Capital Post Acute
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Sacramento, California.
- Location
- 6821 24th Street, Sacramento, California 95822
- CMS Provider Number
- 555442
- Inspections on file
- 64
- Latest survey
- February 24, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 28
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Capital Post Acute during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident receiving aftercare following joint replacement surgery, with moderate cognitive impairment, underwent wound care while lying in bed with steri-strips to the thigh. An LN placed wound care supplies directly on the bed without creating a separate clean and dirty area and did not perform hand hygiene between multiple glove changes. The LN acknowledged not having a separate clean and dirty section, while the IP and DON stated that facility policy and expectations require hand hygiene before and after glove changes, sanitizing equipment after use, and establishing a clean field during wound care.
A resident with intact memory and a history of orthopedic issues and post-amputation aftercare was standing at another resident’s doorway conversing when a cognitively impaired resident with vascular dementia and behavioral disturbance approached, became angry, verbally threatened to hurt him and “kick [his] butt,” and slapped his right hand. Another resident with intact memory and central cord syndrome, as well as a CNA, witnessed and described the incident, confirming that the aggressive resident raised a hand, cursed, and struck the other resident. The Administrator acknowledged residents’ right to be free from abuse, and facility policy states residents must be free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation, exploitation, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and retaliation.
A resident with dementia, schizophrenia, seizures, and severely impaired decision-making, who required extensive assistance with ADLs and mobility, experienced multiple falls over a short period without the facility identifying, implementing, and consistently documenting new fall-prevention interventions. After an initial fall with documented forehead discoloration, the care plan inaccurately recorded no injury and was only updated to include short-term monitoring, with no new fall-prevention measures and no investigation by the DON. Subsequent falls included an unwitnessed fall and a witnessed bed fall with loss of consciousness and a bleeding forehead laceration, confirmed by EMS and ED records, yet the care plan either failed to add truly new interventions or did not reflect those listed on IDT fall forms, and the DON stated there were no injuries despite medical documentation to the contrary. A later bathroom fall, witnessed by the cognitively intact roommate and resulting in an acute right distal clavicle fracture and hospitalization, was again recorded in the care plan as causing no injury, and the DON reported she did not further investigate or interview staff or residents, demonstrating a pattern of inadequate supervision, inconsistent documentation, and failure to reassess and modify fall-prevention strategies after repeated falls and injuries.
A resident with dementia and a history of brain injury was physically abused when a CNA struck them on the head and directed two student witnesses to restrain the resident during care. The students, who had received abuse prevention training, reported the incident after being instructed to hold the resident's arms and legs. Facility leadership confirmed that restraining residents is not permitted and that the CNA admitted to the actions, which violated the facility's abuse prevention policy.
A resident with a history of depression and amputation was struck in the eye by another resident during a hallway argument, following ongoing verbal threats. Staff and other residents confirmed repeated threats and the physical altercation, but leadership was unaware of the ongoing conflict. Both residents had care plans noting aggressive behavior, yet the abuse prevention policy was not effectively implemented.
A resident with spinal cord disease, PTSD, and hearing impairment was subjected to yelling and aggressive gestures by a CNA, causing the resident to feel embarrassed and afraid. Staff failed to use the available whiteboard for communication, and multiple witnesses confirmed the CNA's behavior. The DON acknowledged the incident and lack of follow-up on the resident's psychosocial needs.
Staff did not wear gowns, as required, while providing high-contact care such as transferring, changing briefs, and therapy to three residents on Enhanced Barrier Precautions for MDROs. Despite clear physician orders, posted signage, and facility policy mandating both gloves and gowns for these activities, staff only wore gloves. Both the Infection Preventionist and DON confirmed that gown use was required for these care activities.
A deficiency was identified when an allegation of resident-to-resident abuse, involving threats and reported by a cognitively intact resident and their family, was not reported to the State Survey Agency as required. Although the resident was moved for safety and the incident was communicated internally to the DON and management, the required external reporting was not completed, contrary to both federal regulations and facility policy.
A medication/treatment cart containing prescription medications was found unlocked and unattended in the facility's front lobby, posing a risk of unauthorized access. A licensed nurse confirmed the cart should have been locked, and the DON emphasized the importance of securing medication carts. The facility's policy requires all drugs to be stored in locked compartments.
The facility failed to properly store, handle, and label respiratory equipment for three residents, leading to potential contamination and non-compliance with physician orders. Nebulizer masks and tubing were left uncovered and not changed as required, and oxygen therapy orders were not followed, with equipment lacking necessary labeling for infection control.
The facility failed to ensure safe pharmaceutical services, with hazardous medications lacking warning labels, untimely replacement of Emergency Kits, and improper documentation of medication deliveries and destruction. Additionally, discrepancies in controlled drug records for two residents indicated potential risks of drug diversion.
The facility failed to maintain sanitary conditions for dishwashing, as the low temperature dishwasher's sanitizing solution was below the required 50 ppm. The Dietary Manager confirmed the issue, and records showed no documentation of required testing and recording of the chemical solution per shift, contrary to the facility's policy.
The facility failed to maintain effective infection control practices, including improper cleaning of shared glucometers, a dusty delivery cart for residents' personal items, and inadequate use of protective equipment during care in an Enhanced Barrier Precaution room. These deficiencies increased the risk of cross-contamination and potential exposure to infections.
A computer screen displaying a resident's confidential information was left unattended and unsecured on a treatment cart near the nurse's station and facility lobby, potentially allowing unauthorized access. A Physical Therapy Assistant and the Director of Nursing confirmed this breach of confidentiality, which violated HIPAA regulations and the facility's policies.
A facility failed to maintain a homelike environment for a resident when a significant hole in the wall of the resident's room was observed. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had a history of stroke, hemiplegia, and aphasia, indicated that the hole was bothersome. The facility's administrator confirmed the issue, acknowledging that the wall should have been repaired, in line with the facility's policy to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.
A resident with surgical aftercare and COPD was inaccurately documented in the MDS as discharged to a hospital, despite leaving AMA to go home. The MDS Coordinator Assistant confirmed the error, which contradicted the facility's policy on accurate assessments.
A facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan for a resident's respiratory care and nebulizer treatment, despite the resident's diagnoses of asthma and other conditions. The resident's MDS indicated moderately impaired cognition and breathing issues, and a physician's order for nebulizer treatment was in place. However, no care plan was developed, as confirmed by a Licensed Nurse and the DON, contrary to the facility's policy on care plan revisions.
The facility failed to perform consistent quality control for glucometers and did not follow proper nursing care practices for a resident with a feeding tube. Glucometer QC records were incomplete, and a nurse did not check feeding tube residuals or elevate the resident's head during medication administration, contrary to orders.
A resident with a G-Tube did not receive care in accordance with physician orders and facility policy. The resident's G-Tube insertion site was observed without the required gauze or abdominal pad, contrary to the physician's order for daily cleansing and covering. This oversight was confirmed by an LN, highlighting a failure to adhere to professional standards and facility procedures.
A resident with a stage 4 pressure ulcer did not receive care consistent with facility policy when a treatment nurse failed to label the dressing with initials and date. Interviews with staff confirmed that labeling is necessary to ensure treatment completion and prevent infection, as per facility policy.
A resident with Type 2 Diabetes and Dysphagia did not receive the correct water flush volume and frequency as per the physician's order. The kangaroo epump was set to deliver 150ml every 6 hours instead of the prescribed 200ml every 4 hours. This discrepancy was confirmed by a nurse and acknowledged by the DON, highlighting a failure to adhere to the facility's policy on feeding tube care.
A resident with cerebral infarction and moderately impaired cognitive function did not have her surgery date clarified by the facility's social services staff, despite reminders from her and her husband. After returning from a physician appointment with a surgical kit prep, the staff failed to follow up with the clinic, leading to a delay in scheduling the surgery.
The facility experienced a medication error rate of 8.11%, exceeding the acceptable 5% threshold. Errors included administering DuoNeb past its recommended use date and improperly crushing medications like enteric-coated aspirin and finasteride without gloves. The DON noted that staff training included following computer prompts and using resources for unfamiliar drugs, but the MAR lacked specific warnings.
The facility failed to ensure safe medication storage practices, with expired, unlabeled, and undated medications found in the medication room and carts. Hazardous drugs lacked proper labeling, and inhalation products were not used within the recommended timeframe. The DON acknowledged these issues, which were contrary to the facility's policy.
A facility failed to accurately document a resident's diagnosis, leading to potential unsafe care. The resident's medical records showed inconsistencies regarding the use of olanzapine, with incorrect indications such as bipolar disorder noted. Interviews with the ADON and DON confirmed these errors, highlighting a failure to adhere to the facility's policy on psychotropic medication documentation.
Two residents in a facility were involved in a verbal and physical altercation. One resident, with a history of shouting racial slurs, provoked another resident, who then slapped him. Despite existing care plans and policies, the facility failed to prevent the incident, as staff did not adequately intervene to manage the residents' behaviors.
The facility failed to secure medications as required, with two bags containing 30-40 bottles and boxes left on an unlocked cabinet in the DON's office. The office door was open, and the DON was absent, while staff and residents were nearby. The DON confirmed the medications should have been locked to prevent unauthorized access.
A resident with chronic respiratory failure had a nasal cannula that was not labeled with an open date and was replaced less frequently than the facility's policy required. The Infection Preventionist confirmed the discrepancy, noting that the tubing should be changed every seven days, not every 28 days as per the resident's order.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment reported being hit twice on the chest by a CNA. The incident was initially not reported to authorities due to perceived inconsistencies in the resident's account. The facility's delay in reporting violated its policy, which mandates immediate reporting of all abuse allegations.
A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and a history of elopement risk managed to leave the facility multiple times in one day. The facility failed to notify the resident's responsible party, physician, or the Department, and did not follow its own elopement policy.
Failure to Follow Hand Hygiene and Clean Field Practices During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a failure to follow infection prevention and control practices during wound care for one of three sampled residents. The resident was admitted in February 2026 with a diagnosis of aftercare following joint replacement surgery and had moderate cognitive impairment per an MDS dated 2/16/26. During an observation on 2/26/26 at 10:37 a.m., the resident was lying supine in bed with steri-strips to the left thigh while a licensed nurse performed wound care. The nurse placed wound care supplies directly on the resident’s bed without establishing a separate clean and dirty area, contrary to the facility’s wound care policy that required use of a disposable cloth or paper towel to establish a clean field. During the same observation, the licensed nurse did not perform hand hygiene between glove changes at 10:37 a.m., 10:39 a.m., and 10:41 a.m. The nurse confirmed there was no separate clean and dirty section during the procedure, which increased the potential for the resident to get infections through cross contamination. The Infection Preventionist stated that the expectation was to perform hand hygiene before and after glove changes, sanitize non-dedicated equipment after each use, and maintain separate clean and dirty areas during wound care. The DON similarly stated that staff were expected to perform hand hygiene after each glove change, sanitize equipment after use, and maintain separate clean and dirty areas during wound care, consistent with facility policies on hand hygiene and wound care.
