Miller's Merry Manor
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Logansport, Indiana.
- Location
- 200 26th St, Logansport, Indiana 46947
- CMS Provider Number
- 155235
- Inspections on file
- 31
- Latest survey
- April 10, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 4
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Miller's Merry Manor during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease and depression, previously on an antidepressant, exhibited intermittent refusals of medications and care, occasional yelling at staff, and reports of unusual perceptions, such as believing men were in or near her room. Nursing notes over several months documented these refusals and complaints but did not show that the behaviors were evaluated or recorded as dangerous, non-redirectable, or causing significant distress, nor did they document specific non-pharmacological interventions attempted or their outcomes. Despite this, a psychiatric NP later added new diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and delusional disorder and ordered an antipsychotic (Seroquel) without a comprehensive evaluation in the record to support these diagnoses. The facility’s psychotropic medication policy, which requires identification and documentation of target behaviors, use of nonpharmacological interventions, and ongoing behavior monitoring, was not followed for this resident.
The facility failed to keep PASARR Level I screenings accurate and current for three residents when new mental health diagnoses and psychoactive medications were initiated. One resident’s PASARR omitted a PTSD diagnosis and an added antidepressant, despite documentation of PTSD on the MDS and care plan and a physician order for Pristiq. Another resident’s PASARR listed only depression and dementia, even after additional diagnoses such as borderline personality disorder, delusional disorder, and schizoaffective disorder were added and an antipsychotic (quetiapine) was ordered, with the MDS later reflecting psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, and depression with antipsychotic and antidepressant use. A third resident’s PASARR did not include a depression diagnosis or newly ordered escitalopram and lorazepam, although the admission MDS documented depression with antianxiety and antidepressant use. These omissions occurred despite facility policy requiring a new Level I review after significant mental status changes, including new mental health diagnoses or new psychotropic medications.
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease and depression exhibited intermittent delusional statements, refusals of medications and care, and occasional yelling or suspiciousness toward staff over several months. Nursing notes documented these behaviors but did not show a comprehensive psychiatric assessment or evidence of a sustained major mood episode. A psychiatric NP subsequently added diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and delusions, and ordered Seroquel, despite no prior history of schizoaffective disorder and no detailed evaluation in the record to support the new diagnosis. The resident’s representative reported no known mental health history or hospitalizations and was unaware of the schizoaffective disorder diagnosis, and the DON indicated there was no specific facility policy for schizoaffective disorder.
A resident with DM and dementia, ordered for twice-daily blood glucose checks, had their blood sugar taken by an RN using a glucometer that was not disinfected before or after use and was placed directly on a medication cart without a clean barrier. Interviews with the RN, an LPN, and the Clinical Support Nurse confirmed that facility policy required glucometers to be cleaned with commercial disinfectant wipes before and after each use, following manufacturer contact time and air-dry instructions, but this procedure was not followed during the observed blood glucose check.
Three residents with chronic conditions did not receive care according to physician orders, including failure to document required blood pressure readings before administering antihypertensive medication, failure to administer PRN diuretics or notify the physician after significant weight gains, and missed daily weights without documentation. Facility staff and policies confirmed these actions were required but not completed.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and a history of wandering was identified as being at risk for elopement and was observed wearing a wanderguard bracelet. Despite care plan and facility policy requirements for daily function and placement checks, there was no physician's order for the device, and no documentation of checks was found for most of the month. Staff interviews confirmed that required orders and documentation were missing, and the facility's policy for monitoring at-risk residents was not followed.
A facility failed to hold a relocation planning conference with a resident's POA before transferring the resident from a memory care unit to a skilled nursing unit due to inappropriate behaviors. The POA was not informed of the move and did not waive the required two-day notice. The facility's policy required notification and a relocation plan, but the necessary documentation and communication were lacking.
The facility failed to manage infection control data accurately during a COVID outbreak, affecting all residents. Conflicting reports on the number of COVID cases were noted, and the Infection Control Preventionist struggled to complete data entry due to other responsibilities. The facility's policy required comprehensive tracking and reporting of infections, but incomplete data collection hindered effective infection management.
The facility failed to update the elopement alarm status for a resident who was no longer at risk for elopement. Despite a re-evaluation indicating the wander guard was unnecessary, the care plan and physician orders were not updated, and the wander guard was still being checked off daily. An observation confirmed the wander guard was still on the resident's wheelchair.
The facility failed to provide personalized trauma-informed care for a resident with PTSD, dementia, depression, and anxiety. The care plan did not address PTSD, and staff were unaware of the resident's traumatic history and specific triggers, leading to the deficiency.
