Silver Oaks Health Campus
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Columbus, Indiana.
- Location
- 2011 Chapa Street, Columbus, Indiana 47203
- CMS Provider Number
- 155693
- Inspections on file
- 26
- Latest survey
- February 10, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 1
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Silver Oaks Health Campus during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with dementia and osteoporosis was given another resident’s evening medications when a QMA, distracted while using a medication cart for the first time, mixed up two cups of pills for residents in nearby rooms and failed to follow the facility’s five-rights medication policy. The resident, who was ordered cholesterol and dementia medications at bedtime, instead received another resident’s seizure and diabetic medications, and a family member also reported that staff had previously attempted to perform a blood sugar test on this non-diabetic resident that was intended for a different patient.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and dependent on staff for care fell from bed during a dressing change, resulting in a tibia/fibula fracture. The fall occurred as the resident was on an air mattress without side rails, and staff were not present on both sides of the bed. The facility lacked a specific policy for turning residents, contributing to the incident.
A resident with quadriplegia sustained a second-degree burn on the left foot after a CNA, who was not trained in using a blow dryer for foot care, dried the resident's feet at the resident's request. The CNA was unaware that the resident could not feel her feet, leading to redness and blisters. The facility's policy on change in condition and the risks associated with heating appliances for residents with paralysis were not adequately addressed.
A resident was served a meal that did not comply with her prescribed mechanical soft diet. Despite the meal ticket indicating the correct diet, the resident received a regular diet meal. The error was confirmed by the RN, Speech Therapist, and Dietary Manager, highlighting a lapse in following dietary orders.
A resident did not receive the prescribed 2 mg dose of Coumadin from 04/26/24 through 04/28/24, despite physician orders. Interviews with nursing staff revealed a lack of clarity and communication regarding the medication orders, and the facility's medication administration policy was not followed.
The facility failed to provide adequate bathing for two dependent residents, who were severely cognitively impaired and had multiple diagnoses. Resident C received only 6 out of 20 scheduled showers or complete bed baths, while Resident D received only 7 out of 11 scheduled showers or complete bed baths. Staff interviews and record reviews revealed significant gaps in the provision and documentation of bathing, contrary to the facility's policies.
The facility failed to hold a resident's blood pressure medication when the heart rate was below the physician's hold parameters. Despite instructions to hold the medication if the heart rate was less than 60, the resident received the medication on multiple occasions when the heart rate was below this threshold.
The facility failed to identify and document a resident's pressure ulcers in a timely manner. The resident, who was at high risk for pressure ulcers, revealed sores on his bottom that were not present upon admission. Staff interviews indicated a lack of communication and awareness regarding the resident's wounds, and the facility's policy on skin observation was not followed.
Wrong-Resident Medication Administration Due to Failure to Follow Five Rights
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a failure to follow the facility’s medication administration guidelines, specifically the five rights of medication administration, resulting in a resident receiving another resident’s medications. A family member reported that while visiting Resident D, a staff member attempted to perform a blood sugar test related to insulin use, even though Resident D was not diabetic and had never been on insulin; the family member stopped the staff member from performing the test. Later, the same family member was notified that Resident D had received the wrong medications. Resident D’s clinical record showed moderate cognitive impairment with diagnoses including osteoporosis and dementia, and the EMAR indicated that at the 9:00 P.M. medication pass the resident was to receive atorvastatin, donepezil, and Zetia. During an interview, QMA 2 stated that on the night in question she was using the 200 Hall medication cart for the first time and was distracted by another resident talking to her while at the cart. She had two cups of pills prepared, one with two medications and one with three medications, for residents in nearby rooms, Resident D and Resident E. After administering medications to Resident D, she realized at the cart that she had given Resident D Resident E’s 9:00 P.M. medications instead of Resident D’s ordered medications. Resident E’s EMAR showed that the 9:00 P.M. medications included Keppra 500 mg and metformin 1000 mg, each ordered twice daily between 6:00 A.M.–10:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.–10:00 P.M. The facility’s written policy required verification of the right resident, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time with a triple check at three steps in the preparation process, which was not followed in this incident.
