Cypress Valley Center For Nursing And Rehabilitati
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Reidsville, North Carolina.
- Location
- 543 Maple Avenue, Reidsville, North Carolina 27320
- CMS Provider Number
- 345227
- Inspections on file
- 24
- Latest survey
- July 10, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 7
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Cypress Valley Center For Nursing And Rehabilitati during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility did not provide the required 8 hours of RN coverage on three occasions when the scheduled RN called out and no replacement was arranged. Staffing records and interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that no RN was available to cover these shifts, resulting in a lack of RN coverage for the entire 24-hour period.
Surveyors identified deficiencies in the Dietary Department, including improper storage, labeling, and dating of food items, failure to dispose of expired foods, and not following manufacturer storage instructions. Two dietary staff members, including the manager, were observed preparing food without proper beard restraints or full hair coverage. Additionally, kitchen equipment such as the fryer and stove had significant grease build-up, indicating inadequate cleaning practices.
Surveyors identified that several residents' MDS assessments were inaccurately coded, including failure to document antibiotic administration, PASRR Level II status, range of motion impairment, and the correct source of admission or re-entry. These errors were confirmed through record review, staff interviews, and direct observation, and involved both clinical and administrative staff.
The facility did not ensure that care plans were reviewed and updated by the IDT after MDS assessments, nor did it involve two residents or their representatives in the care planning process. Both residents, who were cognitively intact and required significant assistance with daily living, were not invited to participate in care plan meetings after their initial conferences, and staff confirmed that ongoing care plan reviews and meetings for long-term residents were not conducted.
A resident with left-hand contractures and a history of traumatic brain injury did not have a physician-ordered splint applied as required, despite care plans and staff training. Multiple observations showed the splint was not in use, and staff interviews revealed confusion about responsibility for its application. Documentation indicated skin checks were performed, but the splint was not consistently applied as ordered.
A resident with a history of traumatic brain injury and stroke struck another resident with severe cognitive impairment on the forehead after being blocked from exiting their shared room. The incident was witnessed by staff, resulting in a minor injury to the resident who was struck. There was no prior history of altercations between the two residents, and the event was reported to authorities.
The facility failed to properly date and discard opened multi-dose insulin pen injectors and remove expired medications in two medication carts. Additionally, loose pills were found in three medication carts, with staff failing to clean and check the carts before their shifts. Nurses acknowledged their responsibility for these tasks but admitted to not performing them during their shifts.
The facility failed to manage food storage and cleanliness, with expired and unlabeled foods found in refrigerators and storage areas. Kitchen appliances and storage areas were not cleaned regularly, leading to grease and food particles accumulation. The dietary manager and staff did not follow cleaning schedules, resulting in unsanitary conditions.
The facility failed to maintain secure and safe handrails in three halls, with observations noting broken, cracked, and missing end caps. Despite staff and residents using these handrails, they remained unrepaired, posing potential hazards. The Maintenance Director, new to the position, was unaware of the repair system, and the Administrator acknowledged the need for immediate audits and repairs.
The facility failed to maintain a clean and safe environment for residents, with multiple rooms found in unsanitary conditions and structural issues noted. Staffing shortages significantly impacted the housekeeping staff's ability to perform thorough cleaning, as reported by the staff and acknowledged by the housekeeping director. The maintenance director was unaware of the facility's environmental needs, and the administrator confirmed that recent staffing changes affected their ability to maintain cleanliness and structural integrity.
The facility did not meet the requirement for 8-hour RN coverage on 14 days, as revealed by staffing data and assignment schedules. The DON noted issues with RN coverage during the transition from agency staff, while the Scheduler cited call-outs as the cause of gaps. The Administrator was unaware of these call-outs and stressed the need for communication about RN coverage issues.
A resident with a right femur fracture and other conditions was discharged from an LTC facility without proper discharge planning. The facility did not conduct a discharge planning meeting or prepare necessary paperwork, resulting in the resident leaving without home health services or prescriptions. The family was not informed of the discharge process and had to arrange for services themselves, leading to a delay in care. The absence of a social worker contributed to the failure in implementing the discharge process.
A facility failed to complete a recapitulation of stay for a resident discharged to the community. The resident had multiple diagnoses, including a right femur fracture and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with intact cognition. The discharge summary was not completed due to the absence of a social worker, and the Director of Nursing was unsure why the recapitulation was not done.
The facility inaccurately coded MDS assessments for two residents, leading to deficiencies in cognitive patterns and medication documentation. One resident's cognitive status was not properly assessed, while another was incorrectly documented as receiving an insulin injection instead of a TB test. The MDS nurse and Administrator acknowledged these errors.
Failure to Provide Required RN Coverage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the required 8 hours of Registered Nurse (RN) coverage on three specific days during the review period. Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) staffing data and daily assignment sheets confirmed that on these dates, the RN scheduled to work called out and was not replaced, resulting in no RN coverage for the entire 24-hour period. At the time, the facility only employed two RNs, and the other RN was unavailable to cover the shifts. Both the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator verified that there was no RN coverage on the identified dates.