Failure to Document Target Behaviors and Non-Pharmacological Interventions Before Initiating Antipsychotic
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to document how a resident’s behaviors presented danger or distress to self or others, and failure to document non-pharmacological interventions attempted prior to initiating an antipsychotic medication. Resident 6 had documented diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and severe cognitive impairment, and was receiving sertraline for depression. A PASSAR identified only depression and dementia, and the admission MDS listed Alzheimer’s disease and depression as active diagnoses. Over several months, nursing progress notes documented that the resident intermittently reported unusual perceptions, such as believing there were men causing trouble, a man in her room, or a man wanting to marry her and yelling through the walls, but there was no documentation that these episodes caused danger to the resident or others or that they resulted in unmanageable distress. From late April through mid-July, nursing notes primarily described the resident’s frequent refusals of evening and morning medications, blood sugar checks, blood pressure checks, insulin administration, hygiene care, and showers. Staff documented that the resident sometimes yelled at staff, said “Get out!”, was visibly upset by a room move, was leery of staff and asked to see name badges, and became upset about a pillow under her head until it was removed, after which she calmed down. The notes also recorded instances where the resident believed housekeeping had not cleaned her room or that she had not received medications when she had. However, there were no progress notes or assessments indicating that these behaviors were evaluated as dangerous, non-redirectable, or causing significant distress or functional impairment, and no detailed behavior monitoring logs were present as required by facility policy. On a psychiatric NP visit for initial psychotropic medication management, new mental health diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and delusional disorder were added, and Seroquel 25 mg, an antipsychotic, was ordered. The clinical record did not contain a comprehensive evaluation to support these new diagnoses, and there was no documentation of target behaviors meeting the facility’s policy criteria for psychotropic use, such as behaviors representing danger to self or others, causing distress and impairment in functional abilities, or clearly attributable to psychosis or mania. The resident’s representative reported that the resident had no prior history of mental health disorders or psychiatric hospitalization and was unaware of the new diagnoses. The facility’s own psychotropic medication policy required identification and documentation of specific target behaviors, use and documentation of nonpharmacological interventions, and ongoing monitoring of behaviors and interventions, which were not reflected in the record for this resident.
Failure to Update PASARR Screens for New Mental Health Diagnoses and Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) Level I screenings were accurate and updated when new mental health diagnoses and psychoactive medications were initiated for multiple residents. For one resident with dementia, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the PASARR completed on admission listed anxiety, depression, and dementia with sertraline and quetiapine, but did not include the PTSD diagnosis or the antidepressant Pristiq, despite the admission MDS and care plan documenting PTSD and a subsequent physician’s order for Pristiq. For another resident with Alzheimer’s disease, borderline personality disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and depression, the PASARR only reflected depression and dementia with sertraline, even though additional mental health diagnoses were added later and an antipsychotic (quetiapine) was ordered for borderline personality disorder, and the quarterly MDS documented psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, and depression with antipsychotic and antidepressant use. A third resident had diagnoses including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety disorder, irritability and anger, and nonrheumatic aortic valve stenosis. The PASARR for this resident listed dementia and anxiety with Risperdal but omitted the diagnosis of depression and the medications escitalopram and lorazepam, although physician’s orders were in place for escitalopram for depression and lorazepam for anxiety, and the admission MDS documented depression with antianxiety and antidepressant use. Interviews with the Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that new Level I PASARR screens should have been completed when new mental health diagnoses and psychoactive medications were added, and that the PASARR for one resident, completed prior to arrival, should have included all mental health diagnoses and medications. The facility’s own policy required notification of the state mental health authority within 14 days after a significant change in mental condition and specified that a new Level I screen is required for new mental health diagnoses or newly prescribed psychotropic medications, which was not followed in these cases.
Unsubstantiated Schizoaffective Disorder Diagnosis and Antipsychotic Use
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that services met professional standards of quality when assigning a new diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and initiating an antipsychotic medication for one resident without adequate supporting assessment or documentation. The resident’s clinical record showed existing diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease, depression, borderline personality disorder, and delusional disorder, with prior PASSAR and admission MDS assessments reflecting depression and dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, and treatment with an antidepressant. Nursing progress notes over several months documented episodes of the resident reporting men causing trouble, believing a man was in her room, and talking about a man wanting to marry her and yelling through the walls, as well as frequent refusals of medications, blood sugar checks, blood pressure checks, insulin, and hygiene care. Additional nursing documentation described the resident as sometimes yelling at staff, being visibly upset by a room move, being leery of staff and asking to see name badges, and making statements that housekeeping had not cleaned her room or that she had not received medications when records indicated that she had. Despite these behaviors and delusional-type statements, there were no other documented behaviors in the nursing progress notes between late April and mid-July beyond refusals of care, expressions of dissatisfaction, and intermittent suspiciousness. The record did not contain a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation establishing that the resident had experienced a major mood episode of uninterrupted duration or otherwise met the diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder. On a psychiatric NP visit for initial psychotropic medication management, the NP added new diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and delusions, and ordered Seroquel 25 mg. The resident had no prior history of schizoaffective disorder, and the clinical record lacked an assessment to substantiate this new diagnosis. There was also no documentation that the resident’s mental health history was reviewed with the resident’s representative or that the delusional symptoms were evaluated as a possible progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The resident’s representative later reported that the resident had no known history of mental health disorders or psychiatric hospitalization and was unaware of the schizoaffective disorder diagnosis. The DON stated there was no facility policy specific to schizoaffective disorder and that the facility followed federal regulations.
