Crystal Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Greenwood, Mississippi.
- Location
- 902 Sgt John A Pittman Drive, Greenwood, Mississippi 38930
- CMS Provider Number
- 255154
- Inspections on file
- 17
- Latest survey
- December 9, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 1
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Crystal Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with hemiplegia and hemiparesis developed an open wound on the left upper extremity that was identified by an LPN, but the physician was not notified and no treatment orders were obtained until several days later. The wound progressed to a Stage IV pressure ulcer requiring surgical debridement. Interviews with staff and record reviews confirmed that facility policy for timely assessment and physician notification was not followed.
The facility experienced repeated deficiencies in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) over three annual surveys due to an ineffective Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. Despite meetings to address issues, monitoring for previous deficiencies was unclear, and communication problems between nurses and CNAs were identified. The Corporate Nurse's rounds found ADL issues related to nails and shaving, which were inconsistently monitored, as confirmed by the CASPER3 report.
The facility failed to inform staff and visitors about residents in Transmission-Based Precautions (TBP) for COVID-19. During a COVID-19 outbreak, signage indicating TBP status was missing from residents' doors, as confirmed by staff interviews and observations. The Assistant Director of Nurses/Infection Preventionist admitted to not ensuring signage was posted after returning from a COVID-19 illness. The facility's COVID-19 vaccination rates were 66% in 2023 and 76% in 2024.
The facility failed to implement its Infection Control Program during a COVID-19 outbreak, as evidenced by the lack of signage on residents' doors under Transmission-Based Precautions and insufficient communication with staff. The Infection Preventionist did not conduct surveillance or provide in-service training, and the outbreak was only communicated via text message. Staff expressed concerns about the lack of information, impacting their ability to prevent infection spread. The facility had 27 positive COVID-19 cases among residents.
The facility failed to implement ADL care plans for several residents, resulting in unmet personal care needs. A resident with Diabetes Mellitus did not receive toenail care as required, while another with impaired mobility had long fingernails despite care plan instructions. Additionally, a resident with a self-care deficit had untrimmed nails and facial hair, and another resident's request for toenail trimming was unmet. A resident requiring a hand splint did not have it applied as per the care plan. These deficiencies were confirmed by facility staff.
The facility failed to provide adequate personal hygiene care for four residents, including nail care and shaving. A resident with diabetes had not received toenail care, resulting in a jagged toenail and the loss of another. Another diabetic resident had long fingernails, posing a risk of scratching. A third resident had not been shaved or had nails trimmed for over two months, and a fourth resident had been requesting toenail trimming for over two months. The facility lacked a routine schedule for these services, leading to a deficiency in maintaining personal hygiene standards.
The facility compromised resident dignity by placing incorrect MDRO signs on the doors of 12 residents who did not have MDRO. Staff interviews confirmed the signs were used for residents needing Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) instead. The Assistant Director of Nurses/Infection Preventionist acknowledged the error, and the Administrator confirmed the signs were a dignity issue.
The facility failed to provide a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNOC) to two residents before their discharge from Medicare Part A services, as required by policy. The Business Office Manager was unaware of the requirement, leading to the omission. The Administrator confirmed the oversight, highlighting a gap in communication and awareness regarding the discharge process.
A facility failed to secure a resident's electronic health records, leaving their EMAR visible on an unattended medication cart. The resident's personal information, including name, medications, and room number, was accessible to passersby. A nurse confirmed the oversight, and the ADON noted that a privacy button should have been used to secure the information.
The facility failed to maintain a sanitary and comfortable environment, with issues such as flies in two residents' rooms, a leaking air conditioning unit, a foul odor and dried stool in another room, and a resident's fan covered in dust. Housekeeping and maintenance challenges were noted, with staff unaware of some issues and no additional measures taken to address them.
The facility failed to accurately code the MDS for four residents, leading to discrepancies in their medical records. One resident was incorrectly coded as taking an anticoagulant instead of an antiplatelet, while another was mistakenly recorded as receiving anticoagulant medication. A third resident's mental illness diagnosis was not properly documented, and a fourth resident's functional limitations were inaccurately reported. These errors were confirmed by facility staff, emphasizing the need for accurate MDS coding to ensure appropriate care.
