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

Missing Medicare, Advance Directive, and COVID-19 Documentation

Southern Tenn Medical Center SnfWinchester, Tennessee Survey Completed on 09-04-2025

Summary

The facility failed to maintain required discharge and billing documentation for three residents who were discharged from skilled services. Resident #3 was admitted with diagnoses including myocardial infarction and muscle weakness, had severe cognitive impairment on the BIMS, and was discharged by EMS; Resident #5 was admitted with chronic kidney disease, severe protein calorie malnutrition, and muscle weakness, and was discharged home; Resident #33 was admitted with congestive heart failure and muscle weakness, was cognitively intact on the BIMS, and was discharged home with home health and family. The medical records for all three residents did not contain a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) or an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN). The MDS RN stated these residents had not been provided a NOMNC or ABN, and also stated the staff had not provided ABNs to any residents for several months and had not provided NOMNCs to residents receiving Medicare Part A skilled services since 2024. The facility also failed to document that residents were offered assistance with advance directives. Resident #4 was admitted with cerebral infarction, diabetes, and muscle weakness and was cognitively intact on the BIMS; Resident #11 was admitted with cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, and acute respiratory failure and was cognitively intact on the BIMS; Resident #17 was admitted with urinary tract infection, muscle wasting, and chronic kidney disease and had moderate cognitive impairment on the BIMS. None of these three residents had documentation of an advance directive or documentation that the facility offered assistance or an opportunity to formulate one. The facility policy stated residents or their representatives were to be provided written information about advance directives and offered assistance if they had not established one. The DON confirmed there was no documentation in the records showing the residents had been educated or offered assistance to formulate an advance directive, and stated staff had not provided education to any residents on their right to formulate an advance directive for several months. The facility further failed to document COVID-19 vaccination education and offering of the vaccine for five residents, and had not offered the COVID-19 vaccine to staff since 2022. Resident #7, Resident #11, Resident #19, Resident #24, and Resident #32 all had medical records without documentation that COVID-19 education was provided, that the vaccine was offered, or that declination forms were signed. The Infection Preventionist stated the residents had been educated and declined the vaccine, but also stated she did not obtain declination signatures or document education because she believed it was no longer required. She further stated the facility had not offered COVID education or the vaccine to staff in several years. The Employee Health Nurse and Human Resources Director confirmed the facility had not offered COVID-19 education or vaccination to staff since 2022, and the Administrator confirmed the facility had not provided residents the opportunity to formulate advance directives, had not provided ABNs or NOMNCs, and had not documented resident or staff COVID-19 education or staff vaccination offers.

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

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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