Greenbough Health And Rehabilitation Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
- Location
- 340 Desoto Ave Extended, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614
- CMS Provider Number
- 255294
- Inspections on file
- 20
- Latest survey
- January 8, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 11
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Greenbough Health And Rehabilitation Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Two cognitively intact residents with trust fund accounts signed withdrawal forms for large cash amounts documented as personal use or cash advances, but reported not receiving any goods or services in return. The receptionist and Activity Director, acting under direction of a Business Office Manager, completed and processed these withdrawals, yet were unaware of how the funds were ultimately used. Facility and corporate audits later showed that the withdrawals lacked receipts and that checks were made out to the facility, indicating that resident funds were removed without required documentation to verify appropriate use, in violation of the facility’s abuse, neglect, and exploitation policy.
A resident with a below-knee amputation was transported by van without being secured with the vehicle's safety seat belt, resulting in a fall from the wheelchair onto the van floor. The CNA responsible admitted to not buckling the seat belt, and the facility lacked a policy on accident prevention or van transport. The resident was evaluated at the emergency room and found to have no injuries.
A registered nurse in an LTC facility failed to administer scheduled medications to seven residents during her shift, despite being offered assistance. The residents, who had various medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, did not receive their medications as prescribed. The nurse later resigned after being confronted about her attitude and disclosed the list of residents who missed their medications.
The facility did not ensure that the designated Infection Preventionist (IP) completed the required training, as observed over three survey days. The facility's policy requires a certified IP to coordinate the infection prevention and control program. An LPN, unaware of the need for formal training, had not completed her WHO training. The DON confirmed that three nurses, including herself, were in training but none had completed it. The Administrator was informed of the lack of a certified IP and believed training was underway, but was unaware it was incomplete.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment was left uncovered during a bed bath without the privacy curtain pulled, compromising their dignity. The CNA providing care did not announce patient care upon entry, and interviews with staff confirmed the importance of using privacy curtains to maintain resident dignity.
A resident's wheelchair was found to be in disrepair, with a broken brake and a tattered armrest. The Maintenance Director was unaware of the issue, despite being responsible for ensuring equipment was in good working order. The resident, admitted with Hemiplegia and Hemiparesis, reported the brake had been broken for some time.
A resident in a LTC facility was denied salt with meals despite multiple requests, due to a NAS diet order for high blood pressure. The resident, who was cognitively intact, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of salt, which affected his ability to enjoy meals. The DON acknowledged the resident's right to request salt and mentioned the possibility of signing a waiver, highlighting a failure to support resident choice as per facility policy.
A facility failed to ensure the completion of advance directive documentation for a resident with severe cognitive impairment. Despite having a physician order for a full code status, there was no signed document indicating the resident's desired end-of-life care. The Director of Nursing confirmed the lack of necessary documentation, which should have been completed by the social service director upon admission and reviewed quarterly.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and limited mobility did not have a comprehensive care plan that included turning and repositioning, essential for preventing skin breakdown. Observations showed the resident remained in the same position for extended periods, and staff interviews confirmed the omission in the care plan, highlighting a need for improvement in care planning.
A resident was left wet during mealtime due to a misunderstanding of facility policy. A CNA delivered a lunch tray but did not change the resident, believing it was against facility rules to do so during meals. The DON clarified that aides should address such needs immediately, highlighting a communication gap that left the resident in an unsanitary condition.
A resident who was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for mobility was not repositioned for several hours, contrary to facility policy requiring repositioning every two hours. Despite the oversight, a full body audit revealed no skin breakdown. Staff interviews highlighted a lack of training and communication regarding the resident's care needs.
A CNA began working at the facility without completing the required orientation competency check-off, as confirmed by her personnel record and interviews with staff. The LPN responsible for ensuring the check-off was completed admitted it was missed due to the CNA's requested days off. The DON confirmed the oversight, noting the CNA worked several days without the necessary competency verification.
Failure to Safeguard Resident Trust Fund Withdrawals From Misappropriation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to safeguard resident trust fund withdrawals from misappropriation for two residents with trust fund accounts. Facility policy on Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation requires protections against misappropriation of resident property, but resident interviews and record review showed that large sums were withdrawn from resident trust funds without documentation verifying that goods or services were provided. One resident reported that $700 was taken from her trust fund, acknowledged signing a Resident Trust Fund Withdrawal form for personal use, and stated she did not receive any goods or services in return. The withdrawal form listed the receptionist as the fund custodian. For this same resident, the Activities Director stated that the Business Office Manager (BOM) instructed her that the resident needed to withdraw money for personal use. The Activities Director completed the withdrawal form, obtained the resident’s signature, and returned the form to the BOM, but did not take the resident shopping in that time period and was unaware of what the money was spent on. Audit records later showed that the $700 withdrawal had no receipt and that the check was made out to the facility, rather than being tied to documented purchases for the resident. A second resident confirmed that money had been taken from his trust fund, that he had signed withdrawal forms, and that he did not recall receiving any goods or services in return. Records showed two withdrawals for this resident, one for $1,115 and another for $1,700, both documented as cash advances, with the receptionist listed as fund custodian and various staff as witnesses. The receptionist reported that the BOM directed her to complete the forms and told her the withdrawals were to spend down the resident’s account, but she was unsure what the money was spent on. Facility and corporate audit records indicated that these withdrawals lacked receipts and that the checks were made out to the facility, demonstrating that resident funds were withdrawn without supporting documentation verifying appropriate use, contrary to facility policy.
