Alden Courts Of Waterford
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Aurora, Illinois.
- Location
- 1991 Randi Drive, Aurora, Illinois 60504
- CMS Provider Number
- 146182
- Inspections on file
- 27
- Latest survey
- March 15, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 12 (1 serious)
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Alden Courts Of Waterford during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with dementia, a history of falls, and a known C1–C2 cervical fracture was admitted with an order and care plan for a C‑collar to be worn at all times. A CNA later found the resident on the floor with the C‑collar off and lying across the room, despite the resident being identified as a high fall risk. An RN who assessed the resident after the fall confirmed the collar was not in place, and EMS documentation showed the resident was transported with attention to a suspected hip injury but without the C‑collar being reapplied or EMS being informed of the existing neck fracture. The resident arrived at the ED without a C‑collar, and an Aspen collar was applied there. A PT stated that nursing staff are responsible for ensuring ordered devices remain in place, especially for cognitively impaired residents who may remove them.
A cognitively impaired resident with dementia, COPD, CHF, and a history of fractures, who required supervision for ambulation, exited the building through a Unit B exit door whose audible alarm staff already knew was not working. The RN had recently spoken with the resident at the nurses’ station and observed the resident walk toward the unalarmed exit but did not redirect the resident, and no staff were assigned to monitor that door despite prior knowledge of the alarm failure. The resident walked a substantial distance, went outside in cold weather wearing only a sweatshirt and sweatpants, and was later found by a CNA standing alone outside another unit’s exit door, weak, repeatedly stating being cold, and requiring a wheelchair to return inside. No audible alarm sounded when staff opened the same exit door to reach the resident, the physician was not notified, and no incident report, investigation, or contemporaneous progress note was completed, contrary to facility elopement and door alarm policies.
A resident with multiple chronic conditions and a stage 2 pressure injury did not receive the prescribed foam dressing to the sacral/coccyx and buttocks area as ordered by the physician. The dressing was missing after morning care, and only zinc oxide ointment was applied. The nurse on duty was unaware of the as-needed order for the foam dressing, and the CNA did not report the missing dressing. The DON confirmed the importance of following wound care orders for this resident.
Two residents experienced medication transcription errors upon admission, leading to missed and incorrect medication orders. One resident's hospital discharge medications were not transcribed onto the MAR, while another resident's medications were delayed and incorrectly transcribed. The ADON and DON confirmed these errors, which violated the facility's Re-Admissions policy.
The facility failed to provide adequate pressure ulcer care for four residents, leading to deficiencies in treatment and care. A resident with a stage II pressure injury was not properly assessed or treated, resulting in a stage III injury. Another resident lacked a low air loss mattress and had an unstageable pressure injury. Treatment orders for a third resident's deep tissue injury were delayed, and a fourth resident's heels were not offloaded as required. The facility did not follow its policy on pressure injury prevention and treatment.
The facility failed to secure controlled substances and properly label insulin pens, leading to deficiencies in medication management. An LPN left the medication room fridge unlocked, which contained controlled substances, contrary to the facility's double-lock policy. Additionally, two insulin pens were found open and undated, violating the facility's labeling policy. The DON confirmed these lapses in protocol.
A facility failed to maintain a urinary drainage bag below the bladder level for a resident, risking urinary tract infections. During a transfer, CNAs lifted the bag above the bladder, contrary to best practices. The resident had a history of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, dementia, and urinary device adjustment. The facility's catheter care policy lacked guidance on proper bag positioning.
The facility failed to provide dietary supplements as ordered for two residents, resulting in significant weight loss. One resident with dementia and severe malnutrition did not receive Mighty Shakes during breakfast, leading to a 5.1% weight loss. Another resident with dementia and anemia was not served Mighty Shakes or Magic Cup, resulting in a 6.58% weight loss. Staff interviews revealed inadequate procedures for tracking supplement distribution.
The facility failed to ensure PRN psychotropic medications had a stop date for two residents. One resident had an order for lorazepam for anxiety/agitation related to dementia and bipolar disorder without a stop date. Another resident had orders for lorazepam for anxiety and restlessness, also lacking stop dates. The DON confirmed that PRN medications require a 14-day stop date, as per facility policy.
The facility failed to follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions and hand hygiene protocols for two residents, leading to potential cross-contamination. A resident with a gastrostomy tube and urinary catheter was attended by staff without gowns, and another resident's incontinence care was performed without changing gloves or hand hygiene. These actions violated the facility's infection control policies.
Failure to Maintain Ordered Cervical Collar for Resident With C1–C2 Fracture
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with a known C1–C2 cervical fracture had his cervical collar (C‑collar) in place as ordered. The resident’s face sheet documented a nondisplaced fracture of the first cervical vertebra, unspecified dementia, and a history of falls. Nursing progress notes indicated the resident was admitted with a C‑collar due to a traumatic closed C1 fracture, and physician orders dated March 4, 2026 directed that the C‑collar be on at all times. The resident’s care plan, initiated the same day, identified the need for a brace due to limitation in range of motion and C1 fracture, with an intervention to apply the brace per MD order. A CNA reported that on the day after admission, the resident had been in bed with the C‑collar on, but after hearing a noise and entering the room, he found the resident on the floor with the C‑collar off and lying on the opposite side of the bed near the dresser. The CNA acknowledged the resident was supposed to have the collar on at all times and was a high fall risk. A RN stated she was the nurse who sent the resident to the ED after the fall and confirmed that the resident did not have the C‑collar on when she assessed him, despite the order for continuous use due to prior fractures. EMS documentation showed staff last checked on the resident around 9:00 PM and found him on the floor about 50 minutes later, with paramedics noting a deformity of the right hip and stabilizing the hip with a blanket before transport. The EMS record did not show that the C‑collar was reapplied, provided to EMS, or that EMS was informed of the existing neck fracture before transport. The ED note later documented that the facility nurse reported a known closed C1–C2 neck fracture and that the patient arrived without a C‑collar, prompting the ED physician to apply an Aspen collar. A physical therapist stated it was the nursing department’s responsibility to ensure devices were placed and removed as ordered and noted that cognitively impaired residents may remove devices, requiring staff monitoring to ensure devices remain in place.
