Failure to Develop and Implement Comprehensive Care Plans for Urostomy and Splint Use
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to develop and implement comprehensive, person-centered care plans with measurable objectives and timeframes for multiple residents, and to ensure that identified care plan interventions were actually carried out. For one resident with paraplegia, type 2 diabetes, and neuromuscular bladder dysfunction, observations over two days showed a catheter drainage bag anchored to the bedside with the end of the catheter tubing hanging into a trash can. The resident reported that she emptied her own urostomy by attaching the catheter bag tubing to her pouch and then placing the tubing over the trash can in case of leaking, and that she did not wash her hands before or after draining the bag. She stated the facility had not provided alcohol-based hand rub or sanitizing wipes for her hands or the catheter tubing, and that staff changed her wafer a few times a week. Her care plans addressed urostomy care, risk for UTI, and behavioral issues such as refusing care and hyper-focusing on urostomy bag changes, but there were no interventions related to her self-care of the urostomy, including hand hygiene, despite her being cognitively intact and performing this task herself. Staff interviews confirmed gaps between the written care plan and actual practice for this resident. An LPN stated he provided urostomy care and changed the wafer about every three days, while the resident emptied her own urostomy bag into a catheter bag that staff then emptied. When he observed the catheter tubing hanging in the trash can, he acknowledged it was "not good" and recognized the potential for a UTI. The Infection Preventionist and DON both stated they were not aware that the resident kept the catheter tubing in the trash can and agreed this was a concern and a potential source of infection. The facility’s comprehensive care plan policy required timely, person-centered plans reviewed and revised by an interdisciplinary team, with monitoring for changes in condition that might warrant updates, but the resident’s self-management practices and hand hygiene needs were not incorporated into the care plan interventions. For another resident admitted with COPD, hemiplegia/hemiparesis of the left non-dominant side, and muscle weakness, the record showed a physician order and care plan for a left-hand splint to be worn a specified number of hours per day. However, multiple observations over several days consistently showed the resident not wearing the splint, with the device sitting by the TV. Record review revealed no progress note documentation of staff implementing the hand splint care plan. Staff interviews indicated that restorative aides and nurses were responsible for applying splints and documenting care, and that failure to wear the splint could lead to negative outcomes such as increased contracture and decreased mobility. The DON stated she expected staff to follow care plans and physician orders, including applying splints and monitoring skin integrity and circulation, and acknowledged residents were at risk when care plans were not implemented. A third resident, admitted with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following intracerebral hemorrhage, seizures, and obesity, had physician orders and a care plan for a right resting hand splint and a left arm protector/palm guard to be applied in the morning and removed in the evening. The MDS indicated splint use, and the comprehensive care plan documented a resting right-hand splint and left palm guard related to limited range of motion. Observations on three separate days showed the resident without the right-hand splint in place; the left palm protector was consistently in place, while the right splint was observed on the bedside table pushed against the far wall. A CNA stated the resident should have a splint on the left hand at all times but was unaware of a right-hand splint. An LPN stated restorative CNAs were supposed to put splints on daily but were frequently pulled to work the floor, and she then applied the right-hand splint during the survey, which was the first time it was observed in use. Other staff interviews confirmed that splint use was specified in the TAR, care plan, and Kardex, and that nursing staff were responsible for ensuring correct application. The DON and Executive Director both stated they expected restorative programs and care plans regarding splinting and range of motion to be followed, and acknowledged that failure to apply splints as ordered could cause skin issues and contractures. Across these three residents, the facility’s own policies on comprehensive care plans and restorative nursing required that residents receive treatment and care in accordance with professional standards, the comprehensive person-centered care plan, and residents’ choices, with RN or LPN supervision of restorative programs. Despite these policies, the survey findings showed that care plans did not fully address actual resident practices (such as self-care of a urostomy and hand hygiene) and that existing care plan interventions (such as ordered splint use) were not consistently implemented or documented in practice.
Penalty
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Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
A resident with dementia, muscle weakness, and protein-calorie malnutrition had a care plan directing staff to offload his heels or use Prevalon boots while in bed. During observation, he was found in bed without the boots, and an LPN confirmed his heels were not offloaded even though they should have been.