Failure to Protect Resident From Physical Abuse by Another Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to protect a resident’s right to be free from physical abuse when one resident struck another. Resident 89, who had intact memory and a history of orthopedic issues and aftercare following a surgical amputation, reported that while standing at the doorway of Resident 35’s room and talking with Resident 35, Resident 61 walked straight toward him and slapped his right hand. Resident 89 stated that Resident 61 was angry and verbally threatened to hurt him and “kick [his] butt.” A progress note documented that a CNA present at the time reported Resident 89 extended his hand outward in front of him as Resident 61 was walking down the hallway toward him, and that Resident 61 made contact with and hit Resident 89’s right hand. Resident 61’s record showed diagnoses of cerebral infarction and vascular dementia with behavioral disturbance, and an MDS indicating severe memory problems. Resident 35, who had intact memory and a diagnosis of central cord syndrome at the C4 level, corroborated the incident, stating he witnessed Resident 61 raise his right hand and slap Resident 89’s right hand while angrily yelling that he was going to hurt him and kick his butt. A signed note by CNA 6 further indicated that Resident 89 stretched out his hands and told Resident 61 to go back, after which Resident 61 became angry, started cursing, and hit Resident 89. The Administrator confirmed that residents have the right to be free from any form of abuse, and the facility’s Resident Rights policy stated residents must be free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation, exploitation, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and retaliation.
Failure to Implement and Monitor Effective Fall-Prevention Measures After Repeated Falls
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide adequate supervision and implement effective fall-prevention interventions for a cognitively impaired resident with a known history of falls. The resident was admitted with dementia, schizophrenia, and seizures, was nonverbal or minimally verbal, and required extensive assistance with ADLs, including two-person assistance for dressing, bathing, toileting hygiene, and toilet transfers, and one-person assistance for transfers and standing. An MDS dated 1/6/26 documented severely impaired decision-making and that the resident was rarely or never understood. A physician progress note on the same date described the resident as nonverbal, minimally interactive, lacking capacity for informed consent, and having a history of falls, requiring assistance for ADLs, feeding, and mobility. On 1/4/26, the resident experienced a fall in the room after staff heard the roommate yell “Man down!” and found the resident on the floor next to the bed with discoloration to the right forehead. The care plan entry for that fall stated there was an actual fall with no injury, which conflicted with the progress note documenting discoloration to the forehead. The DON acknowledged this discrepancy and stated the progress note could be expanded but reported that no staff or residents were interviewed to investigate the fall and no additional steps were taken to identify, monitor, or prevent future falls. The care plan dated 1/4/26 was updated only to include monitoring and reporting for 72 hours for signs and symptoms such as pain, bruises, or changes in mental status, and did not include any new fall-prevention interventions. An IDT fall review dated 1/6/26 listed “sent to hospital for eval” as a new intervention, which contradicted the medical record that did not show a hospital transfer on 1/4/26. On 1/10/26, the resident had another unwitnessed fall documented in a progress note as having no visible injuries. However, an IDT fall form dated 1/12/26 described a nurse witnessing the resident roll to the right side of the bed, fall out of bed, collide the head with the roommate’s bed, lose consciousness for 20 seconds, and have active bleeding from the right forehead, after which the resident was transferred to the emergency department. Prehospital and ED records from that date documented a one-inch laceration above the right eye and a small right frontal abrasion with wound irrigation and dressing. The IDT fall form dated 1/12/26 listed “fall mats and lower bed” and “transfer to acute” as new interventions, but the care plan did not reflect fall mats, and the fall-prevention interventions added to the care plan on 1/10/26 (anticipating needs, educating the resident about safety, and PT evaluation) were already present in the admission care plan dated 12/31/25. The DON stated the falls on 1/10/26 were reviewed by the IDT after the weekend and that interventions were evaluated when the resident was transferred to the hospital and upon return, but did not identify any other steps taken to identify, monitor, or prevent future falls, and stated the resident had not sustained injuries from the 1/10/26 falls, which conflicted with ED and IDT documentation. On 1/13/26, the resident sustained another fall in the shared bathroom. Staff interviews indicated that a CNA and an LN responded after hearing the roommate scream for help and found the resident on the bathroom floor, confused and with difficulty communicating. The cognitively intact roommate reported seeing the resident standing in the shared bathroom, then tripping and falling forward, hitting his head on the door, then falling backward and hitting the back of his head, followed by shaking on the floor. EMS documentation recorded that staff reported the roommate had heard a loud bang in the bathroom, found the resident on the floor, and that the resident was on blood thinners with a bump to the back of the head and an old bump above the right eye from a prior fall. Hospital trauma and orthopedic records from the subsequent admission documented an acute distal right clavicle fracture with tenderness over the fracture site and a hospitalization from 1/13/26 to 1/17/26 for a fall with a right clavicle fracture and non–weight-bearing status to the right upper extremity. The care plan revised on 1/13/26 indicated no injuries from the 1/13/26 fall, contradicting the hospital records. The DON stated there were no witnesses to the fall and that she did not investigate further or speak with any staff or residents about the fall. Throughout these events, facility policies on falls and comprehensive assessments, which required ongoing evaluation of causes of falls, documentation of appropriate interventions to prevent future falls, and monitoring and documentation of responses to interventions, were not followed as evidenced by the lack of new, implemented, and consistently documented fall-prevention measures after repeated falls and injuries.
Resident Physically Abused and Restrained by CNA During Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) physically abused a resident by striking them on the head and directing two student witnesses to physically restrain the resident during care. The incident was observed by two students who were assisting with the resident's care and later reported the abuse to their instructor and facility staff. The CNA instructed the students to hold the resident's arms and legs, claiming the resident was aggressive, and then proceeded to hit the resident on the forehead with an open hand. The resident involved had a history of traumatic hemorrhage of the cerebrum, dementia, and muscle weakness, and was assessed as having moderate cognitive impairment, requiring additional support for daily living tasks. During the incident, the resident was being changed and was unable to provide an account of the event when later interviewed. Both student witnesses confirmed that they were told by the CNA to restrain the resident, and both expressed discomfort with the situation, stating that they had received abuse prevention training and recognized the actions as inappropriate. Interviews with facility leadership, including the Director of Staff Development (DSD) and Director of Nursing (DON), confirmed that the CNA's actions were reported and that the facility does not have a policy permitting the restraint of residents. The facility's abuse prevention policy explicitly prohibits all forms of abuse, including physical abuse and the use of restraints. Documentation in the CNA's personnel file indicated an admission to restraining the resident during care.
Failure to Protect Resident from Physical and Verbal Abuse
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to protect a resident from abuse when another resident threw a dessert cup, striking the resident in the right eye during a hostile argument. Multiple staff and residents confirmed that the aggressor had a history of making verbal threats and had previously threatened to physically harm the victim. The incident occurred in a hallway while staff were attempting to separate the two residents during a verbal altercation. The resident who was struck reported feeling unsafe in the facility as a result of these ongoing threats and the physical altercation. Both residents involved had intact cognitive function as indicated by their BIMS scores. The resident who was struck had a history of major depressive disorder and bilateral below-the-knee amputation, while the aggressor had diagnoses including depression, anxiety disorder, and psychoactive substance abuse. Care plans for both residents noted potential for aggressive behavior, but the Director of Nursing and Administrator were unaware of the ongoing tension between the two residents. The facility's abuse prevention policy required staff to report any risks of abuse, but the ongoing threats and altercation were not effectively addressed prior to the incident.
Failure to Ensure Respectful Communication and Dignity for Resident with Hearing Impairment
Penalty
Summary
A resident with spinal cord disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, who was cognitively intact and dependent on staff for emotional, intellectual, physical, and social needs, experienced a lack of respect and dignity from a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The resident, who had difficulty hearing, reported that the CNA entered her room, ignored her question, and then began yelling and waving her arms above her head. The resident expressed feeling embarrassed, afraid, and unable to understand the CNA due to her hearing impairment. Another staff member had to intervene and remove the CNA from the room. Multiple interviews corroborated the resident's account, including statements from another resident, a family member, a licensed nurse, and the Director of Nursing (DON). The family member noted that staff failed to use the available whiteboard to communicate with the resident, despite her hearing difficulties. The licensed nurse confirmed that the CNA was defensive and yelled at the resident when asked to provide assistance. The DON acknowledged awareness of the incident and admitted that the facility did not follow up on the resident's psychosocial or emotional needs. The facility's policy on communication and respect and dignity was requested but not provided.
Plan Of Correction
F557: Respect and Dignity 1. Immediate Corrective Action for the Identified Deficient Practice: The resident(s) involved in the identified incident were immediately assessed to ensure their physical and emotional well-being. Staff members involved were counseled and re-educated on residents' rights related to respect and dignity. 2. Measures to Identify Other Residents Potentially Affected: No other residents were affected by this deficient practice. 3. Systemic Changes to Prevent Recurrence: • All staff will receive in-service training on Residents' Rights, with a focus on respect, dignity, communication, and sensitivity. Ongoing education will be added to the facility's annual training schedule and orientation for all new hires. • Social Services and Department Heads will incorporate random resident interviews into weekly rounds to monitor staff-resident interactions and ensure dignity is preserved. 4. Monitoring to Ensure Sustained Compliance: • The Administrator or designee will conduct monthly audits of resident interactions on all shifts for the next 6 months using a standardized Respect & Dignity Observation Tool. • Any issues identified will be brought to the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) committee for review and action planning. • Results of the audits and interviews will be tracked, trended, and reviewed at quarterly QAPI meetings. 5. Completion Date: May 18, 2025 F 557
Failure to Use Required PPE During High-Contact Care for Residents on Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to follow infection prevention and control practices by not wearing gowns when providing high-contact care to three residents who were on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) due to multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) colonization or infection. Observations revealed that staff, including a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, a Certified Nursing Assistant, and a Restorative Nursing Assistant, wore gloves but did not don gowns while performing activities such as transferring, changing briefs, and providing therapy or bed mobility assistance. These actions were in direct contradiction to posted EBP signage, physician orders, and the facility's own policy, all of which required both gloves and gowns for high-contact care activities for residents on EBP. The first resident involved had a history of MRSA colonization and was cognitively intact. Despite clear medical orders and posted EBP signage, the therapy staff assisting this resident with daily transfers and exercises consistently wore gloves but never a gown. The second resident, who was severely cognitively impaired and had a history of MDRO in the urine, was observed being transferred and having a brief changed by a CNA who also wore gloves but not a gown. The CNA acknowledged awareness of the requirement but did not comply during the observed care. The third resident, with a history of MRSA wound infection and cellulitis, was assisted by a restorative nursing assistant who transferred the resident's legs and provided bed mobility without wearing a gown, despite the resident's EBP status and relevant physician orders. Both the Infection Preventionist and the Director of Nursing confirmed during interviews that staff were expected to wear both gloves and gowns for high-contact activities with residents on EBP, as indicated by facility policy and CDC guidance. The facility's policy specifically listed activities such as transferring, changing briefs, and providing bed mobility as requiring gown and glove use for residents on EBP.