Failure to Secure Nonfunctioning Exit Door Alarm Resulting in Resident Elopement
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to prevent a cognitively impaired resident from eloping through an exit door whose audible alarm was known by staff to be nonfunctioning, and the failure to secure that door in accordance with facility policy. The resident was an older adult with unspecified dementia, severe cognitive impairment per the MDS, and multiple significant medical diagnoses including a history of fractures, COPD, and chronic diastolic and systolic CHF. The MDS showed the resident required assistance with multiple ADLs, including supervision for ambulation with a walker up to 50 feet, and walking greater than 150 feet was not attempted due to medical or safety concerns. Despite this, the resident was able to leave the building undetected through the unalarmed Unit B exit door and was later found outside by staff. On the day of the incident, staff on Unit B, including the assigned CNA and the RN, were aware from shift report that the Unit B exterior door alarm was not working, and they had also been informed earlier in the week that the same door alarm was not functioning. The RN on Unit B spoke with the resident at the nurses’ station as the resident was leaving the dining room with a walker and observed the resident continue walking down the hall toward the B wing exit door near a specified room, even though the resident’s own room was located on a different hallway. The resident was not redirected away from the unalarmed exit door. The RN reported that the door alarm panel at the nurses’ station only displayed a red flashing light when an exit door was opened, that the panel was behind her, and that she did not hear any audible alarm when the resident exited, so she did not look at the panel. A CNA working on Unit A later observed the resident standing alone outside the Unit A exit door and notified staff on Unit B. Two CNAs from Unit B and the CNA from Unit A went outside through the Unit B exit door, which opened without sounding an alarm, and found the resident outside by the Unit A exit door. The CNAs described the resident as weak, repeatedly stating “I’m cold,” with skin cold to the touch, and too weak to continue walking, requiring use of a wheelchair to return inside. The resident later recalled going out a door into the cold, not knowing how to get back in, walking until finding a door with a window, and knocking until someone came, stating that it felt like a long time and that the resident began saying prayers hoping someone would come. The physician was not notified of the elopement, and there was no incident report, investigation, or progress note documented in the medical record at the time of the occurrence, despite facility policy requiring notification of the attending physician/NP, full body assessment with vitals, and documentation in the medical record following an elopement. The facility’s written policy on Door Alarm Function Test states that when alarms are nonfunctioning, the door must be made secure by placement of an additional temporary alarm or added supervision until repair is made. Staff interviews confirmed that the Unit B exit door alarm was known to be nonfunctioning on the day of the incident and earlier in the week, yet no staff member was assigned specifically to monitor the exit door, and there were only three staff on the 2 PM–10 PM shift on that unit. The resident walked approximately 195 feet from the Unit B nurses’ station, where last observed by the RN, to the location outside where the resident was found, without being observed or redirected by staff. The attending physician later stated that the physician had not been informed that the resident had exited the facility unnoticed and acknowledged that the resident leaving unsupervised had potential for harm due to risk of injury related to falls or becoming disoriented and lost.
Removal Plan
- Complete a head count on all units to ensure no other residents were affected and every resident is accounted for.
- Check all facility door alarms for proper functionality and good working order; complete and document door alarm verification checks once per day by the Maintenance Director/Building Manager or manager on duty.
- Install a temporary exit audible door alarm on the Unit B exit door.
- Complete R1's elopement assessment and update the care plan.
- Assess all residents for exit-seeking behaviors.
- Update care plans for residents identified at risk for elopement.
- Review facility policies related to door alarms, routine resident checks, and elopement.
- Review and update all residents' safety care plans as needed.
- Review and update the elopement binder with current identification picture, face sheet, and elopement care plan; ensure binders are available at each nurses station.
- In-service all staff on redirecting wandering residents away from exits, promoting safer outcomes through supervision, answering door alarms promptly, reporting changes in cognition or exit-seeking behaviors to the nurse, routine resident check policy, and where to locate at-risk-of-elopement binders; continue until all employees have been educated, educate anyone not yet educated prior to returning to work, and educate new staff upon hire at general orientation.
- Develop an audit tool to review compliance and update the QA Door Alarm Check Verification form; complete audits twice a week for 1 month or until compliance is maintained.
- Hold an emergency QA meeting regarding the incident to discuss and approve the plan.
Failure to Provide Pressure Injury Treatment as Ordered
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with multiple diagnoses, including COPD, chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, Alzheimer's disease, and generalized muscle weakness, did not receive pressure injury treatment as ordered by the physician. The resident was observed with denuded skin and a stage 2 pressure injury on the sacral/coccyx and buttocks area, with no dressing in place. The physician's order required daily application of zinc oxide ointment and coverage with a foam dressing, to be applied every night shift and as needed after cleansing with normal saline. On the morning in question, the resident was found without the required foam dressing, and only zinc oxide ointment was applied by the nurse on duty. The nurse was unaware of the as-needed order for the foam dressing and did not reapply it during her shift, believing it was only to be applied at night. The CNA who assisted the resident in the morning did not inform the nurse that the dressing was missing. The night shift nurse had applied the foam dressing earlier, but was not notified that it had been removed or soiled. The Director of Nursing confirmed that all pressure injury treatments should be administered as ordered, and that the foam dressing was important for the resident's wound protection, especially since the resident often sat in a chair and refused to use a gel cushion.
