Chadwick Community Care Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Jackson, Mississippi.
- Location
- 1900 Chadwick Drive, Jackson, Mississippi 39204
- CMS Provider Number
- 255125
- Inspections on file
- 21
- Latest survey
- January 29, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 11
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Chadwick Community Care Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and a history of wandering was discharged after going on therapeutic leave with family, but neither the resident nor their representative received a required bed-hold notice or clear communication about discharge status, appeal rights, or the process for returning. Facility staff confirmed that bed-hold notifications were not provided for therapeutic leave, and the resident's family experienced confusion regarding medication, discharge, and the removal of a wander guard.
A resident with significant neurological impairments and total dependence for ADLs did not receive perineal care according to the care plan, which required two-person assistance. Instead, a CNA provided care alone, contrary to the documented interventions. Facility leadership and nursing staff confirmed that the care plan was not followed during this incident.
A CNA failed to provide perineal care according to policy for a resident with neurological impairments, neglecting to clean all required areas and improperly handling a feeding pump, which only nurses are authorized to operate. Facility staff confirmed the care was not performed correctly and that the resident was unable to participate in a mental status interview.
A resident on Enhanced Barrier Precautions did not receive perineal care in accordance with infection control protocols. A CNA failed to wear a gown, perform hand hygiene, use a barrier for supplies, or change gloves as required, and did not properly clean the perineal area. Facility staff confirmed these actions did not meet established infection prevention standards.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and a history of wandering exited the facility unsupervised through a kitchen door that lacked a wander guard alert system. Despite wearing a wander guard bracelet, the resident was able to leave undetected, as staff did not immediately notice the absence and the door was not properly secured. The resident was found approximately one mile away after crossing a busy highway, highlighting a failure in supervision and environmental safety controls.
The facility failed to provide adequate nursing staff, resulting in delayed responses to call lights and untimely incontinent care for residents. A resident experienced frequent delays, with observations noting a strong odor of urine and saturated briefs. Another resident reported long wait times for call light responses, with staff often failing to return. A third resident reported long wait times, particularly during the night shift, and a CNA confirmed staffing shortages. The DON and Administrator stated expectations for timely care, but observations indicated systemic staffing issues.
The facility failed to honor the rights of two residents who requested bedrails for assistance with mobility. Despite their requests, the facility removed all bedrails, citing state regulations and a restraint-free policy. The residents' needs and choices were not assessed, leading to a violation of their rights.
A resident receiving oxygen therapy at 2 L/min was found without a dated tubing and a humidifier, contrary to facility policy and physician orders. The resident, with a history of respiratory issues, had been hospitalized twice for shortness of breath. Staff interviews confirmed the oversight, highlighting the risk of infection and dryness due to non-compliance with weekly tubing changes and humidifier use.
A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and a history of stroke, diabetes, and heart disease experienced delays in receiving incontinent care. Despite activating the call light, staff either turned it off without providing care or delayed in responding. Observations showed the resident's brief was often saturated with urine, and the wheelchair was wet due to leakage. The facility had only one CNA for 12 residents, contributing to the delay, despite expectations for timely care set by the DON and Administrator.
Failure to Provide Bed-Hold Notice and Discharge Communication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a required bed-hold notice to a resident and their representative when the resident went out on therapeutic leave, as required for Medicaid beneficiaries. The facility did not have a policy for issuing bed-hold notifications for therapeutic leave, and staff interviews confirmed that such notices were only given when a resident was admitted to a hospital for more than 24 hours, not for therapeutic leave with family. The Executive Director, Business Office Manager, and other staff acknowledged that bed-hold notifications were not provided in these circumstances, and the Executive Director later recognized this as an oversight. The resident involved had a history of schizophrenia and wandering, with a severely impaired cognitive status as indicated by a BIMS score of 03. The resident frequently went on therapeutic leave with family, as documented in progress notes and facility records. On the date in question, the resident left with family for therapeutic leave and did not return. The family and resident representative were not informed of a discharge at the time of departure, nor were they provided with information about bed-hold policies, appeal rights, or the resident's ability to return to the facility. Interviews with the resident's representative and family revealed confusion and lack of communication regarding the resident's discharge status, medication supply, and the process for returning to the facility. The representative reported not understanding the appeal process and not receiving timely or adequate notification about the resident's discharge or bed-hold rights. Additionally, the facility did not remove the resident's wander guard upon discharge, and there was no follow-up from the social worker regarding the resident's care after leaving the facility.
Failure to Follow Care Plan for Dependent Resident During Perineal Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement the comprehensive care plan for a resident who was observed for activities of daily living (ADL) care, specifically during perineal care. The resident's care plan, initiated on 10/2/24, indicated that the resident was incontinent of bladder and bowel and required incontinent checks and care every two hours and as needed, with two-person assistance due to total dependence. However, during an observation on 9/16/25, a CNA provided perineal care to the resident without the required two-person assistance as specified in the care plan. Interviews with the CNA, Executive Director, and Director of Nursing confirmed that the care plan was not followed during the provision of care. The CNA acknowledged not using two-person assistance, and both the Executive Director and Director of Nursing stated that the expectation is for CNAs to follow the care plan and provide proper care. The resident involved had significant medical conditions, including hemiplegia, hemiparesis, dysphasia, and aphasia following cerebrovascular disease, and was unable to complete a mental status interview, indicating a high level of dependency and vulnerability.