Plan Of Correction
F880 How corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice. The Infection Preventionist (IP) immediately addressed the deficient practices, including in-services and monitoring to ensure that all isolation precautions were being followed. How the facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken. The facility audit concluded that no additional employees were affected. What measures will be put into place or what systemic changes will the facility make to ensure deficient practices do not reoccur? Policy Review and Update: The facility's infection prevention and control policies were reviewed and updated to align with current CDC and CMS guidelines. Staff Education: All staff received mandatory re-education on: • Proper donning and doffing of PPE • Hand hygiene protocols • Room entry/exit infection control practices • Use of transmission-based precautions PPE Stations: All isolation rooms were checked to ensure proper PPE supply. Additional wall-mounted PPE stations were installed where needed. Infection Prevention Rounds: The IP will conduct daily infection control rounds on all shifts for 4 weeks, and weekly thereafter for 3 months. How does the facility plan to monitor its performance to make sure solutions are sustained? The IP or designee will conduct random staff observations during all shifts, using a standardized infection control audit tool. A minimum of 10 observations per week will be logged for 12 weeks. Findings will be reported to the QAPI Committee quarterly. Any deficiencies identified during observations will be addressed immediately with on-the-spot correction and re-education. A quarterly Infection Control Self-Assessment will be completed and reviewed during QAPI. Completion Date: May 8, 2025 PPE Stations: All isolation rooms were checked to ensure proper PPE supply. Additional wall-mounted PPE stations were installed where needed. Infection Prevention Rounds: The IP will conduct daily infection control rounds on all shifts for 4 weeks, and weekly thereafter for 3 months. How does the facility plan to monitor its performance to make sure solutions are sustained? The IP or designee will conduct random staff observations during all shifts, using a standardized infection control audit tool. A minimum of 10 observations per week will be logged for 12 weeks. Findings will be reported to the QAPI Committee quarterly. Any deficiencies identified during observations will be addressed immediately with on-the-spot correction and re-education. A quarterly Infection Control Self-Assessment will be completed and reviewed during QAPI. Completion Date: May 8, 2025
Failure to Report Alleged Resident-to-Resident Abuse
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to report an allegation of abuse involving one resident to the State Survey Agency as required by federal regulations. The incident involved a resident who reported being threatened by another resident. The resident's family member also contacted the facility, expressing concern and threatening to call emergency services if the situation was not addressed. The facility responded by moving the resident to another room for comfort and safety, and the incident was communicated to the management team and the Director of Nursing (DON). Despite the internal response, the incident was not reported to the State Survey Agency. During interviews, the Administrator acknowledged that the incident should have been reported, and the DON confirmed that the event was not escalated beyond internal management. The facility's own policy and the signed employee attestation required prompt reporting of any reasonable suspicion of abuse to the appropriate authorities, but this protocol was not followed in this case. Both residents involved were cognitively intact at the time of the incident, as indicated by their BIMS scores. The failure to report the allegation of abuse, as required by both federal regulation and facility policy, was confirmed through record review and staff interviews. The deficiency was identified during a review of documentation and interviews with facility leadership, who admitted the reporting process was not completed as required.
Plan Of Correction
How the facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken. The facility audit concluded that no additional employees were affected. What measures will be put into place or what systemic changes will the facility make to ensure deficient practices do not reoccur? Policy Review and Training: The facility's Abuse Prevention and Reporting Policy was reviewed with a focus on the reporting timeline (within 2 hours for abuse involving serious bodily injury, and within 24 hours for all other allegations). Staff Re-Education: All staff—including licensed nurses, CNAs, and department heads—were in-serviced on mandatory reporting obligations per F609 and the internal reporting protocol. Chain of Reporting Tools: Abuse reporting binders were reviewed for accuracy. How does the facility plan to monitor its performance to make sure solutions are sustained? The Administrator or designee will audit all incident reports and grievances weekly for 12 weeks to ensure any allegation of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment is properly reported within regulatory timelines. Results of audits will be reviewed quarterly during the QAPI meeting and corrective actions taken if patterns are noted. Completion Date: May 8, 2025 F 609 F 609
Unattended and Unlocked Medication Cart Found in Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the security of medications for a census of 118 residents when a medication/treatment cart was found unlocked and unattended in the front lobby. During an observation, the cart was seen against the wall with prescription medications inside, posing a risk of unauthorized access. A licensed nurse confirmed the cart was unlocked and acknowledged that it should always be locked when not in use. The Director of Nursing also stated that all medication and treatment carts with prescribed medications should be locked when unattended for safety. The facility's policy and procedure on medication storage, dated March 1, 2023, mandates that all drugs and biologicals be stored in locked compartments.
Deficiencies in Respiratory Care and Equipment Handling
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper storage, handling, labeling, and delivery of respiratory care and equipment for three residents. Resident 105's nebulizer mask and tubing set were left uncovered on the bedside drawer and were not changed after 72 hours, contrary to the facility's policy. This oversight was confirmed by a licensed nurse who acknowledged the equipment should be placed in a bag when not in use and changed every 72 hours to prevent contamination and ensure infection control. Similarly, Resident 23's nebulizer mask and tubing set were also left uncovered on the bedside drawer. The resident confirmed the equipment was last used the previous day, and a CNA admitted they were not informed about the need to store the equipment in a bag. The facility's infection preventionist and director of nursing both stated that the equipment should be stored in an antimicrobial bag and changed weekly, highlighting a discrepancy between practice and policy. For Resident 88, the physician's order for oxygen therapy was not followed, as the oxygen flow rate was set at 4 liters per minute instead of the prescribed 2 liters per minute. Additionally, the nasal cannula and humidifier bottle were not labeled with the date of first use, which is necessary for infection control and timely replacement. This was confirmed by both a licensed nurse and the infection preventionist, who emphasized the importance of labeling to ensure regular changes of the equipment.
Deficiencies in Pharmaceutical Services and Medication Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure safe pharmaceutical services for its residents, as evidenced by several deficiencies observed during a survey. Hazardous medications were stored in medication carts without appropriate warning labels, leading to unsafe handling by nursing staff. For instance, a nurse was observed crushing finasteride, a hazardous medication, with bare hands due to the absence of handling instructions on the medication label and the Medication Administration Record (MAR). Additionally, other hazardous medications like Valproic Acid and Anastrozole were found without proper hazardous labeling, which could have prompted the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the staff. The facility also failed to manage its Emergency Kits (Ekit) properly. Both oral and injectable medication Ekits were found opened and not replaced in a timely manner, as required by the facility's policy. The staff did not notify the pharmacy to replace the kits within the stipulated 72 hours after use, which could potentially delay urgent medication needs for residents. Furthermore, the facility did not maintain proper accountability for medication deliveries, as delivery manifests were not signed by licensed staff, and there was no clear process for verifying medication deliveries against the manifest. There were also significant issues with the documentation and destruction of medications. Non-controlled prescription drugs were not consistently co-signed by two licensed staff during destruction, and the controlled drug destruction log lacked a clear chain of custody and final destruction information. Additionally, discrepancies were found in the documentation of controlled drug use for two residents. The Controlled Drug Record (CDR) and MAR did not reconcile, indicating potential inaccuracies in medication administration records, which could lead to drug diversion. These documentation lapses were confirmed by the Director of Nursing and the Consultant Pharmacist, highlighting a lack of accountability and potential risk of medication theft.
Failure to Maintain Sanitary Conditions in Dishwashing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that dishes and utensils were cleaned in a sanitary condition, which had the potential for foodborne illnesses. During an interview with the Dietary Manager (DM), it was confirmed that the facility used a low temperature dishwasher. An observation revealed that the dishwasher had a yellow sign indicating it was a Low Temperature Dishwasher. When the Dietary Aide (DA) 1 checked the dishwasher's sanitizing solution using a chlorine test strip, it showed less than 10 parts per million (ppm), which was below the required 50 ppm. The DM confirmed that the chemical strip should have indicated a dark purple color, representing 50 ppm. Further investigation into the facility's records showed that there was no documentation of the dishwasher's chemical solution being tested and recorded at least once per shift, as required. The facility's policy and procedure titled "Dishwasher Policy" dated 3/1/23 stated that dishes and utensils must be cleaned under sanitary conditions with adequate dishwasher temperatures. For low temperature dishwashers, the sanitizing solution should be 50 ppm hypochlorite (chlorine) on the dish surface in the final rinse. The policy also required that chemical solutions be maintained at the correct concentration based on periodic testing, at least once per shift, and results should be recorded. However, these procedures were not followed, leading to the deficiency.
Infection Control Deficiencies in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by several deficiencies observed during the survey. One significant issue was the improper cleaning and sanitization of shared glucometers. Licensed Nurse (LN) 6 was observed using an alcohol prep pad instead of the required Medline Micro-Kill Germicidal Wipes to clean a shared glucometer after use. This practice was against the facility's policy and the manufacturer's instructions, which specified the use of germicidal wipes to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens. The Infection Preventionist and the Director of Nursing (DON) both confirmed that alcohol wipes were not appropriate for disinfecting glucometers, highlighting a concern for potential cross-contamination. Another deficiency involved the cleanliness of the residents' personal items delivery cart. During an observation, the cart was found to have a thick layer of dust on its tray, which was confirmed by both the Laundry Staff and Central Supply. The Laundry Supervisor acknowledged that the cart should be cleaned daily to prevent contamination of clean clothes. The facility's policy emphasized the importance of handling and transporting clean linen in a manner that prevents contamination, yet this was not adhered to, posing a risk of exposing residents to dust and germs. Additionally, the facility did not follow safe infection prevention practices during care provided to Resident 82, who required tube feeding and medication administration in a room marked as Enhanced Barrier Precaution (EBP). LN 6 administered medication without wearing a protective gown, despite the room's EBP status requiring gown and glove use for high-contact activities. The DON confirmed that staff should adhere to guidelines for using protective equipment in such situations. These failures collectively increased the risk of cross-contamination and potential exposure to infections among residents, staff, and visitors.