Failure to Disinfect Glucometer Between Resident Uses
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to sanitize a glucometer in accordance with its infection prevention and control policy for one resident. During an observation, an RN removed a glucometer from the third-floor medication cart and placed it directly on top of the cart without a clean barrier. Without cleaning the glucometer, the RN took it, along with an alcohol pad and lancet, into the resident’s room, obtained a blood glucose reading, and then returned the glucometer to the medication cart without disinfecting it before or after use. The resident’s record showed diagnoses including diabetes mellitus and dementia, with a physician’s order to check blood glucose twice daily. In interviews, the RN stated she should have used a disinfectant wipe to clean the glucometer and acknowledged that facility policy required staff to use wipes before and after blood sugars were taken to ensure the device was clean for the next resident, and that failure to clean it could cause an infection control problem. An LPN and the Clinical Support Nurse both confirmed that facility policy required glucometers to be cleaned with disinfectant wipes stored in each medication cart before and after each resident use. The written policy titled “Cleaning Of Glucometer” specified that the glucometer would be disinfected after completing a blood sugar using a commercial disinfectant wipe, kept visibly wet for the manufacturer’s required contact time, placed in a covered container during this period, and allowed to air dry before reuse.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders and Document Required Assessments
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow physician orders and ensure appropriate documentation and notification for three residents with complex medical conditions. For one resident with vascular dementia and hypertension, staff administered lisinopril daily as ordered, but did not record the required blood pressure readings at the time of administration, as specified by the physician's parameters. Interviews with the DON and unit manager confirmed that blood pressures were not documented on the MAR and should have been obtained prior to medication administration. Another resident with chronic heart failure, fluid overload, and severe kidney disease had physician orders for daily weights and as-needed furosemide based on specific weight gain thresholds, with instructions to notify the physician for certain weight increases. Despite documented weight gains exceeding the parameters, there was no evidence that the PRN diuretic was administered or that the physician was notified, as required by the orders. The DON confirmed that staff should have followed the orders for medication administration and physician notification, and documented these actions. A third resident with hypertension, dementia, and diabetes had orders for daily weights and PRN torsemide for weight gains meeting specific criteria. The MAR showed missed daily weights without documentation of refusal or unavailability, and instances where significant weight gains occurred but the PRN medication was not administered. There was also no documentation of physician notification for these events. Facility policies required necessary assessments before medication administration and physician notification for values outside ordered parameters, but these were not followed in the cited cases.
Failure to Ensure Wanderguard Function and Documentation for At-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
A dependent resident with severe cognitive impairment and a history of wandering was observed wearing a wanderguard bracelet on her right ankle. The resident was independently mobile, had diagnoses including dementia, and was assessed as being at risk for elopement. The care plan specified that the function and placement of the wanderguard sensor should be checked daily. However, there was no physician's order for the use of the wanderguard, and no documentation was found indicating that the placement or function of the wanderguard was checked between the beginning and end of the month. The MAR only reflected an order for the wanderguard starting late in the month, with checks not documented until several days after the order. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness regarding the presence of residents with wanderguard bracelets, and staff confirmed that an order and regular checks should have been in place and documented. The facility's policy required that residents at risk for elopement have interventions such as a wanderguard applied, with nursing staff responsible for checking placement each shift and function daily, documenting these checks on the treatment record. These required checks and documentation were not completed as outlined in the policy.
Failure to Conduct Relocation Planning Conference for Resident Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to conduct a relocation planning conference with the resident's Power of Attorney (POA) and the Administrator before transferring Resident B from the memory care unit to the skilled nursing unit. This deficiency was identified during an interview and record review, where it was found that the transfer was made due to Resident B's inappropriate sexual behaviors. The facility's Executive Director (ED) indicated that the transfer was necessary because the women in the memory care unit could not voice concerns if assaulted, unlike those in the skilled care unit. Resident B's clinical record showed diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, severe dementia with anxiety, chronic kidney disease, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. A social service progress note indicated that the resident and his son were informed about the potential room change, and the son agreed to waive the 48-hour notice. However, the POA later stated he was not notified of the move and did not waive the two-day notification. He discovered the transfer when visiting the facility and found Resident B in a new room on the skilled care side. The facility's policy required notifying the resident, family, and legal representative before a move, with a two-day notice unless waived. The policy also mandated a relocation plan and conference, which could be waived with a signed waiver. However, the intrafacility transfer form lacked the POA's signature, and the relocation planning conference box was unchecked. The POA was unaware of his rights to request a copy of the transfer form or appeal the move, indicating a failure in communication and adherence to policy.
Inadequate Infection Control Data Management During COVID Outbreak
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its Infection Control Surveillance Program policy, resulting in incomplete and inaccurate data collection regarding infections. This deficiency was observed during a survey when the facility was experiencing a COVID outbreak. An unidentified receptionist confirmed the outbreak, and the Executive Director (ED) reported that 19 residents and one staff member had tested positive for COVID. However, an agency nurse provided conflicting information, indicating that 20 residents on the third floor had COVID, and there were additional staff members out sick. The facility's Infection Surveillance Data Collection Form was incomplete, with no forms available for June 2024. The Infection Control Preventionist was in the process of entering data into the system but had not completed it. The Director of Nursing (DON) was unable to trace the source of the COVID outbreak or determine the extent of exposure among residents and staff. The Infection Control Preventionist was also responsible for other duties, such as wound care and staff education, which hindered her ability to focus on infection control tasks. The facility's policy required the Infection Control Coordinator to track each resident's infection status until symptoms resolved and to compile monthly summaries for the QAPI committee. However, the Infection Control Preventionist was unable to complete these tasks due to being frequently pulled away for other responsibilities. The lack of complete and accurate infection data collection and analysis compromised the facility's ability to effectively manage and prevent infections, as outlined in their policy.