Failure to Provide Proper Perineal Care and Unauthorized Handling of Feeding Pump
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) failed to provide perineal care according to the facility's policy and accepted standards for a resident with significant neurological impairments, including hemiplegia, hemiparesis, dysphasia, and aphasia. During the observed care, the CNA used wipes to clean the resident's groin area but did not separate the labia or clean each side and the center thoroughly, nor did he clean the rectal area. The CNA also placed the resident's feeding pump on hold, an action that facility policy reserves for nurses only. The CNA acknowledged not following proper procedure and attributed the lapse to nervousness. Interviews with facility staff, including the RN Unit Manager, Executive Director, and Director of Nursing, confirmed that the CNA did not perform perineal care correctly and was not authorized to operate the feeding pump. The facility's policy requires thorough cleaning of the entire perineal area and mandates that only nurses handle feeding pumps. The resident involved was unable to participate in a mental status interview, as indicated by a BIMS score of 00, and had been admitted with multiple neurological diagnoses.
Failure to Follow Infection Control Protocols During Perineal Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide perineal care in accordance with infection prevention and control protocols for one of two residents observed. During the observation, a CNA gathered supplies and entered the resident's room, which was under Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP), without donning a gown as required. The CNA placed supplies directly on the table without a barrier, did not perform hand hygiene before, during, or after care, and did not change gloves during the procedure. The CNA also failed to separate the labia to clean each side and the center individually, did not clean the rectal area, and placed soiled wipes and briefs on the bed instead of in a designated bag. After completing care, the CNA removed gloves and exited the room without washing or sanitizing hands. Interviews with facility staff, including the CNA, RN Unit Manager, Executive Director, DON, and Infection Preventionist, confirmed that the CNA did not follow established protocols for EBP, hand hygiene, and perineal care. Staff acknowledged that the CNA's actions constituted cross-contamination and did not meet the facility's expectations for infection control. The CNA admitted to not wearing a gown, not washing hands, and not following proper perineal care procedures, attributing the lapse to nervousness and oversight. The resident involved had a history of significant medical conditions, including hemiplegia, hemiparesis, dysphasia, and aphasia following cerebrovascular disease, and was unable to complete a mental status interview. Facility records and policy reviews indicated that staff were trained and expected to follow EBP and hand hygiene protocols, but these were not adhered to during the observed incident.
Failure to Prevent Elopement of High-Risk Resident Due to Inadequate Supervision and Environmental Controls
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate supervision to a resident identified as an elopement and wandering risk, resulting in the resident exiting the facility unsupervised. The resident, who had a diagnosis of Schizophrenia and severe cognitive impairment as indicated by a BIMS score of 4, was last seen in the dining room by staff. Despite being equipped with a wander guard bracelet, the resident was able to leave the facility through a kitchen door that was not equipped with a wander guard alert system, unlike other facility exits. The door had a keypad lock, but it was accessible from the dining area and not properly secured to prevent resident exit. Staff did not immediately notice the resident's absence. The resident's walker was left in the dining room, and staff initially assumed the resident had returned to his room. It was only after a phone call from the resident's family and subsequent checks that staff realized the resident was missing. A facility-wide elopement alert was then announced, and staff began searching the premises and surrounding area. The resident was located approximately one mile from the facility, having crossed a busy four-lane highway, and was returned after being unsupervised for about two hours. Interviews with staff and family confirmed that the resident had a history of exit-seeking behavior and had previously expressed a desire to go home. Staff had observed the resident attempting to open exit doors on multiple occasions. The facility's policy required staff to report any resident attempting to leave or suspected of being missing, but in this instance, the resident was able to leave undetected due to the lack of a wander guard system on the kitchen door and insufficient supervision in the dining area.
Removal Plan
- RN #2 performed a head-to-toe assessment with the resident's daughter, Executive Director, and DON present. There were no visible physical injuries.
- A 100% audit of all Wander/Elopement Risk residents were assessed for placement and proper functioning with no adverse findings.
- All the facility's entrance and exit door's alarm systems were checked. All the alarms were functioning properly.
- Resident #1 checked for wander guard placement and properly working. His wander guard was intact and working properly.
- Head-to-toe assessment of Resident #1 completed by the Unit B Manager and DON. There were no negative findings.
- Resident #1 was interviewed by the Unit B Manager. No negative statements were made by the resident.
- Upon Resident #1's return he was placed on 1:1 location monitoring x (times) 72 hours then tapered down to every 15 minutes then every 30 minutes then every hour. The Unit Manager, DON, and Social Services will determine when the resident may be removed from 1:1. The resident was placed on 24 hours charting for the nurses to document and notifying the MD/NP of any significant changes in the resident physical or mental status.
