Five Oaks Rehabilitation And Care Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Concord, North Carolina.
- Location
- 413 Winecoff School Road, Concord, North Carolina 28027
- CMS Provider Number
- 345186
- Inspections on file
- 23
- Latest survey
- March 16, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 2
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Five Oaks Rehabilitation And Care Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility failed to implement its Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) policy by not ensuring staff wore gowns and gloves during high-contact care for multiple residents with invasive devices and chronic wounds. An RN administered medications via a feeding tube to a resident on EBP using only gloves despite posted signage requiring a gown for high-contact device care. Two nurses and a NA transferred a resident with a PICC line using a mechanical lift while wearing only gloves, and no EBP signage had been posted for that resident. Another NA provided care to a resident with open sacral wounds, infections, and a central line while wearing gloves but no gown, despite clear EBP signage and available PPE. Staff interviews showed misunderstanding or reliance on missing signage, and leadership confirmed that gowns and gloves were required for these high-contact activities under the facility’s EBP policy.
Surveyors found expired medications and supplies in two medication rooms and one medication cart, including expired Jardiance tablets, Ocusoft eye cleanser wipes, and Promethegan suppositories. A nurse confirmed she was assigned to the affected cart and stated she checks it before each shift but had missed the expired item. Unit managers and night-shift nurses were reported to be responsible for routine checks of medication rooms, while the DON described a process in which unit managers check rooms and carts weekly and nurses check their carts prior to each shift, yet expired items remained in active storage.
A resident with cognitive impairments and a history of poor safety awareness fell from a transportation bus after being left unattended by staff. Despite instructions to remain seated, the resident unbuckled her seatbelt and attempted to exit the bus, resulting in a fall and multiple injuries. The incident occurred due to a lack of supervision and inappropriate footwear.
A resident at risk for pressure ulcers developed a significant wound due to the facility's failure to recognize and manage the condition effectively. Initial discoloration was noted, but there was a lack of detailed documentation and timely evaluation by a Wound Care Physician. The resident was not placed on a pressure-reducing mattress promptly, and there were inconsistencies in documenting wound care treatments. The wound deteriorated, requiring advanced treatments, and the absence of a Wound Care Provider during critical periods contributed to the deficiency.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and an unstageable pressure ulcer experienced significant pain during wound debridement attempts over eight weeks. Despite visible signs of pain and verbal requests to stop, the facility failed to administer pain medication prior to procedures until late in the observation period. The care plan indicated a risk for pain, yet the resident did not receive scheduled or as-needed pain medication, nor were nonpharmacological interventions documented. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and action regarding the resident's pain management needs.
The facility failed to date and label insulin pens in four medication carts, leading to a deficiency. Undated Insulin Lispro, Insulin Glargine, and Insulin Aspart pens were found, despite instructions indicating they expire 28 days after first use. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to dating protocols, with the DON confirming the responsibility lies with the nurse who opens the pens.
The facility failed to provide a Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) to two residents who remained in the facility after their Medicare Part A benefits ended. Although a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) was issued, the required ABN was not provided due to a lack of awareness among the Business Office Manager and Regional Business Office Manager.
A resident with obstructive uropathy had an indwelling urinary catheter placed, but the facility failed to update the care plan to include this. Despite observations confirming the catheter's presence, the care plan lacked necessary focus, goals, or interventions. The MDS Nurse acknowledged the oversight, and the DON confirmed the requirement for care planning, but the update was not completed within the required timeframe.
A resident with obstructive uropathy had a urinary catheter without a securement device, causing discomfort due to taut tubing. Despite orders to check the catheter placement every shift, observations revealed the absence of a securement device on multiple occasions. Nursing staff were unaware of the issue until it was highlighted, indicating a lapse in catheter care oversight.
The facility failed to follow infection control policies when a nurse aide did not wear a gown while assisting a resident on enhanced barrier precautions during toileting, and a wound care nurse did not change gloves and sanitize hands properly during wound care. The Infection Preventionist and Director of Nursing confirmed the need for adherence to PPE and hand hygiene protocols.
