Above average — CMS composite of the measures below.
The next survey window likely opens around December 2026
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 Lake Ridge Care Center Of Buffalo, Inc. during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Staff failed to consistently use required PPE when providing care to two residents on enhanced barrier precautions and one resident on enhanced respiratory precautions, with soiled linens and clothing left on the floor instead of being bagged. A clinical provider did not consistently wear a mask during a respiratory outbreak, and CPAP supplies for a resident were dried in a shared bathroom rather than in the resident's room, all contrary to facility policy and infection control standards.
A resident with hemiparesis, hemiplegia, severe kyphosis, and other conditions was unable to eat comfortably at the dining room table due to its height, which was at chin level while she was in her wheelchair. Despite requesting adjustments, the table could not be lowered further, leading the resident to eat from her lap. Staff were unaware of the extent of the issue, and facility policy requiring table adjustments for wheelchair users was not met.
The facility did not make the most recent recertification survey results available for review, as required by policy. An administrator confirmed the omission after a review of the survey binder, which contained all other required surveys except the latest recertification results.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and chronic respiratory issues did not receive prescribed Diamox for four days due to unavailability, leading to acute respiratory failure and hospitalization. The facility failed to follow procedures for medication ordering and communication, resulting in a significant medication error.
A facility failed to complete a Level II PASARR for a resident with Mild Intellectual Disability, as required before admission. The Level II PASARR forms were illegible, and none of the options for the reason for admission were marked. The facility's social workers were unaware of the incomplete PASARR, assuming it was accurate. The resident's family had requested a nursing home stay due to unmet health needs in a previous group home setting.
A facility failed to update a resident's care plan to ensure they received necessary mental health services. Despite having multiple mental health diagnoses, the resident did not receive services from a psychologist or psychiatrist as outlined in their care plan. Facility staff were unaware of the lack of services, and the care plan was not updated to reflect the resident's current condition, contrary to facility policy.
The facility failed to ensure proper wheelchair positioning for two residents with cognitive impairments, leading to their feet dragging on the floor during transport. Despite multiple observations, staff did not use foot pedals or remind residents to hold their feet up. Interviews revealed inconsistencies in foot pedal usage, and no wheelchair positioning policy was provided.
A resident with a history of traumatic brain injury and dysphagia was not provided with the necessary supervision during meals, as outlined in their care plan. Despite requiring close supervision to control pacing and prevent aspiration, the resident was observed eating unsupervised, taking large spoonfuls of food, and coughing without staff intervention. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of adherence to the care plan, resulting in a deficiency in care.
Infection Control Deficiencies: PPE Noncompliance, Improper Linen Handling, Mask Use, and Unsanitary CPAP Drying
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper infection prevention and control practices were followed in several instances involving the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), handling of soiled linens and clothing, mask use during a respiratory outbreak, and the sanitary drying of CPAP supplies. Staff did not consistently don required PPE, such as gowns and gloves, when providing care to residents on enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) and enhanced respiratory precautions (ERP). Specifically, a trained medication aide (TMA) was observed providing direct care to two residents requiring EBP without wearing a gown or gloves, despite signage on the door indicating the need for such precautions. The TMA stated she was unaware of the need for PPE as she did not see the signs. Additionally, the TMA did not use a face shield when required for a resident on ERP, incorrectly believing that eyeglasses were sufficient. The facility also failed to follow proper infection control practices regarding the handling of soiled linens and resident personal clothing. Used linens, towels, and clothing were observed left on the floor in the rooms of two residents on EBP, rather than being bagged as required. Staff interviews confirmed that placing soiled items on the floor was not appropriate and that items should be bagged to prevent contamination, especially in shared rooms. During a period when the facility was under outbreak status and masking interventions were in place, a clinical provider was observed multiple times in patient areas and common spaces without wearing a face mask. The provider acknowledged awareness of the mask policy but did not consistently comply, only donning a mask when observed by surveyors. Facility leadership confirmed that mask use was expected for all staff and providers during outbreak precautions. Additionally, a resident's CPAP supplies were repeatedly observed drying on a towel bar inside a shared bathroom, contrary to facility policy and staff expectations that such equipment should be dried in the resident's room to prevent contamination.
Failure to Provide Appropriate Table Height for Resident with Physical Limitations
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to provide an appropriate table height in the dining room for a resident with significant physical limitations. The resident, who was cognitively intact and required assistance with activities of daily living due to hemiparesis, hemiplegia, severe kyphosis, and other conditions, was observed eating with the tabletop at chin height while seated in a wheelchair. As a result, the resident placed her plate on her lap to eat, as the table was too high for comfortable or safe dining. Staff were observed placing the plate on the table, but the resident consistently moved it to her lap, indicating ongoing difficulty. Interviews with staff revealed that they had not noticed the resident's adaptation of placing the plate on her lap, and the resident reported having asked for the table to be lowered but was told it could not be adjusted further. The facility's policy required that tables be adjusted to accommodate wheelchairs and ensure appropriate positioning at mealtime, but this was not achieved for the resident. The director of nursing acknowledged that more should have been done to improve the resident's dining experience, but the table's adjustability was limited.
Failure to Provide Access to Most Recent Survey Results
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the most recent recertification survey results were available for review by residents, family members, visitors, and staff. During a review of the survey binder, it was found that while all required recertification and complaint investigation surveys were present, the most recent recertification survey was missing. The administrator confirmed that the latest survey results were not included in the binder, despite facility policy requiring all survey results and plans of correction to be accessible in an easily viewable location for all interested parties. The responsibility for maintaining the availability of these documents was identified as belonging to the administrator.