- A keypad lock was placed on the kitchen entrance door in the dining room by the Housekeeping Supervisor. The Housekeeping Supervisor replaced the old door handle on the kitchen door next to Unit-B with a keypad. The code will be given to dietary workers and key staff.
- The Maintenance Supervisor contacted Systronic Alarms Systems on installing a wander guard alarm on the kitchen door leading to the loading dock. A representative from the company will be at the facility.
- Resident #1 was moved closer to the nurses station. He moved from B 118P to B 108P. The Elopement Wander guard book reviewed. The Elopement Book was correct. A 100% check of the Wander/Elopement Risk were assessed for placement and proper functioning.
- The Dietary Workers on shift during the time of the incident received 1:1 Educational In-Services on Exit Doors in the kitchen and written corrective counseling by the Executive Director.
- Educational In-services for the facility's staff conducted by the Staff Development/Executive Director were initiated and included: a) Exit Doors in the kitchen b) Resident's Rights c) Abuse Prevention and Reporting d) Abuse and Neglect e) Residents expression to go home f) Missing Resident/Elopement.
- The Unit B Manager re-schedule Resident #1's eye appointment. Resident's appointment is scheduled as a follow-up consult visit to rule out retinal vein occlusion with macula edema to the left eye.
- Resident #1's care plan and pain assessment up-dated. Social Services Director preformed a Trauma Screen.
- The facility prepared a formal letter to mail to each resident's representative. The letter requests that during visits, if the resident expresses wish to leave the facility or return home, the family should inform nurse management, the Executive Director, or Social Services.
- We had a Family Meeting with Resident #1's daughter. The daughter did not express any concerns about her father's care or safety with the facility.
- Nursing will review 24 hour progress notes on the following week day and/or Monday following the weekend for any resident's voicing wanting to go home or exhibits exit seeking behavior to ensure proper intervention are in place.
- A QAPI was implemented with an emergency QA meeting reviewing Resident #1's incident.
Inadequate Staffing Leads to Delayed Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient nursing staff to meet the needs of residents, as evidenced by delayed responses to call lights and untimely incontinent care for three residents. Resident #48 experienced frequent delays in receiving care, with observations noting a strong odor of urine and saturated briefs. The resident reported that CNAs often turned off call lights without returning promptly, and the facility was observed to have only one CNA attending to 12 residents on the hall. The Director of Nurses and an LPN acknowledged the delay, attributing it to staffing shortages. Resident #87 also reported long wait times for call light responses, with staff often failing to return after initially acknowledging the call. This resident, who was cognitively intact, expressed frustration with the consistent delays across all shifts. Similarly, Resident #23 reported long wait times, particularly during the night shift, and a CNA confirmed that the facility was often short-staffed, with nurses not assisting CNAs. The Director of Nurses and the Administrator both stated expectations for timely care, but the observations and interviews indicated a systemic issue with staffing levels and response times.
Failure to Honor Resident Choice for Bedrails
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor the rights of two residents, who expressed a desire to have bedrails for assistance with turning and bed mobility. Resident #54, who was cognitively intact, reported wanting bedrails to maintain some independence, but was informed by staff that state regulations prohibited their use. Similarly, Resident #78, who had moderate cognitive impairment and required assistance with mobility, expressed frustration over the removal of his bedrails, which he used for turning assistance. Both residents were told that the state regulations were the reason for the removal of bedrails, and their requests for bedrails were not assessed or honored. The facility's management confirmed that all bedrails were removed from residents' beds, citing state regulations and the facility's restraint-free policy as reasons. However, it was acknowledged that the removal of bedrails without assessing individual resident needs or choices was a violation of residents' rights. The facility did not have a specific bedrail policy in place, only a restraint policy, which contributed to the oversight in addressing the residents' requests and needs for bedrails.
Failure to Follow Oxygen Therapy Protocols
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper oxygen therapy for a resident, as evidenced by not following physician orders or facility policies. During an observation, it was noted that a resident was receiving oxygen at 2 liters per nasal cannula without a date on the tubing and without a humidifier attached. The resident had a history of shortness of breath and acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, and had been hospitalized twice due to shortness of breath. The facility's policy required oxygen tubing to be changed and dated weekly, and a humidifier to be used if needed to prevent dryness in the nasal area. Interviews with staff, including an LPN and the Director of Nurses, confirmed the oversight. The LPN acknowledged the absence of a date on the tubing and the lack of a humidifier, stating that these omissions could lead to infection issues. The Director of Nurses also confirmed that the resident should have had a humidifier attached to the oxygen delivery system to maintain moisture in the nasal area and that the tubing should be changed weekly to prevent bacterial growth. The physician's orders for the resident specified continuous oxygen at 2 L/min and weekly tubing changes, which were not adhered to.