Deficiencies in Food Storage, Labeling, Hygiene, and Kitchen Cleanliness
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies in the facility's Dietary Department related to food storage, labeling, and hygiene practices. During initial and follow-up tours, several food items in the walk-in cooler, dry storage room, and walk-in freezer were found to be improperly stored, including opened bags of parsley, ham, cheese, margarine, taco seasoning, chicken breast strips, and breadsticks that were not sealed or dated as required. Some food items were also found to be expired, such as boxes of thickened sweetened tea and honey mustard dressing, and were not disposed of in a timely manner. Additionally, certain food products, including bread and croissants, were not stored according to the manufacturer's instructions, with items labeled for frozen storage being kept in the cooler or at room temperature instead. Dietary staff were observed not adhering to professional standards for personal hygiene. Two staff members, including the Dietary Manager and a Dietary Aide, were seen working in food preparation areas without proper beard restraints, and the hairnet worn by the Dietary Manager did not fully cover all hair. On a subsequent observation, the Dietary Manager was seen with his beard restraint positioned incorrectly, exposing facial hair while assisting with the tray line. The Regional Director of Dietary Services confirmed that all hair, including facial hair, should be covered while working in the Dietary Department. The cleanliness of kitchen equipment was also found to be lacking. The deep fat fryer and stove/oven had visible, sticky, dark brown grease build-up on their surfaces, indicating that cleaning schedules were not being followed. The Regional Director of Dietary Services acknowledged that these issues should have been addressed through routine cleaning and daily rounds. The facility's Administrator was informed of these findings during an interview.
Inaccurate MDS Coding for Medications, PASRR Status, Range of Motion, and Admission Source
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately code the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for multiple residents in several key areas, resulting in deficiencies. For one resident with diabetes and cirrhosis, the MDS did not reflect the administration of an antibiotic (rifaximin) during the 7-day look-back period, despite documentation in the Medication Administration Record and confirmation by MDS staff that the medication was given. Another resident who was hospitalized for sepsis and re-entered the facility was incorrectly coded as having entered from another nursing home, rather than from a hospital, due to reliance on pre-populated fields and lack of verification by the Social Service Director. A resident with schizoaffective disorder and a PASRR Level II determination was not accurately coded on the MDS to reflect this status, even though the care plan and PASRR documentation confirmed the requirement for specialized services. The MDS nurse acknowledged the omission, attributing it to assessments being completed by remote staff. Additionally, a resident with dementia and contractures was incorrectly coded as having no upper extremity impairment, despite care plan documentation and direct observation of contractures in the left hand and wrist. The MDS nurse admitted this was an oversight, and the administrator confirmed the coding error regarding range of motion. These inaccuracies were identified through staff interviews, record reviews, and direct observation, affecting four out of twenty-one residents whose MDS assessments were reviewed. The deficiencies involved failure to accurately document antibiotic use, PASRR Level II status, range of motion impairment, and the correct discharge location prior to admission or re-entry, as required by regulatory standards.
Failure to Review and Update Care Plans with Resident Participation After MDS Assessments
Penalty
Summary
The facility's Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) failed to review and update care plans following annual and quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments and did not involve residents or their representatives in the care planning process for two sampled residents. For one resident with diabetes mellitus type 2 and congestive heart failure, records showed no evidence of IDT review or resident/family participation in care plan meetings after the most recent quarterly MDS. The resident confirmed not being invited to any care plan meetings, and staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and implementation of required care plan reviews and meetings for long-term residents. Similarly, another resident with poly-osteoarthritis, dementia, and hypothyroidism had not participated in a care plan meeting since an initial conference, despite being cognitively intact and dependent on staff for daily activities. Documentation did not show IDT review or resident/family involvement in care plan updates after the most recent comprehensive annual MDS. Staff interviews confirmed that only initial care plan meetings were being conducted for new admissions, and ongoing care plan reviews and meetings for long-term residents were not held as required.
Failure to Apply Ordered Splint for Contracture Management
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when staff failed to apply a left-hand splint as ordered for a resident with contractures. The resident, who had diagnoses including dementia, contractures of the left wrist and hand, and a history of traumatic brain injury, was care planned and had physician orders to wear a left-hand splint for 4-6 hours daily, with skin checks to be performed after removal. Occupational therapy had previously worked with the resident, and at discharge, the resident was able to tolerate the splint for the required duration. The care plan and restorative program staff were trained to apply the splint, and the resident was dependent on staff for all ADLs. Despite these orders and care plans, multiple observations over several days revealed that the resident was not wearing the splint during various times of the day, both in bed and in a wheelchair. Staff interviews indicated confusion regarding responsibility for applying the splint, with some staff believing it was the responsibility of therapy staff, while others stated that nursing or restorative staff should apply it. The splint was found in the resident's nightstand drawer, and staff did not apply it or notify others about its absence from the resident's hand. Documentation in the Medication Administration Record indicated that skin checks were being documented as completed, but direct observations contradicted this, as the splint was not being applied as ordered. Interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that nursing staff were responsible for applying the splint daily, but this was not being carried out in practice, resulting in a failure to follow physician orders and care plan interventions for contracture management.
Failure to Protect Resident from Resident-to-Resident Abuse
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident was not protected from resident-to-resident abuse. The incident involved one resident, who was cognitively intact but had a history of traumatic brain injury and stroke, striking another resident on the forehead with his fist. The altercation happened as the first resident attempted to exit their shared room in his wheelchair but was blocked by the other resident's geri-chair. The resident who was struck had severe cognitive impairment, dementia with psychotic disturbance, and a history of physical aggression toward staff, but no prior behavioral concerns with other residents were documented. The event was directly observed by nursing staff, who immediately separated the two residents. The resident who was struck sustained a raised red area on his forehead and was later evaluated in the emergency room, where a CT scan was negative for acute injury. The resident who initiated the altercation admitted to hitting the other resident because he was blocked and felt ignored. There was no documentation of previous altercations or arguments between these two residents prior to this incident. Care plans for both residents noted their respective cognitive and behavioral histories, but there was no indication of prior issues between them. The incident was reported to the appropriate authorities, and both residents' representatives were notified. The deficiency was identified as a failure to protect a resident from abuse by another resident, as required by regulations.
