Failure to Supervise Exit-Seeking Resident Resulting in Unnoticed Elopement to Courtyard
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide adequate supervision and prevent elopement for a resident with known exit-seeking behaviors, resulting in the resident leaving the building and remaining outside unsupervised in cold weather. The resident had a diagnosis that included unspecified dementia and was severely cognitively impaired, with a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 3. Earlier assessments identified the resident as high risk for wandering on 6/24/25, low risk on 11/7/25, and again high risk on 12/31/25. A wander bracelet ordered in June 2025 for dementia and exit-seeking behaviors was discontinued on 10/28/25. On 12/8/25, a Social Services Progress Note documented that the resident was agitated, sitting in the lobby doorway, yelling that he wanted to go home, tapping on the door, and requiring redirection by nursing staff. The Social Worker later confirmed that these were exit-seeking behaviors and acknowledged that additional interventions such as increased monitoring and a wandering assessment should have been implemented but were not. On 12/30/25, staff documented in the Plan of Care Response History at 11:18 AM that the resident exhibited behavioral symptoms of wandering, noted that these behaviors had occurred previously, and documented that the nurse was notified. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the resident was known to be exit-seeking on a daily basis and required frequent redirection, yet several CNAs and an LPN assumed the resident already had a wander guard in place when he did not. That evening, the resident was last observed by his assigned CNA watching television in the lobby a little after 7:00 PM. At approximately 7:28 PM, the resident exited the facility through the smokers’ courtyard door. The door was later found by the Maintenance Director to have a malfunction in which sustained pressure on the handle allowed it to open without sounding an alarm. Staff near the courtyard, including a CNA who had been in the breakroom by the exit until about 8:30 PM, reported not hearing any alarm and did not observe anything unusual during that time. The resident was eventually discovered outside when a CNA walking down the hall looked through the courtyard door and saw someone sitting on the patio. The CNA obtained another CNA, who identified the individual as the resident. The resident was brought back inside, and staff observed that he was shivering, rubbing his hands together, and that his hands appeared white or pale. The resident later stated he had gone outside at night because he wanted to meet his girlfriend, walked around the yard, and tried to come back in but found the door locked. He reported sitting outside for a long time before someone opened the door and stated he was shaking and very cold when he returned inside. Vital signs, including body temperature, were not obtained until the following morning at 10:50 AM. The incident occurred when outside temperatures were documented as ranging from 32 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM. The combination of the resident’s known exit-seeking behavior, lack of enhanced monitoring or wandering interventions after documented behaviors, discontinuation and absence of a wander bracelet, staff assumptions about his elopement protections, and a malfunctioning courtyard door that could be opened without an alarm led to the resident’s unsupervised exit and exposure to cold conditions. The situation was determined by the State Agency to constitute Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) and Substandard Quality of Care (SQC) at 42 CFR §483.25(d)(1)(2), Free of Accident Hazards/Supervision/Devices (F689), with an IJ level of scope and severity J beginning on 12/8/25, when the resident began exhibiting exit-seeking behaviors. The IJ and SQC were formally communicated to the facility’s Administrator on 1/12/26 at 4:30 PM, and the IJ template was provided. The IJ level was later reduced from J to D after validation that corrective actions in the facility’s removal plan had been completed, while the facility continued to develop and implement a plan of correction and monitor systemic changes for sustained compliance.
Removal Plan
- CNA found Resident #1 unattended on the courtyard patio, brought him back to the facility, and another CNA took him to his room and alerted the charge nurse.
- RN notified the DON that Resident #1 had exited the building and was found in the courtyard.
- DON notified the Administrator; Administrator instructed 1:1 monitoring for the remainder of the night, instructed DON to call Maintenance to check the door, and instructed that a head count of all residents be done immediately.
- DON notified Maintenance to return to the facility and check the door.
- Resident #1 was assessed by nursing with no ill effects.
- DON instructed a CNA to stay with Resident #1 1:1 for the remainder of the night.
- Maintenance checked the door, found it would open if the handle was compressed longer than 10 seconds, adjusted the bolt to disable the feature so the door would not open, and checked all doors and windows.