Failure to Update Elopement Alarm Status for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an elopement alarm was followed for a resident. Resident 77, who had a diagnosis of unspecified intracranial injury with loss of consciousness, was initially assessed to require a wander/elopement alarm daily. A physician order dated 12/13/23 indicated that the wander guard function should be checked daily and placed on the resident's wheelchair. However, a subsequent nursing-supplemental elopement risk assessment indicated that Resident 77 was no longer at risk for elopement, and the care plan and physician orders were not updated to reflect this change. Despite this, the Treatment Administration Record (TAR) for January, February, and March 2024 showed that the wander guard was still being checked off as being on the wheelchair daily, indicating a failure to update the care plan and physician orders accordingly. An observation on 03/20/24 confirmed that the wander guard was still visible on Resident 77's wheelchair. In an interview, the Director of Nursing stated that Resident 77 had been re-evaluated and it was decided that the wander guard was no longer necessary, and it should have been removed from the wheelchair and physician orders on 1/5/24. The facility's policy on Elopement Risk Assessment, dated 6/3/14, was provided, which indicated the need to assess residents for potential elopement and ensure they are always free from harm. The failure to update the care plan and physician orders led to the deficiency in following the appropriate treatment and care for Resident 77 according to the updated assessment and orders.
Failure to Provide Trauma-Informed Care for Resident with PTSD
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure personalized trauma-informed care for a resident diagnosed with dementia, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The resident's care plan did not include any focus, goals, interventions, or triggers for PTSD, despite the resident having a history of traumatic experiences. The care plan only addressed anxiety and yelling out, with interventions such as administering psych medication, monitoring side effects, and documenting mood behavior. Trauma screenings indicated the resident denied any trauma, but the resident's son, who is the POA, revealed that the resident had several traumatic experiences, including growing up in an abusive home and witnessing the violent death of a sibling. During interviews, staff members, including a CNA and the unit manager, were unaware of the resident's PTSD diagnosis or any specific triggers. The CNA's pocket care sheet did not include instructions regarding behaviors or triggers for PTSD. The facility's policy on trauma-informed care stated that residents with PTSD should receive person-centered and individualized treatment, but this was not implemented for the resident in question. The lack of personalized trauma-informed care led to the deficiency identified in the report.
Latest citations in Indiana
Surveyors observed that dietary staff repeatedly worked in kitchen and meal service areas with uncovered facial hair, despite facility policy and state sanitation requirements mandating effective hair restraints. Two dietary aides with short beards or mustaches were seen walking through food preparation areas, taking food temperatures, handling food, and plating meals at steamtables in dining rooms without any facial hair coverings, while the current policy required all hair, including facial hair, to be restrained to prevent contamination.
The facility failed to consistently provide and document required bed-hold policy notices when several residents were transferred to the hospital. In multiple cases, residents with dementia, psychotic disorders, COPD, chronic respiratory failure, altered mental status, and cerebral infarction were sent out for acute changes in condition, and while transfer notes reflected physician and family notifications, they lacked documentation that the bed-hold policy was discussed with the resident or responsible party. Notices of Transfer or Discharge often indicated a copy of the bed-hold policy was sent with the resident, but the records did not show signed and dated acknowledgment by the resident or appropriate representative, including in situations where a resident had moderate cognitive impairment, short-term memory issues, or a documented need for a proxy and a financial POA authorizing an agent for health care decisions.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to provide trauma‑informed and culturally competent care by not incorporating two residents’ extensive trauma histories and specific behavioral triggers into their care plans. One resident with documented homelessness, polysubstance abuse, severe accidents with multiple fractures, viral encephalitis with coma, physical and sexual abuse, loss of family contact, and a past suicide attempt had multiple behavior‑focused care plans that referenced identifying triggers but listed none and did not mention their physical, sexual, medical, or psychosocial trauma. Another resident with TBI from being struck by a truck, an 11‑month coma, long‑term state hospital residence, alleged shooting of a parent, and diagnoses including intermittent explosive disorder and borderline personality disorder had a PASRR identifying a specific trigger and notes of inappropriate sexual behavior, yet their care plans omitted these traumatic events, the identified trigger, and the sexual behavior. Staff interviews confirmed that residents were screened for trauma, but the trauma histories and triggers were not reflected in the individualized plans of care.
A resident with schizophrenia, post‑stroke hemiparesis, and mild cognitive impairment expressed feeling down and wanting to kill himself, but staff did not document asking about a specific plan, did not notify the physician or psychiatric NP as expected, and did not develop or update a care plan addressing depression or suicidal ideation. The SSD documented offering support and initiating 15‑minute checks once, but there was no further follow‑up or documentation of interventions after subsequent suicidal statements made in a care plan meeting with the resident’s father. The DON and Administrator reported that facility policy requires immediate notification of key staff, assessment for a plan and means of self‑harm, and thorough documentation, which were not carried out or reflected in the medical record for this resident.
