate Supervision Leads to Repeated Resident Aggression Incidents

Oskaloosa Care CenterOskaloosa, Iowa Survey Completed on 01-23-2025

Summary

The facility failed to ensure adequate supervision and prevention of accidents for residents with physical aggression tendencies, leading to multiple incidents involving Resident #3 and other residents. Resident #3, with a severely impaired cognitive status and a history of physical and verbal aggression, was involved in several altercations with other residents, including grabbing, hitting, and slapping. Despite these incidents, the facility did not adapt Resident #3's Plan of Care to prevent reoccurrences, as required by the care plan instructions to keep other residents at arm's length. The incidents involved Resident #3 interacting aggressively with Residents #2, #4, and #7, all of whom also had severely impaired cognitive statuses and required varying levels of assistance with daily activities. These interactions often resulted in physical altercations, such as Resident #3 grabbing Resident #2's arm, backhanding her, and pulling her out of a chair, as well as hitting Resident #4 and striking Resident #7 in the face. Staff interventions were limited to separating the residents after the incidents occurred, and no injuries were noted. However, the facility's failure to implement effective preventive measures and update care plans contributed to the repeated occurrences. Interviews with staff, including the Assistant Director of Nursing and Certified Nurse Aides, revealed a lack of effective intervention strategies to manage Resident #3's aggression. Staff acknowledged the need for increased supervision and potential medication adjustments but did not provide specific interventions to prevent future incidents. The facility's inaction in adapting care plans and implementing adequate supervision measures resulted in ongoing safety risks for residents, as evidenced by the repeated incidents involving Resident #3.

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 F0689 citations
Unsafe Cord Placement and Failure to Follow Fall Interventions
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F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

Unsafe Cord Placement and Failure to Follow Fall Interventions: A resident with cognitive impairment and wheelchair use had a TV power cord stretched tightly across the closet doorway, blocking access and creating an environmental hazard when staff had to lift the cord to open the closet. Another resident with severe cognitive impairment and a fall-risk care plan repeatedly ran barefoot in the hallway while staff observed but did not consistently provide planned interventions such as gripper socks, footwear, ambulation assistance, or redirection.

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
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 impaired cognition, cancer, non-Alzheimer's dementia, extensive ADL needs, and a fall history was identified as a high fall risk with care plan interventions including removing a movable bedside table. After a fall, the resident was found using the table as a walker, yet observations showed the table still placed beside the bed on multiple occasions, including when staff were present. Staff interviews confirmed they were unaware of the current fall prevention interventions and that the table remained at bedside for meals despite the care plan.

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 complete restraint assessment before wheelchair alarm use
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

Failure to complete a restraint assessment before using a wheelchair alarm for a resident with muscle weakness, difficulty walking, repeated falls, and dementia. The care plan included the alarm as an intervention, but the record lacked an initial Restraint Evaluation, and the CNO confirmed the assessment had not been completed before the alarm was placed.

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.
Inadequate Supervision During EZ Stand Transfers
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 cognitive deficits, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, fracture, and repeated falls was dependent for toileting and care planned for an EZ stand with 2-person assist. During observed transfers, staff placed the harness and straps correctly, but the resident only rose to about 135 degrees and never came to a full stand, while staff remained by the bathroom door during privacy periods and continued the transfer despite the resident not standing fully. An RN stated the resident was expected to stand straight up with the EZ stand and that staff should sit the resident back down and try again if not.

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.
Resident Left Unsupervised and Was Found Wandering in Parking Lot
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 and dementia was found wandering in the parking lot after leaving the building unsupervised. A family member visiting another resident saw her looking into car windows and alerted staff, who were not aware she had exited until the report. Staff interviews showed the resident had been seen earlier eating in the dining room, but no one was actively looking for her or knew she had left the facility.

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 Help Requests and Use Foot Pedals During Wheelchair Transport
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 parkinsonism and Alzheimer's disease, severe cognitive impairment, and a fall history was pushed in her wheelchair without foot pedals and was not assisted when she called out for help. Nursing notes and staff interviews showed a CNA propelled the resident multiple times without foot pedals, including one instance where her socked foot hit the floor, and staff acknowledged that foot pedals should be used when pushing a resident.

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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