Medication Transcription Errors on Admission
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate transcription of medication orders upon admission for two residents, leading to significant medication administration errors. For one resident, the hospital discharge orders included several scheduled and as-needed medications, such as aspirin, carbidopa-levodopa, and hydrocodone-acetaminophen, which were not transcribed onto the December 2024 Physician Order Sheet (POS) and Medication Administration Record (MAR). This omission was confirmed by the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), who acknowledged that the medications were not made available to the resident due to a transcription error. Another resident experienced a similar issue where the hospital discharge orders for medications like levothyroxine and an albuterol inhaler were not transcribed onto the January 2025 MAR until several days after readmission. Additionally, the order for alprazolam was incorrectly transcribed, although the resident did not receive any doses of the incorrectly transcribed medication. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed these transcription errors, which resulted in missed doses and incorrect medication orders. The facility's Re-Admissions policy requires clarification and confirmation of all admission orders with the attending physician, which was not adhered to in these cases.
Failure in Pressure Ulcer Care and Prevention
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate pressure ulcer care and prevention for four residents, leading to deficiencies in their treatment and care. Resident R16 was admitted with a stage II pressure injury and was observed without proper heel offloading and without a cushion in her recliner. Despite having a history of pressure injuries, her new open area was not assessed or treated appropriately, leading to a stage III pressure injury. The facility's Director of Nursing was unaware of the open area until it was pointed out by the surveyor. Resident R31, admitted with pressure injuries on both heels, was found without a low air loss mattress and had an unstageable pressure injury on her coccyx. The wound care physician had recommended specific interventions, including repositioning and heel protection, which were not implemented. The Director of Nursing admitted that the necessary equipment was never provided, and the staff failed to follow the physician's recommendations. Resident R6 had a deep tissue pressure injury on her right heel, with treatment orders delayed by over two weeks. The wound care physician's orders for Betadine and Optifoam dressing were not entered into the system promptly, resulting in a lack of treatment. Additionally, R6's heels were not offloaded as required. Similarly, Resident R46, with a stage III pressure injury on her coccyx, was found with her heels flat against the bed, contrary to the recommended interventions. The facility's policy on pressure injury prevention and treatment was not followed, leading to these deficiencies.
Medication Management Deficiencies: Unsecured Controlled Substances and Unlabeled Insulin Pens
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to secure controlled substances and properly label insulin pens, leading to deficiencies in medication management for several residents. During an observation, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) was found to have left the medication room fridge unlocked, which contained controlled substances such as hydromorphone and lorazepam. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the fridge should be locked at all times to ensure the security of these medications, as per the facility's policy requiring a double-lock system for Schedule II controlled substances. Additionally, during a medication pass, two insulin pens belonging to a resident were found open and undated. The pens contained Lispro and Aspart insulin, with no active order found for Aspart. The facility's policy mandates that insulin pens be labeled with the date opened and expiration date, which was not adhered to in this instance. The DON acknowledged that insulin pens should be labeled and dated upon opening, with an expiration date set 28 days after opening.
Improper Positioning of Urinary Drainage Bag
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a resident's urinary drainage bag below the level of her bladder, which is necessary to prevent urinary tract infections. This deficiency was observed during the transfer of a resident, identified as R16, who was being moved from her bed to a high back wheeled recliner using a mechanical lift. During the transfer, a CNA lifted the urinary drainage bag above the level of the resident's bladder and placed it on her lap, and then again lifted it above the bladder level to hang it on the side of the recliner. The resident's medical history includes major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, dementia, and an encounter for fitting and adjustment of a urinary device. The facility's catheter care policy, dated September 2020, does not specify the correct positioning of the urinary drainage bag, which contributed to the oversight. A CNA confirmed that the urinary drainage bag should be kept below the bladder level to prevent urine from flowing back and causing an infection. This incident was part of a review of five residents with urinary catheters or urinary tract infections, within a sample of 15 residents.
Failure to Provide Dietary Supplements
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide dietary supplements as ordered for two residents, leading to significant weight loss. One resident, admitted with dementia and severe protein-calorie malnutrition, was supposed to receive Mighty Shakes with meals, fortified cereal at breakfast, Magic Cup with lunch, and Pro T gold twice a day. Despite these orders, the resident was not served a Mighty Shake during a breakfast observation, and there was no tracking in the nursing documentation to confirm if the supplement was provided. The resident experienced a 5.1% weight loss in one month. Another resident, admitted with dementia and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, also did not receive the prescribed dietary supplements. Although her care plan did not address weight loss, her nutritional summary indicated she should receive Mighty Shakes and fortified cereal. However, during an observation, she was not served a Mighty Shake or Magic Cup with her meal. The resident experienced a 6.58% weight loss in one month. Staff interviews revealed a lack of clear procedures for identifying and documenting the distribution of these supplements, contributing to the oversight.
Failure to Include Stop Dates for PRN Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that PRN (as needed) psychotropic medications had a stop date for two residents reviewed for psychotropic medications. Resident 16 had a physician order dated August 8, 2024, for lorazepam intensol oral concentrate to be given sublingually every hour as needed for anxiety/agitation related to unspecified dementia and bipolar disorder, without a stop date included in the order. Similarly, Resident 33 had a physician order dated May 28, 2024, for lorazepam intensol oral concentrate to be given by mouth every two hours as needed for anxiety and restlessness, with no stop dates included in the orders. On August 28, 2024, the Director of Nursing confirmed that PRN medications need to have a stop date of 14 days after the start of the order and must be reordered by the doctor if still needed. The facility's policy on as-needed psychotropic and antipsychotic medication orders, dated January 2022, states that PRN orders for psychotropic medications, excluding antipsychotics, are limited to 14 days.
Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions and Hand Hygiene Protocols
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) and proper hand hygiene protocols, leading to potential cross-contamination risks for two residents. Resident R16, who had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube and a urinary catheter, was observed without the required gown usage by the attending RN and CNA during a procedure. Additionally, during incontinence care, the CNA did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene after contact with stool, which is against the facility's hand hygiene policy. Similarly, for Resident R44, who required bowel and bladder support due to incontinence, a CNA failed to change gloves or perform hand hygiene after handling soiled items and before touching clean items. This was observed during the process of changing the resident's incontinence brief and applying cream. The facility's policies on EBP and hand hygiene clearly state the necessity of gown and glove use during high-contact care activities and the requirement for hand hygiene after contact with bodily fluids, which were not followed in these instances.