Failure to Secure Resident's Confidential Information
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the confidentiality of a resident's personal and medical records, as observed during a survey. A computer screen displaying a resident's photo, complete name, medical record number, current room and bed number, gender, date of birth, age, attending physician, and other pertinent personal and medical information was left unsecured and unattended on top of a treatment cart near the nurse's station and facility lobby. This lapse in security was witnessed by multiple staff and residents passing by, and the computer screen was facing the facility lobby, making the information easily accessible to unauthorized individuals. During an interview, a Physical Therapy Assistant confirmed the observation and acknowledged that the computer should have been closed or covered to protect the resident's confidential information. The Director of Nursing also confirmed that leaving the resident's personal and medical records unattended constituted a violation of HIPAA regulations. The facility's policy and procedure documents, dated 7/1/23 and 6/1/24, respectively, emphasize the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of residents' personal and medical records, highlighting the facility's failure to adhere to its own policies.
Facility Fails to Maintain Homelike Environment Due to Wall Damage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, comfortable, and homelike environment for a resident when a hole was observed in the wall of the resident's room. The resident, who was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including a stroke, hemiplegia, and aphasia, was found to be cognitively intact with a Brief Interview for Mental Status score of 14 out of 15. During an observation, a six inch by 12 inch hole in the drywall with exposed plumbing was noted approximately two feet above the floor below the television in the resident's room. The resident indicated that the hole in the wall was bothersome. The facility's administrator confirmed the presence of the hole and acknowledged that it should have been repaired. The facility's policy on providing a safe and homelike environment, dated June 1, 2023, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a physical layout that does not pose a safety risk and allows residents to receive care and services safely.
Inaccurate Resident Assessment Leads to Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure an accurate assessment of a resident's status, leading to a deficiency in care. Resident 112, who was admitted with diagnoses including surgical aftercare and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was inaccurately documented in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) as having an unplanned discharge to a short-term general hospital. However, the resident had actually decided to go home against medical advice (AMA) on the same date. This discrepancy was confirmed during an interview with the MDS Coordinator Assistant, who acknowledged that the MDS should have been coded to reflect a discharge to home/community. The facility's policy on conducting accurate resident assessments emphasizes the importance of documenting the resident's status accurately at the time of assessment. Despite this policy, the MDS for Resident 112 was not updated to reflect the correct discharge status, which was confirmed by a review of the resident's progress notes and the AMA release form. This oversight had the potential to lead to inaccurate care for the resident, as the assessment did not accurately reflect the resident's decision to leave the facility against medical advice.
Failure to Develop Respiratory Care Plan for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan for a resident, identified as Resident 105, specifically regarding their respiratory care and nebulizer treatment. Resident 105 was admitted in October 2024 with multiple diagnoses, including parkinsonism, asthma, dementia, and schizophrenia. The resident's Minimum Data Set (MDS) indicated moderately impaired cognition and issues with breathing when lying flat. Despite a physician's order for Ipratropium-Albuterol Solution via nebulizer four times a day for asthma, there was no corresponding care plan developed for this treatment. During an interview and record review, a Licensed Nurse confirmed the absence of a respiratory care and nebulizer treatment care plan for Resident 105, acknowledging that it should have been included in the care plan. The Director of Nursing also stated that such a care plan was expected to guide nurses in providing appropriate care. The facility's policy on care plan revisions emphasized the need for comprehensive care plans that include resident-specific interventions to maintain the resident's highest practicable well-being, which was not adhered to in this case.
Inconsistent Glucometer QC and Improper Feeding Tube Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure consistent quality control for glucometer devices and proper nursing care practices for a resident with a feeding tube. The glucometer quality control records were incomplete and inconsistent, with missing documentation for several months. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged that the night shift staff were responsible for performing quality control checks, and the Director of Staff Development and DON were responsible for verifying documentation. The facility's policy required calibration checks to be performed according to the manufacturer's instructions, which were not consistently followed. Additionally, during a medication administration observation, a nurse did not follow orders for checking feeding tube residuals and did not elevate the resident's head during medication administration. The resident's medical record indicated that residuals should be checked before feeding and medication administration, and the head of the bed should be elevated during these times. The nurse admitted to not following these orders, which could contribute to unsafe care. The DON confirmed that staff should adhere to the facility's policy and physician's orders.
Failure to Follow G-Tube Care Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice and its own policy and procedure for one resident, identified as Resident 29. Resident 29 was admitted with a diagnosis of dysphagia and had a G-Tube for nutrition and medication administration. A physician's order dated 5/10/24 required the G-Tube insertion site to be cleansed daily with normal sterile saline, patted dry, covered with gauze or an abdominal pad, and monitored for signs and symptoms of worsening. However, during an observation and interview on 11/6/24, it was noted that the G-Tube insertion site lacked the required gauze or abdominal pad, which was confirmed by Licensed Nurse 1 as a deviation from the physician's order. The facility's policy titled 'Provision of Physician Ordered Services' emphasized the importance of providing services according to professional standards of quality, which was not adhered to in this instance. Additionally, the facility's 'Care and Treatment of Feeding Tube Policy' outlined the necessity of using feeding tubes in line with current clinical standards to prevent complications. The failure to follow these policies and the physician's order had the potential to lead to an infection at the G-Tube insertion site and hinder Resident 29 from achieving their highest practicable well-being.
Failure to Label Pressure Ulcer Dressing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pressure ulcer care and treatment consistent with professional standards and its own policies for a resident with a stage 4 pressure ulcer. The resident, who was admitted in March 2023, had a diagnosis of a stage 4 pressure ulcer in the sacral region, along with severe malnutrition and muscle weakness. The resident's cognitive assessment indicated intact cognition, and the resident was at risk of developing further pressure ulcers. The resident's treatment plan included cleansing the ulcer with normal saline and Vashe, applying collagen and Opticell AG, and covering it with a foam dressing. During an observation, a treatment nurse applied the ordered treatment but failed to label the dressing with her initials and the date, which was confirmed by the nurse. Interviews with another treatment nurse, the infection preventionist, and the director of nursing revealed that labeling wound dressings with initials and dates is expected to ensure the treatment was completed and to prevent infection. The facility's policy on clean dressing changes also required securing the dressing with initials and the date, which was not followed in this instance.
Failure to Follow Physician's Order for Feeding Tube Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to a physician's order regarding the care of a feeding tube for a resident, identified as Resident 107. The resident, who was admitted in October 2024, had medical conditions including Type 2 Diabetes and Dysphagia, and required assistance with personal care. The physician's order specified that the resident should receive a water flush of 200ml every 4 hours. However, during an observation, it was noted that the kangaroo epump was programmed to deliver 150ml every 6 hours, which did not match the physician's order. This discrepancy was confirmed by a licensed nurse during an interview, who acknowledged that the resident was receiving less fluid than prescribed. The Director of Nursing stated that the expectation was for nurses to follow the physician's orders, which should be reflected in the pump settings and water flush bag. A review of the facility's policy on feeding tube care indicated that feeding tubes should be used according to physician orders, including the volume and frequency of flushes. The failure to follow the physician's order placed Resident 107 at risk of receiving incorrect amounts of water flushes, potentially affecting their hydration and nutrition.
Failure to Follow Up on Resident's Surgery Date
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to meet the medically related social services needs of a resident, identified as Resident 94, by not clarifying the date of her cranioplasty surgery with her primary physician. Resident 94, who was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including cerebral infarction, dysphagia, and depression, had a moderately impaired cognitive function as indicated by a BIMS score of 12 out of 15. After an appointment with her physician, Resident 94 and her husband returned to the facility with paperwork and a surgical kit prep, which was given to the nurse and kept in the medication room. Despite reminders from Resident 94 and her husband to the nursing and social services staff to follow up with the clinic regarding the surgery date, no action was taken. Interviews with the nursing and social services staff confirmed that they were aware of the need to follow up on the surgery date but failed to do so. The Director of Nursing expressed that the expectation was for the social services staff to clarify the surgery date and the reason for the surgical kit prep. The progress notes from August 2024 indicated that Resident 94 had a neurosurgery appointment and returned in stable condition, but no new orders were given, and the surgery was not scheduled at that time. The facility's job description for social services emphasized the responsibility to meet the medically related emotional and social needs of residents, which was not fulfilled in this case.
Medication Administration Errors Exceeding 5% Threshold
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure safe medication administration practices, resulting in a medication error rate of 8.11%, which is above the acceptable threshold of 5%. This was observed during medication administration to two residents, where three errors occurred out of 37 opportunities. One error involved a Licensed Nurse (LN 3) administering a liquid inhalation medication, DuoNeb, to a resident after it had been removed from its foil pouch for more than two weeks, contrary to the product's labeling instructions. LN 3 admitted to not realizing the labeling requirement for the medication. Another error involved LN 3 crushing medications for a different resident without using gloves and without adhering to guidelines for medications that should not be crushed. Specifically, LN 3 crushed enteric-coated aspirin and finasteride, a hazardous drug, without realizing the risks involved. The Director of Nursing (DON) stated that staff were trained to follow computer prompts and could use online resources or drug books if unfamiliar with a medication. However, the Medication Administration Record did not provide warnings about non-crushable or hazardous drugs, contributing to the errors.
Medication Storage Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain safe medication storage practices in both the medication room and medication carts. In the Back Station medication room, expired, unlabeled, and undated medications were found, including an Osmolite bottle past its expiration date, an Omeprazole liquid bottle that was not discarded after 30 days as required, and an undated Aplisol Tuberculin Purified Protein vial. Additionally, an outdated influenza vaccine was found, and a staff drink bottle was improperly stored in the medication refrigerator. Two IV bags of Lactated Ringer's solution were also found without resident-specific labels. On Medication Cart #2, a pill cutter contained a pill and white powder, indicating improper cleaning and storage. A Pro-Stat AWC bottle had visible yellow/orange streaks, suggesting it was not properly wiped down after use. Hazardous medications were stored without proper labeling or instructions for safe handling on Medication Carts #1 and #4, including a bottle of Depakene and a bubble pack of Arimidex. Inhalation products like Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate were not dated or used within the recommended timeframe after being removed from their packaging. The Director of Nursing acknowledged these issues, stating that outdated medications should be removed from active storage and that products should be dated when opened. The facility's policy indicated that medications should be stored according to manufacturer recommendations and regularly inspected for expiration or deterioration. However, these practices were not consistently followed, leading to the deficiencies observed during the survey.
