Lake Park Nursing And Rehabilitation Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Indian Trail, North Carolina.
- Location
- 3315 Faith Church Road, Indian Trail, North Carolina 28079
- CMS Provider Number
- 345502
- Inspections on file
- 22
- Latest survey
- January 22, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 3
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Lake Park Nursing And Rehabilitation Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A cognitively intact resident’s code status and advance directive information were inconsistently documented across the MOST form, EHR, care plan, and an advance directives binder. The MOST form, signed by the resident and physician, indicated Full Code, while the EHR, physician orders, care plan, and a yellow DNR sticker on the binder identified the resident as DNR. The resident stated his wishes were to be Full Code and denied requesting DNR status or recalling signing DNR paperwork. The MDS nurse, Social Worker, physician, DON, and Administrator all described processes for establishing and updating code status but could not explain how the discrepancy occurred, and documentation from a care plan meeting did not support staff claims that code status had been discussed.
A resident with CHF, atrial fibrillation, and SOB had an order for continuous O2 via nasal cannula at 2 L/min to maintain SpO2 above 90%, which was reflected in the care plan and MAR with twice-daily flow-rate checks. Over several days, nurses documented in the MAR that the O2 was set at 2 L/min, but surveyor observations repeatedly found the concentrator regulator set at 3 L/min while the resident wore the nasal cannula. In interviews, one nurse admitted he had not visually checked the flow rate before documenting, and facility leadership stated that nursing staff were expected to verify and follow provider-ordered O2 settings and contact the provider if titration was needed, demonstrating a failure to administer oxygen at the ordered rate.
The facility failed to address and communicate resolution of repeated housekeeping and linen concerns raised during Resident Council meetings over several months. Residents reported ongoing problems with trash not being removed, bathrooms and bedrooms not being properly cleaned, beds not being made, inadequate linens, and excessive water left on floors after mopping, and stated they typically received only vague responses such as that staff were working on it or were short-staffed. Meeting minutes showed no documented follow-up on concerns from prior months. The Activities Assistant reported that written grievance forms were not consistently completed for Resident Council issues, grievances were handled verbally, and department managers had not attended recent meetings. The new Housekeeping Manager was unaware of the concerns, the DON was unaware that beds were not being made, and the Administrator did not attend Resident Council, was unaware of the housekeeping issues raised, and did not know grievance forms were not being used for Resident Council concerns.
A resident with a femur fracture and severe cognitive impairment developed stage 3 and unstageable pressure ulcers on the right thigh and ankle after staff failed to perform or document routine skin checks under a leg immobilizer. Nursing staff misunderstood instructions regarding the immobilizer and did not remove it for skin assessments, leading to the discovery of pressure injuries only after the resident reported pain.
The facility failed to provide palatable and warm food for residents, as confirmed by resident interviews and a breakfast test tray observation. Residents reported dissatisfaction with the taste and temperature of breakfast items, and Resident Council meetings highlighted ongoing issues with food quality. A test tray revealed that the food was cool and not appetizing, with the Dietary Manager attributing the issue to an improperly placed insulated lid.
The facility was cited for deficiencies in food storage and cleanliness. Metal pans were stacked wet in the kitchen, and an ice machine in the medical unit had mildew. The storage shed was cluttered, with dry goods and water jugs improperly stored on the floor. The Dietary Manager and Administrator acknowledged these issues.
A facility failed to protect resident privacy when a nurse left a medication cart unattended with a resident roster containing PHI visible to the public. The roster included sensitive information for 22 residents. The nurse admitted to forgetting to turn the paper over, and staff interviews confirmed the expectation to protect such information by turning it over or taking it along when leaving the cart.
The facility failed to meet residents' preferences for more frequent bingo games, offering them only three times a week despite residents' willingness to lead the games themselves. Residents expressed a desire to play bingo daily, but the Activity Director limited the sessions, leading to dissatisfaction. The Interim DON and Administrator acknowledged that the activity program should align with resident preferences.