Latest citations in Illinois
A resident with end stage renal disease on dialysis, right below-knee amputation, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease, who was care planned as high risk for falls, slid from a high-back wheelchair and sustained a left femur fracture. The care plan called for proper seating, posture reminders, and use of a non-skid/dycem pad in the wheelchair, but on the day of the fall the RN found the resident on the floor with the chair in an upright position and no non-slip pad in place. CNAs described differing routines for how the resident was transferred and positioned after dialysis and dinner, including expectations that the chair be slightly reclined and the resident monitored in a TV room, while the DON’s investigation did not confirm whether required fall-prevention devices were in use and acknowledged the resident had previously slid from his wheelchair.
A resident with hemiplegia, gait abnormalities, lack of coordination, and cognitive deficit, who required substantial assistance with ADLs including turning in bed, fell from bed during peri-care when a CNA asked the resident to turn onto her side and the resident’s legs went over the bed edge. Staff later reported that residents should be positioned in the middle of the bed before turning to prevent falls. An RN assessed the resident after the fall, and the resident was subsequently evaluated by an NP and sent to the hospital, where an intertrochanteric femur fracture associated with a traumatic event was diagnosed.
Two cognitively intact residents reported separate incidents in which CNAs used profane, disparaging, and humiliating language toward or about them during personal care. In one event, a male CNA providing incontinence care to a roommate refused to close the room door, argued with a resident about the request, and repeatedly used the term “mother f***er” in reference to that resident while care was being given. In another event, two CNAs entered a resident’s room after a recent hospice bath, with one CNA stating the resident “stinks” and that no one, including hospice, wanted to care for him because he always complained. Both residents had no documented history of making false abuse allegations, and the reported staff statements are inconsistent with the facility’s abuse policy defining mental and verbal abuse as including humiliation, harassment, and disparaging or derogatory terms.
A resident with ESRD on dialysis, right BKA, osteoporosis, dementia, and Alzheimer’s fell in his room and was assisted back to bed by an RN and CNA. The RN documented an assessment and later gave PRN tramadol, while the CNA reported the resident said “Oww” when his left leg was moved and screamed during care. The next day, a CNA reported that the resident screamed that his left leg hurt when being dressed and informed two RNs, and another CNA later heard the resident repeatedly say he was in pain but did not notify a nurse. Despite multiple pain complaints, documentation shows only one PRN tramadol dose and no thorough assessment of the left leg pain or MD notification for change in condition. The resident was later sent from dialysis to the ER for leg pain, where an X-ray showed a distal femur fracture requiring surgical repair, and the hospital record noted it was unclear if any evaluation had been done after the fall.
A resident had an active order for enhanced barrier precautions due to a PICC, with signage posted instructing staff to wear gloves and a gown during device care and use. A RN was observed performing PICC care and disconnecting the resident from IV antibiotic therapy while wearing gloves but no gown. The infection control nurse confirmed that enhanced barrier precautions require both gloves and a gown for PICC handling, and facility policy specified glove and gown use for high-contact device care activities.
A resident re-admitted after right femur fracture repair, with dementia and multiple comorbidities, had a PRN order for oxycodone 5 mg q4h for moderate to severe pain. Nursing documentation later that day described the resident yelling, screaming, and exhibiting severe pain, but the MAR shows no pain medication was given at that time, and only acetaminophen 325 mg was administered hours later. The RN and DON acknowledged that the resident was non-verbal, that oxycodone was ordered and available from the emergency supply, and that acetaminophen alone was not adequate for post-surgical pain, yet the narcotic was not administered until many hours after delivery from the pharmacy, contrary to the facility’s pain management policy.
Two residents experienced failures in required physician and family notification. For one resident on Lithium with multiple comorbidities, staff did not notify the psychiatrist of a documented high Lithium level and continued administering Lithium at the increased dose until the resident became lethargic and was later hospitalized with Lithium toxicity. For another resident with Parkinson’s disease and high fall risk who requires total assistance with ADLs, staff did not document physician or family notification after unwitnessed falls that resulted in bruising to the buttock, hip discoloration, and a head abrasion, despite internal policy requiring immediate notification for significant changes in condition and injuries.
Two residents experienced deficiencies in assessment and monitoring when staff did not adequately evaluate or document significant changes in condition and post-fall injuries. One resident with multiple chronic conditions and on lithium became markedly lethargic, unable to sit upright, and had difficulty swallowing, with CNAs repeatedly reporting these changes to an RN who documented only a bruise and no detailed assessment or frequent monitoring; a previously elevated lithium level had not been reported to the psychiatrist. Another resident with Parkinson’s disease and high fall risk had an unwitnessed fall and was later found by CNAs to have a large dark purple bruise covering most of the right buttock, but nursing staff either assessed only exposed skin or gave conflicting accounts of having noted the bruise, and documentation and post-fall assessments did not reflect this injury as required by facility policy.
A resident with multiple chronic conditions, moderate cognitive impairment, and independent ambulation was placed in a Geri-chair by a CNA who was not assigned to the resident, and a sheet was tied around the resident’s waist and the back of the chair, preventing the resident from getting up. The CNA stated she used the sheet as a seat belt and safety precaution because the resident was wandering into other residents’ rooms and disturbing them, acknowledging that tying a sheet in this way is considered a restraint and is not allowed. The resident, who does not use a wheelchair or Geri-chair and normally ambulates without assistive devices, remained in the chair until discovered by a day-shift CNA, who noted the resident could not get up as usual and saw the sheet restraining the resident. Facility leadership, including the administrator, DON, physician, and social services, confirmed that the Geri-chair and tied sheet constituted a physical restraint applied without assessment, IDT involvement, physician order, consent, or documented medical symptoms warranting restraint, contrary to facility policies prohibiting such use and requiring immediate reporting of potential abuse. A subsequent skin assessment documented discoloration/bruising to the resident’s upper and lower extremities.