Inaccurate Documentation of Resident Diagnosis
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate documentation of a resident's diagnosis in the medical records, which may contribute to unsafe care and treatment. The deficiency was identified during interviews and record reviews involving the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the Director of Nursing (DON). The medical records of a resident, referred to as Resident 100, contained inconsistent and inaccurate documentation regarding the diagnosis for the use of the psychotropic medication olanzapine. The Discharge Summary indicated a history of dementia, heart disease, and bedsore infection, with olanzapine prescribed for dementia-related behavior. However, the Nursing Weekly Summary Review inaccurately included bipolar disorder as a diagnosis, which the ADON could not verify. Further discrepancies were noted in the Psychotropic Medication Consent document, which listed anxiety and bipolar disorder as indications for olanzapine, despite the ADON acknowledging these were incorrect. The Medical Doctor (MD 2) interviewed stated that the nursing staff should follow the documented diagnosis written by the medical provider, and the DON confirmed the use of bipolar indications was an error. The facility's policy on psychotropic medication use requires a comprehensive assessment and accurate documentation by the physician, which was not adhered to in this case.
Failure to Prevent Resident Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect two residents from verbal and physical abuse. Resident 1, who has schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, was known for shouting racial slurs, including the N-word, in the hallway. Despite having a care plan in place to manage his verbally aggressive behavior, the facility did not effectively intervene to prevent these outbursts. Resident 2, who also has major depressive disorder and a history of poor impulse control, became frustrated with Resident 1's repeated use of racial slurs. This frustration culminated in an incident where Resident 2 slapped Resident 1 in the face after being provoked by the racial slurs. The incident was witnessed by staff members, including a CNA who observed Resident 2 tapping Resident 1's cheek after being provoked. Interviews with other residents and staff confirmed that Resident 1's behavior was a regular occurrence and that the facility staff had not taken adequate steps to address it. The facility's policy on reporting allegations of abuse and neglect was not effectively implemented, as evidenced by the lack of intervention to prevent the verbal and physical altercation between the residents.
Medications Found Unsecured in DON's Office
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medications were stored securely, as required by their policy and professional standards. During an observation, two bags containing approximately 30-40 bottles and boxes of medications were found on top of an unlocked cabinet in the Director of Nursing's (DON) office. The office door was open and unlocked, and the DON was not present. A female staff member was seen entering the office, and other staff members were walking in the hallway nearby. Additionally, a resident's room with three residents was located in front of the DON's office. The DON confirmed that the medications should have been stored in a locked compartment or room to prevent access by residents or staff, acknowledging the risk of medication misuse or drug diversion.
Failure to Adhere to Oxygen Tubing Replacement Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to meet professional standards of practice for a resident when the nasal cannula used for oxygen delivery was not labeled with an open date and the replacement schedule was longer than the facility's policy indicated. The resident, who had diagnoses including cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, and chronic respiratory failure, was observed with a nasal cannula that lacked a label indicating when it was last changed. The resident mentioned that the nasal cannula was changed once every one or two months, which is inconsistent with the facility's policy of changing it every seven days. During an observation and interview, the Infection Preventionist confirmed that the nasal cannula did not have a label and that the tubing should not touch the floor. The Infection Preventionist also confirmed that the facility's policy required oxygen tubing to be changed every seven days, while the resident's order called for changes every 28 days. This discrepancy between the facility's policy and the resident's order increased the risk of bacteria buildup and infections, as timely changes were not being made.
Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an incident of alleged abuse involving a resident who had severe cognitive impairment and was non-English speaking. The resident reported to a Restorative Nursing Assistant (RNA) that he was hit twice on the chest by a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) the previous day. This incident was reported to the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator, but the initial report was not sent to the appropriate authorities as required by the facility's policy and procedure. The facility's internal investigation initially deemed the incident as non-reportable, leading to a delay in notifying the necessary agencies. The resident reiterated the allegation two weeks later, prompting the facility to reconsider and report the incident to the Ombudsman, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and local law enforcement. The delay in reporting was attributed to the Administrator's decision to hold off on reporting due to inconsistencies in the resident's account of the incident. The facility's policy mandates that all allegations of abuse be reported to the state agency and other relevant authorities within two hours of obtaining knowledge of the incident, which was not adhered to in this case. Interviews with the DON and the Administrator revealed that the decision to delay reporting was based on the perceived inconsistencies in the resident's story and the belief that the incident was isolated. However, the facility's policy clearly states that all suspected abuse must be reported immediately. The failure to report the incident in a timely manner resulted in a delay in the abuse investigation process and decreased the facility's potential to protect residents from harm.
Failure to Supervise Resident at Risk for Elopement
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate supervision and monitoring for a resident who was at risk for elopement. The resident, who had a history of cerebral infarction, mild cognitive impairment, and other medical conditions, was documented as having moderate cognitive impairment and was identified as at risk for elopement. Despite this, the resident managed to leave the facility multiple times on the same day. The resident was found outside the facility on several occasions, including once in the back parking lot and another time near a church. On the final occasion, the resident left the facility and did not return, prompting the staff to file a police report. Interviews and record reviews revealed that the facility did not notify the resident's responsible party, physician, or the Department of the elopement incidents. The Director of Nursing confirmed that there was no documentation of any scheduled appointments or leave of absence for the resident on the day of the incidents. The facility's policy on elopement and missing residents, which requires monitoring and evaluation of residents at risk for wandering and elopement, was not followed. The policy also mandates notifying the responsible party and primary care physician, which was not done in this case.
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Surveyors found multiple food safety deficiencies, including a cook preparing food without a beard restraint and a dietary aide with hair exposed outside a hairnet, contrary to facility policy requiring full hair coverage. The kitchen stove and oven had thick accumulations of grease, dark deposits, and sticky dust and oil residue on interior and exterior surfaces, indicating inadequate cleaning and sanitization. An opened bag of brown sugar was also found unsealed, unlabeled, and undated, despite facility policy requiring all food items to be labeled with the product name and use-by or discard date.
Surveyors found that the facility did not obtain or properly document informed consent for psychotropic medications for multiple residents. Several residents with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia were receiving drugs such as sertraline, lorazepam, divalproex, trazodone, risperidone, escitalopram, lithium, chlorpromazine, haloperidol (including long-acting injectable), and Zyprexa without evidence that informed consent was obtained before initiation or dose changes. In some cases, consent forms were completed only after psychotropic medications had already been ordered and administered, and in others, no consent documentation existed at all, despite facility policies requiring informed consent prior to starting or increasing psychotropic therapy.
Surveyors identified a medication error rate of 17.14% during observed med passes, with multiple instances of nurses not following prescriber orders. One resident received only half the ordered dose of divalproex and in capsule form instead of the prescribed delayed-release tablet, while another was given gabapentin in capsule form instead of the ordered tablet. A G-tube resident was given ferrous sulfate instead of ordered iron glycinate, did not receive ordered docusate, and had eight medications administered via G-tube without required water flushes between each medication. Another resident did not receive a scheduled dose of quetiapine during the afternoon med pass. The report notes these failures resulted in medications not being administered according to physician orders and created potential for reduced therapeutic effect and G-tube blockage.
A resident with a history of cerebral infarction, schizophrenia, and depression was observed seated in a wheelchair during a lunch meal while a CNA stood over her and fed her with a spoon, contrary to facility policy requiring staff to sit at the resident’s eye level. The CNA later acknowledged she was expected to obtain a chair and sit beside the resident for comfort, and the DSD confirmed that staff are required to position themselves at eye level and not stand over residents when providing feeding assistance, as outlined in the facility’s dignity and meal-assistance policies.
A resident with schizophrenia had a PRN order for Zyprexa (olanzapine) 10 mg IM every 8 hours as needed for aggression renewed for an additional 14 days without a physician evaluation, contrary to facility policy and federal requirements. The DON confirmed there was no evaluation by the attending physician or prescriber before renewing the PRN antipsychotic order, despite the policy stating that PRN antipsychotic medications cannot be renewed without such an evaluation and documented appropriateness. Surveyors determined this resulted in an unnecessary psychotropic medication order.
Surveyors found that MDS assessments for two residents receiving antipsychotic medications contained incorrect dates for when prescribers had documented gradual dose reduction (GDR) as contraindicated. During interviews and record reviews, the MDSC confirmed that the GDR dates entered in Section N of the MDS did not match the dates in the residents’ plan of care notes, and acknowledged the need for correction. The MDSC and DON both stated that the MDS must accurately reflect the resident’s status to ensure services are based on current information, consistent with the facility’s policy that comprehensive MDS assessments are used to develop and revise person-centered care plans.
The facility failed to develop and implement an individualized care plan after a resident with gait and mobility abnormalities experienced an unwitnessed fall while getting out of bed. The resident reported the fall, and nursing staff, including an LVN, an RN, and the MDS coordinator, confirmed the incident and acknowledged that no short-term fall-related care plan or interventions were documented. This was inconsistent with facility policies requiring comprehensive person-centered care plans and fall risk management interventions based on assessment findings.
A resident had an order for PRN tramadol 50 mg for severe pain, and the controlled substance record showed that tablets were removed from stock on two occasions, but the MAR did not show that tramadol was administered on those dates. During interviews, an LVN acknowledged missing MAR documentation, and other nursing staff, the DSD, and the DON all stated that controlled substances were supposed to be documented on both the CSR and MAR and that the records should match. The facility’s medication administration policy required documentation immediately after administration, which was not followed in this case, resulting in inaccurate accountability of a controlled medication.
Surveyors found that a used urinal containing bloody urine was left on a resident's bedside table on multiple occasions, positioned next to a water pitcher and an empty food tray, with bloody urine visible on the outside and the lid open. A CNA confirmed the urinal should not have been stored there. The facility's infection control policy, as acknowledged by the IP, was not followed in this situation, resulting in a failure to maintain a safe and sanitary environment under the IPCP requirements.
Two residents with dementia, schizoaffective disorder, and major depressive disorder, both with moderately impaired cognition and needing moderate ADL assistance, were found unclothed together in one resident's bed. One resident later stated she did not want sexual activity and did not consent, while the other resident could not recall the encounter. An LVN reported that both residents verbally consented at the time but acknowledged no assessment had been done to determine their capacity to consent to sexual activity. The DON identified the incident as sexual abuse and confirmed that allowing sexual activity without prior capacity assessment was inconsistent with facility policy and that the resident was not protected from sexual abuse.