- Maintenance notified the DON that the door was corrected, room checks had been done, and all residents were accounted for.
- Resident #1 was assessed as a wandering risk and a signaling device was placed on his wrist for monitoring.
- Social Services updated the Residents at Risk for Elopement in the Elopement Binder.
- Elopement drills were started.
- The Administrator reported the incident to the Mississippi State Department of Health and Licensure.
- The Mississippi Attorney General's Office was notified of the incident.
- An Ad-Hoc QAPI meeting was held to discuss the incident and findings from the State Surveyor.
- The DON conducted an audit of residents at risk for elopement to review wander risk care plans for those residents identified as at risk for wandering.
- In-services began for all staff on elopement, resident rights, proper door functioning, abuse/neglect/reporting, and notifying staff of observed behaviors; staff were not allowed to work until the in-service was completed.
- A revised Ad-Hoc QAPI meeting was held to discuss the incident and findings from the State Surveyor.
- Audit findings for residents at risk for elopement were reviewed with the Administrator, DON, and ADON.
- The Ombudsman was notified.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Unsafe Cord Placement and Failure to Follow Fall Interventions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a television power cord was properly secured and maintained so it did not create an environmental accident hazard for R46. R46’s quarterly MDS identified moderate cognitive impairment, maximum assistance needed for dressing, grooming, and toileting hygiene, moderate assistance with transfers, and wheelchair use. During observation, R46 was in his room with the television mounted on the wall between the bathroom and closet, and the power cord ran across the closet doors and across the upper drawer of the dresser to a surge protector on top of the dresser. When R46 tried to open the closet doors, the cord was stretched tightly across the doorway and prevented the doors from opening fully unless the cord was lifted away. A later observation showed NA-D had to lift the cord above the closet door to open it and retrieve clothing. NA-D stated the cord had been positioned that way for about one year and could be dangerous if R46 pulled on it, and maintenance staff stated they were only notified that day that the television needed to be fixed. The facility also failed to ensure fall interventions were followed for R13, who had severe cognitive impairment with disorganized thinking and inattention, verbal behaviors toward others, and dependence on staff for footwear and partial to moderate assistance with dressing. R13’s care plan identified her as at risk for falls and included interventions such as ambulating with the resident, encouraging gripper socks, obtaining slip-on shoes, reducing noise, offering snacks, assisting her back to her room when running in the hallway, offering a wheelchair, and redirecting her to slow down. During observations, R13 repeatedly exited her room barefoot and ran through the hallway, including multiple times over an extended period, while staff observed but did not provide gripper socks or shoes, walk with her, redirect her to slow down, or offer other care-planned interventions. Staff interviews indicated they had difficulty redirecting her because she became agitated, and the DON stated the care plan should be followed to ensure safety.
Failure to Follow Fall Prevention Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement care planned interventions to prevent further falls for one resident who was reviewed for falls. The resident had moderate impaired cognition, diagnoses including cancer and non-Alzheimer's dementia, required extensive assistance with ADLs including toileting, transfers, and locomotion, and had a history of falls. The resident's care plan identified the resident as a high fall risk related to de-conditioning, cognitive deficits, and prior falls, and included interventions such as anti-rollbacks on the wheelchair, appropriate footwear, keeping a wheelchair behind the resident when ambulating, and removing the mobile bedside table from beside the bed. After a fall in which the resident was found on the floor by the room doorway with the mobile bedside table in the hallway next to him, the resident stated he had been using the table as a walker. Despite the care plan and post-fall assessment identifying removal of the mobile bedside table as an intervention, observations showed the movable bedside table still placed alongside the bed on multiple occasions, including when staff were present in the room. Staff interviews confirmed they were unaware of the current fall prevention interventions, acknowledged the table was movable, and stated it remained at the bedside to facilitate meals. The DON confirmed the table had been at the bedside and was removed only after the surveyor discussed it with staff.