A resident with diabetes did not receive appropriate foot care, as her toenails were long and jagged, and she had not seen a podiatrist recently. The RN and ADON confirmed the need for toenail trimming, but there was no schedule for regular checks. The resident had not seen a podiatrist since May, and the lack of care may have contributed to the loss of a toenail.
A resident with Hemiplegia and Hemiparesis was not provided with a prescribed left-hand splint, which was to be worn daily to maintain range of motion. Observations and staff interviews revealed that the splint was not applied as ordered, with staff misunderstanding the frequency of application. The resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired, confirmed the lack of splint application.
The facility failed to maintain effective pest control against flies, with multiple sightings in a resident room. Observations showed flies on bedspreads, curtains, and a meal tray, despite daily cleaning efforts. Staff interviews confirmed the ongoing issue, exacerbated by residents' behaviors contributing to uncleanliness. The maintenance staff was unaware of the problem, and the Administrator had not been informed of any concerns. The pest control company had visited, but no extra measures were taken.
A cognitively impaired resident, temporarily moved due to a bathroom leak, repeatedly attempted to return to her previous room. Despite staff observations, no increased monitoring was implemented. The resident was later found exiting the room where another resident was discovered with a pillow and sheet covering her face. The incident revealed a lack of communication and supervision adjustments, contrary to the facility's safety policy.
Failure to Timely Assess and Treat Pressure Ulcer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely assessment, physician notification, and initiation of appropriate treatment for a pressure ulcer in one resident. According to the facility's policy, licensed nurses are required to conduct weekly skin integrity checks, document findings, and notify the physician to obtain treatment orders if a new wound is identified. On 1/17/25, an LPN documented an open wound with sanguineous drainage on a resident's left upper extremity and initiated first aid, but there was no documentation that the physician was notified or that treatment orders were obtained at that time. The Treatment Administration Record confirmed that no wound care treatment orders were in place from 1/17/25 until 1/22/25. Further review revealed that the wound was later assessed by a wound care physician on 1/22/25, who identified it as a Stage IV pressure ulcer requiring surgical debridement. Interviews with the LPN, the treatment nurse, and the DON confirmed that the physician was not notified when the wound was first identified and that treatment orders were not obtained until several days later. The resident involved had a history of hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction and was cognitively intact at the time of the incident.
Repeated ADL Deficiencies Due to Ineffective QAPI Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program, as evidenced by repeated deficiencies in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) over the last three annual surveys. The facility's policy on QAPI lacked a revision date, and the purpose statement indicated a system for improving resident care. However, interviews revealed that the QAPI committee met with department heads after the last survey in June 2023 and again in July 2023 to address trending issues. By September 2023, the focus had shifted back to routine matters, and it was unclear if monitoring for previous deficiencies continued. The Corporate Nurse suggested that the repeat deficiencies might be due to changes in administration, including a new Administrator and Assistant Director of Nurses (ADON). Interviews with the Administrator and Corporate Nurse highlighted communication issues between nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and inadequate supervision of CNAs by nurses as potential causes for the repeated ADL deficiencies. The Corporate Nurse's rounds in February and April 2024 identified ADL issues related to fingernails, toenails, and shaving, which were addressed by Registered Nurses (RNs) but not consistently monitored. The CASPER3 report confirmed ADL deficiencies in the facility's last two annual surveys, indicating a persistent problem in maintaining adequate ADL care for residents.
Failure to Inform Staff and Visitors of COVID-19 Precautions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to inform staff and visitors about residents who were in Transmission-Based Precautions (TBP) due to COVID-19. This deficiency was identified for six residents who tested positive for COVID-19. The facility's policy required signage to be posted to inform about infection control precautions, but during an observation, it was noted that there was no signage on the residents' doors indicating they were in TBP. Interviews with staff, including a CNA and the Assistant Director of Nurses/Infection Preventionist, confirmed the lack of signage and awareness of the TBP status of residents. The facility was experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, with approximately 30 residents testing positive. The Assistant Director of Nurses/Infection Preventionist admitted to failing to ensure that the necessary signage was posted after returning to work following her own COVID-19 illness. The Administrator also confirmed the oversight and acknowledged the need for stricter infection control measures. The facility's COVID-19 vaccination rates were reviewed, showing a rate of 66% in 2023 and 76% in 2024. The deficiency was further supported by record reviews of resident testing and admission records.