Failure to Implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions and PPE Use During High-Contact Care
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) policy requiring the use of gowns and gloves during high-contact resident care activities for residents with certain devices or chronic wounds. For a resident with a feeding tube, an RN administered medications via the feeding tube without wearing a gown, despite an EBP sign posted at the doorway and PPE available across the hall. The nurse used hand sanitizer and gloves but omitted the gown, later acknowledging awareness that the resident was on EBP and that the sign referenced gowns and gloves for high-contact care involving a feeding tube. The Infection Preventionist and Director of Nursing both stated that a gown and gloves should have been worn for this care. Another deficiency occurred with a resident who had a PICC line and was receiving IV antibiotics for endocarditis. During a transfer from wheelchair to bed using a mechanical lift, two nurses and a nurse aide entered the room and completed the transfer wearing only gloves and no gowns. They assisted the resident with rolling and removed the lift pad without donning gowns. There was no EBP signage posted inside or outside the resident’s room, even though the resident had a PICC line in place. One nurse reported she normally wore a gown and gloves for PICC-related care but was not prompted to don a gown for the transfer because there was no EBP sign. The Infection Preventionist later stated that the resident should have been placed on EBP due to the PICC line and that she had overlooked obtaining the order and posting the signage. A further deficiency was identified with a resident who had open wounds on the sacrum, infections, and a central line used for IV antibiotics. An NA entered this resident’s room, which had an EBP sign posted and PPE available outside the door, carrying only gloves and not wearing a gown. The NA provided care in the room, moved around the bed, accessed the closet, and exited the room still wearing gloves and carrying a trash bag, all without donning a gown. The NA stated she knew the resident was on EBP due to open wounds and infections but believed a gown was only required for dressing changes. The Infection Preventionist and DON stated that, due to the resident’s open wounds, infections, and central line, the NA should have worn both gown and gloves when providing high-contact care. Across these events, five staff members (three nurses and two nurse aides) did not follow the facility’s EBP policy, which defined high-contact activities as including dressing, bathing, transferring, providing hygiene, changing linens or briefs, assisting with toileting, device care or use (including central lines, urinary catheters, feeding tubes, tracheostomy/ventilator tubes, hemodialysis catheters, PICC lines, midline catheters), and wound care for chronic wounds or those with MDRO. The failures included not donning gowns during high-contact care for residents with a feeding tube, a PICC line, and chronic pressure ulcers with a central line, as well as the failure to identify and place a resident with a PICC line on EBP and post appropriate signage. The Administrator stated that he expected all staff members to use the appropriate PPE according to the enhanced barrier signs posted for each resident and to wear the required PPE when providing care to residents on EBP. However, the observations and interviews documented that staff either misinterpreted the EBP signage, relied solely on signage that was missing, or misunderstood when gowns were required, resulting in noncompliance with the facility’s infection control policy for EBP.
Expired Medications Found in Medication Rooms and Cart
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to medication storage and control when expired medications were found in two of three medication rooms and one of seven medication carts reviewed. In the 300 hall medication room, a bottle of Jardiance 10 mg with an expiration date of 2/17/2026 was present; the nurse accompanying the surveyor confirmed the expiration date and stated that the unit manager was responsible for checking the medication room weekly for expired medications. The 300 hall Unit Manager, who had been employed at the facility for two months, reported she needed to confirm with the DON how often the medication room should be checked for expired medications. On Medication Cart #3, which was assigned to the same nurse, surveyors found a box of Ocusoft eye cleanser wipes with an expiration date of 10/2025; the nurse confirmed the expiration date and stated she checked her cart prior to each shift for expired medications and supplies but must have missed this item. In the 200 hall medication room refrigerator, surveyors found a box of Promethegan 12.5 mg suppositories with an expiration date of 1/2026; the nurse present confirmed the expiration date and stated that unit managers were responsible for weekly checks of medication rooms and that night shift nurses should check the medication room each night. The DON later stated that unit managers check medication expiration dates weekly in medication rooms and carts, nurses check their carts prior to each shift, and night shift nurses check for expired medications in medication rooms, and explained that medication expiration dates were checked because expired medications could lose effectiveness or become more potent over time.