Three residents in the facility did not receive necessary podiatry services, leading to deficiencies in foot care. One resident with diabetes had overgrown toenails and dry skin, but no consult was arranged. Another resident with neuromuscular disorder experienced pain from long toenails, yet the need for podiatry was not communicated. A third resident with onychomycosis missed podiatry services due to hospitalizations, and staff failed to document or refer for necessary care. The facility's process for identifying and referring residents for podiatry care was not effectively implemented.
A resident with Alzheimer's dementia and a history of weight loss did not receive the prescribed larger portions of grits during breakfast, despite a physician order. The resident experienced a 4.8% weight loss over six months. Facility staff confirmed the oversight was due to a misunderstanding of diet order terminology, resulting in the resident not receiving the correct portion size.
A resident dependent on staff for ADL care did not receive adequate personal hygiene, including nail care and shaving, due to staff's failure to offer alternative care when showers were refused. Despite a care plan outlining necessary interventions, refusals were not consistently reported, and alternative care was not provided, leading to the resident having long fingernails and a thick beard.
The facility did not post daily nurse staffing data at the beginning of the shift for one of the reviewed days. Observations showed that staffing data for the previous day was posted instead. The scheduler, responsible for posting the data, typically did so by 9:00 AM after verifying the schedule, unaware that it should be posted at the start of the 7 AM shift. The facility operated on a 12-hour shift schedule, and the administrator recognized the need to adjust responsibilities to ensure compliance.
A facility failed to accurately code a resident's discharge type on the MDS assessment. The resident was admitted for short-term rehab with a planned discharge to home with family and home health services. Despite this, the discharge was incorrectly coded as unplanned. Staff interviews confirmed the error, and the Interim DON acknowledged the need for correct initiation and execution of the discharge plan.
The facility failed to provide baseline care plan summaries to four residents and their families within 48 hours of admission. The Social Worker, unaware of the requirement, did not distribute the summaries, and the Administrator acknowledged the oversight. Interviews confirmed the lack of communication regarding initial goals, medication summaries, and services.
Inconsistent Documentation of Resident Code Status and Advance Directives
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that a cognitively intact resident’s advance directive and code status were consistently and accurately documented across all parts of the medical record. The resident had a MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment) form in the Advance Directives binder, signed by the resident and physician, indicating “Attempt to Resuscitate (Full Code).” However, the outside of the resident’s binder had a yellow DNR sticker, which staff used to identify residents who had elected DNR status. In contrast to the MOST form, the resident’s EHR contained an active physician order indicating DNR status, and the advance directive information under the EHR Demographics tab and Physician Orders also reflected DNR. The resident’s annual MDS assessment documented that the resident was cognitively intact, and the advance directive care plan identified the resident as DNR. During interview, the resident stated he had previously discussed code status with staff and clearly expressed that his wishes were to be Full Code. He reported that he had not told anyone he wished to be DNR and did not recall signing paperwork for DNR status. Despite this, the MDS nurse stated that the resident was a DNR per physician order and acknowledged she was responsible for updating the care plan but could not explain why the resident’s code status had not been updated to reflect the resident’s wishes and the MOST form. The Social Worker reported that code status was verified on admission and discussed at baseline care plan meetings, and that a prior audit of code statuses had been conducted due to earlier inconsistencies. She stated that at the most recent care plan meeting for this resident, code status was discussed and the resident remained DNR, although progress notes and care plan meeting notes from that date contained no documentation that code status was discussed. The Social Worker acknowledged that the MOST form had not been updated to reflect the resident’s expressed wishes and that this was an error, stating it had been overlooked by the physician and nursing staff. The physician confirmed he was responsible for advance directive orders, that the resident was cognitively capable of making his own decisions, and that the discrepancy between the MOST form (Full Code) and the EHR and DNR orders had been overlooked. The DON and Administrator both acknowledged that the resident’s code status should have been consistent across the EHR, advance directive binder, and physician orders, but could not explain how the discrepancy occurred.
