Alden Des Plaines Rehab & Hc
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Des Plaines, Illinois.
- Location
- 1221 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
- CMS Provider Number
- 145998
- Inspections on file
- 26
- Latest survey
- December 6, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 21
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Alden Des Plaines Rehab & Hc during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with a history of falls and recent hip surgery, requiring two-person assist for transfers, was transferred by only one CNA, resulting in a fall and dislocation of the right hip prosthesis. Despite clear documentation and care plan interventions specifying the need for two-person assistance, staff failed to follow established protocols, leading to hospitalization for the resident.
A resident with multiple health conditions sustained a right foot abrasion and bruise during a transfer by a CNA, which was not promptly reported or treated according to protocol. The injury progressed to cellulitis, and there was a lack of ongoing wound assessment, care plan updates, and proper documentation. Staff involved had incomplete training records, and facility policies for incident reporting and skin care were not followed.
A resident who was fully dependent on staff for ADL and incontinence care was found in bed with soiled linens, a soiled gown, and significant skin redness and irritation. Staff interviews and observations confirmed that the resident, who had complex medical needs and could not communicate, did not receive timely peri-care or clothing changes as required by the care plan and facility policy.
Two dependent residents did not receive timely incontinence care, with staff observed leaving residents in soiled briefs and failing to change gloves or perform hand hygiene between cleaning and applying clean briefs. Both residents required assistance with ADLs due to complex medical conditions, and the facility could not provide a specific policy for incontinence care procedures.
Multiple residents with complex medical conditions did not receive appropriate pressure ulcer prevention and wound care. Staff failed to follow manufacturer guidelines for low air loss mattresses by using multiple linen layers, did not consistently update care plans or perform wound assessments after new skin issues developed, and did not adhere to proper infection control practices during incontinence care. Additionally, wound dressings were left uncovered and equipment was not properly secured, reflecting lapses in facility protocols.
A resident with a tracheostomy and ventilator dependence did not receive suctioning as ordered by the physician, as staff used a plastic catheter instead of the required red rubber catheter and were unaware of the specific order. The facility also failed to keep spare tracheostomy tubes of the correct sizes at the bedside for emergencies, and did not follow its own policies on suctioning procedures, care plan updates, or staff competency documentation.
Staff did not provide required oral care to three dependent residents with complex medical needs, resulting in visibly poor oral hygiene such as dry, crusted lips and yellow, residue-covered teeth. Interviews with staff and family confirmed that oral care was not consistently performed, despite care plans and facility policy requiring daily assistance.
A resident with a tracheostomy and multiple complex conditions did not receive care in accordance with infection control protocols. A respiratory therapist failed to use enhanced barrier precautions, did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene between tasks, and used soiled gloves to start a sterile procedure. The therapist also did not use a gown or properly handle suction equipment, contrary to facility policy and expectations.
A resident with a history of falls experienced an unwitnessed fall resulting in a nasal fracture due to the facility's failure to ensure fall interventions were in place. Despite the care plan including bed and wheelchair alarms, these were not consistently documented or verified as active. During the incident, a nurse did not hear any alarms, and a CNA on break did not inform the nurse, contributing to the resident's unsupervised ambulation and injury.
A resident's surgery was delayed due to the facility's failure to follow physician orders to hold certain medications prior to the procedure. Despite the resident providing an after-visit summary with these instructions, the medications were not held in time, leading to a rescheduling of the surgery. Interviews with staff revealed miscommunication and errors in processing the orders.
Failure to Implement Fall Prevention Measures During Transfer
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to implement fall prevention measures for a resident who required a two-person assist for transfers due to limited mobility following hip surgery. The resident had a complex medical history, including a periprosthetic fracture around an internal prosthetic right hip joint, a history of falls, essential hypertension, myelodysplastic syndrome, anemia, orthostatic hypotension, osteoporosis, and the presence of a right artificial hip joint. Despite being assessed as needing a two-person assist for all transfers and having this requirement documented in the care plan and transfer status binder, the resident was transferred from the toilet to a wheelchair by only one certified nurse aide (CNA). During the transfer, the resident experienced sudden weakness in the right leg and was lowered to the floor by the CNA. Initial assessment revealed no pain, but upon reassessment, the resident reported right hip pain. An x-ray confirmed a dislocation of the right hip prosthesis, and the resident was subsequently sent to the emergency room for further evaluation and treatment. Interviews with facility staff, including the DON, RN, and Restorative Nurse, confirmed that the resident was supposed to have two-person assistance for transfers due to surgical status and fall risk, and that this protocol was not followed at the time of the incident. Documentation in the resident's care plan, functional assessments, and restorative progress notes all indicated the need for two-person assist with transfers, specifically using a walker and transferring toward the resident's stronger side. Facility policies on transfer and fall management emphasized individualized assessment, adherence to physician and therapy recommendations, and proper documentation and communication of transfer needs. The failure to follow these established protocols and care plan interventions directly led to the resident's fall and subsequent injury.