Lack of Supervision Leads to Resident Fall from Transportation Bus
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary supervision to a cognitively impaired resident, leading to an avoidable accident. The resident, who had a history of poor safety awareness and was at moderate risk for falls, was left unattended on a transportation bus after returning from an outing. Despite being instructed to remain seated, the resident unbuckled her seatbelt and attempted to exit the bus without assistance. She was wearing slip-on shoes, which came off, causing her to lose her footing and fall down the bus steps onto the asphalt. The resident sustained multiple injuries from the fall, including a right shoulder bone dislocation, skin tears, abrasions, a tongue hematoma, a cracked tooth, and a head hematoma. She also experienced dizziness and vomiting, leading to a hospital assessment that revealed a left temporal subarachnoid hemorrhage, a right clavicle fracture, a right humeral fracture, and bilateral rib fractures. The incident occurred because no staff members remained on the bus to supervise the residents, despite the resident's known cognitive impairments and fall risk. Interviews with staff members involved in the outing revealed that the Activities Director, Activities Assistant, and Transportation Driver all exited the bus, leaving the residents unattended. The staff assumed the residents would remain seated, but the resident's impulsive behavior and lack of supervision led to the accident. The facility's failure to ensure adequate supervision and appropriate footwear for the resident directly contributed to the incident.
Removal Plan
- The affected resident, Resident #79, was immediately assessed by the onsite nurse practitioner prior to her being moved. Upon the initial assessment, it was deemed the resident was safe to be transported into the facility where she was placed in bed and continued to be assessed. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was notified to transport the resident to the hospital for additional tests and exams. Resident #79 was readmitted to the facility.
- The Director of Nursing inquired if any other resident had fallen or had any other near miss on the van. No other residents were identified.
- The Interdisciplinary Team consisting of all department managers, Administrator and Director of Nursing met to review residents with outside appointments. They met to identify residents scheduled for transport using the medical record to identify residents that were unable to make their needs known, appropriately respond to direction, had a BIMS score less than 10, and those unable to comply with standard safety precautions. Identified residents will have increased supervision on their transport to and from the facility as well as proper footwear.
- Residents must have safe and appropriate footwear on at the time of the transfer. The Administrator, Director of Nursing, Social Services Director and Activities Director, inspected 100% of the residents to ensure all residents had appropriate footwear for any potential transport, whether scheduled or not. Only one resident did not have appropriate shoes for their given shoe size. The Director of Nursing purchased him a pair of lace up shoes for outings and medical appointments.
- The Director of Nursing will ensure adequate supervision is provided by determining the need of each resident being transported. This will be conveyed to the Van Driver to ensure compliance with the level of supervision required.
- All residents will be required to have appropriate footwear which, at the minimum, must have closed toes, a closed heel and non-skid soles. Slippers and other slide on footwear will be strictly prohibited in order to be transported by the facility van or approved vendor.
- Residents with confusion and poor safety awareness will require a staff person or trained volunteer to increase basic supervision during transport. The weekly transportation schedule will be reviewed in morning meeting prior to any transport and if a resident needs increased supervision, the Director of Nursing will ensure it is available at the time.
- Increased supervision will be assigned by the Transportation Coordinator after notification by the Director of Nursing. Those individuals assigned for increase supervision, will be trained verbally by the Administrator or Director of Nursing prior to service and will include how to encourage the resident to remain seated and fastened until the van driver can safely help them off the transport vehicle.
- Volunteers will be instructed on identifying unsafe situations-such as when a resident might unbuckle a seatbelt while the van is in motion, or when a resident is at risk of falling out of their seat-and will be trained to take appropriate measures to minimize potential negative outcomes such as encouraging the resident to remain seated and refastening the buckle, and alerting the driver.
- The Social Services Director or Director of Nursing will bring the transportation schedule to the morning meeting, Monday through Friday. The Director of Nursing and Social Service Director will ensure that any resident requiring increased supervision is properly identified and that necessary measures are in place.
- The Administrator informed the Staff Development Coordinator and Human Resources Specialist of the need to add training to orientation for all new hires regarding the need for residents to wear appropriate footwear. This will be covered as part of the general orientation for all departments.
