Below average — CMS composite of the measures below.
The next survey window likely opens around February 2027
Estimate from public CMS data, current as of July 2026. Survey timing is at the state agency's discretion.
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Life Care Center Of Morehead during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident admitted with PTSD and other diagnoses had a trauma-informed care assessment showing distressing trauma symptoms, but the comprehensive care plan did not address PTSD or include trauma-informed interventions. Staff interviews confirmed the diagnosis was known, yet the care plan lacked the information needed for nursing, CNA, MDS, SSD, DON, and ED staff to identify needs, triggers, and resident-centered interventions.
A resident admitted with PTSD and a left femur fracture had a BIMS score of 15/15 and a trauma assessment showing distressing symptoms tied to a prior transportation accident, but the comprehensive care plan did not address PTSD or trauma-informed care. The resident declined to discuss triggers, and staff reported they were not aware of specific triggers; the SSD, DON, and ED stated they expected trauma-informed care and monitoring for behavior changes when triggers were not identified.
Staff failed to properly clean and disinfect shared glucometers after blood glucose checks, using incorrect wipes and not following manufacturer instructions, while also neglecting to use appropriate PPE and perform hand hygiene during high-contact care activities for residents on Enhanced Barrier Precautions. Additionally, non-critical equipment such as Hoyer lifts was not cleaned as required, leading to widespread lapses in infection prevention.
Surveyors found that food was not consistently stored or handled according to professional standards, with frozen meat thawed at room temperature, unlabeled and undated food items in refrigerators, and snacks left unrefrigerated on nurse's station counters. Staff and leadership interviews confirmed that personal food was sometimes stored in resident nourishment refrigerators and that food safety policies regarding labeling, dating, and storage were not consistently followed.
A resident who was dependent on staff for bathing received only sporadic and partial hygiene care, as confirmed by chart reviews and interviews. Due to staffing shortages, CNAs were unable to provide regular full showers or bed baths, resulting in the resident feeling unclean and embarrassed. Facility leadership acknowledged the expectation for regular bathing but cited documentation and staffing issues.
A resident receiving enteral nutrition was found with tube feeding solution and water flush dated several days prior, still hanging in the room and not changed according to facility policy or manufacturer guidelines. Nursing staff interviews confirmed the requirement to change solutions and tubing every 24 hours, but there was confusion and lack of awareness about the outdated solution among staff and leadership, resulting in a failure to follow established protocols for tube feeding care.
A resident with end-stage renal disease and on hemodialysis did not have required pre- and post-dialysis communication forms or assessments documented for multiple treatments. Staff interviews confirmed that the process for completing and tracking these forms was not consistently followed, and the necessary documentation was missing from both the paper chart and EMR.
Two residents experienced unmanaged pain due to the facility's failure to administer prescribed pain medications as ordered. One resident with a hip fracture did not receive ordered Oxycodone because the LPN could not access the emergency medication system, resulting in the resident being sent to the ER for pain control. Another resident missed 14 doses of gabapentin for neuropathic pain due to supply and communication issues, leading to increased pain without alternative interventions. Staff and pharmacy interviews confirmed that medication access and refill processes were not effectively followed.
Two residents experienced missed doses of essential medications due to delays in prior authorization, pharmacy communication issues, and inconsistent medication reordering processes. One resident with an autoimmune disorder went several days without a critical muscle-strengthening medication, resulting in observable weakness, while another with neuropathic pain missed multiple doses of gabapentin, leading to increased pain. Staff interviews revealed confusion over pharmacy notifications and emergency medication access, and facility policies for medication management were not consistently followed.