A resident with schizophrenia, post-stroke hemiparesis, and mild cognitive impairment verbalized suicidal ideation, but the care plan did not address depression or suicidal thoughts, and required assessments and services were not accurately or timely documented. An SSD note recorded the resident saying he wanted to kill himself and referenced 15‑minute checks and a care plan update, yet the active care plan lacked depression/suicidal ideation interventions. Multiple late-entry Social Services notes were later added, describing follow-up visits and the resident denying suicidal ideation, but the SSD later reported she did not typically ask about a suicide plan and did not personally provide individual follow-up visits as described. These practices conflicted with the facility’s policy requiring factual, first-hand, and timely documentation of assessments and services.
A resident was observed with an Albuterol inhaler on an overbed table and later reported keeping the inhaler in a nightstand drawer, with no staff present during these observations. Record review showed the resident had no cognitive impairment on the admission MDS but lacked any documented self-medication administration assessment. The DON acknowledged that the required assessment had not been completed, despite facility policy requiring staff and the practitioner to evaluate each resident’s mental and physical abilities before allowing self-administration of medications.
Surveyors found that the facility submitted inaccurate direct care staffing data to CMS through the PBJ system over multiple days in a quarter. CASPER reports showed apparent gaps in 24-hour licensed nurse coverage, low weekend staffing, and a 1-star staffing rating, while internal staffing sheets documented that licensed nurses were present and the facility was fully staffed on those days. The Administrator reported that the discrepancies were due to PBJ data entry errors, despite a facility policy requiring all PBJ entries to be accurate, auditable, and verifiable against payroll, invoices, or contracts.
Surveyors found that the facility did not provide or document required written transfer/discharge notices and bed-hold policy information for four residents who were sent to the hospital, including individuals with conditions such as dementia, CHF, chronic respiratory failure, and CKD. In each case, progress notes showed that the resident was transferred for acute issues, but the clinical records lacked evidence that written notices were given to the residents or their representatives, and in one case lacked documentation that required information was sent to the receiving provider. Facility leadership, including the ADON, DON, and Administrator, acknowledged that the records did not contain the required documentation, despite a written policy requiring such notices and information exchange.
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease and depression, previously on an antidepressant, exhibited intermittent refusals of medications and care, occasional yelling at staff, and reports of unusual perceptions, such as believing men were in or near her room. Nursing notes over several months documented these refusals and complaints but did not show that the behaviors were evaluated or recorded as dangerous, non-redirectable, or causing significant distress, nor did they document specific non-pharmacological interventions attempted or their outcomes. Despite this, a psychiatric NP later added new diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and delusional disorder and ordered an antipsychotic (Seroquel) without a comprehensive evaluation in the record to support these diagnoses. The facility’s psychotropic medication policy, which requires identification and documentation of target behaviors, use of nonpharmacological interventions, and ongoing behavior monitoring, was not followed for this resident.
The facility failed to keep PASARR Level I screenings accurate and current for three residents when new mental health diagnoses and psychoactive medications were initiated. One resident’s PASARR omitted a PTSD diagnosis and an added antidepressant, despite documentation of PTSD on the MDS and care plan and a physician order for Pristiq. Another resident’s PASARR listed only depression and dementia, even after additional diagnoses such as borderline personality disorder, delusional disorder, and schizoaffective disorder were added and an antipsychotic (quetiapine) was ordered, with the MDS later reflecting psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, and depression with antipsychotic and antidepressant use. A third resident’s PASARR did not include a depression diagnosis or newly ordered escitalopram and lorazepam, although the admission MDS documented depression with antianxiety and antidepressant use. These omissions occurred despite facility policy requiring a new Level I review after significant mental status changes, including new mental health diagnoses or new psychotropic medications.
Uncovered Facial Hair During Food Preparation and Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that food was served in a sanitary and safe manner in accordance with professional standards and facility policy during multiple kitchen and meal service observations. During an initial kitchen observation, two dietary aides were seen walking through the kitchen food preparation area with uncovered facial hair. One aide had facial hair above and below the lip and along the jaw line, approximately one-fourth inch in length, and the other had a mustache of similar length; neither used any facial hair covering. These observations occurred while staff were present in the kitchen area where food was stored and prepared. During subsequent observations on the same day, the same two dietary aides were again observed with uncovered facial hair while directly involved in meal preparation and service. One aide walked through the kitchen while the noon meal was being prepared and placed into a transport cart for service in the south dining room, and later was observed plating the noon meal at the steamtable in that dining room, still without a facial hair covering. The other aide walked through the kitchen while the noon meal was being prepared and placed into the steamtable for the north dining room, took food temperatures, assisted with plating meals at the steamtable, and retrieved food items and supplies from the kitchen, all while having an uncovered mustache approximately one-fourth inch in length. The Dietary Manager stated that staff hair was to be covered when in the kitchen and during meal service, and the facility’s written policy and the cited Indiana Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements both required effective hair restraints, including for facial hair, to prevent contamination of food, equipment, and utensils.