Medication Handling and Storage Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility was found to have several deficiencies related to the handling and storage of medications. During observations, it was noted that opened multi-dose insulin pen injectors were not dated in two of the four medication administration carts, specifically in the Lower A and Lower B halls. Additionally, an expired multi-dose insulin pen injector was found in the Lower A hall cart. Nurses interviewed during the survey indicated that they were responsible for discarding opened and undated multi-dose vials and for checking the dates of opening on insulin pens at the beginning of their shifts. However, they admitted to not having checked the dates during their current shifts. Furthermore, the survey revealed that loose pills were found in the medication administration cart drawers in three of the four carts observed, located in the Lower A hall, and Upper and Lower B halls. The nurses and medication aide responsible for these carts were unable to identify the loose pills and acknowledged that they had not cleaned the carts before their shifts, despite being responsible for checking and cleaning the medication carts each shift. The Director of Nursing confirmed that all nurses were expected to date multi-dose medication containers, check for expired medications, and ensure no loose pills were left in the carts.
Deficiencies in Food Storage and Kitchen Cleanliness
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly manage and maintain food storage and cleanliness in the kitchen and storage areas, leading to potential health risks for residents. Observations revealed expired foods and improperly labeled items in the reach-in refrigerator, walk-in refrigerator, and dry storage area. The dietary cook and manager acknowledged that leftover foods should be discarded within a specific timeframe, but several items were found without proper labeling or past their expiration dates. Additionally, personal items were improperly stored in the facility's refrigerators. The facility also failed to maintain cleanliness in various kitchen areas, including the stove, oven, deep fryer, and silverware holder. Observations showed grease and food particles on these appliances, and the dietary manager admitted that cleaning schedules were not adequately followed. The walk-in refrigerator and freezer floors were found with debris and spills, indicating a lack of regular cleaning. The dietary manager and staff were responsible for cleaning these areas, but the cleaning was not performed as required. Interviews with the dietary manager and regional director revealed inconsistencies in cleaning schedules and responsibilities. The dietary manager was responsible for ensuring daily and weekly cleaning tasks were completed, but there was no documentation for daily cleaning schedules. The regional director emphasized the importance of proper labeling and discarding of food, as well as maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen. The administrator confirmed that the dietary manager was accountable for overseeing these tasks and ensuring compliance with the facility's standards.
Handrail Deficiencies in Facility Corridors
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that handrails in the corridors were properly secured, repaired, and free from sharp edges across three halls. During an observation on June 17, 2024, it was noted that the handrails in the A hall were in need of repairs due to being broken, cracked, and missing end caps. These issues were observed in the corridor joining the A facility hall bathroom and several resident rooms, as well as the resident shower room. The sharp edges of the handrails, due to missing end caps, posed a potential hazard as staff and residents were seen using them in their current condition. Further observations on the same day revealed similar issues in the C hall and B hall, where handrails were also broken, cracked, and missing end caps. These conditions were noted in corridors joining various rooms and areas, including storage and medical supply rooms. A follow-up observation on June 19, 2024, confirmed that the handrails remained unrepaired, and staff and residents continued to use them. The Maintenance Director, who had recently started, was unaware of the facility's repair system and had not yet addressed these issues. The Administrator acknowledged the responsibility of the Environmental Service Director and Maintenance Director in ensuring repairs for resident safety.
Facility Fails to Maintain Clean and Safe Environment Due to Staffing Shortages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a clean and safe environment for residents across three halls, as observed during a survey. Multiple rooms were found with sticky floors, leftover food, paper products, and stains, indicating a lack of regular cleaning. Additionally, structural issues such as holes in walls and detached baseboards were noted, further compromising the safety and comfort of the residents. Interviews with housekeeping staff revealed that staffing shortages significantly impacted their ability to perform thorough cleaning. Housekeepers reported being unable to complete all assigned rooms, especially when deep cleaning was required. The housekeeping director acknowledged the staffing issues and admitted to not being able to follow up on cleaning schedules due to the need to fill in for absent staff. The maintenance director, who had recently started, was unaware of the facility's environmental needs and had not yet established a system for ensuring repairs were completed. The administrator confirmed that the environmental service director and maintenance director were responsible for maintaining cleanliness and structural integrity, but recent staffing changes had affected their ability to perform these duties effectively.
Failure to Provide Required RN Coverage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the required 8 hours of Registered Nurse (RN) coverage on 14 out of 123 days reviewed. Specifically, the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) Staffing Data Report for Fiscal Year - Quarter 2, 2024, indicated no RN coverage on six specific dates in March 2024. Additionally, daily assignment schedules from May 17, 2024, through June 17, 2024, showed a lack of 8-hour RN coverage on eight specific dates in June 2024. During interviews, the Director of Nursing (DON) mentioned that staffing schedules were managed by the Scheduler and acknowledged issues with RN coverage as the facility phased out agency staff. The Scheduler confirmed awareness of the 8-hour RN coverage requirement and stated that RNs were scheduled, but call-outs led to coverage gaps. The Administrator expressed an expectation for 8-hour consecutive RN coverage daily and noted that she was not informed of the call-outs by the Scheduler, emphasizing the need for communication regarding RN coverage problems.