Failure to Prevent Resident Fall Resulting in Fracture
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prevent a fall during care that resulted in a fracture for a resident who was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff assistance for all care. The resident was lying on an air mattress without side rails or grab bars, and the bed was positioned by the door. During a dressing change, the resident rolled off the bed between the wall and the bed, resulting in a bruise and skin tear on the right forearm. Initially, first aid was applied, and the resident showed no immediate signs of pain or discomfort. Subsequent observations revealed discoloration and warmth in the resident's right shin, leading to an x-ray that confirmed an acute distal tibia/fibula fracture. The resident was then sent to the emergency room for splinting and later returned to the facility with instructions to remain non-weight bearing and to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon. Interviews with staff indicated that the air mattress was set to a firm setting during the dressing change, which may have contributed to the instability that led to the fall. The facility lacked a specific policy for turning residents in bed, and staff were trained to turn residents side to side based on the type of care being provided. The incident highlighted a failure to maintain a hazard-free environment and implement preventative measures, as outlined in the facility's Fall Management Program Guidelines. The deficiency was identified as part of a complaint investigation.
Removal Plan
- Educate nurses and aides on turning and repositioning resident dependent on staff.
- Educate staff on accident hazards related to air mattress, bed mobility, and falls.
- Conduct return demonstration of proper rolling/turning/repositioning techniques.
Resident Sustains Second-Degree Burn Due to Improper Foot Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident did not acquire a burn during care, resulting in Resident B sustaining a second-degree burn on the left foot. Resident B, who was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and quadriplegia, required extensive staff assistance with all ADLs. The resident's clinical record lacked documentation of an order or care plan related to the use of a blow dryer to dry the resident's feet. On the day of the incident, CNA 2, who had not been trained on using a blow dryer on the resident's feet, dried Resident B's feet at the resident's request. The resident's left foot became red, and blisters later formed, leading to a diagnosis of second-degree burns on the left toes by the wound center. Interviews revealed that the CNA was unaware that the resident could not feel her feet, and the facility's policy on notification of change in condition was not adequately followed in this case. The incident was documented in progress notes and interviews with the resident, CNAs, LPN, and NP. The resident had been having her feet dried with a blow dryer for a long time, as recommended by her podiatrist, but this was the first time CNA 2 had assisted her. The CNA noticed the redness after drying the feet and informed LPN 3, who then notified the DON. The resident's condition was monitored, and treatment was provided, but the lack of proper training and awareness among staff contributed to the incident. The facility's policy on change in condition and the risks associated with heating appliances for residents with paralysis were not adequately addressed, leading to the deficiency.
Failure to Follow Resident's Diet Order
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow a resident's diet order for a mechanical soft diet. During an observation, Resident C was served a lunch plate that did not comply with her prescribed mechanical soft diet. The meal ticket indicated a mechanical soft diet, but the resident was served a regular diet meal consisting of a slice of ham, cheddar hashbrowns, roasted carrots, and a piece of cake. RN 6 confirmed that the resident's diet order in the clinical record was for a mechanical soft diet, which had not been updated by the kitchen. The Speech Therapist also confirmed that the resident should have been served a mechanical soft meal and ordered the correct diet from the kitchen. The Dietary Manager indicated that the cook working in the 600 Hall kitchen was unfamiliar with the residents' diet orders and that the aides should have checked the meal tickets to ensure the correct diet was served. Resident C's diet order, which started on 04/10/24, indicated a mechanical soft diet with extra gravy and no straws. The resident was severely cognitively impaired and had multiple diagnoses, including metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, malnutrition, anxiety, and depression. The resident had episodes of coughing or choking during meals or when swallowing medications and had complaints of difficulty or pain with swallowing. The facility's policy on Resident Dining & Nutritional Preferences emphasized the importance of following dietary orders to meet residents' nutritional needs, but this policy was not adhered to in this instance.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders for Blood Thinner Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow physician orders related to the administration of a blood thinner, Coumadin, for a resident. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including fracture, anemia, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension, was observed to be in good condition with no visible bruises or bleeding. However, a review of the clinical records revealed discrepancies in the administration of Coumadin. Specifically, the resident was supposed to receive a 2 mg dose of Coumadin from 04/26/24 through 04/28/24, but this dose was not administered as per the physician's orders. Interviews with the nursing staff, including an RN and the Director of Nursing (DON), indicated a lack of clarity and communication regarding the resident's medication orders. The RN explained the process for obtaining and communicating PT/INR results and coordinating with the physician for any dose changes. Despite this process, the 2 mg dose of Coumadin was not administered as ordered. The DON was unable to explain why the dose was discontinued, despite the order to continue it. The facility's policy on medication administration, which mandates that medications be administered as prescribed, was not followed in this instance.