Failure to Provide and Document Bed-Hold Policy at Time of Hospital Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that required bed-hold policy information was provided and documented for four residents transferred to the hospital. For a resident with dementia, psychotic disorder, and autistic disorder who had a BIMS score of 0 indicating severe cognitive impairment, progress notes documented physician notification and guardian notification when the resident was sent to the hospital, but there was no documentation that the bed-hold policy was provided to the responsible party. A Notice of Transfer or Discharge later indicated a copy of the bed-hold policy was sent with the resident. Another resident with COPD and chronic respiratory failure, cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 13, experienced a decline in condition and was transferred to the hospital by ambulance; progress notes documented family notification but did not document any discussion of the bed-hold policy, although a Notice of Transfer or Discharge indicated a copy of the bed-hold policy was sent with the resident. A third resident with altered mental status and cerebral infarction, with a BIMS score of 10 indicating moderate cognitive impairment and documented short-term memory impairment, experienced changes in condition and was transferred to the hospital. Progress notes stated the resident was their own responsible party and that no other notification was completed, and transfer documentation did not include the bed-hold policy, although an untimed Notice of Transfer or Discharge indicated a copy of the bed-hold policy was signed by the resident. A financial power of attorney document in the record showed the resident had designated an agent to act in consent or refusal of health care. For a fourth resident with dementia and osteomyelitis, transfer documentation and a Notice of Transfer or Discharge indicated a copy of the bed-hold policy was sent with the resident, and the transfer form noted the resident required a proxy for decision making. The facility’s policy required that at the time of transfer to a hospital, written notice specifying the duration of the bed-hold policy and information on return to the next available bed be provided, and that a signed and dated copy of the bed-hold notice given to the resident or representative be kept in the resident file, which was not consistently documented for these residents.
Failure to Integrate Trauma Histories and Behavioral Triggers Into Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to identify and incorporate residents’ trauma histories and specific behavioral triggers into their care plans, despite documented histories of significant trauma and behavioral health issues. For one resident, extensive social service and progress notes documented homelessness, polysubstance abuse, major depressive and anxiety disorders, chronic pain, a history of severe car accidents with multiple fractures, viral encephalitis resulting in a three‑month coma, loss of child custody, multiple divorces, physical abuse by a spouse, the death of a fiancé who was struck by a car while in a wheelchair, lack of family contact, and a past suicide attempt by Valium overdose. Additional documentation noted a history of rape by a brother at age eight and prior placement under direct supervision and 15‑minute checks related to suicidal ideation. Despite these documented traumatic events and behavioral health concerns, the resident’s care plans did not identify a history of physical trauma, sexual trauma, homelessness, substance abuse, medical trauma, or attempted suicide. For this same resident, the MDS showed no cognitive deficit and identified behaviors such as verbal aggression and rejection of care, along with diagnoses including seizure disorder, depression, chronic pain syndrome, homelessness, and anxiety disorder. Multiple care plans addressed behaviors such as drug‑seeking, pretending to have seizures for attention or medication, making false allegations, verbal aggression when unable to smoke, and a desire for intimate relationships with consenting male residents. These care plans referenced goals such as effective coping skills, seeking staff support, and compliance with the smoking policy, and they called for identification and reduction of behavioral triggers. However, none of these care plans actually listed any specific triggers. The care plan addressing the resident’s right to consensual intimate relationships focused on assessment and education regarding consent but did not integrate the resident’s extensive trauma history. Staff interviews indicated the resident had displayed sexual behaviors since admission, including an incident where the resident expressed anger at another resident for not buying a soda after engaging in sexual acts. A second resident with a documented history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), dementia, seizure disorder, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, intermittent explosive disorder, tobacco use, and other behavioral/emotional disorders was also affected by the same deficiency. Social history and progress notes documented that this resident sustained a TBI after being hit by a semi‑truck while riding a bicycle at age 18, resulting in an 11‑month coma, followed by 13 years in a state hospital and subsequent residence in a group home. Additional documentation indicated the resident allegedly shot their father at age 26 after being sworn at and had a PASRR identifying TBI, intermittent explosive disorder, and borderline personality disorder, with a specific trigger of hearing the name of the current U.S. President. Progress notes also described inappropriate sexual behavior toward staff, including touching themselves intimately during personal care and refusing to stop when redirected. Despite this, the resident’s care plans, which addressed explosive disorder and history of altercations, risk for decreased psychosocial well‑being, and refusal to bathe or shower, did not list any specific behavioral triggers, did not reference the traumatic events such as being hit by a truck or shooting their father, and did not document the inappropriate sexual behavior. The Administrator and Social Service Director acknowledged that residents were to be screened for trauma and that trauma responses and PTSD should be added to care plans, but the specific trauma histories and triggers for these two residents were not incorporated into their plans of care.