Staff failed to follow the facility’s mandatory gait belt policy and individual transfer care plans for multiple cognitively impaired residents with conditions such as DM, CHF, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, cerebral infarction, and Alzheimer’s disease. CNAs repeatedly transferred residents between bed, wheelchair, and toilet without gait belts, instead lifting under the axillae, pulling on clothing, and moving wheelchairs into place while residents were partially supported. In one instance, a wheelchair was not locked during a transfer, causing a resident to end up on the edge of the bed and nearly fall. CNAs later acknowledged that gait belts are supposed to be used for transfers, and facility policy specifies that gait belts are mandatory for all physical assist transfers.
Failure to Implement Fall-Prevention Interventions for High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to implement and maintain fall prevention interventions for a resident identified as high risk for falls, resulting in the resident sliding from a high-back wheelchair and sustaining a left femur fracture. The resident had multiple diagnoses, including end stage renal disease with dialysis dependence, right below-knee amputation, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, abnormal posture, anxiety, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. The resident’s care plan identified him as high risk for falls and included interventions such as reminding him of good posture in the wheelchair, redirecting him to bed if slouching or fatigued, ensuring he was properly seated, and placing a non-skid mat/dycem non-slip pad in the wheelchair to prevent sliding. On the evening of the fall, the RN responded to the resident yelling and found him on the floor between his recliner (high-back wheelchair) and nearby furniture; the resident stated he had been sleeping in the recliner in front of the heater and slid down. The RN observed that the wheelchair was in the upright position rather than reclined as usual and that there was no non-slip pad on the chair. Interviews and record review showed inconsistent implementation of the resident’s fall-prevention plan and lack of clear follow-through on the circumstances of the fall. One CNA reported that on the day of the fall, the resident returned from dialysis already in his chair, likely transferred there by transport staff using a sheet, and that she did not transfer him into the chair herself. Another CNA, who routinely cared for the resident, stated that transport staff typically placed him in bed on return from dialysis and that staff would later transfer him to his high-back wheelchair with a mechanical lift before dinner, recline the chair slightly after dinner, and position him in the TV room so staff could monitor him and prevent him from falling asleep and sliding out. The DON, who investigated the fall, did not recall speaking with the RN or the CNA involved, did not know whether a non-slip pad was in place at the time of the fall, and acknowledged that the resident had slid out of his wheelchair in the past. The DON identified sliding from the wheelchair as the root cause of the fall and stated that the resident’s left leg fracture was from this fall.
Failure to Maintain Bed Safety During Peri-Care Resulting in Resident Fall and Fracture
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure a resident’s safety during incontinence/peri-care, resulting in a fall from bed and a fracture. The resident had been readmitted with diagnoses including hemiplegia and hemiparesis affecting the right dominant side, multiple neoplasm sites, lack of coordination, and abnormalities of gait and mobility. A recent Minimum Data Set indicated the resident had a cognitive deficit and required partial to substantial assistance with ADLs such as turning in bed, bathing, toileting, dressing, and personal hygiene. During peri-care, a CNA reported completing cleaning of the resident’s front and then asking the resident to turn onto her side; the resident turned onto her right side, her legs went over the side of the bed, and she fell out of the bed. Another CNA stated that when providing peri-care, staff should ensure the resident is in the middle of the bed before turning them so they do not go too far and fall out. Following the fall, an RN reported being informed by the CNA that the resident had fallen out of bed while being cleaned and was asked to assess the resident. After the resident was returned to bed, the RN noted the resident nodded when asked if she had pain. A nurse practitioner later saw the resident in her wheelchair and noted she did not show signs of pain until her right hip and thigh were palpated, after which the resident’s power of attorney requested hospital transfer. Hospital records showed the resident was admitted with an intertrochanteric right femur fracture and was transferred to another hospital for surgery. The medical director stated that this type of fracture is associated with a traumatic event.
Failure to Protect Residents From Verbal and Mental Abuse by CNAs
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to protect residents from verbal and mental abuse by CNAs. One cognitively intact resident, R1, reported that on a morning the prior week, a Black male CNA entered the shared room around 5:55 AM to provide incontinence care to R2 and left the door open. When R1 told the CNA the door needed to be closed, the CNA replied that he does not close doors when working. After R1 stated he could make a complaint to the state, the CNA responded, “Do what you have to do mother f***er.” R1 then got out of bed, closed the door himself, and went to the bathroom. R1 reported this incident that morning to the Activity Director (V3), describing that an African American male CNA had used unkind words toward him related to his request to close the door. R2, who is also cognitively intact, corroborated the incident, stating that while he was receiving perineal care from a CNA, R1 and the CNA argued about the door being closed. R2 reported that during the care, while the CNA was wiping his perineal area, the CNA called R1 a “mother f***er.” After R1 closed the door and went to the bathroom, R2 stated that the CNA continued talking about R1 and referred to him as a “mother f***er” multiple times, with the term directed toward R1. The Administrator (V1) later interviewed the Black male CNAs and contacted an agency CNA (V10) who had worked that night; V10 admitted to swearing in the room while providing care to R2, stating he hit his foot and yelled out profanity, but denied swearing at residents. R1’s care plan and staff interviews indicated he had no history of making false abuse statements, and R2’s records similarly showed no history of false abuse allegations. A second incident of verbal and mental abuse involved R2 and two CNAs, V7 and V8. R2 stated that on a day shortly after a hospice aide had given him a bath, V7 and V8 entered his room to clean him and get him up. According to R2, V7 said, “You stink.” When R2 responded that he should not smell because he had just received a bath the day before, V7 allegedly stated, “Everyone in this place hates taking care of you.” R2 reported that these comments made him upset and feel bad about himself. R1, who was present in the room, stated that as soon as V7 entered, she told R2 that he stinks, and when R2 replied that he had just had a bath, V7 said, “No one want to take care of you, you are always complaining, not even hospice.” The facility’s abuse policy defines mental abuse as including humiliation and harassment, and verbal abuse as the willful use of disparaging and derogatory terms to residents or within hearing distance, which aligns with the language reported in both incidents.
