Failure to Resolve Vendor Payment Deficiencies Through QAPI
Penalty
Summary
The facility's Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program failed to correct previously cited deficiencies related to the non-payment of essential service vendors, specifically water and sewage vendors. Despite having a policy that requires quarterly QAPI meetings to identify and address areas of non-compliance, and a plan of correction that included auditing and communication protocols for vendor payments, the facility did not maintain current payments to these vendors. Documentation and interviews revealed that outstanding invoices for water and sewage services remained unpaid, with significant amounts owed to both vendors. During the survey, vendor representatives confirmed that large sums were overdue, with the water vendor stating that court action had been initiated to recover payments and the sewage vendor reporting ongoing delays and the need for repeated reminders. The Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged the failure to remain current on these payments and confirmed that the QAPI program did not resolve the previously identified deficiencies. This ongoing issue has the potential to affect all residents in the facility.