- All activity staff, facility transportation driver, and contracted vendor that provides outside non-emergency transportation when the facility transportation is not available were educated by the facility Administrator and Director of Nursing that each resident must be dressed appropriately for any outing which includes safe (closed toe, closed/strapped heel, non-slip) footwear.
- Education was provided to all staff by nurse managers, department heads, and/or special assigned nurse on the need for each resident to be dressed appropriately for any outing which includes safe (closed toe, closed/strapped heel, non-slip) footwear. This in servicing was to be completed.
- The Van Driver was educated by the Director of Nursing that they were the ultimate stop gate to ensure everyone has safe footwear on prior to transfer. If a person does not have proper foot attire, they are to immediately notify the Director of Nursing or Administrator for further direction.
- To ensure on-going compliance, the van drivers will receive annual training on proper foot attire for all residents before the transportation is provided. This annual training will be completed by the Administrator and Maintenance Director.
- A letter was initiated by the facility Administrator to families notifying them of the facility's new requirement on safe (closed toe, closed/strapped heel, non-slip) footwear for residents to be transported.
Failure to Manage and Document Pressure Ulcer Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adequately recognize and manage a developing pressure ulcer in a resident, leading to a significant deterioration of the wound. The resident, who was at risk for pressure ulcer development due to conditions such as diabetes, Parkinsonism, bladder incontinence, and decreased mobility, developed discoloration in the coccyx area. Despite the initial observation of discoloration on 11/20/2024, there was a lack of detailed documentation and measurement of the wound, and the resident was not evaluated by a Wound Care Physician until 12/6/2024, by which time the wound had become unstageable. The facility's inaction included failing to implement timely preventative measures and treatments as ordered. The resident was not placed on a pressure-reducing mattress until 12/7/2024, despite having a history of pressure ulcers. There were also inconsistencies in the documentation of wound care treatments, with several instances where treatments were not recorded as completed. The facility did not ensure continuous wound care provider evaluations, particularly when the Wound Care Physician was unavailable, leading to gaps in wound assessments and measurements. The resident's wound continued to deteriorate, requiring advanced treatments such as debridement and antibiotic therapy for infection. The facility's failure to consistently measure the wound and document care, along with the absence of a Wound Care Provider during critical periods, contributed to the worsening of the resident's condition. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of communication and coordination in managing the resident's wound care, further exacerbating the deficiency.
Inadequate Pain Management for Resident with Pressure Ulcer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate pain management for a resident with an unstageable pressure ulcer requiring wound debridement. Over a period of eight weeks, the resident experienced significant pain during attempted debridement procedures, which were repeatedly aborted due to the resident's discomfort. Despite the resident's visible signs of pain, such as crying and grimacing, and verbal requests to stop, the facility did not administer pain medication prior to these procedures until late in the observation period. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including diabetes and Parkinsonism, was noted to have severe cognitive impairment and required assistance with daily activities. The care plan indicated a risk for pain due to decreased mobility, yet the resident did not receive scheduled or as-needed pain medication, nor were nonpharmacological interventions for pain documented during the assessment period. The resident's pain was not adequately addressed, as evidenced by the lack of pain medication orders in the December 2024 and January 2025 Medication Administration Records (MAR). Interviews with facility staff, including wound care nurses and the Director of Nursing, revealed a lack of awareness and action regarding the resident's pain management needs. The Wound Care Physician acknowledged the resident's pain during debridement attempts but did not ensure effective pain control measures were in place. The facility's failure to anticipate and respond to the resident's pain needs, despite clear indications of discomfort, highlights a significant deficiency in the provision of safe and appropriate pain management services.
Failure to Date and Label Insulin Pens
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly date and label insulin pens in four out of six medication carts, leading to a deficiency in medication management. Observations revealed undated insulin pens, including Insulin Lispro, Insulin Glargine, and Insulin Aspart, in medication carts #5, #1, #2, and #6. The manufacturer's instructions for these insulin types indicate they expire 28 days after first use, whether stored at room temperature or refrigerated. Interviews with staff, including unit managers and nurses, confirmed that the insulin pens should have been dated when removed from refrigeration, but this was not consistently done. Nurses were unaware of the undated pens in their carts, and some admitted to not noticing them during their shifts. The Consultant Pharmacist confirmed that the 28-day expiration period begins once the insulin pens are taken out of refrigeration. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged that the responsibility for dating the insulin pens lies with the nurse who opens them, and that the nurse who retrieves insulin from stock should label it with the resident's name and date. The DON also stated that nurses on medication carts are responsible for checking medications for opened dates and labels. This lack of adherence to proper labeling and dating protocols for insulin pens resulted in a deficiency identified by surveyors.
