F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
D

Delayed assessment and reporting of new skin conditions

Desert Springs Post AcutePalm Desert, California Survey Completed on 04-24-2026

Summary

The facility failed to ensure timely assessment, physician notification, and treatment orders for two residents with new skin concerns. For Resident 95, who had diabetes mellitus, chronic osteomyelitis of the left foot, and muscle weakness, a defined circular area of erythema on the top of the right wrist was observed as red, elevated, dry, and scaly. The resident stated the area had been present for about two to three months, had been treated with cream, and had not improved. Facility staff, including licensed nurses and CNAs, stated they were not aware of documentation showing the wrist condition had been identified, assessed, reported to the physician, or followed with treatment orders when first noted. Resident 95’s record showed a shower/bath sheet on April 20, 2026, documenting no apparent skin issues and no new skin issue or change, while a skin evaluation on April 22, 2026, documented a change in condition with dry reddened skin on the right wrist and noted a new alteration with no drainage or odor. During interviews, an LVN stated any alteration in skin condition should be assessed, documented, reported to the physician, and followed with treatment orders the day it is identified. The DON stated licensed nurses were expected to immediately assess a new skin concern, create a Change of Condition Report, notify the physician, document the skin condition, and initiate a care plan and treatment orders the same day it was identified, and stated there was no documentation showing the right wrist problem had been identified by licensed nurses. For Resident 66, who had hemiplegia affecting the left side and had capacity to understand and make decisions, redness and irritation were observed on the right side of the neck, and the resident was constantly scratching the area. The resident stated the neck had been itching and believed it was related to shaving cream or a cheap razor. The shower sheet contained no documentation of a new rash, redness, or itching to the neck, and no documentation that the neck was assessed or monitored for skin changes. An LVN stated skin checks were performed every shift and new skin conditions should be reported, assessed, documented, monitored, and communicated to the physician and resident representative, but there was no documented assessment or care plan revision for the neck condition.

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 F0684 citations
Medication Dose Error and Midline IV Care Failure
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

An LPN administered only one tablet of methotrexate instead of the ordered six-tablet dose for a resident with RA. The facility also failed to maintain ordered midline IV care for another resident receiving IV abx, with observations showing a soiled dressing, site discoloration, and later no midline or IV pump present despite orders for ongoing site monitoring, dressing changes, and line removal after tx completion.

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 Follow Oxygen Orders for Resident with COPD
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia and COPD had an order for continuous O2 via NC, with SpO2 to be maintained between 88% and 92% and not exceed 92%. The record showed SpO2 readings below 88% on room air and multiple readings above 92% while on supplemental O2, with no nursing interventions documented; the DON stated the resident’s SpO2 should have been better monitored and the physician’s O2 order more closely followed.

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 Monitor Loose Stools and Bleeding During Anticoagulant Therapy
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with a stage 4 pressure injury and sepsis had ongoing loose stools, but the MAR showed no documented PRN loperamide use and the record showed no provider notification despite repeated large loose stools. The same resident was also receiving daily anticoagulant injections and was observed with dark red urine in an indwelling catheter, yet there was no documented bleeding/bruising monitoring, no progress note about the blood in the urine, and no alert charting.

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 Follow Up on GI Symptoms, Stool Testing, Specialty Referral, and Diagnostic Order
G
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with chronic GI symptoms, malnutrition, diabetes, depression, and PTSD had persistent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea, but the facility did not adequately track stool testing, confirm lab results, or complete the ordered GI referral. The resident reported frequent diarrhea, fatigue, reduced intake, and soreness, while staff documentation showed conflicting entries about specimen refusal versus sleeping, and the lab later had no record of the specimen that was charted as sent. The record also lacked evidence that the GI specialist appointment was scheduled or completed, and a separate resident’s ordered ECHO for pericardial effusion was not documented as scheduled or completed.

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.
Delayed Dermatology Appointment for Facial Lesion
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with a growing facial lesion had a dermatology consult delayed for about 3 months. The resident’s chart included provider orders for dermatology follow-up, but the appointment remained pending while the lesion increased in size. Notes from the NP and unit manager documented ongoing waiting for the consult, and the DON stated the health plan should have scheduled it and that consults need to be scheduled in a timely manner.

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 Follow Hold Parameters for Metoprolol
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with HTN and HF had an order for metoprolol succinate to be held if the pulse was below 55 bpm, but MAR and pulse record review showed missing pulse documentation on multiple occasions, pulse checks done after the med was given, and doses administered when the pulse was less than 55 bpm. Staff stated the pulse should have been checked before administration, and the DNS confirmed the expectation was to follow the order and hold the med when indicated.

Inspection fine: $17,665
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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