Below average — CMS composite of the measures below.
Past the typical resurvey interval — a standard survey could occur at any time
Estimate from public CMS data, current as of July 2026. Survey timing is at the state agency's discretion.
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Vivo Healthcare Wauchula during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility failed to maintain food safety standards, with issues such as disrepair in the storeroom floor, mold in refrigerators, improper food storage, and inadequate cleaning practices. Additionally, a resident with severe cognitive impairment was provided with inadequately cooled food for dialysis, highlighting further deficiencies in food handling and safety.
An LPN failed to maintain resident dignity during medication administration for two residents with cognitive impairments. The LPN entered rooms without knocking and did not ensure privacy by closing doors or pulling curtains, contrary to facility policy. This occurred during medication and insulin administration, with residents exposed to passersby.
A resident who was cognitively intact had been smoking daily for several months without a completed smoking safety assessment until recently. The facility's policy requires such assessments on admission and quarterly, but this was not followed. Interviews with the resident and staff confirmed the resident's regular smoking, and the LPN acknowledged the oversight in conducting the necessary assessments.
A resident admitted with a Foley catheter did not have timely orders for catheter care, leading to a lack of documented care for several days. The resident, with a history of urinary tract infection and neuromuscular bladder dysfunction, experienced symptoms that were not addressed until orders were finally placed. Staff interviews confirmed the expectation for immediate orders upon admission, which was not met in this case.
A facility failed to timely monitor the nutritional status of a dialysis-dependent resident with severe cognitive impairment. Despite physician orders for fluid restrictions and specific dietary needs, the care plan did not address these restrictions for seven weeks. The facility's new remote dietitian had not completed necessary evaluations, and the Minimum Data Set Coordinator was trying to manage dietary care plans due to staffing changes.
A facility failed to follow physician's orders for tube feeding for a resident with traumatic brain injury and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The resident was supposed to receive Jevity 1.5 at 50 ml/hour for 20 hours, but observations showed discrepancies in the administration, with less formula given than prescribed. Despite this, staff reported the resident tolerated the feeding well. The resident, severely cognitively impaired, relied on tube feeding for 100% of nutritional needs.
A facility failed to provide proper tracheostomy care for a resident, as observed when an LPN did not adhere to sterile procedures or perform necessary assessments during care. The resident's care plan lacked specific interventions for tracheostomy care, and staff interviews revealed inconsistencies in understanding care protocols.
A resident's medication regimen review by a consulting pharmacist identified several irregularities, including the use of digoxin, cholestyramine, tramadol, and vitamin D3, which were not addressed by the attending physician. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had recent falls, was out to the hospital during the review period, and the Director of Nursing acknowledged the oversight.
The facility failed to prepare pureed foods to the required smooth consistency for residents with dysphagia, as observed during lunch meals. The pureed foods were lumpy and contained visible pieces, contrary to the facility's policy. The cooks responsible had not received training on preparing pureed diets, affecting residents with physician-ordered pureed diets due to dysphagia and malnutrition.
The facility failed to follow physician-ordered fluid restrictions for two residents, leading to deficiencies in care. One resident received excess fluids during meals due to nursing staff's lack of awareness, while another had multiple bottles of soda and water exceeding the prescribed amount. Interviews revealed a lack of communication and awareness among staff regarding fluid restrictions, impacting the care provided.
A facility failed to accurately document a resident's code status, resulting in a discrepancy between the physician's orders and the resident's care plan. The resident, with severe cognitive impairment, was documented as 'Full Code' in the orders, while the care plan and social services note indicated a 'Do Not Resuscitate' status, as confirmed by the proxy. The error was discovered by an LPN during a record review, and the Social Service Director acknowledged the mistake occurred upon the resident's readmission.
An LPN in a facility failed to perform hand hygiene as per policy during medication administration and tracheostomy care. The LPN did not wash hands before donning or after doffing gloves while administering medication to two residents, one with diabetes and another with a urinary tract infection. Additionally, during tracheostomy care for a resident with a history of traumatic brain injury, the LPN did not perform hand hygiene before starting the procedure or between glove changes.
