Failure to Pay Vendors Results in Service Interruptions and Resource Shortages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to effectively manage its financial obligations, resulting in the inability to secure necessary resources and services required to meet the ongoing needs of its residents. Surveyors found that unpaid bills led to the suspension or interruption of essential services, including trash removal, utility services, telephone and cellular services, oxygen and respiratory supplies, staffing agencies, linens, laundry chemicals, and durable medical equipment. These lapses resulted in situations such as garbage piling up in the basement, trash blocking fire doors, and expired food being stored in a maintenance van due to the lack of trash removal. Staff interviews confirmed that these issues were recurrent and not isolated incidents. Residents and staff reported direct impacts from these deficiencies. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) described frequent shortages of washcloths, requiring them to cut up towels for resident care, and residents confirmed that the lack of proper linens made personal hygiene more difficult. There were also periods when the facility could not order oxygen supplies due to non-payment, though no residents were reported to have run out of oxygen during the documented hold period. Staffing agencies placed the facility on hold due to overdue balances, limiting the facility's ability to supplement its workforce as needed. Additionally, the procurement process was inconsistent, with staff sometimes needing to purchase supplies from retail stores due to delays or shortages from regular vendors. Interviews with the facility Administrator and other staff revealed a lack of awareness or involvement in the details of vendor payments and procurement issues. The Administrator often deferred responsibility to the facility's back-office procurement team and was not always aware of which vendors were on hold or which services were affected. The facility's own assessment and policies required the provision of adequate resources and services to meet residents' needs, but the ongoing financial mismanagement led to repeated shortages and interruptions in essential services, creating potential situations of neglect for all residents.