Inadequate Implementation of Infection Control Program During COVID-19 Outbreak
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the Infection Preventionist fully implemented the Infection Control Program during a COVID-19 outbreak. The facility's policy required signage to be posted to prevent the spread of germs and protect against COVID-19, but during the survey, it was observed that there were no signs on residents' doors indicating they were under Transmission-Based Precautions. The Assistant Director of Nurses/Infection Preventionist admitted to not conducting surveillance for the outbreak and failing to ensure signage was posted. Additionally, communication about the outbreak was insufficient, as it was only conveyed through a text message to staff, and no in-service training was conducted. Interviews with staff, including a Certified Nurse Assistant and an Occupational Therapist, revealed concerns about the lack of communication and signage, which hindered their ability to prevent the spread of infection. The Occupational Therapist specifically noted that the facility did not inform therapy staff about the outbreak, impacting their ability to take necessary precautions. The Administrator acknowledged the need for stricter infection control measures. The last in-service training related to infection control was conducted on October 9, 2024, and the facility's records showed 27 positive COVID-19 cases among residents as of October 16, 2024.
Failure to Implement ADL Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care plans for several residents, leading to deficiencies in personal care. Resident #11, who has Diabetes Mellitus, had not received toenail care as per her care plan, which required regular monitoring and trimming by a podiatrist or foot care nurse. Observations revealed her toenails were long and jagged, and she had not seen a podiatrist since May 2023. The RN and MDS Nurse confirmed that the care plan was not followed, as the resident did not receive the necessary toenail care. Resident #13, with a self-care deficit due to impaired mobility and other conditions, also did not receive proper nail care. His care plan specified that nails should be checked and trimmed on bath days, but observations showed his fingernails were long. The RN and MDS Nurse confirmed that the care plan was not adhered to. Similarly, Resident #47, who has a self-care performance deficit, had long fingernails and facial hair, contrary to his care plan preferences. He reported that CNAs did not offer to shave him or cut his nails, and the ADON confirmed the care plan was not followed. Resident #51 had been requesting toenail trimming for over two months, but her care plan for nail care was not implemented, as confirmed by the ADON. Additionally, Resident #62, who requires a hand splint due to hemiplegia, was not wearing the splint as per his care plan. The CNA and ADON confirmed the splint was not applied as required. These failures indicate a lack of adherence to individualized care plans, resulting in unmet personal care needs for the residents involved.
Deficiency in Personal Hygiene Care for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate personal hygiene care for four residents, specifically in the areas of nail care and shaving. Resident #11, who is non-verbal and has diabetes, had not received toenail care, resulting in a jagged toenail and the loss of another toenail. The resident had not seen a podiatrist since May 2023, and the facility lacked a schedule for regular toenail checks and trimming. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) confirmed that the lack of nail care could have contributed to the resident losing her toenail. Resident #13, also diabetic, was observed with long fingernails, which posed a risk of scratching. The Registered Nurse (RN) and ADON confirmed that the nails should be checked weekly and trimmed by a nurse, but there was no routine task set up for diabetic residents to receive nail care. Resident #47 had not been shaved or had his nails trimmed for over two months, despite expressing a preference for short nails and a clean shave. The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and ADON confirmed that it was the CNA's responsibility to provide these services, but they had not been performed. Resident #51, who is not diabetic, had been requesting toenail trimming for over two months. Her toenails were long and jagged, with the potential to cause skin issues. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) confirmed there was no medical reason preventing the trimming of her nails, and the CNA was unaware of why the nails had not been trimmed. The facility's failure to provide routine nail care and shaving services for these residents highlights a deficiency in maintaining personal hygiene standards.
Inappropriate MDRO Signage Compromises Resident Dignity
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to uphold residents' dignity by incorrectly placing Multi Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO) signs on the doors of 12 residents who did not have MDRO. This action was observed during an initial tour, where it was noted that rooms 110, 111, 122, 125, 128, 132, 208, 215, 218, 223, 225, and 228 had these signs. Interviews with staff, including a Registered Nurse and the Assistant Director of Nurses/Infection Preventionist, confirmed that the signs were mistakenly used for residents requiring Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP), not because they had MDRO. The staff acknowledged that the signs were inappropriate and could compromise the dignity of the residents. Further interviews revealed that the facility's policy on resident rights emphasizes the importance of treating residents with dignity and respect. The Assistant Director of Nurses/Infection Preventionist admitted to having the correct signs for EBP but failed to use them, leading to the incorrect signage. The Administrator also confirmed that the MDRO signs posed a dignity issue for the residents. The MDRO signage in question prominently stated that MDROs are a threat to residents, which was misleading and inappropriate for those who did not have the condition.