Failure to care plan depression: A resident with MDD and ongoing depressive symptoms had psychology evaluations documenting depressed mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and appetite changes, and the MDS listed depression as an active dx. However, the care plan did not include depression as a focus area, and the MDS Coordinator and DON both stated it should have been care planned.
Incomplete care planning for ordered medications and diabetic footwear. The facility did not include ordered meds such as Eszopiclone, Lexapro, Mirtazapine, and Zolpidem in residents' comprehensive care plans, and one resident was not measured for diabetic shoes and insoles per MD order. The MDS Coordinator said the missing medication care plans were an oversight, while the DON and Administrator stated care plans are used to direct and guide resident care.
A facility failed to include person-centered comprehensive care plan focus areas for two residents receiving ordered meds. One resident with atrial fibrillation was receiving Eliquis, and another resident with insomnia was receiving Trazodone, but neither current care plan addressed the medication use. The MDS Nurse stated she was responsible for care plan development and said the omissions were due to oversight.
Failure to update a resident’s fall care plan with a Geri-chair intervention. A resident with dementia, osteoarthritis, diabetes, severe cognitive impairment, and a history of falls had a care plan listing multiple fall precautions, but after a witnessed fall and a physician order for a Geri-chair or tilt back WC, the care plan was not updated to include that intervention. Surveyors observed the resident in a Geri-chair, and the MDS Coordinator and DON acknowledged the care plan had not been updated.
Failure to care plan a resident’s impaired hearing. A resident with dementia and a history of hard of hearing was observed unable to hear normal conversation and stated he refused to use his hearing aid. The SSD and RN confirmed no care plan had been initiated for the hearing impairment or hearing aid refusal, and the DON stated the condition should have been care planned per facility policy and MDS triggers.
Failure to Offload Heels as Directed
Penalty
Summary
Resident #32, who was admitted with diagnoses including dementia, muscle weakness, and protein-calorie malnutrition, had a care plan revised on 6/18/21 directing staff to offload his heels or use Prevalon boots when he was in bed, as he allowed. During observation on 7/9/26 at 11:22 AM, Resident #32 was found in bed without Prevalon boots in place. At 11:23 AM, an LPN stated the resident should have had his boots on, then lifted the blanket and observed the resident's legs resting on a pillow. When asked whether the resident's heels were offloaded, the LPN stated they were not and confirmed they should have been offloaded.
Failure to Care Plan Depression
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive care plan for Resident #22, who had diagnoses including Major Depressive Disorder and was documented by psychology evaluations as having recurrent, moderate depression. The resident’s evaluation notes described decreased interest in activities, persistent depressed mood, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and changes in appetite, with symptoms occurring on more than half of the days and causing moderate subjective distress. A later psychology note again documented persistent depressed mood, marked loss of interest, altered sleep patterns, and fatigue with moderate distress. The resident’s quarterly MDS dated 6/13/2026 documented an active diagnosis of depression in Section I, but the care plan did not include a focus area for depression. During interview, the MDS Coordinator stated the resident had been followed by Balance Wellbeing since 12/2025, the diagnosis was entered on 5/20/2026, and depression was not included in the care plan but should be. The DON also stated the resident should be care planned for depression. The facility policy required a comprehensive person-centered care plan with measurable objectives and timeframes to meet the resident’s medical, nursing, and psychosocial needs and all services identified in the comprehensive assessment.