Failure to Provide Needed Care and Services Following Transfer-Related Injury
Penalty
Summary
A resident with multiple comorbidities, including Parkinson's disease, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, and dependence on oxygen, sustained an abrasion and bruise to the right foot during a transfer from wheelchair to bed by a CNA. The incident was not immediately reported, and the initial assessment by nursing staff did not result in a wound treatment order for the abrasion. The resident later developed increased pain and signs of infection in the right foot, which progressed to cellulitis, requiring antibiotics and wound care intervention. The care plan was not updated to reflect the new injury or to implement additional interventions for safe transfers, despite the incident and subsequent deterioration of the wound. Documentation and follow-up were inconsistent. There was no ongoing weekly skin assessment of the right foot abrasion after it was first identified, and the wound was only seen once by a wound care physician. The wound care provided did not always match the physician's orders, and at one point, the resident was observed without a dressing on the affected foot. The facility's policies required weekly documentation of non-pressure skin alterations and care plan updates in response to changes in resident condition, but these were not followed. Staff interviews revealed that the CNA involved in the incident had not received documented transfer training, and the care plan coordinator could not recall updating the care plan after the injury. The incident investigation and root cause analysis did not result in new interventions to prevent recurrence, and the care plan was not revised to address the resident's increased risk for injury and skin breakdown. Facility protocols for incident reporting, care planning, and skin integrity management were not adhered to, contributing to the deficiency in providing needed care and services according to the resident's plan of care and professional standards.
Failure to Provide Timely Incontinence and ADL Care for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident who was totally dependent on staff for all activities of daily living (ADL) and incontinence care was found in a severely soiled condition. Staff interviews and observations revealed that the resident was left in bed with a soiled gown, red and irritated scrotum, inner thighs, and buttocks, and bed linens soaked with urine and feces. The resident was also noted to have dried and new emesis on his gown and bed, with a strong odor of emesis, feces, and urine present in the room. The responsible CNA for the night shift had left the facility before being instructed to provide care, and the day shift CNA was asked to clean the resident prior to hospital transfer. However, the resident remained in a soiled state until the day shift staff intervened. The resident had a complex medical history, including respiratory failure, hemiplegia, tracheostomy, gastrostomy, and dysphagia, and was unable to communicate needs, making him fully reliant on staff for care. The care plan required total assistance with bed mobility, transfers, all ADLs, and incontinence care, including peri-care after each incontinent episode and monitoring for skin excoriation. Despite these requirements and facility policy mandating perineal care to maintain skin integrity, staff failed to provide timely and adequate care, resulting in the resident being left in unsanitary and potentially harmful conditions.
Failure to Provide Timely and Proper Incontinence Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely incontinence care to dependent residents, as observed during a survey. For one resident, a wound care nurse and CNA were observed repositioning the resident, revealing a disposable brief soaked with urine that had leaked onto the underlying cloth pad. The CNA provided incontinence care but did not change gloves after cleaning the peri-anal and sacral areas, then applied a clean brief with the same gloves. The CNA assigned to this resident and another dependent resident confirmed that he had not provided incontinence or morning care to either resident by the time of the observation. The care plans for both residents indicated the need for assistance with ADLs and incontinence care due to significant medical conditions, including neurological deficits, contractures, and incontinence. A second resident was also found soaked with urine and fecal matter on the brief and rectal area. The same CNA provided incontinence care without changing gloves between cleaning soiled areas and applying a clean brief. When informed of this, the CNA changed gloves but did not perform hand hygiene before donning new gloves. The facility was unable to provide a policy specific to ADL and incontinence care procedures, though a general policy required resident checks at least every two hours. These observations demonstrate a failure to provide timely and appropriate incontinence care and to follow proper infection control practices.
Failure to Implement Proper Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Wound Care Protocols
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement preventive measures and appropriate treatment modalities for skin impairment in three residents reviewed for wound care prevention management. Observations revealed that residents using low air loss (LAL) mattresses had multiple layers of linens, including cloth pads and flat sheets, contrary to manufacturer recommendations that only a flat sheet should be used. Both the Director of Nursing and the Wound Care Nurse acknowledged that the use of additional linens impedes the effectiveness of the LAL mattress. Staff members, including agency CNAs, were unaware of the correct linen protocol for LAL mattresses, and the facility was unable to provide a policy regarding this requirement. In addition to improper use of LAL mattresses, deficiencies were observed in wound care and incontinence management. For one resident, the Wound Care Nurse did not complete a wound assessment after the development of a moisture-associated skin disorder (MASD), nor was the care plan updated to reflect the new condition. During incontinence care, a CNA failed to change gloves between cleaning soiled areas and applying a clean brief, and did not perform hand hygiene before donning new gloves. The prescribed application of zinc oxide ointment or barrier cream after incontinence care was not consistently followed as indicated in the care plan. Another resident was found with a sacral wound that was uncovered, and the Wound Care Nurse was not notified when the dressing was removed. The LAL mattress pump was found on the floor due to the absence of a footboard, which was not addressed by the building manager. The facility's policies on pressure injury prevention, non-sterile dressing changes, and LAL mattress management were not consistently implemented, contributing to the deficiencies in wound care and skin integrity management.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders and Emergency Protocols for Tracheostomy Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement a physician's order for the use of a red rubber catheter for suctioning a resident with a tracheostomy, and did not follow its own policy on suctioning procedures. During observation, the resident was suctioned with a plastic transparent suction catheter instead of the ordered red rubber catheter, and the respiratory therapist was unaware of the specific physician order. The care plan coordinator also was not aware of the order, and the resident's care plan was not updated to reflect this requirement. Additionally, the facility did not have a spare tracheostomy tube set—one of the same size and one of a smaller size—readily available at the resident's bedside, as required for emergency situations such as accidental decannulation. Both the DON and respiratory therapists were unable to locate the necessary spare tracheostomy equipment in the resident's room. The facility was also unable to provide a policy on tracheostomy emergency protocols or evidence of nursing competency skills for respiratory care, including tracheostomy care and suctioning. The resident involved had multiple complex medical conditions, including chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, tracheostomy, and dependence on a ventilator. Observations showed that suctioning was performed for longer than the recommended duration, without providing ventilation between passes, and without proper hand hygiene between glove changes. The facility's own policies on suctioning and care plan review were not followed, contributing to the deficiencies identified.