Failure to Provide Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNOC) to two residents, Resident A and Resident B, who were reviewed for beneficiary notices. According to the facility's policy, a NOMNOC must be delivered at least two calendar days before Medicare-covered services end. However, the Business Office Manager (BOM) did not provide the required NOMNOC to either resident. Resident A had a Medicare Part A stay from June 7 to July 19, and Resident B from June 14 to June 21, with no supporting documentation such as a NOMNOC or Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) provided. During an interview, the BOM confirmed that both residents were discharged from skilled services and the facility when their therapy goals were met, with Resident A having 58 skilled days remaining and Resident B having 93 skilled days remaining. The BOM admitted to not being aware of the requirement to provide a NOMNOC and mistakenly believed it was only necessary for residents under managed care. The Administrator also acknowledged that the NOMNOCs should have been provided prior to discharge, indicating a lack of awareness and communication regarding the discharge process from Medicare Part A services.
Failure to Secure Resident's Electronic Health Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to secure electronic health records, compromising the privacy and confidentiality of a resident's medical information. During an observation, a computer on an unattended medication cart in the East Short Wing was found with the Electronic Medication Administration Record (EMAR) of a resident visible on the screen. This information included the resident's name, medications, and room number, and was accessible to anyone passing by. A registered nurse confirmed that the EMAR was visible and acknowledged that it should have been closed when she was away from the cart. The Assistant Director of Nurses also confirmed that resident information should not be left visible on the screen and that a privacy button should be used to secure the information when the nurse steps away. The resident involved had been admitted with diagnoses including Aphasia, Cerebral infarction, and Traumatic Hemorrhage of Cerebrum.
Facility Fails to Maintain Sanitary and Comfortable Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a sanitary and comfortable environment for its residents, as evidenced by multiple deficiencies observed during the survey. In the case of two residents sharing a room, flies were observed on their beds, privacy curtains, and meal trays. Housekeeping staff confirmed the ongoing issue with flies, attributing it to frequently opened doors at the back of the building. Despite daily cleaning efforts, the room remained unclean due to the residents' behaviors, which included smearing feces. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the Administrator were unaware of any additional measures taken to address the fly problem. Another resident's room had a leaking air conditioning unit, with dirty sheets placed underneath to capture the water. Housekeeping staff confirmed the issue, noting the lack of a full-time maintenance person to address such problems. The maintenance staff, who visited the facility once a week, was not informed of the leaking unit, and no repair request was submitted. The Administrator acknowledged the need for equipment to be in good repair but was unaware of the specific issue in this resident's room. Additional deficiencies included a resident's room with a foul odor and dried brown spots on the floor, suspected to be stool. The ADON confirmed the unacceptable conditions and emphasized the shared responsibility of staff to maintain cleanliness. Another resident's personal fan was covered in thick black dust, despite repeated requests for cleaning. Housekeeping staff acknowledged the oversight, recognizing the potential health risk posed by the dust. These observations highlight the facility's failure to uphold a clean and safe environment for its residents.
Inaccurate MDS Coding for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate coding of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) for four residents, leading to discrepancies in their medical records. Resident #13 was incorrectly coded as taking an anticoagulant when they were actually receiving an antiplatelet medication, Aspirin. This error was confirmed by the RN/MDS nurse and the Assistant Director of Nurses, who emphasized the importance of accurate MDS coding. Similarly, Resident #47 was mistakenly coded as receiving anticoagulant medication during a 7-day observation period, which was not the case according to the Medication Administration Record. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged this error. Resident #56's MDS was inaccurately coded, failing to identify a diagnosis of mental illness as defined by PASRR, despite documentation from the PASRR Office confirming the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The RN/MDS nurse verified this coding error. Additionally, Resident #62's MDS inaccurately indicated no functional limitation in range of motion, despite a physician's order for a hand splint due to hemiplegia and hemiparesis. The RN/MDS nurse confirmed the incorrect coding, highlighting the need for accurate representation of residents' conditions to ensure appropriate care and services.