Failure to Administer Prescribed Medication Leads to Resident Hospitalization
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promptly obtain and administer a diuretic medication, Diamox, for a resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions, including chronic respiratory failure and hypercapnia. The medication was prescribed to manage increased carbon dioxide levels, but it was not administered for eight doses over four consecutive days due to the medication being unavailable. The failure to administer the medication resulted in the resident experiencing acute respiratory failure with hypoxia and hypercapnia, necessitating emergency room care. The report highlights a breakdown in communication and procedure within the facility. The medication was ordered on a specific date, but there was no documentation or follow-up to ensure it was received from the pharmacy. Interviews with staff revealed that the trained medication aides (TMAs) and nurses did not effectively communicate or document the unavailability of the medication. The health unit coordinators (HUCs) were responsible for entering and sending orders to the pharmacy, but there was no confirmation that the order was sent. The director of nursing (DON) and other staff members acknowledged the lack of documentation and follow-up. The facility's policies and procedures for medication administration and ordering were not adhered to, leading to the significant medication error. The report indicates that the facility's staff, including the nurse practitioner and medical director, were not informed of the medication error in a timely manner. The lack of communication and documentation contributed to the resident's condition worsening, resulting in hospitalization. The facility's failure to administer the prescribed medication and follow up on its availability directly led to the resident's acute medical crisis.
Failure to Complete Level II PASARR for Resident with Intellectual Disability
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a Level II Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) was completed for a resident with a diagnosis of Mild Intellectual Disability. The resident's Level I PASARR, completed prior to admission, indicated that a Level II PASARR was required before admission to the nursing facility. However, the Level II PASARR was not properly completed, as none of the options for the reason for admission were marked. Additionally, the Level II PASARR forms were dark and illegible, making it impossible to determine if the resident required services that the nursing home could not provide. An email documented that the Department of Human Services (DHS) had only approved the resident's continued long-term care stay through a specific date. Interviews revealed that the facility's licensed social workers were unaware that the Level II PASARR had not been completed by the county social worker. They assumed the Level II PASARR was complete and accurate. The resident's family expressed concerns that the resident's health needs were not being met in the previous group home setting, which led to the request for a nursing home stay. The facility's policy indicated that potential residents with developmental disabilities must be approved for admission by the state Developmental Disability Authority, including an approved length of stay prior to admission, which was not adhered to in this case.
Failure to Update Resident's Care Plan for Mental Health Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a comprehensive, person-centered care plan was developed and accurately revised for a resident with multiple mental health diagnoses, including anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and adjustment disorder with anxious mood. The resident's care plan, last revised in November 2024, included a problem related to psychosocial well-being and indicated the need for specialized mental health services. However, the care plan was not updated to reflect the resident's current condition, and the facility did not arrange for the resident to receive services from a psychologist or psychiatrist, as outlined in the care plan. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of awareness and communication regarding the resident's mental health services. The LTC clinical coordinator was unaware of any sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist, and the facility's licensed social workers confirmed that the resident had not received such services while in the facility. Despite having arrangements with an external clinic for psychological services, the resident's family did not feel these services were necessary, and the care plan was not updated accordingly. The facility's policy requires the care plan to be reviewed and updated routinely to reflect the resident's current condition, which was not adhered to in this case.
Failure to Ensure Proper Wheelchair Positioning
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to comprehensively assess and implement interventions for proper wheelchair positioning for two residents with cognitive impairments who required assistance with locomotion. Both residents were observed multiple times being pushed in their wheelchairs without foot pedals, resulting in their feet dragging and bouncing on the floor. Despite the repeated observations, staff did not provide reminders to the residents to hold their feet up, nor did they attach the foot pedals to the wheelchairs. Interviews with staff, including a nursing assistant, a trained medication aide, a licensed practical nurse, and the director of nursing, revealed inconsistencies in the use of foot pedals. Staff acknowledged that foot pedals should be used for residents who cannot keep their feet off the floor during transport. However, the foot pedals were not consistently used, and there was no wheelchair positioning policy provided by the facility. The director of nursing expected foot pedals to be used in all observed instances to prevent injury, but this expectation was not met.
Failure to Provide Adequate Supervision During Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow a care planned intervention to prevent or reduce the risk of aspiration for a resident identified as R7. R7 had a history of traumatic brain injury, dysphagia, and other medical conditions that required a pureed diet with mildly thickened liquids. The care plan specified that R7 needed close supervision during meals to control pacing and remind him to stop and swallow when coughing. However, observations revealed that R7 was left unsupervised during meals, taking large spoonfuls of food without pacing, and coughing without staff intervention. During multiple observations, R7 was seen struggling to eat due to physical limitations and was not provided with the necessary supervision as outlined in his care plan. Staff were not present at R7's table to offer reminders or assistance, and R7 was observed coughing without any staff intervention. Interviews with staff, including a nursing assistant, a trained medication assistant, and a licensed practical nurse, indicated a lack of awareness or adherence to the specific supervision requirements for R7 during meals. The director of nursing confirmed the importance of close supervision for R7 to prevent choking or aspiration, as per the care plan and physician orders. Despite this, the facility's policy on feeding residents was not followed, as staff failed to provide the necessary assistance and supervision to R7 during meals, leading to a deficiency in care and potential risk for the resident.
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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 Buffalo
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park View Health Care Center | 0.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| The Estates At Delano Llc | 10.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 7 | 0 |
| Cura Of Monticello | 10.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 18 | 0 |
| Good Samaritan Society - Howard Lake | 12.4 mi | ★★★★★ | 10 | 0 |
| Annandale Care Center Inc | 13.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
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Trusted data, never guesswork. Every citation, penalty, rating and Plan of Correction on this page is sourced from public CMS records (latest release July 2026) and official state health department websites.