Failure to Provide Adequate Bathing for Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate bathing for two dependent residents, Residents C and D, as required by their policies. Resident C, who was severely cognitively impaired and had multiple diagnoses including metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, malnutrition, anxiety, and depression, received only 6 out of 20 scheduled showers or complete bed baths since admission. There was only one documented refusal of a scheduled shower or complete bed bath for Resident C. Similarly, Resident D, also severely cognitively impaired with diagnoses including metabolic encephalopathy, anemia, diabetes, and malnutrition, received only 7 out of 11 scheduled showers or complete bed baths from admission until discharge. There was a lack of documentation for one of the scheduled bathing sessions for Resident D. Interviews with facility staff revealed that residents were to be offered showers at least twice a week, with the option for more if requested. The staff were required to document the bathing in the electronic record and fill out a skin sheet after each bath, which was then signed by the nurse and given to the ADON. However, the records for both residents showed significant gaps in the provision and documentation of bathing, indicating a failure to adhere to the facility's policies on bathing and ADL documentation.
Failure to Hold Blood Pressure Medication as Per Physician's Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to hold a resident's blood pressure medication when the resident's heart rate was outside of the physician's hold parameters. Resident E, who was severely cognitively impaired and had diagnoses including senile degeneration of the brain, anemia, diabetes, heart failure, and hypertension, was prescribed metoprolol succinate with instructions to hold the medication if the heart rate was less than 60. Despite this, the medication was administered on multiple occasions when the resident's heart rate was below the specified threshold. The clinical record review revealed that Resident E received the medication on several dates in March and April 2024 when the heart rate was below 60, with the lowest recorded heart rate being 45. During an interview, an LPN confirmed that the heart rate should be checked before administering the medication and that the medication should not be given if the heart rate is outside the parameters, with the Nurse Practitioner being notified in such cases. The facility's policy on medication administration supports this procedure, indicating that medications should be administered according to the prescriber's written orders.
Failure to Identify and Document Pressure Ulcers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to identify and properly document a pressure ulcer for Resident D, who was at high risk for pressure ulcers. During an observation, the resident revealed sores on his bottom that were not present upon admission. The sores included small open areas on the coccyx and buttocks, which were pink in color with no drainage. The resident's clinical record indicated he was always incontinent of bowel and bladder and had no pressure ulcers at the time of admission. However, the record lacked documentation of the newly observed pressure ulcers. Interviews with staff revealed that the dressing had been removed earlier due to increased bowel movements, and there was a lack of communication among staff regarding the resident's wounds. The Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) and Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) working with the resident were unaware of the wounds. The Wound Care Nurse indicated that she relied on nurses and aides to inform her of any new skin issues, but the staff had not alerted her about the resident's condition before the areas became open wounds. The facility's policy on weekly skin observation required nurses and aides to monitor and report any skin impairments. Despite this policy, the staff failed to identify and document the resident's pressure ulcers in a timely manner. The Wound Care Nurse confirmed that the areas were not present on admission and should have been reported before they became open wounds. This deficiency was related to a complaint investigation.
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.