Failure to Provide Appropriate Foot Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate foot care for a resident, identified as Resident #11, who was one of four sampled residents. The facility's Foot Care policy, revised in October 2022, mandates that residents receive foot care and treatment in accordance with professional standards of practice, including assistance in making appointments with specialists as needed. However, during an observation and interview, Resident #11 revealed that her left great toenail was long and jagged, and she had not seen a podiatrist recently nor could she recall the last time her toenails were cut. Additionally, she had lost the toenail on her left fifth toe, which was covered with a bandage. The Registered Nurse (RN) and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) confirmed that Resident #11's toenails were in need of trimming and that the nursing staff is responsible for trimming toenails for diabetic residents. Despite this, there was no schedule for regular toenail checks, and the resident had not seen a podiatrist since May 1, 2023. The ADON acknowledged that the lack of foot and nail care could have contributed to the loss of the toenail. Resident #11, who is cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 13, was admitted to the facility in January 2016 with a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus.
Failure to Apply Prescribed Splint for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the necessary care and equipment to ensure a resident maintained and improved their range of motion (ROM) and mobility. Specifically, Resident #62, who was admitted with a diagnosis of Hemiplegia and Hemiparesis following a nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage, was observed without a left-hand splint, which was prescribed to be worn daily. The physician's order required the splint to be applied before breakfast and removed after dinner daily, with skin hygiene provided before and after wear. However, observations on 10/22/24 revealed that the splint was not in use, and interviews with staff confirmed that the splint was not applied as ordered. Interviews with various staff members, including a CNA, LPN, Occupational Therapist, and the Assistant Director of Nursing, confirmed the oversight. The CNA mistakenly believed the splint was only to be applied on specific days, while the LPN and Occupational Therapist confirmed the daily requirement. The ADON acknowledged the failure to follow the physician's orders, which could lead to a decline in the resident's ROM. The resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired, also confirmed that staff did not apply the splint as required.
Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Against Flies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control regimen against flies, as evidenced by multiple fly sightings in the room of two residents. Observations revealed that one resident was lying in bed with flies on the bedspread and privacy curtain, while the other resident had flies on the bedspread, privacy curtain, footboard, and hovering over a bin of shoes. Interviews with housekeeping staff and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) confirmed that flies had been an ongoing issue in the room, despite daily cleaning efforts. The ADON noted that frequently opened doors might be contributing to the fly problem. Further observations showed flies landing on a resident's meal tray while they were eating, posing a potential risk for illness. Interviews with a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and the ADON revealed that both residents had behaviors that contributed to the room's uncleanliness, such as smearing feces and discarding briefs on the floor. The maintenance staff, who had been filling in since February, was unaware of the fly issue, and the Administrator stated she had not been informed of any concerns regarding flies. The pest control company had visited recently, but no additional measures were taken to address the fly activity.
Inadequate Supervision Leads to Resident Incident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate supervision and monitoring to reduce the risk of accidents and hazards for a cognitively impaired ambulatory resident. The incident involved a resident who was temporarily moved to another room due to a bathroom leak. Despite being informed of the reason for the move, the resident, who had a history of confusion and forgetfulness, repeatedly attempted to return to her previous room. Staff members, including a CNA and an LPN, observed these attempts but did not implement increased monitoring or supervision to prevent potential harm. On the morning of the incident, the resident was found exiting her previous room, where another resident, who was bed-bound and severely cognitively impaired, was discovered with a pillow and sheet covering her face. The LPN and a CNA responded immediately to remove the items and calm the resident. The incident highlighted a lack of communication and coordination among staff, as the Director of Nursing and the Licensed Social Worker were unaware of the resident's repeated attempts to return to her previous room and her distress over the move. The facility's policy on safety and supervision emphasizes the need for individualized supervision based on assessed needs and environmental hazards. However, the staff did not adjust the level of supervision for the resident despite her cognitive impairment and repeated attempts to enter her previous room. This oversight resulted in a failure to prevent a potentially dangerous situation, as evidenced by the incident involving the two residents.
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.
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