Failure to Secure Resident with Safety Seat Belt During Van Transport
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident, who had an acquired absence of the left leg below the knee, was being transported by van to a physician's appointment. During the trip, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) responsible for the transport failed to secure the resident with the vehicle-supplied safety seat belt, although the wheelchair itself was secured to the van. The CNA later admitted that the seat belt was not buckled around the resident. As a result, the resident slid out of the wheelchair and fell onto the floor of the van. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were contacted, and the resident was transported to the emergency room, where it was determined that no injuries had occurred and no treatment was required. Further review revealed that the facility did not have a policy on accident prevention or van transport. Staff interviews confirmed that the expectation was for the safety seat belt to be used during transport, and both the Administrator and Director of Nursing acknowledged that the failure to apply the seat belt could result in injuries. The lack of a specific policy and the omission of the safety measure directly contributed to the incident.
Medication Administration Failure in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents were free from significant medication errors, as evidenced by the failure to administer scheduled medications to seven residents during a specific shift. The incident occurred when a registered nurse (RN) assigned to the medication cart for the 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM shift did not administer medications to these residents. The RN had been notified of the assignment due to a call-in and was offered assistance by the Staff Development Nurse (SDN), which she declined. The RN later resigned after being called into the Director of Nursing's (DON) office regarding her attitude and disclosed the list of residents who had not received their medications. The residents affected by the missed medication administration had various medical conditions requiring regular medication. For instance, one resident had active orders for medications such as Metoprolol, Eliquis, Cozaar, and Dilantin, which were not administered at the scheduled times. Another resident had orders for Rivaroxaban, which was also missed. The residents' medical histories included conditions such as cerebral infarction, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure, highlighting the critical nature of timely medication administration. Interviews with staff revealed that the RN had previously worked on the medication cart without issues and had been offered help on the day of the incident, which she declined. The facility's policy on administering medications emphasizes safe and timely administration, which was not adhered to in this case. The administrator confirmed that the expectation was for the RN to administer medications as ordered, and the failure to do so resulted in a significant medication error affecting multiple residents.
Infection Preventionist Training Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the designated Infection Preventionist (IP) had completed the required training for the role, as observed over three survey days. The facility's policy, revised in October 2018, mandates that the infection prevention and control program be coordinated by a certified infection preventionist. However, during an interview, an LPN revealed that she was unaware of the need for formal training or certification when she assumed the role in January. Although she had begun training with the World Health Organization, she had not completed it. The Director of Nurses confirmed that three nurses, including herself, were undergoing training, but none had completed it. The Administrator, who took the position in April, was informed of the lack of a certified IP and was under the impression that the necessary training was being pursued, but was unaware of its incomplete status.
Failure to Ensure Resident Privacy During Bed Bath
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the privacy and dignity of a resident during a bed bath, as observed by a State Agent. Resident #33 was found lying in bed uncovered, with only a brief on, and the privacy curtain was not pulled between her and her roommate. This lack of privacy occurred while Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) #2 was providing care and did not announce patient care when the State Agent knocked on the door. Resident #33, who has medical diagnoses including Moderate Intellectual Disabilities and Pseudobulbar Affect, was unable to communicate effectively during the observation. Interviews with CNA #2, CNA #3, and the Director of Nurses (DON) confirmed that the privacy curtain should have been pulled to maintain the resident's dignity and privacy. CNA #2 admitted to not pulling the curtain, acknowledging it should have been done. CNA #3 and the DON emphasized the importance of using the privacy curtain during any type of care to protect residents' dignity. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) for Resident #33 indicated a severe cognitive impairment, highlighting the need for staff to be vigilant in maintaining privacy for vulnerable residents.
Facility Fails to Maintain Resident's Wheelchair in Good Repair
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a resident with a wheelchair in good repair, as evidenced by a broken brake and a tattered armrest. During an observation and interview, the resident reported that the wheelchair brake had been broken for some time, with the right brake hanging down loosely and unable to secure the wheel. Additionally, the right armrest was tattered and torn, exposing black foam. This deficiency was identified for one of the 17 sampled residents. The Maintenance Director was unaware of the wheelchair's disrepair and acknowledged his responsibility for ensuring resident equipment was in good working order. He confirmed the need for a new armrest and stated that the brake could be repaired. The Director of Nursing explained that aides were responsible for washing and cleaning wheelchairs at night and notifying the Maintenance Director of any equipment in disrepair. The resident involved had been admitted to the facility with a medical diagnosis of Hemiplegia and Hemiparesis following Cerebrovascular Disease affecting the right dominant side.