Failure to Provide Timely Incontinent Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely incontinent care for a resident, leading to a deficiency in care. The resident, who has a history of cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertensive heart disease, was observed to have a moderate cognitive impairment and required substantial assistance with toileting and personal hygiene. On multiple occasions, the resident's call light was activated, indicating a need for assistance, but staff either turned off the light without providing care or delayed in responding. The resident expressed frustration over the long wait times for care, which occurred across different shifts. Observations revealed that the resident's incontinent brief was often soiled and saturated with urine, and the resident's wheelchair was also wet due to leakage. Interviews with staff, including CNAs and the DON, confirmed that there was only one CNA available for 12 residents on the hall, which contributed to the delay in care. Despite the facility's policy and the expectations set by the DON and the Administrator for timely care, the resident continued to experience delays in receiving necessary assistance, resulting in a strong odor of urine in the resident's room and hallway.
Latest citations in Mississippi
A resident with hemiplegia, hemiparesis, and cognitive impairment had a care plan directing staff to apply and remove a right ankle splint at specific times each day and to provide passive stretching to prevent decline in ROM. Observation found the splint not in use and lying on a chair, and the resident was unsure when it was last applied. A PTA reported the resident had developed foot drop and that the splint could no longer be applied without additional therapy, attributing this to the splint not being used daily as ordered. The DON confirmed that staff failed to follow the established care plan for splint application and ROM management.
A resident with hemiplegia and hemiparesis after a cerebral infarction, and severe cognitive impairment (BIMS 5), had physician and therapy orders for right-hand and right-ankle splinting with passive ROM to manage contractures and maintain ROM. Surveyors observed a foot splint lying unused and the resident’s right hand contracted into a fist without a hand roll. The resident could not recall when the foot splint was last applied and reported never having a hand roll. An LPN was unaware of the need for the splint and confirmed no hand roll was in use. Records showed the hand splint order was discontinued at the responsible party’s request due to pain, but OT was not notified and no alternative such as a hand roll was initiated. PT had documented improved ankle ROM and recommended a PODUS boot, while a PTA later reported the resident had developed foot drop related to the ankle splint not being applied as ordered. The DON confirmed that daily ankle splint orders existed and that the hand splint was discontinued without alternative interventions to prevent contracture.
The facility failed to protect resident narcotic medications from misappropriation when an LPN handed over a medication cart’s narcotic keys to an RN without performing required narcotic counts before and after the transfer, and the cart was later found unlocked in the nurses’ station. During the subsequent shift change count, staff discovered multiple missing doses of oxycodone-acetaminophen and hydrocodone-acetaminophen prescribed PRN for pain to four residents with conditions including dementia, COPD, dysphagia, and diabetic neuropathy. Review of individual controlled drug logs showed corrected balances to account for the missing tablets, confirming that controlled substances were unaccounted for during the period of unsecured cart access and improper key control.
Two ambulatory residents with dementia, severe cognitive deficits, and known wandering behavior, each wearing a wander guard bracelet, were able to exit through a unit door when a visitor held it open, despite the door alarm sounding and prior observations that they frequently walked together and approached doors. An LPN responded to the alarm and, along with other staff, initiated a search when the residents could not be found on the unit; staff ultimately located the residents across a four-lane highway and returned them to the building without injury. The incident occurred despite facility policies requiring use of a security system for residents unable to protect themselves from harm by wandering, and staff and leadership acknowledged that the residents had a history of walking the halls together and going to doors, and that increased monitoring and restricting visitor access to door codes could have prevented the elopement.
A cognitively impaired resident with dementia, agitation, and a history of wandering was previously assessed by the IDT as not being at risk for elopement and did not have elopement precautions in place. On one occasion, a visitor exited through the front door without realizing the resident followed outside, and staff later discovered the resident alone on the front porch after being missing for several minutes. An LPN and CNA participated in locating and returning the resident, and the incident revealed that supervision and elopement risk assessment were insufficient for this resident.
A resident with Type 2 DM and moderately impaired cognition had two unstageable heel DTIs documented on the MDS and physician orders for treatment to both heels, but the comprehensive care plan did not include any problem, goals, or interventions related to these pressure injuries. LPNs responsible for MDS and care plan completion acknowledged the omission and stated that although they periodically audit by comparing orders to the care plan, this situation was missed. The DON reported she expected the wound care nurse to update the care plan with new wound treatment orders, while an RN stated she could update interventions but had not been trained to create a new focused care plan and was unaware it was her responsibility to add the DTI treatment orders to the care plan.
A controlled substance prescribed for a cognitively intact resident with a left femur fracture was delivered and signed for by an LPN but was not entered on the narcotic accountability record or narcotic box package count and was later found to be missing. One LPN reported receiving the blister pack of thirty Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 10-325 mg tablets from another LPN, placing it on the nurses’ station, and leaving the area, while both LPNs stated they were in the medication room as the medication remained unattended. The DON and Administrator confirmed that staff failed to secure the controlled medication as required by facility policy and that the missing tablets could not be located.