Failure to Administer Oxygen at Prescribed Flow Rate
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to administer oxygen at the prescribed rate for a resident with significant cardiopulmonary conditions. The resident was readmitted with diagnoses including atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and shortness of breath, and had a physician’s order dated 11/19/24 for continuous oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 liters per minute (L/min) to maintain oxygen saturation above 90%. This order was indefinite and was reflected in the resident’s care plan, which identified a risk for ineffective breathing pattern related to congestive heart failure and shortness of breath, with an intervention to administer oxygen as ordered. The Medication Administration Record (MAR) also contained the order for oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula every day and night shift, with two 12-hour blocks per day for staff to confirm the flow rate. Record review of the January 2026 MAR showed that staff documented the oxygen flow rate as 2 L/min twice daily on multiple days, including 1/20/26, 1/21/26, and 1/22/26. Specifically, Nurse #3 documented that the oxygen was set at 2 L/min for the day shift on 1/20/26 and 1/21/26, and Nurse #1 documented that the oxygen was set at 2 L/min for the day shift on 1/22/26. However, during observations on 1/20/26 at 10:52 AM, 1/21/26 at 9:00 AM, and 1/22/26 at 10:07 AM, the resident was seen with a nasal cannula in place, and the oxygen concentrator regulator was set at 3 L/min when viewed horizontally at eye level. On 1/22/26, the 3 L/min setting was verified with Nurse #1 present. In interviews, Nurse #3 stated she followed what was listed on the MAR and would review it for medications or treatments but did not answer specific questions about the oxygen orders for this resident and was not available for follow-up. Nurse #1 acknowledged that the resident had a physician order for oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula and stated he had checked the “yes” radio button in the MAR indicating the oxygen was set at 2 L/min, but he admitted he had not visually checked the flow rate earlier when administering morning medications and agreed the settings needed to be corrected. The Unit Manager, NP, ADON, DON, and Administrator each stated in interviews that nurses were expected to ensure oxygen was delivered at the provider-ordered rate, visually confirm the oxygen flow rate before documenting in the MAR, and contact the provider if any change in oxygen rate was needed. Despite these expectations, the oxygen regulator remained set at 3 L/min while staff documentation indicated 2 L/min, resulting in the failure to administer oxygen at the prescribed rate.
Failure to Address and Communicate Resident Council Housekeeping Concerns
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor residents' rights to have their concerns addressed and communicated following Resident Council meetings over a four-month period. Resident Council minutes from October 2025 documented concerns about lack of available linens, towels, and washcloths. In November 2025, residents reported that housekeeping staff were not removing trash and were failing to clean bathrooms and bedrooms, but the minutes did not show any follow-up on the linen concerns from October. In December 2025, residents again raised housekeeping issues, including excessive water left on floors after mopping and inadequate bathroom cleaning, with no documented follow-up on the November concerns. In January 2026, residents continued to report that beds were not being made, bathrooms were not properly cleaned, and excessive water was left on floors after mopping, and there was again no documentation of follow-up on the December concerns. During a Resident Council group interview, multiple residents who regularly attended the meetings stated they felt staff did not truly address their concerns, noting that the only responses they typically received were that staff were working on it, were short-staffed, or lacked a housekeeping manager, while the same issues continued. The Resident Council President reported ongoing housekeeping concerns, including trash left in rooms, improperly cleaned bathrooms, and laundry issues, and residents expressed a desire for feedback from administration on efforts to resolve their concerns. The Activities Assistant acknowledged awareness of housekeeping concerns but stated that written grievances were not consistently completed for issues raised in Resident Council, that grievances were handled verbally, and that department managers had not attended Resident Council meetings for the past three months. The newly hired Housekeeping Manager reported he was unaware of the Resident Council housekeeping concerns, the DON stated she was not aware that residents' beds were not being made, and the Administrator stated he did not participate in Resident Council meetings, was unaware of the housekeeping issues raised, and did not know that grievance forms were not being used for Resident Council concerns.
