F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
E

Deficiencies in Repositioning, Wound Care, Enteral Nutrition, and Incontinence Care

Polaris Extended CareAnchorage, Alaska Survey Completed on 05-22-2025

Summary

Multiple deficiencies were identified in the care and services provided to several residents, including failures in implementing individualized turning and repositioning schedules, accurate wound assessment and documentation, proper administration of enteral nutrition and medications, and timely incontinence care. For example, residents with impaired mobility and at risk for pressure injuries were not repositioned according to their care plans and posted schedules, with observations showing prolonged periods in the same position and staff interviews confirming lapses in documentation and practice. In one case, a resident was observed on their back for extended periods over several days, and staff admitted to not documenting repositioning due to a new charting system. Wound care deficiencies were also noted, with two residents having open wounds that were not accurately assessed or documented by nursing staff. Observations revealed visible wounds that were not recorded in weekly skin assessments, and wound care nurses were unaware of their existence until prompted by surveyors. Additionally, a resident with a left hip wound did not have the ordered dressing in place, and the wound was left exposed to friction from an incontinence brief, contrary to physician orders and facility policy. Enteral nutrition and medication administration were not performed in accordance with physician orders and clinical standards for two residents. Staff failed to check gastric residuals before feeding, did not maintain appropriate head-of-bed elevation during feeding, and did not flush feeding tubes with the prescribed amount of water before and after medication administration. In one instance, enteral tubing was left uncapped and undated at the bedside, and staff proceeded to use it after only wiping it with alcohol, despite infection prevention standards. Timely incontinence care was also lacking, with one resident waiting over three hours for assistance after requesting to be changed, and staff interviews confirmed that such delays were not acceptable.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $98,865
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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 F0684 citations
Failure to Monitor Blood Glucose After Rapid Drop
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with insulin-dependent type 2 DM and mild cognitive impairment had a rapid BG drop after receiving sliding scale insulin. The resident reported fear of overnight hypoglycemia and requested BG checks every 2 hours, but the record did not show overnight monitoring, reassessment, or follow-up. Staff later stated the night nurse was notified, while the resident said BG was not checked again until breakfast.

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 Ordered Wound Care and Aspiration Precautions
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

Failure to provide ordered wound care and aspiration precautions: A resident returned from a dermatology procedure with biopsy-site dressings and the chart lacked documentation of assessment or wound care, while the dressings remained in place and undated during observations. The same resident also had dysphagia with a FEES showing silent penetration with straw sips and an order for no straws, yet was observed drinking water from a cup with a straw; the SLP and DON confirmed the no-straw precaution and expectation to follow physician orders.

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 Monitor Ordered Vital Signs
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

Failure to Monitor Ordered Vital Signs: A resident with COPD, chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, and CHF had a provider order for daily vital signs, but the MAR showed an O2 sat of 87% with no follow-up vitals documented and another day with no vitals documented at all. Nursing notes did not show follow-up monitoring or documentation of the low O2 reading, and the CNO stated vitals were recorded on the night shift but not entered into the record or explained when the day-shift vitals were not completed as ordered.

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.
Medication Administered Despite Hold Parameters
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

Medication Administered Despite Hold Parameters: A resident with HTN and hyperlipidemia had an order for midodrine with BP hold parameters, but licensed nurses administered the medication multiple times even when the resident's BP met or exceeded the ordered limits. MAR review showed doses were given despite systolic and/or diastolic readings at or above the hold threshold, and the NHA acknowledged the medication was administered contrary to the physician's parameters.

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 Assess and Report Abnormal Blood Glucose and Document Resident Change in Condition
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

Failure to assess and report abnormal blood glucose and document change in condition: The facility did not notify the MD of abnormal CBG results or assess for hypo/hyperglycemia for two residents with DM who had insulin orders and abnormal readings, including low and high values. The record also showed inaccurate documentation for another resident with a bruise of unknown origin that was monitored briefly and then no longer documented.

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 Notify Provider of Significant Weight Changes
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A facility failed to notify the provider about a resident’s weight changes per physician order. The resident had CAD, HF, HTN, and dementia, and the record showed weight fluctuations of 4 lbs and 5 lbs, but there was no evidence the provider was updated. The DON confirmed the provider was never notified and stated the provider should have been informed per the order.

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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