Failure in Discharge Planning Process
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement an effective discharge planning process for a resident who was reviewed for discharge to the community. The resident, who had diagnoses including a right femur fracture and chronic pulmonary obstruction disease, was admitted to the facility and required one-person assistance with activities of daily living. Despite the resident's intact cognition and expressed desire to return home, the facility did not initiate active discharge planning at the time of admission or prior to discharge. The admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment and care area assessment did not trigger a discharge plan, and there was no documentation in the care plan regarding the resident's discharge to the community. The discharge process was inadequately managed, as evidenced by the lack of a discharge planning meeting with the resident, family, and interdisciplinary team. The family was informed of the discharge date by the insurance company, not the facility, and was not provided with necessary information or services at the time of discharge. The resident was discharged without a prepared discharge packet, including home health services, prescriptions, or home care instructions. The family had to contact the facility the following day to obtain prescriptions and a contact for home health services, resulting in a delay of three weeks before the resident received home health or therapy services. Interviews with facility staff, including a nurse, nurse practitioner, rehab director, and director of nursing, revealed a lack of communication and coordination in the discharge process. The absence of a social worker contributed to the failure to implement the discharge process according to facility policy. The discharge paperwork was not prepared, and the interdisciplinary meeting did not occur, leading to the resident being discharged without the necessary support and services in place. The facility acknowledged these deficiencies, but the report does not include any corrective actions taken to address the issue.
Failure to Complete Recapitulation of Stay for Discharged Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a recapitulation of stay for a resident who was discharged to the community. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including a right femur fracture, peripheral vascular disease, atrial fibrillation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The resident's cognition was intact as per the Minimum Data Set assessment. Upon discharge, the facility did not complete the necessary recapitulation of stay, which is a summary of the services provided during the resident's stay. Interviews with the Administrator and the Director of Nursing revealed that the discharge summary was not completed due to the absence of a social worker, and there was uncertainty about why the recapitulation was not done.
Inaccurate MDS Coding for Cognitive Patterns and Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately code the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for two residents, leading to deficiencies in the areas of cognitive patterns and medication documentation. Resident #251, who was admitted with diagnoses including malignant neoplasm and tracheostomy status, had an MDS assessment that inaccurately marked the resident as rarely/never understood, without assessing the cognitive patterns section. The MDS nurse acknowledged that the cognition section should have been completed using staff interviews to assess the resident's cognitive status. The Administrator confirmed that it was expected for all MDS assessments to accurately reflect the resident's cognition status. For Resident #38, the MDS assessment inaccurately documented that the resident received an insulin injection during the look-back period, despite no medication orders for insulin being present. The MDS nurse clarified that the resident had received a Tuberculosis (TB) test, and the insulin injection entry was an error. The Administrator reiterated the expectation for MDS assessments to accurately reflect the medications administered to residents.
Latest citations in North Carolina
A cognitively impaired, exit-seeking resident with dementia, insomnia, gait abnormalities, orthostatic hypotension, and high fall risk repeatedly wandered at night and was known by staff to push on an emergency exit door. On two consecutive nights, the resident left the building unsupervised through a west hall emergency exit that had been manually left unlocked and with its door alarm turned off, so no alarm sounded when it was used. After the first elopement, the nurse and NA did not verify that the door’s lock and alarm were re-engaged, and no new monitoring was implemented, allowing the resident to exit again a few hours later. Maintenance later confirmed the door hardware and alarm were functioning properly and could only be disabled manually, meaning staff actions and inactions in securing and monitoring the door directly enabled both elopements.
Surveyors identified multiple failures in food labeling, storage, and sanitation, including dirty water spigots above the cooking range, a scoop stored with its handle in direct contact with rice, and unsealed croissants without open or use-by dates in a walk-in cooler. In three nourishment rooms, open food items such as a half-eaten creme pie with used forks, a reusable container of dressing, a pudding cup, a fast-food sandwich, and a milkshake were found without required open and/or use-by dates. The Dietary Manager reported that all nourishment room food must be labeled with both an open date and a 7-day use-by date and noted that new staff and nursing staff were not consistently labeling items as required.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment who used a wheelchair for mobility was observed being quickly pulled backward down a hallway while reclined in a geriatric chair, instead of being pushed forward in a dignified manner. The NA reported he pulled the chair backward because he felt it was harder to push forward, and he was unaware of any equipment problems. A SW later tested the same geriatric chair and found it functioned properly. Facility leadership, including the Staff Development Director, DON, and Administrator, stated that staff are educated on residents’ rights, dignity, and wheelchair use, and confirmed the expectation that residents be pushed forward in wheelchairs and geriatric chairs at a normal, dignified pace.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and ADL deficits, including dependence on staff for bathing and grooming, was observed multiple times with long, stringy, visibly greasy and dirty hair despite being scheduled for twice-weekly showers. Nursing staff reported providing bed baths instead of full showers and only wetting the resident’s hair, while hospice staff provided intermittent bed baths with no-rinse shampoo and were unsure of the facility’s regular shower routine. The resident had not been to the beauty shop for hair care in over two months due to being mistakenly left off the beauty shop list. Facility leadership expected that the resident’s hair would be properly washed on scheduled shower days but could not identify when the hair was last washed, resulting in a failure to provide appropriate hair washing services.
Staff failed to follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) by not wearing gowns during high-contact care activities for two residents on EBP. In one case, a nurse provided catheter care to a resident with an EBP sign and available PPE but wore only gloves, later stating she believed gowns were needed only when changing the catheter. In another case, two NAs used a mechanical lift to transfer a resident with a gastrostomy tube, again with EBP signage and PPE present, but wore only gloves; one NA stated he did not view transferring as high-contact care, and the other reported she did not always use gowns for transfers. These actions conflicted with the facility’s EBP policy and posted instructions requiring both gown and gloves for high-contact activities such as catheter care and transfers.