Failure to Monitor Skin Under Immobilizer Resulting in Pressure Ulcers
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a right femur fracture was admitted and later readmitted to the facility, initially with a cast and subsequently with a leg immobilizer following an orthopedic appointment. The immobilizer was ordered to be worn at all times to stabilize the fracture, and the resident was non-weight bearing. The resident was severely cognitively impaired and required extensive assistance with mobility and transfers. Despite these conditions, there were no physician orders or documentation for routine skin assessments under the immobilizer during the initial period after its application. Nursing staff did not perform or document skin checks under the immobilizer, as they believed the device should not be removed based on the orthopedic provider's instructions. This misunderstanding led to the immobilizer remaining in place without regular inspection of the underlying skin. The lack of skin assessments continued until the resident began complaining of pain, at which point the immobilizer was removed and pressure ulcers were discovered on the resident's right thigh and ankle. The ulcers were subsequently assessed as stage 3 and unstageable, respectively. Interviews with nursing staff, nurse practitioners, and the DON confirmed that the omission of skin checks was due to a failure to clarify or implement appropriate orders for skin monitoring under the immobilizer. The responsible party and multiple clinical staff acknowledged that the immobilizer was not opened or the skin checked until the pressure injuries were identified. The deficiency was attributed to the absence of orders and the staff's misinterpretation of the immobilizer instructions, resulting in the development of significant pressure ulcers.
Deficiency in Food Palatability and Temperature
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide food that was palatable and at an appetizing temperature for eight residents. Interviews with residents revealed dissatisfaction with the taste and temperature of the food, particularly breakfast items such as meat, eggs, pancakes, and coffee. Resident Council meeting minutes from several months highlighted ongoing issues with food and coffee temperatures, food texture, and flavor. During a Resident Council meeting, residents reported problems with cold coffee, tough meat, and a broken microwave, which limited their access to coffee. A breakfast test tray observation confirmed these issues, as the food was found to be cool to the touch and not warm, with no steam rising from the food or coffee. The Dietary Manager (DM) acknowledged the problem, attributing it to an improperly placed insulated lid that allowed heat to escape. Despite the DM's belief that breakfast was the best meal of the day, the test tray results and resident feedback indicated otherwise. The DM was unable to provide information on when the last test tray had been completed, although she claimed that test trays were routinely performed.
Deficiencies in Food Storage and Cleanliness
Penalty
Summary
The facility was found to have several deficiencies related to food storage and cleanliness during a survey. In the kitchen, metal pans were observed to be stacked while still wet, with water dripping down the sides when separated. The Dietary Manager (DM) acknowledged that the pans should have been air-dried completely before stacking. An interview with a staff member revealed that the pans were stacked with wet hands, leading to the issue. Additionally, an ice machine in the medical unit's nourishment room was found to have a wet, slimy, black material, identified as mildew, along the seal of the door. The Maintenance Director, responsible for cleaning the ice machines, admitted that the machine was cleaned once a month, and the last cleaning was done nearly a month prior. Furthermore, the storage shed used for storing dry goods and emergency supplies was cluttered with various items, including medical records, decorations, and resident possessions. The DM had to move items to access the dry goods, which were improperly stored directly on the floor. Gallon jugs of water were also found on the floor, some tipped over and partially filled, with a dusty, stained pillow on top. A pallet of rolled oats was similarly tipped over and lying on the floor. The DM admitted to not having checked the storage shed for some time and was unaware of its disorganized state. The Administrator confirmed that the pans should be dry before stacking, the ice machines should be checked for mildew, and the storage shed should be organized with food stored off the floor.