Failure to Assess and Care Plan for Resident Suicidal Ideation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to adequately assess, investigate, and care plan for a resident’s suicidal ideation in accordance with its own policy and staff expectations. The resident had diagnoses including schizophrenia, cerebral edema, and hemiparesis/hemiplegia following a cerebral infarction, and a current MDS showed mild cognitive impairment (BIMS score 12). A progress note documented that the resident told the Social Services Director (SSD) he was feeling down and wanted to kill himself; the SSD offered assistance, activities, and initiated 15‑minute checks, and the note stated the care plan was updated. However, the note did not indicate that the SSD asked whether the resident had a plan to kill himself, and there were no additional notes regarding suicidal ideation or follow‑up. Review of the current care plan showed no problem, goal, or interventions addressing depression or suicidal ideation, and progress notes over the following month contained no documentation of physician notification related to the suicidal statement. Further record and interview evidence showed that the care plan conference summary did not document interventions for suicidal ideation, and the SSD acknowledged she did not normally ask residents expressing suicidal ideation if they had a plan. The SSD reported that the resident had admission paperwork mentioning suicidal ideation related to depression after a stroke and that the resident again vocalized suicidal ideation during a care plan meeting with his father, after which emotional support was offered and the father took the resident out on a leave of absence; no further visits or follow‑up were done. The DON stated that, upon notification of suicidal verbalization, staff should assess the resident, ask if there is a plan, remove potential means of self‑harm, immediately notify the psychiatric NP, and document the occurrence, and that a detailed progress note and updated care plan were expected but not present for this resident. The Administrator similarly stated that staff should ask about a plan, document interventions, notify the physician and family, and update the care plan, and indicated the resident should have had a care plan addressing depression with suicidal ideation. The facility’s written policy required immediate notification of the DON, SSD, and physician, an interview including asking about a plan and assessing mood and means for self‑harm, and thorough documentation of mood, behavior, and all actions taken, which were not reflected in the resident’s record.
Incomplete and Inaccurate Documentation of Suicidal Ideation and Follow-Up
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate, complete, and timely documentation of assessments and services for a resident who verbalized suicidal ideation. Resident 6, who had schizophrenia, cerebral edema, and right-sided hemiparesis/hemiplegia following a cerebral infarction, had a BIMS score of 12 indicating mild cognitive impairment. The resident’s admission paperwork mentioned suicidal ideation related to depression after a stroke, and a Social Services note on 3/11/2026 documented that the resident was feeling down and said he wanted to kill himself. The Social Services Director (SSD) documented that she talked with the resident, coordinated with Activities, advised the resident to contact SSD or nursing if he wanted to talk, and that the resident was scheduled for 15-minute checks and the care plan was updated. However, the current care plan initiated on 2/26/2026 did not address depression or suicidal ideation. Multiple Social Services progress notes were later entered as late entries in April, with effective dates in March, stating that the resident had no plan and no longer had suicidal ideation, that he felt much better after 1:1 time, and that he continued his daily routine and therapy. These late entries described follow-up visits and reassessments of suicidal ideation on several consecutive days, but in interviews the SSD stated she did not normally ask residents about having a plan when they verbalized suicidal ideation and did not recall any other occurrences beyond the initial event. She further indicated she did not personally provide individual follow-up visits with this resident regarding suicidal ideation, despite the late-entry notes describing such visits. The DON acknowledged that late entries had been added to address concern about suicidal verbalization, and the Administrator stated that upon suicidal statements staff should ask about a plan, notify the physician and family, and update the care plan, and that this resident should have had a care plan addressing depression with suicidal ideation. The facility’s documentation policy required factual, first-hand, timely documentation, which was not followed in this case.
Failure to Complete Required Self-Administration Assessment for Inhaler Kept at Bedside
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that a resident was allowed to keep and access an Albuterol inhaler without the facility completing the required self-administration medication assessment. During an initial tour, the resident was observed sitting in a wheelchair with a handheld Albuterol inhaler on the overbed table and no staff present in the room or hallway. On a subsequent observation, the resident again was in a wheelchair and reported that the Albuterol inhaler was stored in the top drawer of the nightstand, where it was found. Review of the clinical record showed an admission MDS indicating no cognitive impairment, but there was no documentation of a self-medication administration assessment. In an interview, the DON confirmed that the resident did not have the required self-medication assessment, despite the facility’s policy stating that staff and the practitioner must assess each resident’s mental and physical abilities to determine whether self-administering medications is clinically appropriate. This failure to complete and document a self-administration medication assessment for a resident who had an Albuterol inhaler kept at bedside constituted noncompliance with the facility’s own policy and with 410 IAC 16.2-3.1-11(a).
Inaccurate PBJ Staffing Data Submission to CMS
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to electronically submit complete and accurate direct care staffing information to CMS through the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system for 22 days in a fiscal quarter. A CASPER report review on 4/6/26 showed that, according to PBJ data, the facility did not have licensed nursing coverage 24 hours per day on multiple specific dates across three months, had low weekend staffing, and held a 1-star staffing rating. However, review of the facility’s internal staffing sheets for that quarter indicated the facility was fully staffed and had licensed nurse coverage on all of the dates in question. During an interview, the Administrator stated that the PBJ information must have contained data entry errors, as she had verified licensed staff coverage on the timesheets. The facility’s PBJ policy in effect stated that all staffing data entered into the PBJ system would be auditable and verifiable through payroll, invoices, or contracts, but the submitted PBJ data did not accurately reflect the facility’s actual licensed nurse staffing as documented on internal records. No specific residents or clinical conditions were mentioned in the report, and the deficiency centers solely on inaccurate staffing data submission rather than direct resident care events.