The facility failed to obtain and document informed consent for psychotropic medications for three residents. One resident with dementia and behavioral symptoms received quetiapine and divalproex, including a dose increase, without documented evidence that the responsible party was informed of risks and benefits or consented. Another resident with anxiety and depression, severe cognitive impairment, and disruptive behaviors was started on duloxetine and given multiple doses of PRN lorazepam, again without documentation that the responsible party was informed or consent obtained. A third cognitively intact resident with depression and anxiety received escitalopram 20 mg daily with no record that she was informed of the medication’s risks and benefits or that she consented. The Nurse Team Lead, identified as responsible for obtaining psychotropic consents, and the DON both confirmed that the expected notifications and consent documentation were not present in the medical records.
A resident with intact cognition was discharged to the community without a complete discharge summary that recapitulated the course of treatment. The electronic Transfer/Discharge Report contained basic demographic and clinical data but left key sections blank, including advanced directives, diet type/texture/fluid consistency, and resident-specific information on behaviors, ambulation, bladder/bowel status, feeding, and usual level of functioning, and lacked a signed acknowledgment that a copy was provided to the resident or representative. The SW reported she arranged post-discharge services, provided a medication list and satisfaction survey, and documented discharge arrangements, but was unaware that a comprehensive discharge summary with a recapitulation of the stay was required, and the Administrator confirmed the form used did not include this required summary with interdisciplinary input.
A resident admitted with bipolar disorder and receiving routine antipsychotic and antidepressant medications had only a prior Level I PASRR on file, with no Level II PASRR request submitted despite ongoing documentation of an active psychiatric diagnosis and psychotropic treatment in MDS assessments, NP notes, and the care plan. The SW confirmed she verified the existence of a PASRR before admission but did not request a Level II evaluation, believing it was only necessary if the resident exhibited behaviors, and the administrator acknowledged that no Level II PASRR request was made for this resident with a mental health diagnosis.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple comorbidities, including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, severe protein-calorie malnutrition, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension, was not seen face-to-face by a physician within 30 days of admission as required. The resident was evaluated by a PA and later by an NP, but the Nurse Team Lead relied on a tracking report that combined all provider visits (NP, PA, and physician) without distinguishing physician-required visits. As a result, the resident did not appear on the physician-visit list when the physician was on-site and was inadvertently overlooked, a fact confirmed by both the Nurse Team Lead and the Administrator.
A resident with dementia, osteoporosis, and prior femur fracture experienced an unwitnessed fall and subsequently developed severe hip pain and decreased ability to ambulate and transfer. Nursing staff failed to document the fall on the day it occurred, did not complete comprehensive lower‑extremity or mobility assessments, and repeatedly charted pain scores of 0 despite the resident’s complaints and nurse aide reports of significant pain with movement and increased assistance needs. An NP evaluated the resident for hip pain but was not informed of the fall, did not assess the hips or legs, and treated the pain as baseline neuropathic discomfort. Over several days, PRN acetaminophen was given intermittently without consistent pain scoring, multiple shifts lacked progress notes or assessments, and aides assumed nurses were aware of the resident’s worsening pain and functional decline. Bilateral hip x‑rays were eventually ordered after internal communication about hip pain, and the report later showed an acute displaced femoral neck fracture, after which the resident was sent to the hospital and underwent a left hip hemiarthroplasty.
Unsecured Emergency Exit Allows Repeated Elopement of High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to keep an emergency exit door secured and alarmed, which allowed a cognitively impaired, exit-seeking resident at high fall risk to leave the building unsupervised on two consecutive nights. The resident had dementia with psychotic disturbance, severe cognitive impairment, a history of wandering and exit-seeking, orthostatic hypotension, gait abnormalities, and muscle weakness. Care plans and assessments identified wandering, exit seeking, fall risk, and insomnia, and interventions included a wander guard bracelet, frequent safety checks, environmental monitoring, and redirection from exits. Despite this, the resident routinely wandered at night, roamed the halls, entered other residents’ rooms, and was known by staff to push on the emergency exit door in attempts to leave. On the first night, in the early morning hours while it was still dark, the nurse noticed the resident was no longer in the hallway or in his room. The assigned NA, positioned near the west hall emergency exit, reported hearing a door slam but assumed it was a nearby resident’s room door because the emergency door alarm had not sounded. When the nurse checked the emergency exit, he found it unlocked and non-alarming, exited through it, and after walking several minutes from the back of the building to the front, located the resident standing at the main entrance. The resident’s wander bracelet triggered the main entrance door alarm when they re-entered, confirming the bracelet was in place. The nurse believed the emergency door locked and re-armed automatically and did not verify the lock or alarm status of the door after the incident or before the end of his shift, and no additional monitoring or new interventions were implemented at that time. On the second night, the same nurse observed the resident in bed at approximately 1:30 AM, but by about 2:00 AM the resident was again missing from his room. The nurse immediately went to the same west hall emergency exit and saw the resident outside through the door’s glass, walking away from the building. The door was again unlocked and did not alarm when opened. The nurse brought the resident back inside through that door and assessed him with no injuries noted. Staff interviews and maintenance inspection confirmed that the emergency exit door’s magnetic lock was controlled by a wall switch and the red alarm box on the door could only be turned on or off with a key; the system did not malfunction and could not be defeated by holding the push bar. This meant the door’s lock and alarm had been manually disabled by staff on at least one prior shift, and staff on subsequent shifts, including nurses and NAs who were aware of the resident’s exit-seeking behavior and the first elopement, did not verify that the door was secured and alarmed, allowing the resident to exit a second time without staff knowledge.
