F0835 F835: Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
K

Failure to Protect Residents from Abuse

Riverview Health & Rehab CtrSavannah, Georgia Survey Completed on 02-12-2025

Summary

The facility administration failed to provide protective oversight to ensure the highest practicable physical and psychosocial well-being of its residents. Specifically, the administration did not take appropriate action on allegations of employee-to-resident physical and verbal abuse involving a resident, and failed to protect three residents from sexual abuse by another resident. The administration's inaction included not adhering to facility policies on the prevention, reporting, and investigation of abuse allegations. The facility's Director of Nursing (DON), who is also the Abuse Coordinator, was aware of an incident involving two residents on a specific date but did not conduct a thorough investigation. The DON assumed that the staff member who reported the incident would notify the family and authorities, which did not happen. Additionally, the facility failed to investigate and report another incident of physical abuse by a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) towards a resident, where the CNA threw a mechanical lift pad at the resident, causing it to land on her face. The facility was unable to provide documentation of thorough investigations, follow-up interviews with staff, or additional resident interviews related to the incidents. The Administrator was aware of the incidents but assumed that the DON had reported them. The lack of follow-up and adherence to job responsibilities contributed to the failure in protecting residents from abuse, as the staff did not perform their duties as expected, leading to potential harm to residents.

Removal Plan

  • The facility failed to provide oversight and supervision to ensure residents R30, R60, and R125 were protected from abuse by R64 and abuse by CNA AA to R30.
  • CNA AA has been suspended pending further investigation.
  • Resident R64 placed on 1:1 supervision upon report from State surveyor of other alleged incidents.
  • Resident R64 has discharged from facility.
  • The facility notified the Medical Director who has been involved in the removal of the Immediate Jeopardy.
  • The facility had completed meeting/assessing with all residents who were deemed vulnerable for potential abuse for identification of safety concerns related to the reported incidents. No safety concerns were identified.
  • The facility administration reviewed all audits related to residents' vulnerable for potential abuse for identification of safety concerns. No safety concerns were identified.
  • The facility administration contacted an external consultant(s) to assist with policy review, education development and leadership training on abuse prevention and reporting.
  • Education was provided to Administration from external consultant on job description.
  • The facility administration notified President of Governing Board of Directors.
  • The facility administration reviewed and made any necessary changes to the abuse prevention and abuse reporting policies and procedures. 132 of 150 of facility team members have been educated on abuse prevention, abuse reporting and comprehensive assessments.
  • 5 of 5 (100%) agency staff (4 LPN and 1 CNA) have been educated on abuse prevention, abuse reporting and comprehensive assessments.
  • 16 of 22 (78%) contracted therapy staff have been educated on abuse prevention, abuse reporting and comprehensive assessments. The remaining 6 PRN contracted therapy staff will be educated on abuse prevention, abuse reporting and comprehensive assessments of their next scheduled workday.
  • A review and update of the facility orientation program and agency orientation program has been completed with respect to abuse prevention and abuse reporting requirements.
  • A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) was initiated related to abuse prevention and abuse reporting. ADHOC meeting held.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $92,7945 days payment denial
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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 F0835 citations
Leadership and Oversight Failures Affecting Resident Care
F
F0835 F835: Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Short Summary

Facility leadership failed to oversee resident care and staff performance effectively. Staff reported a week-long shortage of insulin syringes, during which nurses borrowed insulin pens and vials from other residents and gave them to different residents, while one resident missed insulin and another had delayed blood sugar checks and insulin coverage. Interviews also described an LPN threatening a resident, delayed incontinence care, intimidation of staff who reported concerns, and other allegations of misconduct, while the DON and RN/ADON did not fully investigate several of the reported issues.

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 Supervise and Respond Appropriately to Elopement
D
F0835 F835: Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Short Summary

The NHA and DON failed to effectively manage the facility to implement sufficient monitoring and supervision to prevent an elopement. Facility records and job descriptions showed the NHA was responsible for maintaining effective systems and overseeing staff, care, supplies, and facilities, while the DON was responsible for nursing management, resident care standards, policy implementation, and supervision of the nursing department. The report states the facility failed to properly supervise a resident and failed to respond appropriately to the elopement.

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.
Administrator Living in Facility and Alleged Alcohol Use Not Addressed
F
F0835 F835: Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Short Summary

Administrator Living in Facility and Alleged Alcohol Use Not Addressed: The facility failed to follow its drug-free workplace policy and failed to address repeated concerns that the Administrator was drinking alcohol, appeared intoxicated, and smoked in non-designated areas. Staff reported seeing alcohol in the Administrator’s office, smelling alcohol on his breath, and observing behavior they believed was impaired, while the DON and other leaders learned he was living in a room at the facility. The Area Admin did not investigate the allegations and stated he considered the Administrator exempt from policy during evenings and weekends because he lived at 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 Plan for Facility Closure and Resident Discharge
L
F0835 F835: Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Short Summary

Failure to Plan for Facility Closure and Resident Discharge: The facility received an eviction notice but did not have a closure plan for the 30 residents. The ADM said he was out of money, had no specific plan, could not pay for a DON or RN supervisor, and was relying on agency staff while delinquent on supplies and pharmaceuticals. Residents were distressed about being moved, and the ADM had not notified residents or RPs about the eviction.

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 Maintain Infection Control Program
F
F0835 F835: Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Short Summary

The NHA and DON failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment. The facility did not have working laundry equipment to ensure clean and sanitized linens and laundry, and this was identified as an Immediate Jeopardy for all 67 residents. The NHA and DON confirmed the failure during interview.

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 Supervise Resident Resulted in Elopement
D
F0835 F835: Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Short Summary

A resident eloped from the facility after staff failed to ensure proper supervision, and the event was identified as an IJ for all residents at risk for elopement. The NHA and DON were found to have failed to effectively manage the facility and to fulfill their job duties related to overseeing operations and nursing services.

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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