Failure to Include PTSD in Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan for a resident with PTSD that included measurable objectives and timeframes to address his medical, nursing, mental, and psychosocial needs. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including a left femur fracture, PTSD, and acute respiratory failure, and his quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 15 out of 15, indicating he was cognitively intact. Review of the comprehensive care plan showed that PTSD and trauma-informed care were not addressed, even though PTSD was listed as an active diagnosis in the hospital discharge paperwork and order summary report. A trauma-informed care assessment completed after admission documented that the resident reported personal trauma related to a transportation accident and identified multiple symptoms over the past month, including repeated disturbing dreams, distress when reminded of the event, physical reactions such as heart pounding and sweating, avoidance of memories or feelings, trouble remembering parts of the experience, self-blame or blaming others, and strong negative emotions such as fear, horror, guilt, anger, or shame. During interview, the resident stated he was in the facility for therapy after falling and breaking his leg and said his goal was to return home, but he declined to discuss the trauma event. Staff interviews showed the resident’s PTSD diagnosis and trauma-related needs were known, but not reflected in the care plan. The SRNA stated she relied on report and the Kardex for resident care needs, and the LPN stated she was not aware of specific triggers and that it was important PTSD be listed on the care plan so staff would know how to meet the resident’s needs. The SSD, MDS Coordinator, DON, and ED all stated PTSD should have been included in the care plan and that staff needed to be aware of the diagnosis and any known triggers so the resident could receive resident-centered, trauma-informed care and be monitored for changes in behavior.
Trauma-Informed Care Not Addressed in Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure trauma-informed care was included in the care plan for a resident admitted with a documented diagnosis of PTSD. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including a left femur fracture, PTSD, and acute respiratory failure, and the quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 15 out of 15, indicating the resident was cognitively intact and had an active PTSD diagnosis. Review of the comprehensive care plan showed PTSD and trauma-informed care were not addressed, despite the facility policy stating residents with trauma history or PTSD should receive person-centered care planning to identify and lessen triggers that could cause re-traumatization. The resident’s trauma-informed care assessment documented that he reported a personal trauma related to a transportation accident and identified symptoms including repeated disturbing dreams, distress when reminded of the event, physical reactions such as heart pounding and sweating, avoidance of memories, trouble remembering parts of the experience, self-blame, and strong negative feelings. During interview, the resident declined to discuss the trauma further. Staff interviews showed the LPN was not aware of specific triggers, the SSD said the resident declined to discuss triggers, and the DON and ED stated they expected residents with PTSD to receive trauma-informed care and be monitored for changes in behavior when triggers were not identified. No active or standing psychiatric orders were noted in the record.
Failure to Implement Effective Infection Control for Glucometer Use and PPE Compliance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to establish and maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by multiple observations of improper cleaning and disinfection of shared glucometers used for blood glucose monitoring. Staff, including RNs and LPNs, did not follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and disinfecting the glucometers, such as using the correct EPA-approved wipes, performing the required cleaning and disinfection steps, and ensuring the proper dwell time for disinfectant. In several instances, staff used unapproved wipes, did not allow the disinfectant to remain wet for the required time, and failed to use two wipes as instructed. Additionally, glucometers were stored improperly, often in direct contact with each other and without barriers, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. One resident with a bloodborne illness (HIV) was among those receiving fingerstick glucose checks with shared devices. Further deficiencies were observed in the use of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) and personal protective equipment (PPE) during high-contact care activities. Staff members, including CNAs and nurses, were seen providing direct care to residents on EBP without donning appropriate PPE such as gowns and gloves, despite clear signage and facility policy requirements. In several cases, staff failed to perform hand hygiene before and after glove use, and in some instances, left resident rooms and handled equipment or supplies with contaminated gloves. These lapses occurred with residents who had wounds, indwelling catheters, or multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infections, all of whom required strict adherence to infection control protocols. Additionally, the facility did not ensure proper cleaning of non-critical resident care equipment, such as Hoyer lifts. Observations revealed visible contamination on the base of a mechanical lift, and staff interviews confirmed that cleaning after each use was expected but not consistently performed. These failures in infection control practices were identified through direct observation, staff interviews, and review of facility policies and CDC guidelines, and had the potential to affect all residents receiving fingerstick blood glucose checks and those requiring high-contact care.