Removal Plan
- Identify recipients who have suffered, or are likely to suffer, a serious adverse outcome as a result of the noncompliance
- Ensure Resident #89 has a wander bracelet in place
- Pursue or redirect Resident #89 back into the facility if he exits
- Assess Resident #89 for acute distress or injury after an elopement event
- Administer scheduled bedtime medications for insomnia (melatonin 3 mg and trazodone 50 mg) as ordered
- Initiate an order for checks of Resident #89’s whereabouts
- Document completion of checks on the Medication Administration Record
Improper Food Labeling, Storage, and Sanitation in Kitchen and Nourishment Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly label, date, and store food items and to maintain cleanliness in food preparation and nourishment areas. During an initial kitchen tour with the Dietary Manager, surveyors observed visible dirt and grime buildup on three water spigots above the cooking range and found a plastic scoop left in a rice bin with the handle and bottom in direct contact with the rice. In walk-in cooler #2, a cardboard flat of croissants had been cut open, with seven croissants already used, and the remaining croissants were not resealed or labeled with an open or use-by date. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that the open croissants had been missed by kitchen staff and that the rice scoop should have been stored in its designated holder on the bin. In three nourishment rooms, surveyors found multiple food items that were open but not properly labeled with open and/or use-by dates. In one nourishment room refrigerator, there was a half-eaten creme pie with three used plastic forks left in the pan and a small reusable container of ranch dressing, both open and unlabeled. In another nourishment room refrigerator, a vanilla pudding cup and a wrapped fast-food sandwich were open and labeled only with open dates, but no use-by dates. In a third nourishment room refrigerator, a fast-food milkshake was open with no open or use-by date. The Dietary Manager stated that all nourishment room food items were required to be labeled with both an open date and a use-by date set seven days after opening, and reported that some new staff were not labeling items correctly and that nursing staff often left items in nourishment refrigerators without appropriate labeling.
Resident Dignity Compromised During Transport in Geriatric Chair
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a failure to maintain a resident’s dignity and right to a dignified existence and self-determination when a nurse aide transported the resident in a manner inconsistent with facility expectations. The resident, who had clear speech but severe cognitive impairment and required a wheelchair for mobility, was observed during a continuous observation being quickly pulled backward approximately 30 feet down the South Hall from the day room to her room while reclined in a geriatric chair. A reasonable person would have expected to be treated with dignity and to be wheeled forward in the chair. During interviews, the nurse aide stated he chose to pull the resident backward because he felt it was harder to push the reclined geriatric chair forward and reported no awareness of problems with the chair. The social worker later pushed the same geriatric chair forward and backward in the hallway and noted no functional concerns, stating the chair worked fine and needed no repairs. The Staff Development Director reported that staff receive education on residents’ rights, dignity, and wheelchair use, including speed and footrest use, and acknowledged the resident should not have been pulled backward in the geriatric chair. The DON and Administrator both stated they expected staff to push residents in wheelchairs and geriatric chairs forward, at a normal pace, and in a dignified manner.
Failure to Provide Adequate Hair Washing for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate hair washing services for a dependent resident with ADL deficits. The resident was admitted with senile degeneration of the brain, COPD, and heart failure, and had a care plan identifying ADL deficits due to generalized weakness, with interventions including setup for hair and oral hygiene daily and assistance with bathing and dressing. An annual MDS showed the resident was severely cognitively impaired and required extensive staff assistance for ADLs, with no behaviors or rejection of care documented. The shower schedule indicated the resident was to receive showers twice weekly on specific mornings. However, multiple observations over several days showed the resident in bed with long, stringy, visibly greasy and dirty hair that was stuck flat against her head, including on a scheduled shower day. Record review showed documentation that the resident received a shower on one of the observed days, but the NA assigned that day reported she actually provided a bed bath rather than a full shower and typically only wet the resident’s hair, noting it was becoming tangled, especially in the back. The NA stated a hospice bathing team visited a couple of times a week and used a no-rinse shampoo, but she was unsure of their specific care for this resident. The hospice nurse confirmed providing bed baths with no-rinse shampoo a couple of times a week and was unsure of the facility’s regular shower routine for the resident. The beauty shop operator and unit secretary both indicated it had been longer than two months since the resident’s last beauty shop visit, and the unit secretary acknowledged the resident’s name had been left off the beauty shop list by mistake. The DON stated NAs were expected to bathe the resident twice weekly and was unaware of when the resident’s hair was last washed, while the administrator stated his expectation that the resident’s hair would be properly washed on scheduled shower days.