Incomplete Care Planning for Ordered Medications and Diabetic Footwear
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan with measurable objectives and timeframes for 3 of 4 residents reviewed. Resident #12 had diagnoses including dementia, anxiety, malnutrition, and depression, and her physician orders included Eszopiclone for insomnia, Lexapro for depression, and Mirtazapine for protein-calorie malnutrition. Although these medications were active and administered, the comprehensive care plan dated 04/23/26 did not include care planning for Eszopiclone, Lexapro, or Mirtazapine. Resident #3 had diagnoses including PTSD, depression, and stroke, with a BIMS score of 08 indicating severely impaired cognition. Her physician order dated 06/01/26 included Zolpidem Tartrate 5 mg at bedtime for insomnia, and the MDS indicated she received a hypnotic medication during the look-back period. The comprehensive care plan did not indicate Zolpidem. During interview, the MDS Coordinator stated she reviewed the records and did not see care plans for Resident #12's medications or Resident #3's Zolpidem, and said it was an oversight. Resident #2 was also identified in the deficiency statement as not being measured for diabetic shoes and diabetic insoles per physician order. The facility's policy stated that a comprehensive, person-centered care plan with measurable objectives and timetables is developed and implemented for each resident and revised as conditions change. The DON and Administrator stated that care plans were a team effort and used to direct and guide resident care, and that if care plans were not done properly, care could be missed.
Missing Care Plan Focus Areas for Anticoagulant and Antidepressant Medication Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a person-centered comprehensive care plan for a resident receiving anticoagulant medication. Resident #5 was admitted with atrial fibrillation and had a physician order for Eliquis 5 mg by mouth twice daily. The June 2026 MAR showed the resident received Eliquis as ordered, and the quarterly MDS assessment coded the resident as moderately cognitively impaired and receiving anticoagulant medication. However, the resident’s current comprehensive care plan, last reviewed on 6/19/26, did not include a care plan focus area for anticoagulant medication use. The facility also failed to develop a person-centered comprehensive care plan for a resident receiving antidepressant medication. Resident #8 was admitted with insomnia and had a physician order for Trazodone 50 mg by mouth at bedtime. The June 2026 MAR showed the resident received Trazodone as ordered, and the quarterly MDS assessment coded the resident as cognitively intact and receiving antidepressant medication. The resident’s current comprehensive care plan, last reviewed on 6/18/26, did not include a care plan focus area for antidepressant medication use. In both cases, the MDS Nurse stated she was responsible for developing the care plans and identified the missing care plan areas as an oversight.
Failure to Update Fall Care Plan With Geri-Chair Intervention
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive care plan that included all of Resident #1’s fall interventions. Resident #1, a [AGE]-year-old female with dementia, osteoarthritis, and diabetes mellitus, had a quarterly MDS showing a BIMS score of three, indicating severe cognitive impairment, and was assessed as having falls with one fall without injury. Her comprehensive care plan identified her as being at risk for falls related to debility, advanced age, and behaviors, and included interventions such as a low bed with fall mat, tilt back wheelchair, staff education, correct positioning in chair, nonskid tape under the fall mat, use of a call light, monitoring for changes in condition, and a pommel cushion added to the chair. After Resident #1 experienced a witnessed fall from her wheelchair in the TV area, a physician order was entered for safety devices including a low bed, fall mat, and Geri-chair or tilt back wheelchair. At the time of survey observation, Resident #1 was seen in a Geri-chair in the TV area and stated she liked it and was comfortable in it. However, the care plan did not include the Geri-chair intervention. The MDS Coordinator stated she had seen Resident #1 in the Geri-chair but had not yet updated the care plan, and the DON stated whoever had the resident should have seen the order for the Geri-chair and updated the care plan.
Failure to Care Plan Hearing Impairment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop an individualized, resident-centered care plan with measurable objectives, timeframes, and interventions to address Resident 33’s impaired hearing. Resident 33 was admitted with diagnoses including dementia, muscle weakness, and abnormal gait and mobility, and the H&P documented a history of hard of hearing. The MDS dated 6/5/2026 indicated the resident was moderately impaired in cognitive skills for daily decision making and had minimal difficulty hearing. During an observation and interview on 6/29/2026, Resident 33 was lying in bed and stated he could not hear the surveyor during a normal conversation, that he was hard of hearing, and that he refused to use his hearing aid. The SSD stated the resident had difficulty hearing, refused to use the hearing aid, and had no care plan initiated for impaired hearing. RN 2 later confirmed there was no care plan for the resident’s impaired hearing and that one should be in place to address the hearing impairment and refusal to use the hearing aid so staff could communicate effectively. The DON stated that a resident with impaired hearing should be care planned according to facility policy and that hearing impairment triggered on the MDS should be care planned, including refusal to use the hearing aid.
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