Resident Privacy Breach Due to Unattended Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect resident privacy by leaving an unattended resident roster with personal health information (PHI) on top of a medication cart in the hallway, visible to the public. This incident involved one of the three medication carts reviewed for privacy and confidentiality, specifically the 700 Hall Medication Cart. The resident roster contained sensitive information such as room numbers, names, code status, history of diagnoses, and report items for 22 residents. During the observation period, Nurse #8 left the medication cart unattended with the resident roster exposed while entering a resident's room. During this time, two residents and one visitor passed by the cart, potentially viewing the PHI. Upon returning to the cart, Nurse #8 acknowledged forgetting to turn the resident roster paper over, which was the expected protocol to maintain privacy. Nurse #9, upon being shown the exposed roster, confirmed that it should not have been left visible to the public. Interviews with Unit Manager #10 and the Interim Director of Nursing further confirmed that the nurses were expected to either turn the roster paper upside down or take it with them when leaving the medication carts to protect resident privacy. This oversight had the potential to affect the privacy of 22 residents on the 700 hall.
Inadequate Activity Program for Resident Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide an ongoing individual and group activity program that met the preferences of its residents, specifically regarding the frequency of bingo games. Residents expressed a desire to play bingo more often, ideally daily, during Resident Council meetings. Despite their willingness to lead the bingo games themselves, the facility limited the activity to three times per week, which did not align with the residents' preferences. This issue was highlighted during a Resident Council meeting attended by a state surveyor, where multiple residents reiterated their desire for more frequent bingo games. Resident #49 and Resident #76, both with intact cognition and a strong interest in participating in their favorite activities, were among those who expressed dissatisfaction with the current bingo schedule. Their care plans indicated a need to encourage participation in activities of interest, including bingo. However, despite their clear communication and understanding, the facility did not accommodate their requests for more frequent bingo sessions. The activity calendars from February to October 2024 showed that bingo was offered only two to three times per week, which was insufficient according to the residents' expressed preferences. The Activity Director (AD) acknowledged the residents' requests during interviews and Resident Council meetings but maintained that three bingo sessions per week were sufficient, citing a desire to provide a variety of activities. The Interim Director of Nursing and the Administrator, however, stated that the activity program should be based on resident preferences, and residents should be allowed to play bingo daily if they wished, especially if they were willing to lead the activity themselves. This discrepancy between the residents' preferences and the facility's offerings led to the deficiency noted in the report.
Deficiency in Podiatry Services for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper foot care for three residents, leading to deficiencies in podiatry services. Resident #28, who was admitted with diabetes type 2 and vascular dementia, had not received podiatry services since admission. Despite being independent in some activities, he required assistance with footwear due to a decline in functional status. Observations revealed thick, overgrown toenails and dry skin, yet no podiatry consult was arranged. The nursing staff, including Nurse Aide #3 and Nurse #1, failed to report the need for podiatry care, and the Social Worker was not informed to schedule a consult. Resident #1, with a history of atherosclerotic heart disease and neuromuscular disorder, also did not receive podiatry services since admission. Despite weekly skin checks by Nurse #7, the need for toenail trimming was not communicated to the Social Worker. Resident #1 expressed pain due to long toenails during a Resident Council meeting, but the process for referral was not followed, and he was not included in the podiatry list for upcoming visits. Resident #63, diagnosed with onychomycosis and peripheral vascular disease, missed podiatry services due to hospitalizations and was not included in the list for subsequent visits. Despite having a care plan for regular foot care, his toenails were observed to be long and curling towards the skin. Staff failed to document the need for podiatry services on shower sheets, and the Social Worker was not informed to arrange a consult. The facility's process for identifying and referring residents for podiatry care was not effectively implemented, leading to unmet needs for these residents.