Failure to Provide Oral Care for Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to provide necessary oral care for three residents who were dependent on staff for activities of daily living (ADLs). Each resident had significant medical conditions, including tracheostomy, gastrostomy, metabolic encephalopathy, quadriplegia, and other serious diagnoses, and their care plans specifically required staff assistance with daily oral care. Despite these documented needs, observations revealed that residents had visibly poor oral hygiene, such as dry lips with crusted secretions and yellow, residue-covered teeth. Interviews with staff confirmed that oral care had not been provided as required, and staff were unsure when the last oral care was performed. Family members of two residents also expressed concerns about the lack of oral care, noting persistent issues with dirty teeth and dry, crusted lips. The facility's policy required oral care to be offered before breakfast and at bedtime, and the Director of Nursing acknowledged that nursing assistants were responsible for providing this care. However, the observed conditions and staff interviews demonstrated that oral care was not consistently performed for residents who were unable to perform this task themselves.
Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During Tracheostomy Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow its own infection prevention and control protocols during tracheostomy care and suctioning for a resident with multiple complex medical conditions, including metabolic encephalopathy, respiratory failure, spinal cord injury, diabetes, quadriplegia, gastrostomy, and tracheostomy. During an observed care episode, a respiratory therapist did not use enhanced barrier precautions as required, did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene when moving from dirty to clean tasks, and used soiled gloves to initiate a sterile procedure. The therapist also failed to use a gown, did not change the drain gauze after suctioning, and handled suction tubing and supplies in a manner inconsistent with sterile technique, including using a suction tube that had been left open to air and not properly disposing of soiled equipment. Interviews with facility leadership confirmed that the expected practice was to use enhanced barrier precautions, including gown use, glove changes, and hand hygiene, especially when caring for residents with indwelling medical devices such as tracheostomies. Facility policies also required the use of sterile technique for suctioning and proper handling of supplies. The observed actions were inconsistent with these policies, and the staff member involved acknowledged not following the enhanced barrier precautions, citing the procedure as quick and clean. The deficiency was identified through direct observation, staff interviews, and review of facility policies.
Failure to Implement Fall Interventions Leads to Resident Injury
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that fall interventions were in place for a resident with a history of falls, resulting in an unwitnessed fall and a nasal fracture. The resident, who was admitted with a left humerus fracture, dementia, weakness, and lack of coordination, experienced three unwitnessed falls on separate occasions. Despite the implementation of bed and wheelchair alarms as fall prevention measures, these interventions were not consistently documented or verified as active. The resident's care plan was updated to include these alarms, but documentation of their use did not begin until after the third fall. The incidents highlight lapses in supervision and communication among staff. During the third fall, a registered nurse on duty did not hear any alarms and was left to manage call lights alone due to the absence of nursing assistants. A CNA on break at the time of the fall did not inform the nurse of their absence, and it was unclear if the bed alarm was activated. These oversights contributed to the resident's ability to ambulate unsupervised, leading to the fall and subsequent injury.
Failure to Follow Pre-Operative Medication Hold Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow physician orders for a resident, resulting in the resident's medications not being placed on hold as required before a scheduled surgery. The resident, who was cognitively intact, had a pre-operative exam where it was instructed that certain medications should be held 5-7 days prior to surgery. However, the Medication Administration Record (MAR) showed that these medications were not put on hold as ordered, leading to a delay in the resident's surgery. The resident returned from a medical visit with an after-visit summary that included instructions to hold specific medications. Despite the resident providing this summary to the nursing staff, the medications were not held in time. Interviews with various staff members, including LPNs and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), revealed confusion and miscommunication regarding the interpretation and implementation of the orders. The staff acknowledged receiving the after-visit summary but failed to correctly input the medication hold orders into the system. The Director of Nursing (DON) and other staff members confirmed that the surgery was rescheduled due to the failure to hold the medications as instructed. The process for handling after-visit summaries and entering orders into the electronic medical record was not followed correctly, contributing to the oversight. The resident had to notify the staff about the medication issue, which led to a rescheduling of the surgery and a new set of orders from the doctor.
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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