F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
D

Inadequate overnight supervision and staff sleeping on duty

Rehabilitation & Nursing Center At Everett (the)Everett, Massachusetts Survey Completed on 08-07-2025

Summary

The facility failed to provide adequate supervision during the overnight shift on two units. On the secured unit, surveyors observed three residents awake and wandering while staff were found asleep: one CNA was seated in a hallway chair with his head resting against a padded handrail, another CNA was asleep in a chair across from the nurses station, and a nurse was asleep behind the nurses station with her shoes off, feet elevated, mouth open, and snoring. The unit housed residents with behavioral issues and dementia, and staff acknowledged that residents on the unit were awake and wandering throughout the night. Resident #3 had diagnoses including vascular dementia, delusional disorder, and generalized muscle weakness, with severe cognitive impairment and daily wandering documented on the MDS. His/her care plan noted a history of falls, poor safety awareness, and that the resident should be offered assistance back to bed when observed ambulating late at night. Resident #32 had diagnoses including unspecified dementia and delusional cognitive communication deficit, was severely cognitively impaired, and had behaviors of rejecting care; the care plan identified fall risk related to confusion, incontinence, psychoactive drug use, and wandering. Resident #2 had catatonic schizophrenia and generalized muscle weakness, was severely cognitively impaired, and had a fall risk care plan noting decreased safety awareness and standing for long periods of time. During the observation, Resident #3 continued pacing, Resident #32 was seen exiting the room and pacing, and Resident #2 briefly exited the room and returned. On the Main 1 unit, surveyors observed a nurse at the nursing station with eyes shut and no other staff immediately visible, then found one CNA lying across a loveseat in a day room with eyes shut and another CNA later identified as being on break in the same area. The nurse initially stated there were no staff on break and then said the CNA must have been on break, while the CNA later stated she was sleeping during a scheduled break. The nurse later said the CNAs should not both be on break at the same time, and the DON stated the CNAs should communicate with the nurse when taking breaks and should not both be on break at the same time.

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

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See other F0689 citations
Unsafe Cord Placement and Failure to Follow Fall Interventions
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

Unsafe Cord Placement and Failure to Follow Fall Interventions: A resident with cognitive impairment and wheelchair use had a TV power cord stretched tightly across the closet doorway, blocking access and creating an environmental hazard when staff had to lift the cord to open the closet. Another resident with severe cognitive impairment and a fall-risk care plan repeatedly ran barefoot in the hallway while staff observed but did not consistently provide planned interventions such as gripper socks, footwear, ambulation assistance, or redirection.

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 Follow Fall Prevention Care Plan
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A resident with impaired cognition, cancer, non-Alzheimer's dementia, extensive ADL needs, and a fall history was identified as a high fall risk with care plan interventions including removing a movable bedside table. After a fall, the resident was found using the table as a walker, yet observations showed the table still placed beside the bed on multiple occasions, including when staff were present. Staff interviews confirmed they were unaware of the current fall prevention interventions and that the table remained at bedside for meals despite the care plan.

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 restraint assessment before wheelchair alarm use
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

Failure to complete a restraint assessment before using a wheelchair alarm for a resident with muscle weakness, difficulty walking, repeated falls, and dementia. The care plan included the alarm as an intervention, but the record lacked an initial Restraint Evaluation, and the CNO confirmed the assessment had not been completed before the alarm was placed.

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.
Inadequate Supervision During EZ Stand Transfers
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A resident with cognitive deficits, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, fracture, and repeated falls was dependent for toileting and care planned for an EZ stand with 2-person assist. During observed transfers, staff placed the harness and straps correctly, but the resident only rose to about 135 degrees and never came to a full stand, while staff remained by the bathroom door during privacy periods and continued the transfer despite the resident not standing fully. An RN stated the resident was expected to stand straight up with the EZ stand and that staff should sit the resident back down and try again if not.

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.
Resident Left Unsupervised and Was Found Wandering in Parking Lot
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A resident with Alzheimer's disease and dementia was found wandering in the parking lot after leaving the building unsupervised. A family member visiting another resident saw her looking into car windows and alerted staff, who were not aware she had exited until the report. Staff interviews showed the resident had been seen earlier eating in the dining room, but no one was actively looking for her or knew she had left 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 Respond to Help Requests and Use Foot Pedals During Wheelchair Transport
D
F0689 F689: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Short Summary

A resident with parkinsonism and Alzheimer's disease, severe cognitive impairment, and a fall history was pushed in her wheelchair without foot pedals and was not assisted when she called out for help. Nursing notes and staff interviews showed a CNA propelled the resident multiple times without foot pedals, including one instance where her socked foot hit the floor, and staff acknowledged that foot pedals should be used when pushing a resident.

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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