Unsanitary Food Handling, Equipment, and Storage Practices in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in food safety practices related to employee hygiene and equipment cleanliness in the facility’s kitchen. During an observation, one cook was preparing food without a beard restraint, and a dietary aide had bangs exposed outside of a hairnet while working. In an interview, the Assistant Dietary Services Supervisor (ADSS) stated that kitchen staff were required by facility policy to have their hair completely covered and to wear hair nets and beard restraints properly. Review of the facility’s policy titled “Preventing Foodborne Illness - Employee Hygiene and Sanitary Practices” confirmed that hair nets or caps and beard restraints must be worn to keep hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens. Additional observations showed that the stovetop and oven were not maintained in a sanitary condition. The stove was covered with a thick, crusty layer of brown and black grease. The oven’s interior and exterior surfaces, including the door and handle, were coated with thick, heavy buildup of old grease and dark deposits, and the bottom of the oven had a layer of sticky dust and oil residue. The ADSS verified these conditions and acknowledged that the stove and oven required cleaning. Surveyors also found an opened, unsealed bag of brown sugar that was unlabeled and undated. The ADSS confirmed it should have been labeled and dated, and review of the facility’s “Food Storage (Dry, Refrigerated, and Frozen)” policy indicated that all food items must be labeled with the name of the food and the date by which it should be sold, consumed, or discarded.
Plan Of Correction
F812 A. How corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice. On 04/13/2026, Cook #1 immediately donned a beard restraint and ensured it was properly secured. The Dietary Aide immediately adjusted the hairnet to fully contain all hair, including bangs/fringe, prior to resuming food service duties. Both staff members were re-educated on facility grooming and infection control standards related to safe food handling. On 04/13/2026, the opened unsealed bag of brown sugar was immediately discarded. All dry storage items were reviewed for labeling, dating, sealing, and proper storage. Any items identified as unlabeled, undated, damaged, or improperly stored were immediately corrected or discarded. On 04/17/2026, the Administrator and the Registered Dietician conducted an immediate inspection of the kitchen and food service areas. No evidence of resident illness, food contamination, or foodborne outbreak related to the cited deficient practice was identified. On 04/17/2026 the Licensed Nurses conducted visual observation of all residents for any signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other concerns. No adverse findings were noted. On 04/27/2026 the stove, oven interior, oven exterior surfaces, handles, and surrounding affected kitchen equipment were deep cleaned, degreased, sanitized, and returned to a clean operating condition. B. How the facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: On 04/17/2026 the Registered Dietitian and assistant dietary supervisor completed a comprehensive audit of all kitchen staff for compliance with hair restraints, beard restraints, hand hygiene, and sanitary food handling practices. On 04/17/2026 all food storage items were reviewed to ensure procedures were properly labeled, dated, sealed, rotated, and stored in accordance with facility policy and safe food handling standards. On 04/28/2026 a full kitchen sanitation audit was completed to inspect all cooking equipment, ovens, stovetops, food contact surfaces, dry storage, refrigerators, freezers, shelving, and small wares for cleanliness and sanitation. No other deficient findings identified during the audits. C. What measures will be put into place or what systemic changes the facility will make to ensure the deficient practice does not recur: On 04/16/2026 the Administrator conducted an in-service education to dietary staff and cooks regarding: Proper use of hairnets, beard restraints, and personal hygiene during food preparation. Routine cleaning and sanitizing requirements for all kitchen equipment and food contact surfaces. Dry goods storage requirements, including sealing, labeling, dating, and stock rotation. Responsibility to immediately report sanitation concerns to the Dietary Manager and Administrator. On 04/17/2026 the facility developed and implemented a Dietary Sanitation / Food Safety Daily Audit Log (Food Procurement, Storage, Preparation & Service – Sanitary Compliance). This tool is utilized daily by the Dietary Supervisor or designee to conduct routine audits and ensure ongoing compliance with food safety and sanitation standards. D. How the facility will monitor its corrective actions to ensure the deficient practice is being corrected and will not recur: Beginning 04/20/2026 the assistant Dietary Services Manager will conduct an audit weekly x 4 weeks, Monthly x 3 months or until substantial compliance is achieved using the Kitchen Sanitation & Food Safety Audit Tool to ensure compliance. Any findings will be addressed promptly. Audit results will be presented by the Administrator to the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee monthly for three (3) months. The QAPI Committee will review trends, ensure sustained compliance, and implement additional interventions as necessary Date of completion: 05/08/2026
Failure to Obtain and Document Informed Consent for Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to residents’ rights to be informed and to make treatment decisions when the facility failed to obtain and/or document informed consent for psychotropic medications for five sampled residents. The facility’s own policies required informed consent prior to initiation or dose increase of psychotropic drugs, with documentation of the discussion, understanding, and consent or refusal in the medical record. During interviews, the DON acknowledged that informed consent was supposed to be obtained before starting psychotropic medications or increasing doses, but records did not show that this occurred as required. For one resident with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and multiple psychotropic prescriptions (sertraline, lorazepam, divalproex, and trazodone), review of psychotropic informed consent forms dated over several months showed no evidence of consent for the ordered doses of these medications, and the DON confirmed there were no additional consents. Another resident with schizophrenia had an order for risperidone, but the only documented psychotherapeutic drug informed consent was dated after the initial medication order, indicating consent was obtained after treatment had already begun. A third resident with depression and schizophrenia was receiving escitalopram, lithium carbonate, chlorpromazine, and haloperidol, including an additional lithium order, and the DON stated there was no documented informed consent for any of these psychotropic medications. For a fourth resident with an order for long-acting injectable haloperidol decanoate, the DON reported that the facility did not have documented informed consent for this psychotropic medication. For a fifth resident with schizophrenia, the physician ordered intramuscular Zyprexa 10 mg every eight hours as needed, and subsequent physician orders confirmed this regimen; however, the psychotherapeutic drug informed consent form was dated after the initial orders, again showing that consent was obtained only after the medication had been ordered. These findings collectively demonstrated that the facility did not ensure informed consent was obtained and documented in advance of initiating or changing psychotropic medication regimens, as required by regulation and facility policy.
Plan Of Correction
This Plan of Correction (POC) serves as our Credible Allegation of Compliance. Preparation and/or execution for this Plan of Correction does not constitute conclusions set forth in the Statement of Deficiencies. The facility will be in substantial compliance on or before 5/9/2026. The Plan of Correction is submitted as part of Federal Regulations. Title 42, Section 489.13, State Operations Manual, Section 2612 and California Health and Safety Code, Section 1280 and the facility does not waive its right to contest or pursue an appeal of the deficiency as allowed by the Federal and State Law. F552-Right to be informed/Make Treatment Decisions. How Corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by this practice. Resident #36-Informed consents for all the psychoactive medications were updated. For dates, please refer to the attachment of informed consents. On 4/3/26 Resident #53-Informed Consent for Risperdal was reviewed by [R] DNP. It did reflect the correct information with the exception of the date. On 4/13/26 Resident #41-Informed consents for all of the psychoactive medications were obtained and updated by [R] DNP. On 4/14/26 Resident #21-Informed consent for Haldol was obtained and updated by [R] DNP. On 3/28/26 Resident #1- Informed consent for Zyprexa was reviewed and adjusted for the increase in dosage by [R] DNP. How The facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: All the residents in the facility have the potential to be affected. Based on the QAPI that the facility had developed in early March of 2026, all the residents who are on Psychoactive meds have been audited for current informed consents and all will be completed by May 9th, 2026. What measures will be put in place or what systemic changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur: Licensed staff have been in-serviced on 4/1/26 - 5/1/26 by Director of Nursing regarding the process of completing Informed Consents for residents with Psychoactive meds. On 4/20/2026 The DON/Designee will review any new order for Psychoactive medication on a daily basis to ensure that : Documenting the informed consents are obtained verified to protect resident rights, promote safety, and facilitate appropriate use of the medications. Document the discussion, resident/representative understanding, and consent/refusal in the medical record. Initiation or dose increase; prescriber obtains the consent before administration. In addition, Medical records designee/MRD shall review/audit for compliance on monthly basis. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure the solutions are sustained and to ensure deficiency practice will not recur. The Findings from the Medical records audit will be given to DON and presented to the monthly QAA committee for review and to ensure sustained compliance monthly for 3 months, then every 6 months, then annually until compliance is met and sustained. Completion Date :5/8/2026
High Medication Error Rate and Failure to Follow Physician Orders During Med Pass
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility failing to maintain a medication error rate below 5%, with surveyors calculating a 17.14% error rate based on six errors out of 35 observed opportunities during medication administration for four residents. For one resident, an LVN administered only 250 mg of divalproex in capsule form instead of the ordered 500 mg of divalproex delayed-release tablets prescribed twice daily for bipolar disorder. The LVN later confirmed that the resident was supposed to receive 500 mg of the delayed-release tablet formulation. Another resident with an order for gabapentin 100 mg tablets twice daily for nerve pain was given a 100 mg gabapentin capsule instead of the ordered tablet. The LVN acknowledged administering the capsule and confirmed that the order specified a tablet dosage form. A different resident with a G-tube had an order for iron glycinate oral liquid, 7.5 ml via G-tube once daily as a supplement, but was instead given ferrous sulfate liquid. The LVN confirmed that iron glycinate was ordered and that ferrous sulfate was administered in its place, meaning the ordered iron glycinate was not given. For the same G-tube resident, the LVN prepared three liquid medications (ferrous sulfate, valproic acid, and levetiracetam) but did not prepare or administer the ordered docusate liquid 10 ml via G-tube twice daily for constipation during the observed pass, and confirmed that the docusate was not given. During the G-tube medication administration, the LVN flushed the tube with 30 ml of water before starting and 30 ml after all medications were given but did not flush the tube between each of the eight medications, contrary to facility policy requiring water flushes between medications. In a separate observation, another resident with an order for quetiapine 200 mg by mouth twice daily at 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM did not receive the scheduled 4:00 PM dose during the observed medication pass; the LVN confirmed that quetiapine was not administered even though it was due at that time. The report states these failures resulted in medications not being given according to physician orders and had the potential for residents not to receive the full therapeutic effect of medications and for blockages to develop in the G-tube resident’s feeding tube.