Failure to Honor Resident's Choice for Salt with Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor a resident's choice for salt with meals, which is a violation of the resident's rights to self-determination. The incident involved a resident who had repeatedly requested salt to be added to his meals, as he found the food unpalatable without it. Despite his requests, the staff denied him salt due to a physician's order for a No Added Salt (NAS) diet, which was prescribed because of his high blood pressure. The resident, who was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 14, expressed his dissatisfaction during an observation and interview, stating that he could not enjoy his meals without salt. The Dietary Supervisor confirmed that the resident had a NAS diet order and had been educated about the potential health risks of consuming salt, such as swelling, due to his high blood pressure. However, the Director of Nursing acknowledged that the resident had the right to request and be given salt with his meals and mentioned that the resident could have signed a waiver to receive salt. The facility's policy on resident rights, which aims to ensure residents are not deprived of their rights, was not adhered to in this case, as the resident's choice was not supported or facilitated.
Failure to Complete Advance Directive Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the advance directive for code status preference was discussed and completed for a resident. The facility's policy on advance directives, revised on 11/14/18, mandates that the center will honor all properly executed advance directives provided by the resident or their representative. The process requires the Social Service Director or Business Development Coordinator to communicate with the resident or their representative about their right to make choices concerning health care and treatments upon admission and to review these directives quarterly. However, for one resident, there was a physician order for a full code status dated 2/1/18, but no signed document indicating the desired end-of-life care was found in the resident's electronic or paper records. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the resident had an electronic order for a full code but lacked the necessary advance directive document indicating the resident's or representative's end-of-life care preferences. The responsibility for completing this documentation on admission and quarterly was assigned to the social service director, who failed to ensure accurate documentation. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including dementia with behavioral disturbance, congestive heart failure, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, had a Brief Interview for Mental Status score indicating severe cognitive impairment, further emphasizing the need for proper documentation and communication with the resident's representative.
Failure to Include Turning and Repositioning in Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan for a resident who was dependent on staff for turning and repositioning. The care plan for this resident, who had a self-care performance deficit related to confusion and limited mobility, did not include specific instructions for turning and repositioning, which are essential to prevent skin breakdown and pressure ulcers. Observations on multiple occasions revealed that the resident remained in the same position for extended periods, indicating a lack of adherence to a two-hour turning schedule. Interviews with facility staff, including an LPN and a CNA, confirmed that the resident's care plan lacked specific instructions for turning and repositioning, despite the resident's need for extensive assistance. The staff acknowledged that turning and repositioning should be included in the care plan to guide care and prevent complications. The Director of Nursing also confirmed the omission and recognized the need for improvement in the care planning process. The resident's medical history included severe cognitive impairment and a need for substantial assistance with mobility, underscoring the importance of a detailed care plan.
Failure to Maintain Resident Hygiene During Mealtimes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident was clean and dry, as observed during a survey. A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) delivered a lunch tray to a resident but did not address the resident's need for changing, despite the resident indicating that the bed was wet. The resident was found lying in bed with a saturated disposable pad, and the CNA only provided a sheet to cover the resident's legs, citing a facility rule against changing residents during mealtimes. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the CNA revealed a misunderstanding of facility policy. The DON stated that aides and nurses are responsible for changing and toileting residents during mealtimes if needed, and leaving a resident wet is unacceptable. However, the CNA believed that changing a resident during mealtime could cause infection concerns for others in the room. This misinterpretation led to the resident remaining wet, which could potentially cause skin concerns.
Failure to Reposition Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to reposition a resident, identified as Resident #18, who was dependent on staff for mobility. Observations on June 4, 2024, revealed that the resident remained in the same position in bed with the head of the bed elevated at 90 degrees from 8:15 AM to 12:30 PM. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) #1 admitted to not turning the resident, citing a lack of training and familiarity with the resident, despite having prior experience as a CNA. Interviews with other staff, including the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) supervisor and the Director of Nurses (DON), confirmed that the expectation was for residents to be turned every two hours to prevent skin breakdown, and that staff should use common sense or ask for guidance if unsure. Resident #18 was noted to be severely cognitively impaired and required substantial assistance with bed mobility, as indicated in their Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment. The resident was totally dependent on staff for all activities, including feeding. Despite the lack of repositioning, a full body audit conducted by the LPN/Wound Nurse found no issues of skin breakdown or pressure wounds. The facility's policy on contracture prevention emphasized the need for frequent repositioning of residents who are unable to move themselves, aligning with the staff's acknowledgment of the necessity to turn residents every two hours.
Failure to Complete CNA Competency Check-Off
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) completed an orientation competency check-off before caring for residents. The facility's policy requires new employees to undergo orientation, which includes a skills competency check-off to ensure they are competent in their roles. However, a review of CNA #1's personnel record revealed that this check-off was not completed. CNA #1, who had been at the facility for two weeks, confirmed in an interview that she was not trained and was put to work immediately. Further interviews revealed that the responsibility for ensuring the completion of the competency check-off fell to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), who admitted that the process was missed due to the CNA's requested days off. The Director of Nurses (DON) confirmed that the CNA should have completed the orientation skills check-off before starting work. The CNA's timesheet showed she had worked multiple days without the required competency verification.
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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