Failure to Provide Ordered Therapy, Offer ST, and Maintain a Restorative Program
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide specialized rehabilitative services as ordered, failure to offer speech therapy (ST) over several months, and failure to maintain an active restorative program in accordance with resident needs. Facility policy required that therapy services be provided under physician orders, coordinated with the interdisciplinary team, and accurately documented in the medical record, with periodic evaluation of effectiveness. Review of therapy minutes showed no ST evaluations or services offered during the review period, and interviews confirmed there was no restorative nursing program in place following a change in ownership and therapy staffing transitions. One resident, identified as having moderate cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses including heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, MDRO, anxiety, and depression, required extensive assistance with mobility and transfers and used a wheelchair/scooter. The resident’s MDS dated 10/24/25 showed no therapy minutes and no days in a restorative nursing program, despite physician orders for PT/OT/ST to evaluate and treat for transfer status, functional decline, and confusion. Orders for PT/OT/ST were initiated and then discontinued on two separate occasions, and the resident’s care plan did not document the outside therapy services the resident was receiving. Progress notes documented that the resident left the facility for outside therapy appointments and that the physician noted the resident was receiving outside PT five times per week, but this outside therapy was not reflected in the care plan or therapy documentation as required by facility policy. Interviews with the resident and family member revealed that the resident did not receive consistent PT or ST in the facility and had a three‑month period without therapy after an ownership change and staff turnover. The family arranged for the resident to attend an outside day program providing PT five days per week, with the family providing transportation after the facility stated it could not provide daily transport. The Director of Rehab stated the resident had not received in‑house therapy since the director’s start date, that there was no ST available during the period in question, and that there was no restorative program in place. The DON acknowledged awareness that the resident received outside therapy and stated expectations that such services should be scheduled, coordinated, documented, and care planned, but confirmed there was no restorative therapy program operating at the facility during this time. Additional staff interviews corroborated that there was a gap in PT/OT services during the transition to new ownership and that the restorative aides were removed without replacement, leaving the facility without a restorative program. The Plant Operations Manager reported that therapy under the prior contract became “light” during the transition and that nursing management handled therapy after the therapy company left. The Dietary Manager and Director of Rehab confirmed that ST had not been provided during the review period, with only a plan for telehealth ST and a new ST hire pending. Collectively, these findings show that the facility did not provide therapy services as ordered, did not offer ST for an extended period, and did not maintain an active restorative program, and failed to update the medical record and care plan to reflect and coordinate the resident’s outside therapy services.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
A resident with hemiplegia, HTN, and DM had an ordered restorative nursing program for ROM, stretching, and strengthening exercises to maintain function. Survey review found the program was repeatedly missed or only partially completed over several months, and interviews showed the restorative aide was the only aide covering the whole building, could not always complete all residents’ programs, and staff were unclear who covered when she was unavailable.
Failure to identify a decline in ADLs and mobility delayed consideration of renewed rehab services for a resident with generalized muscle weakness, morbid obesity, and bilateral knee OA. After OT/PT discharge at maximum potential, later MDS assessments showed the resident still needed substantial to maximal assistance for toileting hygiene and bed mobility, but the RC was not notified of the decline and the DON stated there was no documentation that the physician was notified to consider new PT/OT evaluations.
Failure to provide quarterly therapy screening for a resident with DM2, COPD, CHF, CKD, and anxiety. The resident’s care plan called for routine therapy screening, evaluation, and treatment as ordered, but after PT/OT ended due to lack of progress and participation, the resident was not re-evaluated for therapy services. The resident reported arm weakness from being in bed and said he could use therapy, and the DTR confirmed no therapy evaluation had occurred since discharge despite the expectation for quarterly screens.
A resident with quadriplegia, DM, and COPD was ordered RNA passive ROM for all 4 extremities 4 times weekly, but restorative records showed multiple blank days and inconsistent entries for provision or refusal of care. The resident said RNA helped maintain movement, while RNA staff and the DON stated that every session or refusal should be documented in PCC to validate the service was done.