Plan Of Correction
This Plan of Correction (POC) serves as our Credible Allegation of Compliance. Preparation and/or execution for this Plan of Correction does not constitute conclusions set forth in the Statement of Deficiencies. The facility will be in substantial compliance on or before 5/9/2026. The Plan of Correction is submitted as part of Federal Regulations. Title 42, Section 489.13, State Operations Manual, Section 2612 and California Health and Safety Code, Section 1280 and the facility does not waive its right to contest or pursue an appeal of the deficiency as allowed by the Federal and State Law. F759- Free of Medication Errors Rts 5 percent or more. How Corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by this practice. Resident #28-Order for Divalproex was Reviewed. On 4/14/26 Residents received 250 mg instead of 500mg. MD was notified and informed the same day. No new orders and to continue with same dosage. No adverse reaction was noted from this. Resident #7- On 4/14/26 the order for Gabapentin tablet was changed to capsule as per MD order. There was no adverse reaction noted from resident receiving the capsule format vs. the tablet format. Resident #6- On 4/14/26 Resident's MD was notified about the incorrect type of Iron supplement order. The order was clarified to Ferrous Sulfate Oral Solution 220mg/5ml give 7.5 ml via G-tube QD instead of Glycinate. In addition, the MD was notified about resident not receiving Docusate. No new orders were given. Resident did not show any adverse reaction from missing this medication. LVN #5 - On 4/15/26 LVN 5 was in-serviced by DON regarding all prescribed medication will be administered correctly and in accordance with the prescribers order. Also to ensure that the correct formulation of medication, such as capsule vs. Tablet, will be administered correctly as prescribed by the MD. In addition, she was educated on proper way of administering medication via GT and the importance of flushing with 15 ml of water in between administration of each medication. Resident #40- On 4/14/26 the MD was notified about resident not receiving Seroquel at 4pm on 4/14/26. No new orders were given. Resident did not show any adverse effects from not receiving this dose. LVN#3- was in-serviced by DON on 4/15/26 regarding not omitting any scheduled medications that have been ordered. How The facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: All residents have potential to be affected by this practice. The residents' medication administration records were reviewed by DON, and no other residents were affected by this practice. What measures will be put in place or what systemic changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur: Licensed were in-serviced by DON on 4/15/2-26 – 5/1/26 regarding medication administration of all medications orally and via GT based on facility pharmacy Policy and Procedures. DON/Designee will conduct a GT medication administration pass/check off weekly for the first month on random shifts. Then the Pharmacy consultant will come monthly for 6 months to audit GT medication administration. All the new orders shall be reviewed daily by clinical IDT members for correct dose, root, and diagnosis. The MRD shall audit for medication administration completion on daily bases to assure that compliance is achieved. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure the solutions are sustained and to ensure deficiency practice will not recur. The DON shall review the weekly audits/ monthly audits and present any issues to monthly QAA meeting for further interventions to assure compliance every 3 months Completion Date :5/8/2026
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Feeding Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident was treated with dignity and respect during mealtime when a CNA provided feeding assistance while standing over the resident. The resident, who had been admitted with diagnoses including cerebral infarction, schizophrenia, and depression, was seated in a wheelchair in her room during a lunch meal. At that time, the CNA remained standing and continued to feed the resident with a spoon from a standing position rather than positioning herself at the resident’s eye level. During an interview, the CNA acknowledged that she was expected to obtain a chair and sit beside the resident while assisting with meals and stated that sitting at eye level was important for resident comfort. The Director of Staff Development confirmed that staff were expected to position themselves at the resident’s eye level when providing feeding assistance and stated that the CNA should have obtained a chair and sat beside the resident to avoid the resident feeling intimidated. Review of the facility’s “Quality of Life-Dignity” policy indicated residents are to be treated with dignity and respect at all times, and the “Assistance with Meals” policy specified that staff should not stand over residents while assisting them with meals.
Plan Of Correction
This Plan of Correction (POC) serves as our Credible Allegation of Compliance. Preparation and/or execution for this Plan of Correction does not constitute conclusions set forth in the Statement of Deficiencies. The facility will be in substantial compliance on or before 5/9/2026. The Plan of Correction is submitted as part of Federal Regulations. Title 42, Section 489.13, State Operations Manual, Section 2612 and California Health and Safety Code, Section 1280 and the facility does not waive its right to contest or pursue an appeal of the deficiency as allowed by the Federal and State Law. F550-Resident Rights. How Corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected: C.NA #1- was in-serviced 1:1 by the DON and DSD on 04/13/2026 regarding Resident's Rights to treat them with respect and dignity when feeding residents by sitting down and providing the assistance at eye level. Each resident shall be cared for in a manner that promotes and enhances his or her sense of well-being level of satisfaction with life, feeling of self-worth and self-esteem. Resident #47 – on 04/14/2026 resident was being assessed by the licensed nurse with regards to his rights as a resident that should be treated with respect and dignity when being fed. Resident has no concerns. How The facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: All the residents have the potential of being affected by this deficient practice. The consequent meal observations revealed that no other residents were being affected by the same deficient practice. What measures will be put in place or what systemic changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur: The Nursing staff were in-serviced by the DON and DSD on 04/13/2026-05/01/2026 regarding Resident's Rights to treat them with respect and dignity when feeding residents by sitting down and providing the assistance at eye level. Each resident shall be cared for in a manner that promotes and enhances his or her sense of well-being level of satisfaction with life, feeling of self-worth and self-esteem. On 04/14/2026 the DSD and/or designee will conduct daily rounds to ensure continued compliance with the proper practice and report any deficient practice to DON. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure the solutions are sustained and to ensure deficiency practice will not recur: The DON shall review compliance with the DSD rounds and report any deficient practiced to the monthly QAA committee to assure further and continued compliance monthly x 3 months then every 6 months and then annually until compliance is met and sustained. Completion Date :5/8/2026
Renewal of PRN Antipsychotic Without Required Physician Evaluation
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to the use of psychotropic medications when a resident with a diagnosis of schizophrenia received a renewed PRN antipsychotic order without a required physician evaluation. The resident was initially admitted in January and had an admission record dated in April reflecting a diagnosis of schizophrenia. A physician’s order dated in March showed that the resident had renewed PRN orders for Zyprexa (olanzapine) 10 mg IM every 8 hours as needed for schizophrenia manifested by verbal or physical aggression, for 14 days. However, there was no documentation that the attending physician or prescribing practitioner evaluated the resident prior to renewing this PRN antipsychotic order. During an interview, the DON confirmed that there was no physician evaluation for the renewed PRN Zyprexa order and acknowledged that the physician was supposed to evaluate the resident before ordering the PRN antipsychotic. The facility’s own “Psychotropic Medication Use” policy stated that PRN orders for psychotropic medications are limited to 14 days and that PRN antipsychotic orders cannot be renewed unless the attending physician or prescriber evaluates the resident and documents the appropriateness of the medication. The prescribing information for Zyprexa injection listed somnolence as an adverse reaction, and the surveyors concluded that the resident received an unnecessary psychotropic medication order because it was renewed without the required evaluation.
Plan Of Correction
This Plan of Correction (POC) serves as our Credible Allegation of Compliance. Preparation and/or execution for this Plan of Correction does not constitute conclusions set forth in the Statement of Deficiencies. The facility will be in substantial compliance on or before 5/9/2026. The Plan of Correction is submitted as part of Federal Regulations. Title 42, Section 489.13, State Operations Manual, Section 2612 and California Health and Safety Code, Section 1280 and the facility does not waive its right to contest or pursue an appeal of the deficiency as allowed by the Federal and State Law. F 605- Rights to be Free from Chemical Restraints How Corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected: Resident #1- was evaluated by the prescribing MD and the Order for Zyprexa was renewed on 04/16/26 for 14 days until 04/30/26. How The facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: All the residents have the potential to be affected by this deficient practice. On 04/15/2026, a review of all the residents on PRN psychoactive medications was conducted by DON. No other residents were found to be affected by this deficient practice. All the residents with Psychoactive medications had duration of therapy and were currently evaluated by the provider. What measures will be put in place or what systemic changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur: The licensed nurses were in-serviced by DON on 4/15-5/1/26 regarding the need for having duration of therapy for all PRN psychoactive medication and the need for prescriber's evaluation at the time of renewal. All new orders for PRN psychoactive medications shall be reviewed during daily clinical meeting by IDT to assure compliance with this practice. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure the solutions are sustained and to ensure deficiency practice will not recur. The DT/DON shall report any non-compliance regarding this issue to monthly QAA committee to assure further continue compliance monthly for 3 months then every 6 months, then annually until compliance is met and sustained. Completion Date :5/8/2026
Inaccurate MDS Documentation of Antipsychotic GDR Contraindications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to the accuracy of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for two residents receiving antipsychotic medications. For one resident, review of the MDS Section N – Medications, dated 2/25/26, showed the resident was receiving an antipsychotic and that a gradual dose reduction (GDR) was documented as contraindicated. However, the clinical record indicated the prescriber had documented GDR as contraindicated on 8/14/23, and the MDS Coordinator (MDSC) acknowledged during concurrent interview and record review that the GDR date entered on the MDS was incorrect and needed to be corrected. The facility’s policy titled “Comprehensive Assessments” stated that comprehensive MDS assessments are conducted to assist in developing person-centered care plans and are used to develop, review, and revise the resident’s comprehensive care plan. For a second resident, the MDS Section N – Medications, dated 3/2/26, also indicated the resident was receiving an antipsychotic and that GDR was documented as contraindicated. The resident’s “Plan of Care Note,” dated 2/13/26, showed the prescriber had documented GDR as contraindicated on 9/14/23, but the MDSC confirmed that the GDR date recorded on the MDS was incorrect. In interviews, the MDSC stated that the MDS is a comprehensive assessment of the resident at a specific point in time and that accuracy is important to reflect correct information and to know whether services are being provided, further stating that incorrect MDS information could lead to needed services not being provided. The DON stated that the MDS was expected to be accurate and that an inaccurate MDS was not current for the resident’s care.