Failure to Timely Assess and Treat Post-Fall Leg Pain Leading to Delayed Fracture Diagnosis
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure a resident received timely medical evaluation and treatment after a fall resulting in a fractured leg. The resident had multiple diagnoses including end stage renal disease with dialysis dependence, right below-knee amputation, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, abnormal posture, anxiety, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. According to the fall incident note, the resident fell in his room and was found on the floor between his recliner and nearby furniture. The RN who responded reported performing a full assessment, including range of motion, and stated the resident could not move his left leg very much but considered this baseline and noted no pain complaints. She administered PRN tramadol later that night, documented for pain at a level 3, but stated she sometimes gives tramadol and melatonin to help him sleep and was unsure why pain was marked on the MAR. A CNA present after the fall reported that when the RN moved the resident’s left leg, he said “Oww” and began cussing, and that he screamed during incontinence care, though this was described as normal for him. On the following day shift, a CNA reported that when attempting to dress the resident, he screamed that his left leg hurt and stated he had fallen the previous day. The CNA immediately informed two RNs, who, according to the CNA, acknowledged the prior fall and said they were taking care of it; one RN later stated she did not recall being told about pain, and the other said she was leaving at end of shift after being told the resident had leg pain. Another CNA caring for the resident later that day and night reported the resident repeatedly said “don’t touch me, I’m in pain,” but she did not report this to a nurse because she believed it was normal for him to yell. Progress notes and records from this period show only one PRN tramadol dose given and no documented assessment of the resident’s left leg pain or notification of the physician regarding a change in condition between the fall and his transfer out. The next day, at the dialysis center, the resident appeared agitated and pointed to his left leg, prompting transfer to the ER, where imaging revealed a minimally displaced distal femur fracture requiring intramedullary nailing. The hospital history and physical noted it was unclear if any evaluation had been performed after the fall at the facility.
Failure to Use Required PPE During PICC Care Under Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s infection prevention and control program when staff did not follow required personal protective equipment (PPE) use for a resident on enhanced barrier precautions. The resident (R4) had a physician order dated 3/31/26 for enhanced barrier precautions related to a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), with a start date of 3/26/26. An enhanced barrier precaution sign was posted on the resident’s bathroom door, instructing staff to wear gloves and a gown during device care and use. On 3/31/26 at 11:12 AM, a registered nurse (V16) was observed in the resident’s room handling the PICC line and disconnecting the resident from an antibiotic while wearing gloves but no gown. During an interview, the infection control nurse (V7) stated that enhanced barrier precautions are used to help limit infections and that staff are required to wear both gloves and a gown when handling a PICC. The facility’s Enhanced Barrier Precautions Protocol, revised 7/26/21, specified that gloves and gowns were to be used during high-contact care activities, including device care or use. This sequence of observations, interviews, and record review showed that despite existing orders, signage, and policy requiring both gloves and gowns for high-contact device care under enhanced barrier precautions, the registered nurse did not wear a gown while performing PICC care for the resident.
Failure to Administer Ordered PRN Narcotic for Severe Post-Surgical Pain
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide ordered pain medication to a resident following right femur fracture repair. The resident was re-admitted with diagnoses including peripheral vascular disease, late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, unspecified dementia, falls, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. Physician orders dated December 2025 included oxycodone 5 mg every 4 hours as needed for moderate or severe pain. On 12/27/25 at 1:38 PM, nursing notes documented the resident exhibiting yelling and screaming behaviors and severe pain, with interventions listed as scheduled pain medication and PRN medication administration. However, the Medication Administration Record for December 2025 shows no pain medication was administered at 1:38 PM, and instead acetaminophen 325 mg was given later at 3:34 PM. During interviews, the RN stated the resident was confused and non-verbal, with pain indicated by facial grimacing and behaviors, and confirmed the resident had scheduled acetaminophen and PRN oxycodone available, noting that if waiting for pharmacy delivery, narcotics could be pulled from the emergency supply. The DON reported that discharge instructions from the hospital included narcotic prescriptions and that oxycodone was available in the emergency supply box. The DON confirmed the resident arrived at 10:27 AM, that the nurse’s note at 1:38 PM documented severe pain, and that no pain medication was administered at that time despite an order for oxycodone 5 mg for moderate to severe pain. The DON also stated that acetaminophen alone would not be adequate for pain control following hip surgery and was unsure why nursing did not administer the narcotic. The controlled substance record shows oxycodone was delivered to the facility at 10:00 PM and first administered at 1:00 AM the following day. The facility’s pain management policy states that pain management will be provided to residents who require such services, consistent with professional standards of practice and the person-centered care plan.