A resident with dementia, CKD, COPD, urinary retention, edema, and unsteadiness had a physician order for OT to evaluate decreased ability to feed herself, but no documented OT evaluation was completed. The family and legal guardian raised concerns about communication and feeding ability, the DON emailed OT to request the eval, and the DOR later stated the resident was delayed behind new admissions without informing the family, Administrator, or DON.
Failure to provide ordered PT/OT services for two residents. One resident had a physician order for PT for declined ADLs, but no PT eval or treatment was documented and therapy staff were unaware of the order. Another resident had repeated APRN orders for PT/OT consults for offloading needs and a properly fitted pressure-relieving cushion, but no PT/OT consult or evaluation was completed or documented.
Failure to Provide Ordered Nursing Rehab Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide nursing rehab services as ordered for one resident with intact cognition, left-sided hemiplegia, hypertension, and diabetes. The resident’s care plan directed staff to follow the nursing rehab program, and discharge and rehab follow-up recommendations identified a maintenance program that included self-range of motion, passive range of motion, stretching, and use of a seven-pound dumbbell or power web flex gripper three times a week to maintain strength and ROM in the left upper and lower extremities. Documentation showed the ordered restorative program was not completed as scheduled. The survey review found repeated gaps in both the dumbbell/gripper exercises and ROM program across February, March, April, May, June, and July 2026, with multiple weeks showing fewer than three completed sessions and some weeks showing no ROM completion at all. The resident stated the restorative nursing aide came to work on his arms, but the resident believed the exercises were occurring only once a week even though they were ordered more often. Interviews showed the restorative program was not consistently covered when the restorative nursing aide was unavailable. The restorative nursing aide stated she was the only restorative aide, was responsible for the whole building, and could not always see all residents each day because of appointments, activities, or residents staying in bed. She was unsure who covered restorative when she was off. The RN clinical coordinator was unaware who completed restorative programs when the restorative aide could not see all residents, and the DON stated that when the restorative aide was not working, the programs were supposed to be triggered for nursing assistants to complete. The DON reviewed the documentation and confirmed the restorative programs were not being done as ordered for the resident.
Failure to Identify Decline for Rehabilitative Services
Penalty
Summary
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident was not ensured for one resident after a decline in ADLs and mobility. The resident had diagnoses of generalized muscle weakness, morbid obesity, and osteoarthritis of both knees. Her MDS showed she was independent in daily decision making but required substantial to maximal assistance for showering, bathing, toileting hygiene, rolling side to side in bed, and moving from lying to sitting. She had previously received OT and PT from 10/7/2025 to 12/11/2025, and both therapy discharge summaries stated she had achieved her maximum potential at discharge, with improvement to standby assistance for hygiene and grooming and standby assistance for rolling in bed, and minimal assistance for moving from lying to sitting. Later MDS assessments showed the resident continued to require substantial to maximal assistance for toileting hygiene and for rolling and moving from lying to sitting in bed. During interview, the RC stated she was not notified of the resident’s decline in hygiene tasks or mobility identified in the MDS assessments, and stated prompt notification was important so interventions could be implemented. The RC also stated that if there were a decline after therapy discharge, the resident would have benefited from renewed services and the physician could have been notified to determine whether new PT and OT evaluations were appropriate. The DON stated there was no documentation that the physician was notified of the resident’s decline in ADLs and mobility, and stated staff should have notified the physician so the care plan could be revised and the change in condition addressed.