Plan Of Correction
This Plan of Correction (POC) serves as our Credible Allegation of Compliance. Preparation and/or execution for this Plan of Correction does not constitute conclusions set forth in the Statement of Deficiencies. The facility will be in substantial compliance on or before 5/9/2026. The Plan of Correction is submitted as part of Federal Regulations. Title 42, Section 489.13, State Operations Manual, Section 2612 and California Health and Safety Code, Section 1280 and the facility does not waive its right to contest or pursue an appeal of the deficiency as allowed by the Federal and State Law. F641-ACCURACY OF ASSESSMENTS How Corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected: Resident #21- This resident GDR was considered on 2/13/26 by provider and stated that it was counter indicated. The MDS dated 2/25/26 was modified to reflect the consideration for GDR. Resident # 53-The MDS assessment of 3/2/26 was modified by the MDS coordinator to reflect the last GDR consideration by the MD was on 2/13/26. How The facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: All the residents who are receiving psychoactive medications have potential to be affected by this deficient practice. The DON and MDS coordinator reviewed all the residents with psychoactive medications who have had any GDRs attempted or have been evaluated for GDRs and reviewed the MDS assessment to accurately reflect these GDRs. There were no other residents identified with having the same deficient practice. What measures will be put in place or what systemic changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur: The MDS coordinator was in-serviced by DON on 04/17/2026 regarding reflecting the correct GDR status for all the residents reviewed each month. In addition, the list of all the residents reviewed for GDRs is to be made available to MDS coordinator by DON so that the correct GDR date can be reflected on MDS. The MDS coordinator to check for accuracy and to ensure that the MDS assessments for the residents who are due each month and to report any issues to the DON. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure the solutions are sustained and to ensure deficiency practice will not recur: The DON shall report issues concerning accuracy of MDS assessments in Section N to monthly QAA committee for further review and intervention to ensure continued compliance monthly x 3 months then every 6 months and annually until compliance is met and sustained. Completion Date: 05/08/2026
Failure to Develop Care Plan After Resident Fall
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement an individualized, person-centered care plan following an actual fall experienced by Resident 32. The resident was admitted with a diagnosis of abnormalities of gait and mobility and reported losing balance and falling while getting out of bed on 4/13/2026. Review of the resident’s Admission Record and Care Plan Report showed there was no care plan problem or interventions related to this fall incident. During interviews, the resident confirmed the fall, and nursing staff, including an LVN and an RN, acknowledged that the resident had an unwitnessed fall on 4/13/2026 and that no care plan had been developed in response. Further review with the MDS Coordinator confirmed that no care plan was created for Resident 32 after the fall, despite the expectation that a short-term care plan should have been documented and initiated by the RN. The facility’s policies on comprehensive person-centered care plans and on managing falls and fall risk state that care plans must be developed and implemented for each resident, with interventions derived from comprehensive assessments and evaluations of fall risks and causes. These policies require staff to identify and document interventions related to specific risks to prevent falls and minimize complications, which was not done for Resident 32 after the documented fall event.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction – F656 Develop/Implement Comprehensive Care Plan CFR(s): 483.21(b)(1)(3) How corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice: On 4/15/26 The facility immediately corrected the deficient practice for Resident #32. Upon identification of the missing care plan following the unwitnessed fall on 4/13/2026, the Registered Nurse initiated a post-fall assessment A person-centered fall care plan, including individualized fall risk interventions, measurable goals, and monitoring parameters, was initiated and implemented in the resident's medical record. Interventions included safety precautions, fall prevention strategies, staff monitoring, and resident-specific measures based on the identified cause and circumstances of the fall. How the facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: On 4/15/26 , the Director of Nursing and MDS Coordinator, conducted a facility-wide audit of residents who experienced falls within the past 60 days to ensure that individualized short-term and/or comprehensive care plans were initiated, updated, and implemented timely following each fall incident. No other residents were affected by the deficient practice. What measures will be put into place or what systemic changes the facility will make to ensure that the deficient practice does not occur: On 4/15/26 - 5/1/26 , the Director of Nursing conducted an in-service education for licensed nurses, MDS staff, and interdisciplinary team members regarding the facility policy titled "Care Plans, Comprehensive Person-Centered" and "Falls and Fall Risk, Managing." Education included requirements for timely initiation and revision of care plans following falls, development of individualized interventions, documentation standards, implementation of interventions, and interdisciplinary communication. On 5/7/2026 The facility implemented a standardized "Post-Fall Care Plan Review Process" requiring licensed nurses to notify the MDS Coordinator/designee immediately following any actual fall event to ensure timely initiation or revision of the resident's care plan.Fall events are reviewed during daily clinical stand-up meetings to ensure care plan follow-through. How the facility will monitor its corrective actions to ensure that the deficient practice is being corrected and will not recur: The DON or designee will conduct audits of residents with falls to verify that individualized short-term and/or comprehensive care plans were initiated or revised timely and that interventions were implemented as ordered. Audits will be conducted weekly for four (4) weeks, then monthly for three (3) months or until substantial compliance is achieved. Any identified concerns will be addressed immediately through corrective action, re-education, and follow-up monitoring to ensure ongoing compliance.Audit results will be presented by the DON to the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee monthly for three (3) months. The QAPI Committee will review trends, ensure sustained compliance, and implement additional interventions as necessary.Completion date: 5/8/26
Failure to Reconcile Controlled Substance Records With MAR Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure accurate accountability and documentation of controlled substances for a resident receiving tramadol for severe pain. The resident had a physician’s order dated 3/19/26 for tramadol 50 mg, one tablet by mouth every six hours as needed for severe pain. Review of the Controlled Substance Record (CSR) for this resident, dated 3/20/26, showed that nursing staff removed one tablet of tramadol on 3/24/26 at 7:48 AM and another tablet on 3/27/26 at 8:05 AM. However, the Medication Administration Record (MAR) for March 2026 did not show that tramadol was administered on those dates. During a concurrent interview and record review, an LVN acknowledged that the MAR was missing documentation and that it appeared the tramadol was not given on those dates, and stated that medication administration needed to be documented on the MAR. Additional staff interviews confirmed that facility expectations and procedures were not followed. Another LVN stated that nurses were supposed to verify controlled substance counts at each shift change to identify discrepancies and were required to document controlled substance administration in both the CSR and the MAR, and that these records should match. The Director of Staff Development stated that nurses were expected to sign out controlled medications on the CSR and document administration on the MAR, and that narcotic accountability procedures were intended to identify discrepancies. The DON similarly stated that the nurse was supposed to document the removed tramadol on the CSR and the administration on the MAR. The facility’s policy titled “Documentation of Medication Administration,” dated April 2007, indicated that administration of medication must be documented immediately after it is given, which was not reflected in the records for this resident’s tramadol doses.
Plan Of Correction
This Plan of Correction (POC) serves as our Credible Allegation of Compliance. Preparation and/or execution for this Plan of Correction does not constitute conclusions set forth in the Statement of Deficiencies. The facility will be in substantial compliance on or before 5/9/2026. The Plan of Correction is submitted as part of Federal Regulations, Title 42, Section 489.13, State Operations Manual, Section 2612 and California Health and Safety Code, Section 1280 and the facility does not waive its right to contest or pursue an appeal of the deficiency as allowed by the Federal and State Law. F755-Pharmacy services/Procedures/Pharmacist/Records How Corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected: Resident #41-The Controlled Substance Record (CSR) for this resident was reviewed by DON on 04/14/2026. The count of Tramadol on the CSR matched the pill count in the med cart. Residents continue to use Tramadol for pain. How The facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: All the residents in the facility have the potential to be affected by this deficient practice. The DON/Designee reviewed all the Narcotic sheets/CSRs against the medication administration record for month of April 2026. There were no other residents found to be affected with the same deficient practice. C-What measures will be put in place or what systemic changes will you make to ensure the deficient practice does not recur: The licensed staff was in-serviced by DON on 04/15/2026- 05/01/2026 regarding documentation of medication administration that administration of medication must be documented after (never before) it is given. That is required for all PRN medications including Narcotics. The DON conducted a 1:1 in-service to LVN3 on 04/16/2026 regarding facility's policy on documentation of medication administration that administration of medication must be documented after (never before) it is given. The MRD shall conduct a weekly audit of Narcotic sheets in comparison to the documentation on the MARs to ensure compliance. The DON/Designee shall review these audits and intervene to ensure compliance. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure the solutions are sustained and to ensure deficiency practice will not recur. The DON shall report the results of medical records audit to monthly QAA committee for review and to assure continued compliance monthly x 3 months then q 6months and then annually to ensure compliance is met and sustained. Date of Completion: 05/08/2026
Improper Storage of Used Urinal with Bloody Urine at Bedside
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in infection prevention and control when a used urinal containing bloody urine was repeatedly observed on a resident's bedside table. During a morning observation, the urinal with bloody urine was placed next to the resident's water pitcher, with visible bloody urine on the outside near the opening and the lid left open. Later the same day, the urinal with bloody urine was again observed on the same bedside table, this time next to both a water pitcher and an empty food tray, with bloody urine still visible on the outside near the opening and the lid still open. A CNA confirmed during interview that the urinal with urine was on the bedside table next to an empty food tray and acknowledged that it should not be stored there. The facility's undated infection control policy, reviewed with the Infection Preventionist, stated that the infection control policies and practices are intended to maintain a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent and manage transmission of diseases and infections. The Infection Preventionist stated that this policy was not followed when the urinal with bloody urine was found on the resident's bedside table.
Plan Of Correction
This Plan of Correction (POC) serves as our Credible Allegation of Compliance. Preparation and/or execution for this Plan of Correction does not constitute conclusions set forth in the Statement of Deficiencies. The facility will be in substantial compliance on or before 5/9/2026. The Plan of Correction is submitted as part of Federal Regulations. Title 42, Section 489.13, State Operations Manual, Section 2612 and California Health and Safety Code, Section 1280 and the facility does not waive its right to contest or pursue an appeal of the deficiency as allowed by the Federal and State Law. F880-Infection Prevention and Control How Corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected: Resident #32 prefers to keep his urinal on his bedside table and has occasional blood in the urine due to his diagnosis of Malignant Neoplasm of bladder. This issue has been addressed with the resident, and he continues to refuse to allow staff to remove his urinal or place it in a different location. On 05/04/2026 the IDT conducted an IDT meeting with the resident to make him aware of the risk involved with infection control. Resident did not want to change his preference. How The facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken: All the residents have the potential to be affected by this deficient practice. On 05/04/2026 the IDT members reviewed other residents for similar issues, and no other residents were identified with the same deficient practice. What measures will be put in place or what systemic changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur: The nursing staff have been in-serviced by DSD/DON regarding attempting/offering to remove the urinals from the bedside tables on 04/15/2026-05/01/2026. The charge nurses and/or IP nurse shall conduct daily rounds to assure compliance and report any findings to DON for further follow up. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure the solutions are sustained and to ensure deficiency practice will not recur: The DON shall report any findings from the IP rounds to monthly QAA committee for further review to ensure continued compliance monthly x 3 months and then every 6 months and annually until compliance is met and sustained. Completion Date: 05/08/2026
Failure to Protect Cognitively Impaired Resident From Sexual Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident was free from sexual abuse when two cognitively impaired residents were found unclothed together in one resident's bed without prior assessment of their capacity to consent to sexual activity. One resident had dementia, schizoaffective disorder, and major depressive disorder, with documentation of fluctuating capacity to understand and make decisions and a Minimum Data Set (MDS) indicating moderately impaired cognition and a need for moderate assistance with ADLs. During an interview at her bedside, this resident stated she did not want to engage in sexual activity and did not consent to sexual contact with the other resident. The second resident involved also had dementia, schizoaffective disorder, and major depressive disorder, with an MDS showing moderately impaired cognition and a need for moderate assistance with ADLs. In an interview, he stated he liked women and liked to socialize with women but could not recall whether he engaged in sexual activity with the first resident. An LVN reported observing both residents unclothed in the first resident's bed and stated that, at the time of the incident, both residents verbally consented to sexual activity, but she was not aware of any assessment having been performed to determine either resident's capacity to consent. The DON stated the incident was considered sexual abuse, that it was not the facility's practice to allow sexual activity without appropriate assessment, and that the facility failed to ensure the resident was protected from sexual abuse, contrary to the facility's abuse prevention policy.
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