Surveyors found that staff failed to properly secure and store medications for two residents. For one resident, an LPN received a delivery of Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen, passed it to another LPN, and the controlled medication was left unattended at the nurses’ station instead of being immediately locked and entered into the narcotic count, after which it could not be located. For another resident, two bottles of Lorazepam oral concentrate, documented on the narcotic record and labeled to be protected from light and refrigerated, were observed stored in a locked medication cart rather than in the designated medication refrigerator, even though staff acknowledged knowing the manufacturer’s refrigeration requirement.
A resident with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction was transferred by facility van to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation and was later determined by the facility to be discharged due to aggressive behavior and threats, with staff stating they could not meet the resident’s needs. The Administrator and Social Services Director communicated with the psychiatric facility and the resident’s family about finding alternative placement and informed the family the resident would not be allowed to return, but no formal involuntary discharge notice or written appeal rights were provided, and no physician discharge order was documented, contrary to facility policies requiring a completed transfer form and written notice of transfer/discharge with appeal information.
The facility did not adequately investigate, address, or resolve repeated grievances about food quality and temperature raised through Resident Council meetings. Over several months, residents reported that weekend meals were bad, food was consistently cold, beverages lacked sufficient ice, and breakfast items were hard or unpalatable. While limited steps such as using temperature-holding containers, sending trays out faster, and in-servicing dietary staff were noted, there was no documented monitoring, follow-up, or evaluation of effectiveness. Cognitively intact residents continued to report cold, poor-tasting food, and staff, including the Dietary Manager and Social Services, acknowledged awareness of the complaints without evidence of thorough follow-up or resolution.
Failure to Implement Care Plan for Ankle Splint and ROM Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement a comprehensive, person-centered care plan for contracture management and splinting to prevent decline in range of motion for one resident. The facility’s policy on prevention of decline in range of motion required that, based on the comprehensive assessment, the facility provide interventions, exercises, and/or therapy to maintain or improve ROM. The resident’s care plan, initiated on 8/1/25, identified an ADL self-care performance deficit related to stroke, hemiplegia, and immobility, placing the resident at risk for functional decline. The care plan interventions directed staff to apply a splint to the right ankle after breakfast, provide passive stretch to the right ankle after applying the splint, remove the splint at lunchtime, reapply the splint after supper with passive stretch, and remove the splint at bedtime. On observation, the resident’s ankle splint was not in use and was found lying in a chair in the resident’s room, and the resident was unsure when the splint was last applied. The PTA reported that the resident had developed foot drop and that the ankle splint could no longer be placed without additional therapy, confirming this was related to the splint not being applied daily as ordered. The DON stated that the care plan was used to inform staff how to care for the resident and verified that staff failed to follow the care plan when they did not apply the ankle splint. Record review showed the resident was admitted with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction affecting the right dominant side, and an MDS assessment indicated a BIMS score of 5, reflecting cognitive impairment at the time of the deficiency.
Failure to Implement ROM and Splinting Orders Resulting in Contractures and Foot Drop
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide ordered range of motion (ROM) and splinting interventions to prevent decline in ROM for a resident with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction affecting the right dominant side. The resident was admitted with these diagnoses and had physician orders and therapy recommendations for contracture management and splinting. An OT evaluation documented decreased ROM in the right upper extremity and recommended a resting hand splint and a restorative splint and brace program, with a subsequent OT evaluation recommending continuation of the contracture management and splinting program. A physician order directed staff to apply a right-hand splint after breakfast, provide passive stretch to the right elbow, wrist, and hand once daily, and remove the splint before dinner. Another physician order required application of a right ankle splint after breakfast and after supper with passive stretching following application. The facility’s own policy stated that residents without limited ROM should not experience a reduction in ROM unless clinically unavoidable. During observation, surveyors noted a foot splint lying unused in the resident’s chair and the resident’s right hand contracted into a fist without a hand roll in place. The resident reported not knowing when the foot splint was last applied and stated she had never had a hand roll. An LPN stated she did not know why the splint was in the room, believed the resident was not required to wear it, and confirmed the resident did not have a hand roll. Record review showed the right-hand splint order was discontinued at the responsible party’s request due to pain, but the OT reported she had not been notified of this discontinuation and stated a hand roll should have been initiated when the splint was stopped; she further stated the resident’s hand was now contracted into a fist. A PT discharge summary documented improved right ankle ROM with therapy and recommended a PODUS boot daily for up to five hours, while a PTA later reported the resident had developed foot drop and that the ankle splint could no longer be applied without additional therapy, confirming this was related to the splint not being applied daily as ordered. The DON verified that there were physician orders for daily ankle splinting and acknowledged that the right-hand splint was discontinued without alternative interventions to prevent contracture. The resident’s MDS showed a BIMS score of 5, indicating severe cognitive impairment.