Food Safety and Handling Deficiencies in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility was found to have multiple deficiencies in food storage, preparation, and service during a series of kitchen observations. The storeroom floor was in disrepair with broken concrete and peeling paint, leading to potential contamination. The walk-in refrigerator had rust and mold, and its door gasket was torn, compromising its functionality. The reach-in refrigerator had similar issues with mold and torn gaskets, and improper storage of eggs over milk cartons posed a contamination risk. Leftover food was not discarded within the required timeframe, and equipment such as cutting boards, pans, and dish racks were in poor condition with mold and carbon build-up. Further observations revealed that cleaning practices were inadequate, with a soiled cleaning rag improperly stored and a lack of sanitizer in the cleaning solution. The can opener and juice dispenser were not cleaned regularly, and the ice machine was leaking water onto the floor. Additionally, flying insects were present in the food preparation area, and food temperatures were not maintained at safe levels, with hot foods below 135 degrees F and cold foods above 41 degrees F. A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple health conditions, including end-stage renal failure and diabetes, was observed with inadequate food provisions for dialysis. The resident was given ham and cheese sandwiches without proper cooling measures, such as ice packs or an insulated bag, for their dialysis session. This oversight in food safety and handling further highlights the facility's failure to adhere to professional standards for food service safety.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure residents were treated in a dignified manner during medication administration for two residents. For Resident #38, who has severe cognitive impairment, the LPN entered the room without knocking and did not close the door or pull the privacy curtain while administering medications. This action was contrary to the facility's policy on promoting and maintaining resident dignity, which requires staff to knock or announce their presence and provide privacy during care. Similarly, for Resident #165, who has moderate cognitive impairment and requires insulin administration, the LPN entered the room without knocking and administered insulin with the door open and no privacy curtain pulled. This occurred while the resident was sitting in a wheelchair facing the door, with people passing by in the hallway. The LPN acknowledged during an interview that she should have provided privacy by closing the door or pulling the curtain, indicating a lapse in following the facility's policy on maintaining resident dignity and privacy during medication administration.
Failure to Conduct Smoking Safety Assessment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess the safety of smoking for a resident who was reviewed for smoking. The facility's policy requires a Resident Smoking Safety Screen to determine if supervision is needed for residents who smoke. However, the resident, who is cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15, had been smoking daily for several months without a completed smoking safety assessment until 06/24/24. The resident's care plan, initiated on 03/12/24, indicated that smoking assessments should be conducted on admission, quarterly, and as needed, but this was not adhered to. Interviews with the resident and staff confirmed that the resident had been smoking regularly in the facility. The LPN stated that smoking assessments are supposed to be completed on admission and quarterly, but acknowledged that no such assessment had been done for the resident prior to 06/24/24. The admission/readmission nursing evaluation from 04/25/22 indicated that the resident was not smoking at that time, but subsequent evaluations failed to capture the change in the resident's smoking status, leading to a lack of appropriate safety measures.
Failure to Obtain Timely Catheter Care Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain orders for catheter care for a resident who was admitted with an indwelling Foley catheter. The resident, who had a history of urinary tract infection and neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder, was readmitted to the facility without any documented orders for Foley catheter care from the time of readmission until several days later. During this period, there was no documentation of catheter care being performed, as evidenced by the Medication Administration Record and Certified Nursing Task records. Interviews with staff revealed that there was an expectation for orders to be placed immediately upon a resident's admission or readmission with a Foley catheter. However, in this case, the orders were not written until several days after the resident's readmission. The resident reported experiencing significant symptoms, including blood in the urine and large white particles in the catheter tubing, which were not addressed until after the orders were finally placed. This oversight in obtaining timely orders for catheter care contributed to the deficiency identified by the surveyors.
Failure to Monitor Nutritional Status for Dialysis Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to monitor the nutritional status of a resident undergoing dialysis in a timely manner. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired, was readmitted with diagnoses of End-Stage Renal Failure and Type 2 Diabetes, and was dependent on dialysis. Physician orders included fluid restrictions and specific dietary requirements, but the facility did not address the fluid restrictions in the care plan until seven weeks after the order was given. The care plan was revised to include nutritional interventions, but it did not initially address the fluid restrictions as ordered. The facility's newly hired dietitian, who started working remotely about 1.5 weeks before the interview, had not completed any quarterly nutritional risk evaluations for high-risk residents, including the resident in question. The facility's electronic system did not show a completed quarterly nutritional risk evaluation for the resident. The Minimum Data Set Coordinator was attempting to catch up on dietary care plans due to the facility being between dietitians. The Dietary Manager stated that the Director of Nursing was responsible for contacting the dietitian for high nutritional-risk residents, but there was a delay in addressing the resident's fluid restrictions.