Failure to Store and Handle Food According to Professional Standards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store and handle food in accordance with professional standards and its own policies, as evidenced by multiple observations and staff interviews. Surveyors observed five rolls of frozen ground beef thawing at room temperature in the kitchen, contrary to the facility's policy requiring thawing in the refrigerator or as part of the cooking process. Additionally, a commercially prepared container of sliced meat and a can of soda were found in the reach-in refrigerator without labels or dates. Snacks, including meat sandwiches and milk, were observed left unrefrigerated on the nurse's station counter ahead of scheduled distribution times. Further deficiencies were noted in the storage of nourishment and snacks on the North and South Units. The North Unit nourishment refrigerator contained a box from a fast food restaurant and a lunch box with energy drinks, both unlabeled and undated. The South Unit nourishment refrigerator held a shopping bag with fruit and crackers belonging to a staff member, as well as another bag with apples and chocolate milk, all unlabeled and undated. Staff interviews confirmed that personal food items were sometimes stored in resident nourishment refrigerators, and that snacks were often delivered to nurse's stations and left unrefrigerated for extended periods before distribution. Interviews with dietary and nursing staff, as well as facility leadership, revealed inconsistent adherence to food safety policies regarding labeling, dating, and proper storage of food items. Staff acknowledged that meat was sometimes left to thaw at room temperature and that snacks were delivered and left out on counters rather than being promptly refrigerated. Facility leadership confirmed that only resident items, properly labeled and dated, should be stored in nourishment refrigerators, and that staff food should be kept in designated staff areas.
Failure to Provide Adequate Bathing Assistance Due to Staffing Shortages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary assistance with activities of daily living, specifically bathing, for one resident who was dependent on staff for showering and bathing. The resident, admitted with a trimalleolar fracture, difficulty walking, and dysphagia, was cognitively intact and required full assistance for bathing. Review of charting showed that the resident received only a few bed baths over a period of more than a month, with no evidence of regular full showers or complete bed baths as required by facility policy. Interviews with the resident revealed that she mostly received partial bed baths, often limited to washing her face and armpits, and that she felt unclean and embarrassed due to the lack of proper hygiene care. Staff interviews confirmed that due to staffing shortages, aides were often unable to provide full showers or complete bed baths, and care was frequently rushed. The CNAs reported that with only two aides for a hall of 34 residents, many of whom required two-person assistance, they could not consistently provide full hygiene care. The DON acknowledged that residents should receive head-to-toe bed baths and daily wash-ups, but also noted that sometimes showers or baths were not properly documented. The Executive Director stated that residents should receive showers and linen changes as scheduled, but staff were expected to report if they were unable to complete these tasks.
Failure to Change Tube Feeding Solution and Tubing per Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate care and services to prevent complications related to enteral feeding for a resident who was dependent on tube feeding. The facility's policy and the formula manufacturer's guidelines required that enteral feeding solutions and tubing be changed every 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth and potential infection. However, observation revealed that a tube feeding solution and water flush, both dated several days prior, were still hanging in the resident's room and had not been changed according to policy. The feeding solution and water flush were dated for three days prior to the observation, and neither was connected to the resident at the time. Interviews with nursing staff, including RNs and LPNs, confirmed that the standard practice was to change tube feeding solutions and tubing every 24 hours. Staff acknowledged the importance of this practice to prevent the solution from spoiling and to avoid the risk of infection or food poisoning. Despite this, there was uncertainty among staff regarding the continuation of orders and the timing of solution changes, with some unable to recall when the solution was last changed or why it was still hanging with an outdated date. Further interviews with the Infection Preventionist Nurse and the DON confirmed that the facility's expectation was for tube feeding solutions and sets to be changed every 24 hours, and that failure to do so could result in bacterial growth and resident illness. The DON and other leadership were not aware that the outdated solution was still present in the resident's room, indicating a lapse in monitoring and communication regarding adherence to enteral feeding protocols.
Failure to Document Pre- and Post-Dialysis Assessments and Communication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide required pre- and post-dialysis communication documentation for one resident who was dependent on renal dialysis. According to the facility's policy, staff were to complete a Pre/Post Dialysis Communication Form for each dialysis session, which included pre- and post-dialysis assessments, medication checks, and documentation of meals sent with the resident. The form was to be sent with the resident to the dialysis center and returned to the facility for inclusion in the medical record. Review of the resident's records revealed that for eight dialysis treatments over a specified period, there was no evidence in either the hard copy chart or the electronic medical record that the required forms or assessments were completed or maintained. Interviews with staff, including RNs, LPNs, medical records personnel, the DON, and the Executive Director, confirmed that the process for completing and tracking the Pre/Post Dialysis Communication Form was not consistently followed. Staff acknowledged the importance of the form for monitoring the resident's condition but indicated that forms were often not completed, not returned from the dialysis center, or not properly filed. The resident involved was cognitively intact and had a history of diabetes, chronic kidney disease stage 5, and dependence on hemodialysis. Despite the facility's policy and care plan requirements, the necessary documentation and assessments were not performed or recorded for the resident's dialysis treatments.