Failure to Notify Physician and Family of Abnormal Labs and Post-Fall Injuries
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to notify a physician of an abnormal laboratory result for a resident receiving Lithium, as well as failure to notify a physician and family of injuries following unwitnessed falls for another resident. One resident, a 65-year-old with multiple medical diagnoses including paranoid schizophrenia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerotic heart disease, anxiety disorder, and restlessness/agitation, had a physician order for Lithium that was increased over time to 300 mg twice daily as of early March 2026. A laboratory result dated March 10, 2026, showed a Lithium level of 1.40 mmol/L, flagged as high, with no documentation that the physician was notified of this abnormal result. The MAR shows that staff continued to administer Lithium 300 mg twice daily from March 5 through March 15, 2026, without documented physician notification or dose adjustment in response to the elevated level. On March 15, 2026, progress notes document that this resident became very lethargic, unable to stand or transfer, and unable to answer questions, with continued lethargy and inability to respond even to simple questions later that evening. The notes indicate that the physician and DON were contacted at that time and that the resident was sent to the hospital via emergency services. Hospital records show the resident was admitted with a primary diagnosis of Lithium toxicity and that a subsequent Lithium level was critically high at 1.73. The resident’s psychiatrist later stated he was not aware of the elevated Lithium level obtained on March 10, 2026, and that facility staff were expected to notify him of high or low Lithium levels so that medication doses could be adjusted and the resident monitored for changes in condition. The deficiency also includes a second resident, a 64-year-old with multiple diagnoses including altered mental status, Parkinson’s disease, lack of coordination, muscle wasting and atrophy, and difficulty walking, for whom the facility failed to notify the physician and family of injuries after unwitnessed falls and subsequent bruising. This resident requires total assistance for toileting, hygiene, and dressing. An incident report dated March 20, 2026, documents a fall by the nurses’ station with no initial injury noted and physician and family notification at that time; however, a large dark purple bruise covering most of the right buttock was later observed, and the post-fall follow-up assessment dated March 23, 2026, does not show documentation that the physician or family were notified of this bruise. Staff interviews show inconsistent accounts regarding when the bruise was noticed and who was informed, and a CNA reported that the bruise had been observed and reported to the nurse. Additionally, an earlier incident report dated February 23, 2026, documents an unwitnessed fall with yellow discoloration to the left hip and an abrasion to the posterior head, with no progress note documentation that the physician or family were notified of these injuries, despite facility policy requiring immediate notification of the physician and family for significant changes in condition or injuries.
Failure to Assess Change in Condition and Complete Post-Fall Body Assessment
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to adequately assess and respond to a change in condition for one resident (R1) and to perform a complete post-fall body assessment for another resident (R5). R1, a 65-year-old with multiple medical diagnoses including hypotension, hypertension, coronary artery disease, paranoid schizophrenia, urinary retention, anxiety disorder, and restlessness/agitation, was documented on the MDS as alert and oriented and requiring substantial to maximum assistance with ADLs. On the morning of March 15, 2026, R1’s nurse (V5) observed her leaning to one side in her wheelchair after breakfast and instructed CNAs to put her to bed to prevent a fall. V5 noted a bruise on R1’s left shoulder but did not document any further assessment of her condition. Despite multiple CNAs (V8, V9, V10) recognizing that R1 was very lethargic, leaning forward and to the side, unable to sit upright, having difficulty swallowing food and water, gagging, and appearing in a daze, there was no detailed nursing assessment or frequent monitoring documented for R1 during the morning shift. Later that day, during shift change, another nurse (V7) observed R1 to be very lethargic, barely responsive to her name, and unable to stand or transfer. V7 had not been informed of any change in condition and was unfamiliar with R1’s baseline. After R1’s family expressed alarm at her condition, V7 confirmed with CNAs that R1 usually got up with assistance and used a bedside commode but was now unable to get up or sit on the commode even with assistance from three staff. V7 obtained vital signs, which were stable, but R1 remained lethargic. V7 notified the physician and the DON and arranged for R1 to be sent to the hospital via emergency services. Progress notes from the evening documented that R1 was very lethargic, moaning but unable to speak or answer even simple questions. Hospital records showed R1 was admitted with a primary diagnosis of lithium toxicity, with a critically high lithium level of 1.73 mmol/L. A prior lab result from March 10, 2026, showed an elevated lithium level of 1.40 mmol/L, with no documentation that the physician was notified. R1’s psychiatrist (V14) stated he was not aware of the elevated lithium level and that facility staff were expected to notify him of high or low lithium levels so that dosing and monitoring could be adjusted. The deficiency also includes the facility’s failure to conduct and document a complete post-fall body assessment for R5, a 64-year-old with altered mental status, Parkinson’s disease, lack of coordination, muscle wasting and atrophy, difficulty walking, dysphagia (oral phase), and cognitive communication deficit. R5 required total assistance for toileting, hygiene, and dressing. An incident report dated March 20, 2026, documented that R5 had an unwitnessed fall by the nurses’ station, was on a blood thinner, and was sent to the hospital, with no injury initially noted. Upon R5’s return from the hospital on March 22, 2026, a progress note stated that a full body assessment was conducted and no new skin issues were noted, and subsequent post-fall assessments through March 23, 2026, also documented no skin issues. However, CNAs (V16 and V17) later observed a large dark purple bruise covering almost the entire right buttock during a full body assessment on March 23, 2026. CNA V17 reported seeing this bruise the evening of March 22, 2026, when assisting R5 to the toilet and stated she immediately notified nurse V6. CNA V21 confirmed being informed of the bruise during shift change. Nurse V5, who cared for R5 on the morning of March 23, 2026, stated he only assessed exposed skin and did not see the bruise. V6 initially stated she was unaware of the bruise but later changed her statement to say she had done a complete body check on admission and noted the bruise. The ADON (V20) stated that when a bruise is found, staff must document its size, location, color, tenderness or pain, and notify the physician of injuries or changes in condition. The facility’s Accident and Incident Policy requires documentation of the extent of injury, assessment, and at least 72 hours of daily documentation after an incident, which was not reflected in R5’s records regarding the buttock bruise.