Failure to Follow Tube Feeding Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to the physician's orders for tube feeding for a resident with a traumatic brain injury and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The physician's orders specified that the resident should receive Jevity 1.5 tube feeding at a rate of 50 ml per hour for 20 hours, starting at 10:00 AM and stopping at 6:00 AM. However, observations revealed discrepancies in the administration of the tube feeding. On multiple occasions, the amount of formula administered did not match the expected volume based on the prescribed rate, indicating that the resident was not receiving the full nutritional support as ordered. Observations over several days showed that the tube feeding was not being administered correctly. For instance, on one day, only 100 ml of formula was given over four hours, and on another day, only 50 ml was administered in about 4.5 hours. Despite these discrepancies, staff reported that the resident was tolerating the tube feeding well. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired, relied entirely on tube feeding to meet nutritional needs, as noted in the Nutrition Risk Evaluation. The care plan required monitoring and documentation of residuals and adherence to the ordered tube feedings and flushes, which was not followed as per the physician's orders.
Deficiency in Tracheostomy Care Procedures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide tracheostomy care in accordance with professional standards of practice for a resident requiring respiratory care. The facility's policy mandates that tracheostomy care should be consistent with professional standards, the comprehensive care plan, and resident preferences. However, the care plan for the resident did not include specific interventions for tracheostomy care, which is a critical oversight given the resident's medical history of traumatic brain injury and the need for attention to a tracheostomy. During an observation, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provided tracheostomy care to the resident without adhering to sterile procedures. The LPN did not use eye protection, failed to maintain a sterile field, and did not perform hand hygiene appropriately. The LPN also did not listen to breath sounds, check oxygen saturation, or provide suctioning before, during, or after the procedure, despite the resident exhibiting signs of respiratory distress, such as gurgling sounds and copious secretions. Interviews with staff revealed inconsistencies in understanding and executing tracheostomy care procedures. One LPN incorrectly stated that replacing the inner cannula is not a sterile procedure, while another confirmed it should be sterile. The Unit Manager acknowledged that the care plan lacked necessary interventions for tracheostomy care. These discrepancies highlight a lack of standardized training and adherence to protocols, contributing to the deficiency in care provided to the resident.
Failure to Address Pharmacist's Recommendations for a Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility attending physician failed to document on irregularities identified by the consulting pharmacist for a resident regarding unnecessary medications. The facility's policy requires a licensed pharmacist to perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the resident's medical chart, and for facility staff to act upon all recommendations. However, for one resident, the physician did not address the pharmacist's recommendations concerning the use of digoxin, cholestyramine, tramadol, and vitamin D3, despite the resident's recent falls and hospital stay. The resident, who was cognitively intact, had been admitted to the facility with diagnoses including a fracture of the neck of the right femur, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The pharmacist's recommendations were not addressed, and there was an indication on the review form that the resident was out to the hospital, but no signature or date was provided. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that the resident was out of the facility for a period in March and admitted that the recommendations must have been missed.
Failure to Prepare Pureed Foods to Required Consistency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prepare food in a form designed to meet the individual needs of five residents with physician-ordered pureed diets. During observations of lunch meals on two consecutive days, surveyors noted that pureed foods, including chicken tenders, baked macaroni & cheese, mixed vegetables, kielbasa, and cabbage, were not pureed to a smooth consistency as required. Instead, the foods were lumpy with visible pieces, which was confirmed through taste testing by both the surveyor and the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM). The lunch cooks responsible for preparing these meals, identified as Staff D and Staff E, admitted to not having received training on preparing pureed foods for residents with dysphagia. The residents affected by this deficiency had diagnoses including dysphagia and protein-calorie malnutrition, with physician orders specifying pureed diets. The residents involved were admitted to the facility at various times, with their pureed diet orders being issued between June 2023 and June 2024. The facility's policy for pureed food preparation, implemented in September 2023, mandates that pureed foods should be smooth and homogenous, similar to soft mashed potatoes, and should not contain any lumps or chunks. However, the facility did not adhere to these guidelines, resulting in the deficiency noted by the surveyors.
