F0944 F944: Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
E

Failure to Provide QAPI Training to Staff

Squirrel Hill Wellness And Rehabilitation CenterPittsburgh, Pennsylvania Survey Completed on 02-14-2025

Summary

The facility failed to provide mandatory training on the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program to six out of nine staff members, as required by federal regulations. The deficiency was identified through a review of facility policy, personnel in-service training records, and staff interviews. The facility's policy, last reviewed on October 20, 2024, mandates an effective training program for all staff, including training on the elements and goals of the QAPI program. However, documentation revealed that Nurse Aides E1, E3, and E4, Dietary Employee E7, Licensed Practical Nurse E8, and Maintenance Director E9 did not receive the required QAPI training within the specified timeframe. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed during an interview that the facility did not provide the necessary QAPI training to these staff members. The lack of training was noted for employees with hire dates ranging from 2004 to 2022, indicating a systemic issue in maintaining compliance with training requirements. This deficiency is a violation of the facility's responsibility to ensure staff are adequately trained in quality assurance and performance improvement, as outlined in the facility's policy and federal regulations.

Plan Of Correction

No residents were affected by this deficiency. All residents have the potential to be affected by this deficiency. VP of Clinical Services, Administrator and Director of Nursing developed a facility Training Plan to include: - Effective communication for direct care staff. - Resident rights and facility responsibilities for caring of residents. - Elements and goals of the facility's QAPI program. - Written standards, policies, and procedures for the facility's infection prevention and control program. - Written standards, policies, and procedures for the facility's compliance and ethics program. - Behavioral health. - Dementia management and care of the cognitively impaired. - Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention. - Safety and emergency procedures. All staff will receive education in these areas, provided by the Administrator and Director of nursing or designee. Completed training will be signed and dated by staff after receiving the training. Moving forward, staff will receive this training upon hire (during orientation) and annually. Human Resources Director will complete a weekly audit for 4 weeks on all new hires to ensure they have received the required trainings in the training plan and will complete a monthly audit that all staff have completed the assigned monthly trainings to ensure continued annual training. Audit results will be reviewed by the Risk Management/Quality Assurance Committee until such a time consistent substantial compliance has been achieved as determined by the committee.

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

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0944 citations
Missing QAPI Training for Staff Member
D
F0944 F944: Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Short Summary

Missing QAPI Training for an Employee: PT F had no evidence of completed mandatory QAPI training in the facility training log or the prior 12 months of training records. HR stated she was newly appointed and still learning her duties, while CHR E and the Administrator said annual training was computer generated, monitored by HR and department heads, and that PT F had not completed the assigned QAPI course.

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 QAPI Training for RN Staff Member
D
F0944 F944: Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Short Summary

The facility failed to provide annual QAPI in-service training for an RN whose personnel file lacked documentation of the required training. The ADON confirmed the missing training during interview, and the record review showed the RN had been hired in 2023 but did not have QAPI training documented for the review period.

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 Ensure Mandatory QAPI Training Completion
D
F0944 F944: Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Short Summary

Failure to ensure mandatory QAPI training was completed for an employee reviewed for licensure and training requirements. Record review showed no evidence the employee completed QAPI training, and HR stated annual training was assigned quarterly through a computer-generated system with recurring email reminders. HR, the DON, and the Administrator stated HR tracked completion, department heads were responsible for ensuring staff finished assigned training, and there was no policy for required annual QAPI training.

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 Provide Required QAPI Training
D
F0944 F944: Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Short Summary

Failure to Provide Required QAPI Training: The facility did not provide required QAPI training for one nurse aide. Review of the employee's file showed a hire date of 6/1/24 and no QAPI training documented during the following year, and HR confirmed the training was not provided as required.

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 QAPI Training for CNAs
F
F0944 F944: Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Short Summary

Missing QAPI Training for CNAs: Mandatory yearly QAPI in-service training was not documented for 5 sampled CNAs. The facility assessment listed several yearly staff training topics and competencies, but QAPI was not included in the training plan. The NHA confirmed CNAs are required to complete yearly in-service hours and stated CNA training should include QAPI, though the facility does not provide training directly titled QAPI.

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 QAPI Training Documentation for Multiple Employees
D
F0944 F944: Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Short Summary

The facility failed to ensure QAPI training was completed and documented timely for 5 of 20 sampled employees. A CNA had no documented annual QAPI training for the current year, and four newly hired employees, including CNAs and an LPN, lacked evidence of QAPI training upon hire. The BOM confirmed the missing documentation, and the facility policy required QAPI education during orientation and annually.

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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