Failure to Secure Narcotic Medications and Maintain Key Control
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to protect resident medications from misappropriation on one of four medication carts, resulting in missing controlled substances for four residents. The facility’s abuse, neglect, and exploitation policy defines misappropriation of resident property as the deliberate misplacement, exploitation, or wrongful use of a resident’s belongings or money without the resident’s consent. On a specific date, during the 7:00 PM shift change narcotic count, staff identified that multiple doses of Percocet and Norco (hydrocodone-acetaminophen) were missing from the narcotic box on a single medication cart. Prior to this discovery, the assigned LPN had confirmed that the narcotic count was correct earlier in the day. The events leading to the deficiency included the LPN giving her medication cart narcotic keys to an RN while she left the area to perform a urine specimen collection. The LPN did not complete a narcotic count before or after transferring the keys, which was not in accordance with facility expectations for key control and chain of custody. When the LPN returned, she observed the medication cart in the nurses’ station and unlocked. The RN later confirmed that she had moved the cart into the nurses’ station but denied administering any medications during the time she had possession of the keys. During the subsequent 7:00 PM narcotic count, discrepancies were identified, and a search of the cart and nurses’ station did not locate the missing medications. Record review showed that four residents’ controlled medication logs required corrections to reflect missing tablets. One resident with dementia had an order for oxycodone-acetaminophen 5-325 mg every 12 hours as needed for pain; the narcotic log initially showed a remaining balance of 20 tablets after a documented administration, but was later corrected to 16 tablets to account for four missing tablets. A second resident with COPD had an order for oxycodone-acetaminophen 10-325 mg every eight hours as needed; the log was corrected from a remaining balance of five tablets to four, indicating one missing tablet. A third resident with dysphagia had an order for hydrocodone-acetaminophen 5-325 mg every 24 hours as needed; the log showed two tablets on hand after the resident returned from pass with no administrations documented, and was later corrected to zero, indicating two missing tablets. A fourth resident with type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy had an order for hydrocodone-acetaminophen 7.5-325 mg every six hours as needed; the log was corrected from a remaining balance of eight tablets to seven, indicating one missing tablet. These discrepancies, combined with the unsecured cart and improper key transfer without counts, led to the determination that resident medications were not protected from misappropriation.
Failure to Prevent Elopement of Two Cognitively Impaired Wanderers
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide adequate supervision and prevent elopement for two residents with known wandering and elopement risk. Both residents were ambulatory, frequently walked throughout the facility together, and were known to staff as wanderers. Each resident had a diagnosis of dementia with severe cognitive deficits documented on their MDS assessments, and both had Wander/elopement alarms (wander guard bracelets) in place and used daily. The facility’s elopement/wandering policy stated that residents who are incapable of adequately protecting themselves and unable to determine when they are at risk for harm by wandering out of the facility should be placed on the resident security system to ensure safety. On the day of the incident, video surveillance later reviewed by the Administrator showed that a visitor entered an exit door on the B Unit at approximately 6:20 PM. The two residents at risk for elopement approached the door, and the visitor held the door open, allowing them to walk out of the building. The residents were wearing wander guard bracelets, and when they exited, the door alarm sounded. A nurse responded immediately to the alarm, exited the facility, and went down the walkway but did not see the residents. Staff were then alerted that the residents were missing, and a facility-wide search was initiated. Staff interviews and the facility’s documentation confirmed that the residents had previously been observed walking together throughout the facility and approaching doors, including the exit door involved in the incident. The Administrator reported that review of the video showed the two residents had approached the same door together two or three times prior to the elopement event. Despite their known patterns of wandering, severe cognitive impairment, and prior door-approach behavior, the residents were able to exit the facility unnoticed and unsupervised when the visitor held the door open. Staff ultimately located the residents across a four-lane high-capacity highway approximately 528 feet from the exit door and returned them to the facility, where body audits and assessments documented no injuries and intermittent confusion. The State Agency determined that the facility’s failure to provide adequate supervision to prevent the elopement of these residents, who had exhibited exit-seeking behaviors, placed them and other residents at risk for wandering and elopement in a situation likely to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death and cited the facility at F689 with Immediate Jeopardy and Substandard Quality of Care. The residents’ medical records and elopement reports documented that both were confused, had impaired memory, and were identified as wanderers. One resident had a BIMS score of 3 and the other a BIMS score of 0, both indicating severe cognitive deficits. Progress notes and elopement reports recorded that staff were notified when the residents were not on the unit and could not be located, that all staff were engaged in searching, and that the residents were ultimately found outside and assisted back into the building. Interviews with CNAs and an LPN described hearing a Code W called, running outside, and seeing the residents across the street after they had crossed the four-lane highway. The DON acknowledged that the residents were always walking in the facility, often together, and that they had wandered to doors and looked out, and agreed that increased monitoring and not allowing visitors to have door codes could have prevented the residents from leaving the building.
Removal Plan
- Conducted a facility search.
- Notified police of missing residents.
- Director of Nursing interviewed staff and residents.
- Notified the Medical Director and residents’ families.
- Administrator and Director of Nursing checked the wander guard system and facility doors to ensure proper functioning.
- Returned Resident #1 and Resident #2 to the facility.
- Completed an incident report.