Failure to Use Required Gowns Under Enhanced Barrier Precautions During High-Contact Care
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its own Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) policy requiring the use of gowns and gloves during high-contact resident care activities for residents on EBP. The written policy, revised on 7/26/2022, defined EBP as an infection control intervention to reduce transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) by using gowns and gloves during high-contact activities such as dressing, bathing, transferring, providing hygiene, changing linens or briefs, assisting with toileting, and device care or use, including urinary catheters and feeding tubes. Facility signage for EBP instructed staff to don a gown and gloves for high-contact resident care activities, and personal protective equipment (PPE), including gowns, was made available in holders at resident room doors. During an observation of catheter care for Resident #132, who was on EBP and had an EBP sign and PPE bin with gowns posted outside the room, Nurse #5 entered the room without wearing a gown. She washed her hands, donned gloves, removed the resident’s brief, and provided catheter care, then discarded supplies and gloves and washed her hands. In a subsequent interview, Nurse #5 acknowledged awareness that the resident was on EBP but stated she believed a gown was only required when changing the catheter, not when providing catheter care, and indicated she must have misunderstood the EBP instructions despite having received infection control training. In a separate observation, Resident #161’s room also had an EBP sign and PPE holder on the door, and the resident had a gastrostomy tube with tube feeding formula hanging at the bedside. When the resident returned from an outside appointment in a wheelchair, two nurse aides entered the room with a mechanical lift to transfer the resident to bed. Both aides wore gloves but did not wear gowns while completing the mechanical lift transfer. One aide stated he knew the resident was on EBP due to the gastrostomy tube but believed a gown was only required when performing “some type of care” and did not consider transferring to be a high-contact activity, even when shown the sign indicating gowns and gloves were required for transfers. The other aide, who usually worked on a different unit, stated she followed EBP signage but sometimes used a gown for transfers and not all the time, and both aides had previously received EBP and PPE training. The Infection Preventionist, DON, and Administrator each stated that staff should have worn gowns in these situations according to the posted EBP signage and facility expectations.
Failure to Obtain and Document Informed Consent for Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to obtain and document informed consent for psychotropic medications prior to initiation or dose changes for multiple residents. For one resident with unspecified dementia, anxiety disorder, depression, and delusional disorder, the physician ordered quetiapine for anxiety and agitation and later ordered divalproex for dementia with aggression and agitation, with a subsequent dose increase. The resident’s MDS showed moderate cognitive impairment, use of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant medications, and behavioral symptoms including rejection of care. Record review showed these medications were administered as ordered, but there was no documentation that the responsible party was informed in advance of the risks and benefits of starting or increasing these psychotropic medications or that consent was obtained. Another resident with anxiety disorder and depression was started on duloxetine for depression and later had PRN lorazepam ordered for daytime and bedtime anxiety with agitation. The MDS indicated severe cognitive impairment, behavioral symptoms that interfered with social interactions and disrupted care, and use of anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications. The MAR confirmed that duloxetine was given as ordered and lorazepam was administered on multiple days. However, the electronic medical record contained no documentation that the responsible party was informed in advance of the risks and benefits of initiating duloxetine or lorazepam or that consent was obtained. The Nurse Team Lead, who was responsible for obtaining psychotropic consents, could not locate any consent forms for this resident and could not recall whether the responsible party had been called. A third resident with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and intact cognition per the MDS, had an active order for escitalopram 20 mg daily for depression and anxiety. The MDS showed no behavioral symptoms and receipt of antidepressant medication. Review of the medical record revealed no documentation that this resident was informed in advance of the risks and benefits of initiating escitalopram and consented to the treatment. In interviews, the Nurse Team Lead consistently stated she was responsible for obtaining psychotropic consents when new orders were received from providers, but she was unable to find consent forms for the involved residents or explain what had occurred. The DON described a process in which providers communicated new or changed psychotropic orders to the Nurse Team Lead, who was expected to notify residents or responsible parties and document the notification, but acknowledged that for these residents the required documentation and consent forms were missing.
Failure to Complete Required Discharge Summary With Recapitulation of Stay
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a required discharge summary that included a recapitulation of the resident's stay for one resident who was discharged to the community. The resident was admitted to the facility and had a 5-Day MDS showing intact cognition and active discharge planning. A subsequent discharge-return not anticipated MDS documented that the resident was discharged to the community. Review of the electronic medical record showed an undated Transfer/Discharge Report containing demographic and clinical information such as date of birth, admission date, age, insurance, allergies, primary contact and physician information, diagnoses, most recent vital signs, and immunization history, with a notation to refer to the MAR for current medications. However, several sections of this report were left blank, including advanced directives, diet type/texture/fluid consistency, and resident-specific information on behaviors, ambulation, bladder/bowel status, feeding, and usual level of functioning. There was also no signature or date indicating the resident or representative received a copy of the Transfer/Discharge Report. In interviews, the SW reported she was responsible for long-term resident discharges while a Discharge Planner/Case Manager handled short-term discharges. The SW described her discharge process as arranging post-discharge needs such as follow-up appointments, home health, or equipment, providing a satisfaction survey and a list of medications with administration times, and documenting a progress note outlining discharge arrangements. She stated that when follow-up appointments were arranged, records including provider notes, therapy notes, and medication lists were faxed to the receiving provider. The SW also indicated she was not aware that a discharge summary including a recapitulation of the resident's course of treatment in the facility was required. The Administrator acknowledged that the Transfer/Discharge Report in use contained some required components but did not summarize the resident's course of treatment and that a discharge summary with input from all disciplines should have been completed per regulatory guidelines.