Resident Improperly Restrained in Geri-Chair With Sheet and No Medical Justification
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a resident who was physically restrained in a Geri-chair using a sheet without a physician’s order, consent, or documented medical justification. The resident is an older adult with multiple medical diagnoses including type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia, COPD, hypertensive heart disease without heart failure, hyperlipidemia, urinary incontinence, edema of unspecified eye, and bipolar disorder. The MDS documented a BIMS score of 9, indicating moderate cognitive impairment, and showed the resident required only supervision or touching assistance for sit-to-stand and ambulation tasks, did not use a wheelchair or scooter, and was ambulatory without assistive devices. The care plan documented the resident as an adult with chronic health conditions and co-morbidities living in LTC, with recognition that such circumstances may be viewed as a form of trauma, but did not document any history of being a perpetrator or recipient of mistreatment, abuse, neglect, or exploitation. On the night in question, a CNA who was not assigned to the resident placed the ambulatory resident into a Geri-chair on the third floor and tied a sheet around the resident’s waist and the back of the chair, using it as a seat belt. The CNA stated she did this around 3:30 a.m. because the resident was walking from room to room, entering other residents’ rooms, pulling on residents while they were sleeping, and other residents were getting upset. The CNA reported that the resident was awake, clapping, able to move arms and legs, but could not get out of the Geri-chair because it was reclined “like a couch.” The CNA acknowledged that wheelchairs do not come with seat belts, that tying a sheet over a resident who does not use a Geri-chair is considered a restraint, and that using a sheet in this way is not allowed, but stated she believed she was helping and using it as a safety precaution to keep the resident from falling out and to keep the resident with her while she went from room to room. The resident remained in the Geri-chair with the sheet tied until discovered by a day-shift CNA after 7:00 a.m., who found the resident in the dining room, noted that the resident could not get up as usual, and on closer inspection saw the sheet restraining the resident from getting out of the chair. The day-shift CNA reported the situation to a nurse and the resident was removed from the chair around 7:10–7:15 a.m. Subsequent review of security footage by the administrator and DON confirmed the resident sitting in the hallway in a Geri-chair with a sheet tied over the lap, and multiple staff, including the administrator, DON, attending physician, and social services director, identified the Geri-chair and tied sheet as a restraint, noting that the resident is ambulatory and does not utilize a Geri-chair. A skin/shower worksheet dated several days later documented skin discoloration/bruising to the resident’s upper and lower extremities. The facility’s written policies state that physical restraints are to be used only as a last resort after alternatives have been tried and failed, based on assessment and IDT determination, and that the facility prohibits abuse, neglect, exploitation, and mistreatment, with employees required to immediately report any incident, allegation, or suspicion of potential abuse or neglect to the administrator or an immediate supervisor who must immediately report it to the administrator. In this incident, the resident was restrained without assessment, IDT involvement, physician order, consent, or documented medical symptoms warranting restraint, and the restraint was applied solely at the CNA’s discretion. Additional staff interviews further described the circumstances and staff awareness. The DON confirmed that the resident is ambulatory, does not use assistive devices, does not utilize a Geri-chair, and is able to transfer independently, and stated that placing the resident in a Geri-chair and tying a sheet over the resident would be considered a restraint. The attending physician stated that someone took it upon themselves to place the resident in a Geri-chair and used a sheet to tie the resident down, described this as wrong and never okay, and characterized it as the aide’s misguided independent action. The social services director stated the resident ambulates independently with moderate cognitive impairment, does not require a wheelchair or Geri-chair, and that having something wrapped around the resident’s legs or thighs in this manner is technically a restraint. The administrator stated that the Geri-chair was considered a restraint because it was not assigned to the resident, and the sheet was also a restraint because it was tied over the resident’s lap, and confirmed that the resident is mobile and does not use a chair or other devices. The report also details staff knowledge and recognition of the restraint and the reporting chain. The CNA who discovered the resident in the morning stated she had received abuse prevention training and knew that use of restraints is prohibited and considered abuse, and that there are different levels of restraints. She reported the situation to a nurse but did not directly notify the administrator. The house supervisor LPN stated she was told by the CNA that the resident was in a Geri-chair and was wet, but she did not hear that the resident was tied with a sheet; she stated that if she had heard that the resident was restrained, she would have immediately assessed the resident and notified the administrator, acknowledging that restraints are not allowed and that the resident ambulates independently and does not use a Geri-chair. The night-shift LPN assigned to the resident stated he saw the resident in the Geri-chair, with hands visible and no distress, but did not see the sheet tied around the waist and was not aware the resident was restrained; he stated he had received abuse prevention and restraint education. Another CNA on orientation reported seeing the resident rolled into the dining room and giving the resident water but did not see the sheet being tied and acknowledged that such use would be considered a restraint. Facility documentation, including the final incident investigation report and policy excerpts, confirms that the resident was physically restrained in a Geri-chair using a sheet, without physician orders, consent, or medical justification, and that this constituted inappropriate use of a physical restraint and a failure to protect the resident from abuse and to follow facility policies on restraint use and abuse prevention.
Failure to Use Gait Belts and Follow Transfer Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in which staff did not follow the facility’s mandatory gait belt transfer policy or residents’ care plans requiring gait belt use for physical assist transfers. One resident with Type 2 DM, CHF, severe cognitive impairment, and a care plan requiring a walker, gait belt, and one-person assist for transfers was observed being transferred from wheelchair to bed by a CNA who did not use a gait belt, instead pulling under the resident’s arm and by the waistband of his pants. Another resident with Parkinson’s disease, severe cognitive impairment, and a care plan requiring a gait belt and walker or sit-to-stand device with one-person assist for transfers was transferred to and from the toilet by a CNA without a gait belt or walker; the CNA used one hand to guide the resident’s hip and the other to pull the wheelchair into position behind the resident. A third resident with dementia, cerebral infarction, severe cognitive impairment, and a care plan requiring a gait belt, sit-to-stand device, and one-person assist for transfers was repeatedly transferred without a gait belt. The CNA lifted the resident under both axillae from bed to a high-back wheelchair, then into and out of the bathroom using the handrail and lifting under one axilla, again without a gait belt. During a subsequent transfer from wheelchair to bed, the CNA did not lock the wheelchair and did not apply a gait belt; as the resident grabbed the bed rail and the CNA lifted under the axilla, the wheelchair rolled away, leaving the resident sitting on the edge of the bed and nearly falling before the CNA was able, after several attempts, to get the resident’s legs and feet onto the bed. A fourth resident with Alzheimer’s disease, severe cognitive impairment, and a care plan requiring a gait belt and walker with one-person assist for transfers was transferred between wheelchair and toilet by a CNA who did not use a gait belt, instead pulling the resident up by her pants and under her arm and then holding onto the pants while pulling the wheelchair into position. Multiple CNAs later stated that gait belts are used for transferring residents, and the facility’s written policy states that use of a gait belt for all physical assist transfers is mandatory.
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