Failure to Provide Required Beneficiary Notices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) prior to the discharge from Medicare Part A skilled services for two residents. Resident #113 and Resident #302 were both issued a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) indicating the end of their Medicare Part A coverage for skilled services. However, neither resident nor their responsible parties received the required CMS-10055 ABN, which should have been provided when the residents remained in the facility after their Medicare benefits ended. Interviews with the Business Office Manager (BOM) and the Regional Business Office Manager revealed a lack of awareness regarding the requirement to issue the CMS-10055 ABN in addition to the NOMNC. The BOM, who had been trained by the Regional Business Office Manager, confirmed that she was only instructed to issue the NOMNC and was unaware of the necessity for the ABN. The Administrator also acknowledged that both the NOMNC and ABN should be issued when a resident's Medicare Part A benefits are ending, and they continue to stay in the facility.
Failure to Update Care Plan for Indwelling Urinary Catheter
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to update the care plan for a resident who had an indwelling urinary catheter placed. The resident, who was admitted with a diagnosis of obstructive uropathy, received a physician's order for the catheter on February 4, 2025. Despite this, the care plan dated February 22, 2025, did not include any focus, goal, or interventions related to the catheter. Observations on February 24, 2025, confirmed the presence of the catheter, yet the care plan remained unupdated. Interviews with the MDS Nurse and the Director of Nursing revealed that the responsibility for updating the care plan lay with the MDS Nurse, who acknowledged the oversight. The DON confirmed that urinary catheters should be care planned and expressed uncertainty as to why the update had not occurred. The care plan should have been revised within 14 days of the catheter placement, but this was not done, leading to the deficiency.
Failure to Secure Urinary Catheter Tubing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to secure a urinary catheter tubing to prevent tension and/or trauma for a resident diagnosed with obstructive uropathy. The resident was admitted with a physician's order for a urinary catheter, which required the placement of the privacy bag and leg strap to be checked every shift. However, the care plan did not include any focus, goal, or interventions related to urinary catheters. Observations on two consecutive days revealed that the resident's catheter tubing was pulled taut, and there was no securement or stabilizing device in place, causing discomfort to the resident. Interviews with the nursing staff indicated a lack of awareness and oversight regarding the securement of the catheter. Nurse #1 admitted to not noticing the absence of a securement device on the specified dates and only addressed the issue after it was brought to attention. The Director of Nursing was also unaware of the deficiency and suggested that the resident might have removed the securement device. This oversight in catheter care led to the deficiency being identified during the survey.
Infection Control Deficiencies in PPE and Hand Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its infection control policies and procedures, resulting in deficiencies in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand hygiene practices. Nurse Aide #1 did not wear the required gown while assisting Resident #140, who was on enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) due to a wound, during toileting. Despite a sign indicating the resident's EBP status, the aide only wore a mask and gloves, failing to notice the sign and the need for a gown. Interviews with the Infection Preventionist and Director of Nursing confirmed that the aide should have worn a gown during this high-contact activity. In another incident, Wound Care Nurse #2 did not follow proper hand hygiene protocols while caring for Resident #48, who required wound care. After cleaning the resident's sacral wound, the nurse failed to doff her gloves, sanitize her hands, and don new gloves before applying skin prep to the wound border. The nurse admitted to forgetting this step due to nervousness during observation. The Infection Preventionist and Director of Nursing both stated that the nurse should have followed the hand hygiene policy, which requires changing gloves and sanitizing hands when transitioning from a dirty to a clean procedure. The facility's policies on EBP and hand hygiene were not followed by the staff members involved, leading to these deficiencies. The Infection Preventionist and Director of Nursing expressed their expectations for staff to adhere to these guidelines to prevent the spread of infections. The Administrator also emphasized the importance of following the established procedures during resident care activities.
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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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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