Failure to complete restraint assessment before wheelchair alarm use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a restraint assessment before implementing a wheelchair alarm for Resident #18. Resident #18 was admitted with multiple diagnoses including muscle weakness, difficulty walking, repeated falls, and dementia. The care plan for impaired mobility and fall risk, dated 3/8/26, included a wheelchair alarm as an intervention. A Bed Safety and Transfer Device Evaluation dated 4/28/26 documented that the bed/chair alarm did not restrict mobility, but the record did not include an initial Restraint Evaluation dated on or around 3/8/26 to identify the comprehensive evaluation of the chair alarm. On 7/9/26, the CNO stated that a Restraint Evaluation had not been completed prior to the chair alarm being placed for Resident #18.
Inadequate Supervision During EZ Stand Transfers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure adequate supervision and assistance for one resident during transfers with an EZ stand lift. The resident had cognitive deficits and was dependent for toileting, with diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, dementia, fracture, and repeated falls. The care plan identified a moderate fall risk related to weakness and directed toileting with an EZ stand and 2-person assist. During observation, nursing assistants placed the harness, safety belt, straps, and loops appropriately and assisted the resident with the lift, but the resident stood only to approximately 135 degrees and never came to a full stand. On two observed transfers, staff remained by the bathroom door while the resident was given privacy, then re-entered to continue the transfer and complete care. In both observations, the resident never achieved a full standing position despite encouragement and repeated attempts. One nursing assistant stated the transfer was safe because two staff were assisting, while the RN case manager stated she expected the resident to stand straight up when transferred with the EZ stand and that staff should sit the resident back down and try again if the resident did not. The RN case manager was unaware of any concerns about the resident transferring safely with the EZ stand. Facility policy was requested but not provided.
Resident Left Unsupervised and Was Found Wandering in Parking Lot
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to recognize that a cognitively impaired resident had left the building unsupervised and was wandering in the parking lot. The resident had diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and anxiety disorder, and records showed she had moderately impaired cognition, walked and transferred independently, and had no documented wandering behaviors during the MDS lookback period. Although an elopement evaluation had previously concluded she was not at risk for elopement, the care plan identified confusion, impaired cognition, and lack of awareness of safety needs. On the day of the event, a family member visiting another resident saw the resident outside in the parking lot looking into car windows and walking from car to car with a jacket and pocketbook on her arm. The family member stated the resident appeared to be looking for someone and was in the middle area of the parking lot before she reported it to staff. Nurse #3 was notified and went to check on the resident, who was then brought back inside the facility. Staff interviews showed they were not actively looking for the resident and did not know she had exited the facility unsupervised until the family member reported seeing her outside. Staff accounts indicated the resident had been seen earlier in the dining room eating, but no one was aware she had left the building. Nurse #2 and NA #1 both stated they were not aware the resident was missing until the report from the family member. The administrator stated the resident exited through the front entrance doors, but it was not known whether she pushed the button behind the receptionist desk or was let out by a visitor. The previous NP stated the resident needed someone with her if she was outside the facility and could have wandered away if left alone.
Failure to Respond to Help Requests and Use Foot Pedals During Wheelchair Transport
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe environment free from accident hazards for R25 when staff did not respond to her requests for help and did not provide foot pedals while propelling her wheelchair. R25 had diagnoses of parkinsonism and Alzheimer's disease, and her records documented severely impaired cognition, including a BIMS score of four on a quarterly MDS. Her care plan stated she was independent with locomotion in her manual wheelchair, but other documentation reflected a history of falls and need for staff assistance with wheelchair mobility. The care plan also lacked documentation regarding foot pedals. Nursing notes and staff interviews showed multiple instances in which R25 was pushed in her wheelchair without foot pedals. On one occasion, a CNA propelled her out of the restroom and her socked foot hit the floor when the wheelchair was pushed. On another occasion, R25 was seated in her wheelchair, holding onto the back of a recliner and calling out for help, while the CNA walked by her. The CNA later propelled R25 down the hallway without foot pedals and at one point pushed the chair and let it go. Staff interviews confirmed that residents should have foot pedals when staff are pushing them, and the CNA stated she should not push R25 without foot pedals.
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