- Completed an emergency Quality Assurance meeting.
- Initiated in-service training for all staff on the elopement policy, including a quiz to validate comprehension, and required staff (including contract staff) to complete the in-service before working their next scheduled shift, with Administrator monitoring compliance.
- Responded immediately to the door alarm by sending staff outside to locate residents and notifying additional staff to assist with the search.
- Reviewed video surveillance and confirmed a visitor held the door open allowing residents to exit.
- Held an emergency Quality Assurance meeting with the Medical Director, Director of Nursing, Administrator, Regional Director, involved staff, and Infection Preventionist.
- Changed the main entry door code.
- Verified entrance door signage was in place instructing not to allow residents to exit unaccompanied.
- Identified residents at risk for elopement and ensured elopement bracelets/transmitters were functional and doors were locking appropriately.
- Reviewed care plans for residents at risk for elopement.
- Completed body audits on Resident #1 and Resident #2.
- Conducted audits verifying resident location, elopement risk, and wander guard bracelet function.
- Medical Records updated care profiles of residents at risk for wandering.
- Assistant Administrator began audits of all doors for function and security.
- Provided in-services on elopement policy and procedure, Resident Rights, and incident and accident reporting.
- Conducted elopement drills on each shift.
- Implemented monitoring systems to sustain compliance.
- Director of Nursing to monitor wander guard system checks three times weekly for four weeks or until substantial compliance is attained.
- Director of Nursing to monitor resident behavior for elopement attempts via incident reports, observations, and communications weekly for four weeks or until substantial compliance is attained.
- Quality Assurance Committee to meet for four weeks to review compliance with the plan of action, then continue routine Quality Assurance monitoring if no further concerns are noted.
- Administrator to hold follow-up Quality Assurance meetings monthly for two months then quarterly thereafter to ensure sustained compliance.
- Updated entry screening kiosk to include an additional reminder and attestation to ensure resident safety, requiring visitors to agree that no resident comes in or out with them and triggering a staff alert if the visitor refuses.
- Administration spoke directly with the visitor to confirm visitor policies and procedures.
Elopement of Cognitively Impaired Resident Due to Inadequate Supervision
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate supervision to prevent a cognitively impaired resident with a history of wandering from exiting the building unattended. The resident had diagnoses including dementia with agitation and a BIMS score of three, indicating severe cognitive impairment. The resident had been readmitted from a geriatric psychiatric hospitalization and was known by the DON to have a history of wandering. Despite this, the interdisciplinary team had previously determined that the resident was not at risk for elopement, and no elopement interventions such as a wander guard were in place at the time of the incident. On the day of the event, a visitor observed the resident standing near the front door and exited the facility without realizing the resident followed him outside. Staff later became aware that the resident was missing, and an LPN assisted in locating the resident. A CNA ultimately found the resident outside on the front porch and returned the resident to the facility, with the investigation determining the resident had been outside unattended for approximately five minutes. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident ambulated in the halls and had not previously attempted to exit the building, and that the resident was only reassessed and provided with a wander guard after the incident.
Failure to Care Plan for Pressure Injuries and Treatment Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a comprehensive person-centered care plan for a resident with pressure injuries. The facility’s undated Care Plan Policy and Procedure stated that each resident’s care plan would remain current and inform staff of needs, strengths, goals, and approaches, and that a comprehensive person-centered care plan would be completed as needed. Record review showed that the resident was admitted with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with ketoacidosis without coma and, per the Discharge MDS with an ARD of 1/19/26, had a BIMS score of 12 indicating moderately impaired cognition. Section M of the MDS documented two unstageable pressure injuries presenting as deep tissue injuries (DTIs). Physician orders dated 12/10/25 directed treatment to right and left DTI pressure ulcers. Despite these documented DTIs and treatment orders, review of the resident’s comprehensive care plan revealed no care plan addressing the DTIs on the left and right heels, which was inconsistent with the physician orders. During interviews, two LPNs responsible for MDS and care plan completion confirmed that the care plan did not include the DTIs and stated that care plans are developed based on the MDS and physician orders, and that audits comparing orders to care plans are done periodically but this had been missed. The DON stated her expectation that the wound care nurse update the care plan with new wound care treatment orders. An RN reported she could update care plan interventions but had not been trained to develop a new focused care plan and had not added the physician’s DTI treatment orders to the care plan, and she was not aware it was her responsibility to do so.