Failure to Request Level II PASRR for Resident With Bipolar Disorder
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to submit a request for a Level II PASRR evaluation for a resident with a serious mental health diagnosis. The resident was admitted with a diagnosis that included bipolar disorder and had only a Level I PASRR documented from an evaluation completed in 2022. The admission MDS indicated the resident was not considered by the state Level II PASRR process to have serious mental illness or intellectual disability, despite documenting an active bipolar disorder diagnosis and routine antipsychotic use. Subsequent psychiatric NP progress notes in 2024 and 2026 confirmed an active bipolar disorder diagnosis and ongoing treatment with aripiprazole and bupropion. The annual MDS again indicated the resident was not considered by the Level II PASRR process to have serious mental illness or intellectual disability, while also documenting routine antipsychotic and antidepressant use and a care plan addressing psychotropic medications related to bipolar disorder. The social worker, who had been in the role for five years and was responsible for ensuring newly admitted residents had a PASRR prior to admission, verified that she checked the state PASRR system before admission and confirmed the presence of a PASRR, but did not request a Level II evaluation at or after admission. She stated she was aware of the resident’s bipolar diagnosis and psychiatric referral but believed a Level II PASRR was only needed if the resident demonstrated behaviors, and she was not aware that a Level II evaluation was required when a resident was admitted with a mental health diagnosis and had only a Level I PASRR. The administrator also confirmed that no Level II PASRR request was made when the resident was admitted with a mental health diagnosis.
Failure to Ensure Timely Physician Visit After Admission
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident was seen face-to-face by a physician within 30 days of admission, as required. The resident was admitted with multiple significant diagnoses, including Alzheimer's disease, dementia with agitation, diabetes, severe protein-calorie malnutrition, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension, and had severe cognitive impairment per a quarterly MDS assessment. Review of the electronic medical record showed no evidence that the resident had been seen by a physician within the required timeframe. Instead of a physician visit, the resident was seen by a PA and later by an NP shortly after admission. The Nurse Team Lead, who was responsible for tracking when physician regulatory visits were due, used a report from the computer system that listed the last date residents were seen by any provider (NP, PA, or physician). She manually marked which provider conducted the visit and used this list to inform providers which residents needed to be seen. Because the system did not distinguish physician visits from NP/PA visits on the tracking report, the resident did not appear on the physician-visit list when the physician was in the facility, and therefore was not scheduled for a physician visit. Both the Nurse Team Lead and the Administrator confirmed that the resident had not been seen by the physician and that this was an oversight.
Failure to Assess and Respond to Post‑Fall Hip Pain and Mobility Decline
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to comprehensively assess, recognize, and respond to a resident’s severe hip pain and functional decline following a reported unwitnessed fall. The resident had dementia, osteoporosis, and a history of femur fracture, and was previously able to transfer and ambulate with limited assistance. On the date of the unwitnessed fall, there was no nursing progress note, no documentation of a fall, no pain complaint, and no assessment of the lower extremities or of transfers, ambulation, or mobility. Nursing documentation on that date reflected a pain score of 0, and the nurse assigned to the resident did not recall any fall, pain, or assessment. The quarterly MDS showed severe cognitive impairment and a prior fall, but no pain assessment. On the following night, a nurse documented that the resident was having “a lot of pain” in her hip and placed a note in the doctor’s book, but did not call the on‑call provider, did not document administration of any pain medication, and did not record a pain score with the complaint. The nurse aide on that shift did not recall changes, but the nurse later reported that the aide had told her the resident was unable to ambulate, which was a change from baseline. The next day, another nurse documented in a late entry that the resident reported she had fallen the previous day, pulled herself up, and had not told anyone, and that the resident screamed in pain when moved. This nurse contacted the NP, who, according to the note, stated the resident complained of pain all the time; the nurse informed him that this pain was not typical. The progress note did not include a pain level, a lower extremity assessment, or documentation that the unwitnessed fall was communicated to the NP. The NP’s own note documented nonspecific hip pain, a sleepy and groggy presentation, and neuropathic/hip pain, but did not include an assessment of the legs or hips. The NP later stated he was unaware of the fall, did not assess the hips or legs, and did not inquire about changes in condition such as pain with movement or ambulation. Over the next several days, multiple nurses documented pain scores of 0 on the MAR despite intermittent administration of PRN acetaminophen and reports from nurse aides that the resident had significant pain with transfers, ambulation, and repositioning. Nurse aides reported that the resident, who had previously been able to get up and ambulate, now required increased assistance, had difficulty transferring and ambulating, and grimaced and winced in pain during movement. One aide kept the resident in bed and provided all care in bed due to pain with movement, while another aide did not report the pain to the nurse, assuming the nurse was already aware. There were no nursing progress notes on some days documenting any assessment of the lower extremities or of the resident’s ability to transfer, ambulate, or move, and some assigned nurses did not enter any assessment notes at all. A nursing supervisor received a Stop and Watch communication about hip pain, obtained an order for bilateral hip x‑rays, but did not complete a comprehensive assessment and did not document a pain level or lower extremity assessment. The x‑ray order was entered, and bilateral hip x‑rays were completed, but pain scores of 0 continued to be documented on the MAR by nursing staff, and the unit manager assigned for part of one day did not assess the resident. A nurse aide who assisted with the x‑ray reported that repositioning the resident in bed was difficult due to pain and observed grimacing and wincing. The x‑ray report later showed an acute left femoral neck fracture with displacement. The nurse who came on duty the next day found the x‑ray report on the fax machine, noted the fracture, and contacted the provider, after which the resident was sent to the emergency department. The hospital history and physical documented that the resident endorsed hip pain on arrival and was treated with analgesics and later underwent a left hip hemiarthroplasty. The NP and Medical Director both acknowledged that there was potential for complications when a fracture remained undiagnosed for several days while the resident continued to be moved, transferred, and assisted with ambulation. The DON confirmed that the facility’s investigation determined that a nurse had been informed of an unwitnessed fall and failed to report the incident, resulting in a delay in treatment, and emphasized the importance of thorough assessment and documentation.
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