Failure to Adhere to Physician-Ordered Fluid Restrictions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to physician-ordered fluid restrictions for two residents, leading to deficiencies in care. Resident #214 had a physician's order for a 1500 cc fluid restriction per day, with specific allocations for dietary and nursing departments. However, during observations, it was noted that the resident had access to a 16-ounce Styrofoam container of water at the bedside, which was not accounted for in the fluid restriction. Additionally, during meal service, the resident received more fluids than prescribed due to a lack of awareness among nursing staff about the fluid restriction, resulting in an extra 240 cc of coffee being served. Resident #22, who was severely cognitively impaired and had a fluid restriction order of 960 ml per day, was also found to have excess fluids in their room. Observations revealed multiple 16-ounce bottles of soda and water, far exceeding the prescribed amount. The resident's care plan did not document the fluid restrictions, and there was no evidence of prior education provided to the family regarding these restrictions. The resident expressed a preference for soda, indicating a lack of understanding or adherence to the fluid restriction. Interviews with facility staff, including the Certified Dietary Manager and Director of Nursing, revealed a lack of awareness and communication regarding the specific fluid amounts to be served with meals. The Certified Nursing Assistant mentioned attending staff meetings where fluid restrictions were discussed, but the observations indicated that this information was not effectively communicated or implemented. The deficiencies highlight a failure in the facility's processes to ensure compliance with physician-ordered fluid restrictions, impacting the care provided to the residents.
Failure to Accurately Document Resident's Code Status
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately document the code status for a resident, leading to a discrepancy between the resident's documented code status and their actual wishes. The resident, who was admitted with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions, had a documented code status of 'Full Code' in the physician's orders upon readmission. However, the social services progress note and care plan indicated that the resident was a 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) status, as confirmed by the resident's proxy. This inconsistency was discovered during a review of the resident's records. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) responsible for checking the resident's code status found the electronic medical record (EMR) dashboard blank and subsequently discovered conflicting documentation in the orders and miscellaneous sections. The Social Service Director (SSD) acknowledged that the resident's code status was incorrectly entered as 'Full Code' upon readmission from the hospital, without his knowledge. The SSD stated that he would have confirmed the code status with the family, who were adamant about maintaining the DNR status due to the resident's health issues.
Failure in Hand Hygiene During Medication and Tracheostomy Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its hand hygiene policy during medication administration and tracheostomy care, leading to deficiencies in infection prevention and control. Specifically, an LPN did not perform hand hygiene before donning and after doffing gloves while administering medication to two residents. During a medication pass observation, the LPN handled medications without performing hand hygiene before or after glove use. This was observed in the care of a resident with a urinary tract infection and cognitive communication deficit, as well as another resident with muscle wasting, atrophy, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, during tracheostomy care for a resident with a history of traumatic brain injury and aphasia, the same LPN failed to perform hand hygiene before starting the procedure and between glove changes. The resident was observed to have copious secretions during the procedure, which required careful handling to prevent infection. The LPN acknowledged the oversight, attributing it to nervousness and forgetting the proper protocol.
What surveyors are citing around you — mapped
All 10 risk areas, ranked with evidence
Repeat citations, what's rising near you, and quality measures — ranked so department heads know exactly where to look first.
Illustrative
What surveyors actually found near you
We read the 12 citations issued within 25 miles in the last 12 months — and tell you exactly what happened, in plain English, matched to your record.
Resident with a documented fall history left unattended on the patio; found on the ground with a hip fracture.
Walk-in cooler logs missing for 12 days; expired supplements in the medication room fridge.
Illustrative
A prioritized, do-first checklist
Every risk area becomes concrete audit steps drawn from real citations at facilities like yours — run them this week, before your window opens.
Illustrative
Risk indicators are statistical estimates from public CMS data — not predictions, findings, or compliance advice.
Nursing homes near Wauchula
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oaks At Avon | 18.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| Royal Care Of Avon Park | 18.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| Desoto Health And Rehab | 22.2 mi | ★★★★★ | 7 | 0 |
| Palms At Sebring Nursing And Rehabilitation The | 22.8 mi | ★★★★★ | 2 | 0 |
| Vivo Healthcare Sebring | 23.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
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Trusted data, never guesswork. Every citation, penalty, rating and Plan of Correction on this page is sourced from public CMS records (latest release July 2026) and official state health department websites.