Unsecured Controlled Medication Left Unattended and Lost
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prevent misappropriation of resident property when a controlled substance prescribed for a resident was left unattended and subsequently went missing. Facility policies on abuse and neglect defined misappropriation of resident property to include missing prescription medications or diversion of resident medications, including controlled substances, and the Medication-Controlled Substances policy required that only authorized licensed nursing and pharmacy personnel have access to controlled medications, that all controlled substances be stored in a locked cabinet or compartment, and that accurate accountability of all controlled drugs be maintained. Despite these policies, a pharmacy courier delivered thirty Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 10-325 mg tablets for a resident with a left femur fracture, and the medication was signed for by an LPN but was not signed onto the narcotic accountability record, was not documented on the narcotic box package count, and could not be located. The resident, who was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15 and had a physician’s order for Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen, was later informed that the tablets delivered had been lost. Interviews revealed that one LPN received the blister pack of thirty Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen tablets from another LPN and placed it on the nurses’ station before leaving the area, leaving the controlled medication unattended. Both LPNs reported being in the medication room while the medication remained unattended at the nurses’ station. The DON reported being notified that the medication was missing and that an investigation confirmed the medication could not be located and had been left unattended, and the Administrator confirmed staff failed to ensure controlled medications were secured and accessible only to authorized personnel and that the facility was unable to determine the location of the missing medication.
Failure to Secure Controlled Drugs and Follow Refrigerated Storage Requirements
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to store and secure medications, including controlled substances, in accordance with professional standards and manufacturer instructions. For Resident #1, who was admitted with a left femur fracture and was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15, the physician ordered Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 10-325 mg tablets. A facility investigation documented that a pharmacy courier delivered 30 tablets of this controlled medication, which were received and signed for by an LPN but were never documented in the narcotic count system and were later unable to be located. One LPN reported that after receiving the Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen from another LPN, she left the medication unattended at the nurses’ station while she completed other tasks instead of immediately securing it in the locked medication cart. The LPN who initially received the medication from the courier confirmed that the controlled medication had not been immediately secured in the locked cart following delivery. For Resident #3, who was admitted with heart disease and had a BIMS score of 10 indicating moderately impaired cognition, the physician ordered Lorazepam (Ativan) oral concentrate. The narcotic record showed that two containers of Lorazepam were signed into the narcotic record on the date of admission. Manufacturer prescribing information for the Lorazepam oral concentrate specified that it must be protected from light and stored refrigerated at 36–46°F. During a controlled drug count, surveyors observed that two bottles of Lorazepam oral concentrate for this resident were stored in the locked medication cart rather than in a refrigerator, despite the label instructions requiring refrigeration. One LPN confirmed the manufacturer’s storage instructions on the label but was unsure why the medication had not been refrigerated, and another LPN acknowledged awareness that the medication required refrigeration but confirmed it had been stored in the medication cart instead of the designated medication refrigerator.
Failure to Provide Required Involuntary Discharge Notice and Appeal Rights
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide required written notice of an involuntary discharge, including appeal rights, and to obtain a physician’s discharge order before refusing readmission of a resident following a hospital transfer. Facility policy titled “Transfer Form” stated that it is the policy of the facility to provide a completed and accurate transfer form to residents transferred or discharged from the facility, and the policy titled “Appealing a Transfer or Discharge Notice” stated that residents have the right to appeal transfer or discharge notices and, upon notice of transfer or discharge, will be provided with a statement of their right to appeal. Record review showed that the resident, admitted with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, left the facility by facility van to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation. Progress notes dated several days after the transfer documented that the resident had been discharged from the facility due to aggressive behavior and that, per conversation with the psychiatric hospital, the Administrator and Social Services Director would assist in finding alternative placement and home health if needed. Documentation further indicated that, due to threats made, the facility stated it was unable to meet the resident’s needs and communicated with the resident’s family that the resident would not be allowed to return. During interview, the Administrator confirmed that neither the resident nor the family was provided a formal involuntary discharge notice or information on appeal rights and that no physician order for discharge could be located, acknowledging that the formal notice, appeal rights, and physician order should have been obtained prior to discharge.
Failure to Investigate and Resolve Ongoing Food-Related Grievances
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that grievances voiced through the Resident Council regarding food quality and temperature were thoroughly investigated, addressed, and resolved. Resident Council minutes over multiple months documented repeated complaints that weekend food was "bad," tasted sweet, and that food was cold by the time it reached residents. Additional concerns included insufficient ice in water and tea, hard breakfast biscuits and toast, and cold grits. Although the facility’s grievance policy stated that residents and families could voice grievances without reprisal and that the facility would make prompt efforts to resolve grievances, there was no documentation that the initial complaint about weekend food quality was addressed, and subsequent complaints continued without evidence of thorough investigation or resolution. Resident Council Department Response Forms showed limited actions, such as placing food in containers to maintain temperature, conducting an in‑service for dietary staff, sending food out faster, and instructing staff to pass trays promptly, but there was no documentation of monitoring, follow‑up, or evaluation of whether these measures were effective. Residents interviewed, all cognitively intact per their MDS BIMS scores, consistently reported that the food remained cold and did not taste good, with one resident noting that staff would reheat food only if requested. The Dietary Manager acknowledged awareness of the complaints and stated he had spoken with weekend staff and made changes like replacing tray carts and providing guidance on food preparation, but confirmed there was no documentation of ongoing monitoring or additional interventions. Social Services and the Administrator both acknowledged awareness of the complaints and that additional follow‑up and resolution efforts should have occurred, yet no evidence of such follow‑up was present in the records.
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.
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