Failure to Provide Quarterly Therapy Screening
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide quarterly screening for therapy services for one resident. Resident #7 was admitted with diagnoses including Type II diabetes, COPD, chronic diastolic heart failure, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified chronic kidney disease. The most recent MDS showed the resident was cognitively intact, had no behaviors, did not wander, and frequently rejected care. The care plan stated the resident required assistance with ADLs and included interventions for therapy to screen routinely, evaluate, and treat as ordered. The resident received PT and OT from 09/23/25 to 10/16/25 and was discharged because of lack of progress and lack of compliance/participation in therapy. During an interview, the resident stated his arms were getting weaker from being in bed and that he could use therapy. The Director of Therapy Services confirmed the resident had not been evaluated for therapy services since discharge in October 2025 and stated each resident was supposed to be screened quarterly. The facility policy also stated quarterly facility-wide screens were conducted to identify residents who might benefit from skilled therapy.
Incomplete Documentation of Restorative Nursing ROM Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Restorative Nursing Session (RNS) services were performed according to physician orders and the facility’s Resident Restorative Nursing Program Guidelines for one resident. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including quadriplegia, DM, and COPD, and the MDS indicated the resident was cognitively intact and dependent on staff for ADL care. The physician orders dated 1/27/2026 directed RNA program passive ROM exercises for the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, left upper extremity, and right upper extremity four times a week as tolerated. During interview, the resident stated he was unable to get out of bed, had limited mobility, and received RNA to help maintain movement and prevent further decline. Review of the restorative documentation for 3/2026 through 6/2026 showed multiple blank entries and inconsistent documentation of service provision or refusal. The entries included notations such as 15 minutes with resident encouragement, passive participation, and refusals, but many scheduled days had no documentation at all. RNA staff stated that blank documentation meant nothing was done and that every encounter, whether services were provided or refused, should be documented in the chart. The DON stated the facility expected RNAs to document when services were provided or not, and that documentation should occur as soon as able during the shift to validate the service was done. The DON also stated that a blank in the documentation or lack of a progress note indicated a task was not done. The facility’s policy stated that the RNA will document each session, including the type of activity performed, frequency/duration, level of assistance provided, and resident response and tolerance.
Failure to Complete Ordered OT Evaluation for Feeding Ability
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to evaluate a resident for occupational therapy services as required by a physician’s order. Resident #146 was admitted with diagnoses including unspecified dementia, chronic kidney disease stage 4, chronic embolism and thrombosis, COPD, shortness of breath, retention of urine, localized edema, and unsteadiness on feet. A quarterly MDS documented severely impaired cognition with a BIMS score of 3, maximal assistance needed for eating, oral hygiene, upper body dressing, and footwear, dependence for toileting, bathing, and personal hygiene, an indwelling urinary catheter, frequent bowel incontinence, and recent anticoagulant use. After the resident’s family member and legal guardian raised concerns about communication with the medical team and the resident’s ability to feed herself, the facility documented that an order was placed for OT to evaluate her ability to feed herself. The physician’s order directed OT to evaluate for decreased ability to feed self, but the record contained no documented evidence that OT completed the evaluation after the family meeting and order. The DON emailed OT requesting the evaluation, and the Director of Rehabilitation Services later stated the resident was placed on a list for OT evaluation but was pushed down behind new admissions and the family, Administrator, and DON were not informed.
Failure to Provide Ordered PT/OT Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide specialized rehabilitative services as ordered for two residents reviewed for therapy services. The facility policy stated that rehabilitative services are to be provided in accordance with assessment results, the comprehensive plan of care, and physician orders, and that a qualified therapist should evaluate the resident and develop a plan of care within the required timeframe after the physician’s order. For one resident, the record documented a physician order for physical therapy for declined ADLs, but the electronic health record did not show a PT evaluation or treatment, and the occupational therapist stated the resident had not received PT and the therapy department was not aware of the order until the surveyor interview. For a second resident, wound assessment and treatment orders repeatedly documented a recommendation for PT/OT for offloading needs and a properly fitted pressure-relieving cushion, but the record did not show a PT/OT consult or evaluation for the offloading needs or cushion. The physical therapist stated the resident had not had a PT or OT consultation and was not aware of the order, and the APRN stated she had been asking for PT/OT consultation for about two weeks and was not aware it had not been done.
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