Failure to Provide Effective Pain Management for Two Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide effective pain management for two residents who required such services. One resident was admitted following a right hip fracture and had a physician order for Oxycodone 30 mg every 6 hours as needed for pain. Upon admission, the resident began experiencing significant pain, but the ordered pain medication was not administered because the nurse on duty did not have access to the emergency medication system, which required two nurses with codes. The resident was instead given acetaminophen, which did not adequately control the pain, and ultimately had to be sent to the emergency room for pain evaluation after repeatedly requesting pain relief and expressing distress. Another resident, admitted with chronic conditions including diabetes and neuropathy, was assessed as being at risk for pain and was prescribed gabapentin 300 mg three times daily for leg pain. The facility failed to administer 14 doses of gabapentin over several days due to a lapse in medication supply, despite staff being aware that the medication was running low and attempting to contact the pharmacy and physician. During this period, the resident did not receive any additional pain medication and reported increased pain, describing a shooting sensation down her leg. No nonpharmacologic interventions were offered to alleviate her discomfort. Interviews with staff and pharmacy representatives confirmed that the emergency medication system contained the necessary medications, but access issues and communication failures prevented timely administration. The facility's processes for medication refills and emergency access were not effectively implemented, resulting in residents experiencing unmanaged pain and missed doses of prescribed medications.
Failure to Provide Timely Pharmaceutical Services and Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of its residents, resulting in missed doses of critical medications for two residents. One resident, admitted with a rare autoimmune disorder, type 2 diabetes, and carcinoma-in-situ of the lung, experienced multiple missed doses of Pyridostigmine Bromide ER, a medication essential for muscle strength. The missed doses were due to issues with prior authorization (PA) requirements, pharmacy communication lapses, and delays in medication delivery. Documentation showed that the resident went several days without the medication, leading to observable physical weakness and concern expressed by the resident. Staff interviews revealed confusion and inconsistent processes regarding PA notifications, ordering, and communication with the pharmacy, with changes in the pharmacy's notification system contributing to the problem. Another resident, with chronic kidney disease and neuropathic pain, missed 14 doses of gabapentin over several weeks. Despite staff attempts to reorder the medication and communicate with both the physician and pharmacy, the medication was not refilled in a timely manner. The resident reported increased pain and discomfort during the period without medication. Staff interviews indicated that the medication was not available in the emergency medication system, although the contracted pharmacy later stated it was. The facility's processes for medication reordering and emergency access were inconsistently followed, and communication barriers with the new pharmacy further delayed medication delivery. Review of facility policies confirmed that procedures were in place for reordering, administering, and documenting medications, but these were not effectively implemented. Staff described multiple methods for reordering medications, including electronic health records, fax, and manual logs, but there was no consistent or reliable system to ensure timely medication delivery, especially when prior authorizations were required. The facility's failure to ensure the accurate acquiring, receiving, dispensing, and administering of all drugs and biologicals resulted in unmet pharmaceutical needs for the residents involved.
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What surveyors actually found near you
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Resident with a documented fall history left unattended on the patio; found on the ground with a hip fracture.
Walk-in cooler logs missing for 12 days; expired supplements in the medication room fridge.
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Nursing homes near Morehead
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeway Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility | 17.8 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Elliott Nursing And Rehabilitation | 18.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 7 | 0 |
| West Liberty Nursing And Rehabilitation | 20.4 mi | ★★★★★ | 9 | 0 |
| Menifee Meadows Nursing & Rehab Llc | 21.5 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Pioneer Trace Group Llc | 24 mi | ★★★★★ | 14 | 3 |
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