Failure to Provide Prescribed Larger Portions to Resident at Risk for Weight Loss
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide larger portions per physician order to a resident at risk for weight loss due to a history of weight loss. The resident, diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia, mild cognitive impairment, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, experienced a weight loss of approximately 4.8% over six months. Despite a physician order for larger portions and high-calorie supplements, the resident did not receive the prescribed larger portions of grits during breakfast observations on two consecutive days. The resident expressed a preference for larger portions of grits, which were not provided as per the diet order. Interviews with facility staff, including the Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietary Manager, confirmed that the resident should have received an 8-ounce portion of grits instead of the standard 4-ounce portion. The oversight was attributed to a misunderstanding of the diet order terminology on the tray cards, which led to the dietary staff not providing the correct portion size. The Interim Director of Nursing acknowledged that residents should receive the portion size of foods as ordered.
Failure to Provide Adequate ADL Care for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate care for a resident dependent on staff for activities of daily living (ADL). The resident, who had diagnoses including heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy, was observed with long fingernails and a thick beard, indicating a lack of personal hygiene care. Despite being dependent on staff for ADL, the resident was not offered a bed bath, nail care, or shaving on multiple occasions when he refused a shower. The care plan for the resident included interventions such as providing personal hygiene, inspecting skin, and notifying a nurse of any abnormal changes. However, documentation revealed that the resident refused showers on several occasions, and there was no indication that alternative care was offered or that refusals were reported to a nurse. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident's refusals were not consistently reported, and alternative care options were not provided. The facility's staff, including nurse aides and the unit manager, acknowledged the lack of communication and failure to provide necessary care. The interim Director of Nursing stated that ADL care should be offered multiple times and that refusals should be reported to a nurse, who should then offer alternative care. However, these procedures were not followed, resulting in the resident not receiving the required personal hygiene care.
Failure to Post Nurse Staffing Data at Shift Start
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to post daily nurse staffing data at the beginning of the shift for one of the four days reviewed. On 10/21/24, observations at 9:18 AM and 9:45 AM revealed that the nurse staffing data posted was for the previous day, 10/20/24. The scheduler, responsible for posting the staffing data for the 7 AM to 7 PM shift, stated that she typically posted the data by 9:00 AM after verifying and adjusting the staffing schedule upon her arrival at work between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM. She was unaware that the staffing data should be posted at the beginning of the 7 AM shift. The facility operated on a 12-hour shift schedule, and the administrator acknowledged the need to adjust responsibilities to ensure compliance with posting requirements.
Inaccurate Coding of Discharge Type on MDS Assessment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately code the type of discharge on a Discharge Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment for a resident who was reviewed for discharge planning. The resident was admitted to the facility from the hospital for short-term rehabilitation services with the goal of discharging to the community. The resident expressed the intention to discharge home with family and home health services, which was discussed from the beginning of her stay. However, the Discharge MDS recorded the type of discharge as unplanned, despite documentation and staff interviews indicating that the discharge was planned. Interviews with the Social Worker and MDS Coordinators confirmed that the discharge was intended and planned, and the coding of the discharge as unplanned was an error. The MDS Coordinator reviewed the medical record and found no evidence to support an unplanned discharge. The Interim Director of Nursing and Administrator acknowledged that the anticipated discharge plan should have been initiated and carried out correctly, indicating a lapse in accurately coding the discharge type on the MDS assessment.
Failure to Provide Baseline Care Plan Summaries
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a summary of the baseline care plan to residents and their families within 48 hours of admission, as required. This deficiency was identified for four residents, each of whom did not receive initial goals, a summary of medications, or a summary of services or treatments to be administered by the facility. The baseline care plans for these residents were completed but not communicated to the residents or their families. Interviews with family members and residents confirmed that they had not received the necessary information regarding the care plans. The Social Worker, who had been in her position for 4 1/2 months, admitted to not providing any residents with a baseline care plan summary during her tenure. She was unaware of the requirement to provide such summaries, as she believed the admission nurse was responsible for initiating the baseline care plan. The Administrator acknowledged that the Social Worker was new and had not yet learned all necessary procedures, but he expected all new admissions to receive a summary of their baseline care plan, including initial goals, medication summaries, and services or treatments to be administered.
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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