Failure to Provide and Document Required Transfer/Discharge and Bed-Hold Notices
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide and document required written notices of transfer/discharge and bed-hold policies, as well as required information to receiving providers, for four residents who were transferred or discharged to the hospital. For a resident with generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and dementia, progress notes showed that the resident was sent to the hospital via 911 for chest pain, lower back pain, and shortness of breath and later returned to the facility, but the clinical record lacked documentation that a written Notice of Transfer/Discharge and the bed-hold policy were provided to the resident or representative, and lacked documentation that required information was conveyed to the receiving facility. The ADON and the Administrator both confirmed there was no documentation that these written notices were provided. For a resident with congestive heart failure and muscle weakness who was sent to the emergency room for painful urination and bloody urine, the clinical record lacked documentation that a Notice of Transfer/Discharge or bed-hold policy was given to the resident or representative, which the DON confirmed. Another resident with chronic respiratory failure and diabetes was discharged to the hospital for respiratory failure, and a resident with chronic kidney disease and dementia was discharged to the hospital, but in both cases there was no documentation that a written notice of transfer/discharge or bed-hold policy was provided to the residents or their representatives. Review of the facility’s Transfer and Discharge policy, dated 1/15/26, showed that the policy required the facility to provide written transfer/discharge notices and bed-hold information to residents and representatives and to provide specified information to receiving providers, but the records for these four residents did not contain the required documentation.
Failure to Document Target Behaviors and Non-Pharmacological Interventions Before Initiating Antipsychotic
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to document how a resident’s behaviors presented danger or distress to self or others, and failure to document non-pharmacological interventions attempted prior to initiating an antipsychotic medication. Resident 6 had documented diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and severe cognitive impairment, and was receiving sertraline for depression. A PASSAR identified only depression and dementia, and the admission MDS listed Alzheimer’s disease and depression as active diagnoses. Over several months, nursing progress notes documented that the resident intermittently reported unusual perceptions, such as believing there were men causing trouble, a man in her room, or a man wanting to marry her and yelling through the walls, but there was no documentation that these episodes caused danger to the resident or others or that they resulted in unmanageable distress. From late April through mid-July, nursing notes primarily described the resident’s frequent refusals of evening and morning medications, blood sugar checks, blood pressure checks, insulin administration, hygiene care, and showers. Staff documented that the resident sometimes yelled at staff, said “Get out!”, was visibly upset by a room move, was leery of staff and asked to see name badges, and became upset about a pillow under her head until it was removed, after which she calmed down. The notes also recorded instances where the resident believed housekeeping had not cleaned her room or that she had not received medications when she had. However, there were no progress notes or assessments indicating that these behaviors were evaluated as dangerous, non-redirectable, or causing significant distress or functional impairment, and no detailed behavior monitoring logs were present as required by facility policy. On a psychiatric NP visit for initial psychotropic medication management, new mental health diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and delusional disorder were added, and Seroquel 25 mg, an antipsychotic, was ordered. The clinical record did not contain a comprehensive evaluation to support these new diagnoses, and there was no documentation of target behaviors meeting the facility’s policy criteria for psychotropic use, such as behaviors representing danger to self or others, causing distress and impairment in functional abilities, or clearly attributable to psychosis or mania. The resident’s representative reported that the resident had no prior history of mental health disorders or psychiatric hospitalization and was unaware of the new diagnoses. The facility’s own psychotropic medication policy required identification and documentation of specific target behaviors, use and documentation of nonpharmacological interventions, and ongoing monitoring of behaviors and interventions, which were not reflected in the record for this resident.
Failure to Update PASARR Screens for New Mental Health Diagnoses and Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) Level I screenings were accurate and updated when new mental health diagnoses and psychoactive medications were initiated for multiple residents. For one resident with dementia, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the PASARR completed on admission listed anxiety, depression, and dementia with sertraline and quetiapine, but did not include the PTSD diagnosis or the antidepressant Pristiq, despite the admission MDS and care plan documenting PTSD and a subsequent physician’s order for Pristiq. For another resident with Alzheimer’s disease, borderline personality disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and depression, the PASARR only reflected depression and dementia with sertraline, even though additional mental health diagnoses were added later and an antipsychotic (quetiapine) was ordered for borderline personality disorder, and the quarterly MDS documented psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, and depression with antipsychotic and antidepressant use. A third resident had diagnoses including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety disorder, irritability and anger, and nonrheumatic aortic valve stenosis. The PASARR for this resident listed dementia and anxiety with Risperdal but omitted the diagnosis of depression and the medications escitalopram and lorazepam, although physician’s orders were in place for escitalopram for depression and lorazepam for anxiety, and the admission MDS documented depression with antianxiety and antidepressant use. Interviews with the Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that new Level I PASARR screens should have been completed when new mental health diagnoses and psychoactive medications were added, and that the PASARR for one resident, completed prior to arrival, should have included all mental health diagnoses and medications. The facility’s own policy required notification of the state mental health authority within 14 days after a significant change in mental condition and specified that a new Level I screen is required for new mental health diagnoses or newly prescribed psychotropic medications, which was not followed in these cases.
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release May 27, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.
