F0655 F655: Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
D

Failure to Develop and Implement Elopement Care Plan

La Sierra Care CenterMerced, California Survey Completed on 11-19-2025

Summary

The facility failed to develop and implement a baseline care plan for one of three sampled residents who was identified as an elopement risk on admission. The resident had diagnoses including dementia and severe intellectual disabilities, and the MDS showed a BIMS score of 9 out of 15, indicating moderate cognitive impairment. The admission/readmission data tool completed on 10/21/25 documented that the resident was independently mobile, was at risk for elopement, and that a care plan for elopement had been initiated. Interviews with the DON, LVN 1, RN 1, the MDS nurse, and the Administrator showed that staff knew the resident wandered the facility, especially in the evenings, and that she needed to be kept near the nurse's station for monitoring. Staff stated they were redirecting and watching her, but were not following a care plan for elopement. The MDS nurse reviewed the care plan report and stated the elopement care plan was not initiated when the resident was identified as at risk on admission, and instead was initiated after the resident had already eloped from the facility on the evening of 11/16/25. Facility policy required that residents identified as at risk for wandering or elopement have care plan strategies and interventions to maintain safety, and that comprehensive person-centered care plans be developed and implemented based on assessment data. The DON and Administrator both stated that a care plan for elopement should have been initiated when the resident was identified as an elopement risk on admission, and that nursing staff were expected to implement such care plans.

Penalty

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.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0655 citations
Baseline Care Plan Missing PICC Line and Contact Isolation Needs
D
F0655 F655: Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Short Summary

A resident admitted after hospitalization for a MDR UTI was receiving IV meropenem through a PICC line and required contact isolation precautions and an indwelling catheter. Although the admission report and nurse-to-nurse handoff documented these needs, the baseline care plan did not include the PICC line or isolation precautions among the resident’s immediate care needs. Staff interviews confirmed the resident arrived with these treatments and precautions in place, and the DON stated the expectation was for a baseline care plan to be developed and implemented within 24 hours of admission.

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 Baseline Care Plan Within Required Timeframe
D
F0655 F655: Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Short Summary

A resident admitted with schizoaffective disorder, HIV, bipolar disorder, and insomnia did not have a baseline care plan developed within the required 48 hours. The Unit Manager confirmed she was responsible for completing and tracking baseline care plans, and verified the resident’s plan was not completed on time.

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.
Baseline Care Plan Not Completed for Bed Mobility and Transfers
D
F0655 F655: Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Short Summary

A resident admitted with traumatic subdural hemorrhage, T5-6 vertebral fractures, and respiratory failure did not have a baseline care plan with instructions for positioning, bed mobility, or transfers within 48 hours of admission. The EHR and bedside Kardex lacked guidance for nursing staff, and observations showed the resident slouching in bed and later with feet touching the lower bed frame. An LPN and the DON both stated the care plan did not meet expectations.

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 Baseline Care Plan Summary
D
F0655 F655: Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Short Summary

A resident admitted with asthma, hypothyroidism, and HTN did not have evidence in the record that a written summary of the baseline care plan and order summary was provided to the resident and/or representative. The NHA confirmed the missing documentation 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 Include EBP for PEG Tube in Care Plan
D
F0655 F655: Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Short Summary

A resident with hemiplegia, severe cognitive impairment, a feeding tube, and surgical wounds was ordered EBP for a PEG tube, but the care plan did not include the EBP need or related interventions. The DON confirmed the omission and stated that the care plan is meant to communicate interventions for resident safety, protection, and care.

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 Develop Baseline Care Plans Within 48 Hours
D
F0655 F655: Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Short Summary

Failure to Develop Baseline Care Plans Within 48 Hours: The facility did not open baseline care plans within the required timeframe for three residents reviewed for abuse and falls. One resident’s abuse care plan was started well after admission and the baseline plan did not include abuse. Another resident’s abuse/neglect plan was started after an abuse allegation, and a third resident with a high fall risk score had no baseline fall care plan despite a fall and an abuse allegation after admission. The Care Plan Coordinator confirmed the baseline plans were not in place 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.
Citation search

Search every citation & Plan of Correction

Go to search
Citation watch

Track new serious citations across California

Get a heads-up on the newest immediate-jeopardy (J–L) citations in California — where surveyors are focused right now.

Free · about one email a month

Trusted data from CMS and state health departments

Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release August 26, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.

In your survey window? See what surveyors are citing.

The Survey-Prep Report maps your facility's risk from 12 months of CMS and state citation data — what's being cited around you and what to check first. $129 one-time.

Get the Survey-Prep Report
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