Macgregor Downs Health Center By Harborview
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Greenville, North Carolina.
- Location
- 2910 Macgregor Downs Road, Greenville, North Carolina 27834
- CMS Provider Number
- 345168
- Inspections on file
- 23
- Latest survey
- March 4, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Macgregor Downs Health Center By Harborview during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility failed to prevent potential cross contamination by improperly storing a sugar scoop in the bulk sugar bin with the handle touching the sugar. A dietary aide and the dietary manager confirmed that the scoop should be stored separately. A staff member admitted to accidentally leaving the scoop in the sugar after use, which was acknowledged by the administrator.
The facility failed to adhere to infection control policies, with staff not wearing required PPE or performing hand hygiene in rooms with residents on droplet precautions. A housekeeper, the DON, a nurse, and an administrative ambassador entered rooms without proper PPE, and a nurse failed to perform hand hygiene before and after glove use. The facility lacked documentation of infection control training for one nurse.
The facility failed to document and communicate advance directives for two residents, one cognitively intact and the other severely impaired. Staff interviews revealed confusion over responsibility for discussing and documenting advance directives, resulting in a lack of documentation in residents' records. The facility's policy on advance directives was not effectively implemented, leading to deficiencies in supporting residents' rights.
Two residents in an LTC facility rolled out of bed during care due to improper turning techniques by nurse aides, resulting in injuries such as skin tears and a hematoma. Both residents were cognitively intact and required assistance with bed mobility. The facility failed to ensure staff followed proper procedures, and comprehensive corrective actions were not implemented.
A resident with multiple diagnoses was found with medication cups at her bedside without a self-administration assessment or physician's order. The nurse left the medications intending to return but forgot, leaving the resident unsure which medications to take. The DON confirmed that medications should not be left at the bedside, leading to a deficiency.
A facility failed to provide a SNF/ABN to a resident after their Medicare Part A coverage ended. The resident continued to stay in the facility without being informed of their financial responsibility for services not covered by insurance. Staff interviews confirmed the oversight.
A facility failed to include pain management in a comprehensive care plan for a resident with a left leg fracture and severe cognitive impairment. Despite constant pain affecting the resident's sleep and activities, the care plan lacked a focus on pain, which was an oversight acknowledged by the MDS Coordinator and confirmed by the DON.
A resident with a left leg fracture and severe cognitive impairment experienced a deficiency in care when a nurse applied a lidocaine patch to the resident's back instead of the left hip as per the physician's order. The nurse acted on the resident's request without obtaining a new order, which was confirmed as inappropriate by the DON, the physician, and the administrator.
A facility failed to implement diabetes management orders for a resident, resulting in a lack of blood sugar monitoring and insulin administration. The admissions nurse overlooked the hospital discharge instructions, and the resident's physician was unaware of the need for these orders until later. The Director of Nursing noted that the admissions process was not followed correctly.
A facility failed to attempt and document alternatives to bed rail use for a resident with severe cognitive impairment and a left leg fracture. The resident's family consented to bed rail use without being informed of alternatives. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and discussion about alternatives, indicating a systemic issue in the facility's approach.
A resident, moderately cognitively impaired, reported receiving unwanted pork products due to the facility's failure to assess and document her food preferences. The Dietary Manager confirmed the absence of documented preferences and noted that an assistant previously responsible for these assessments was no longer available. The Administrator expected the Kitchen Manager to conduct these assessments upon admission, which was not done for this resident.
A resident receiving enteral nutrition had an inaccurate MAR entry when a nurse began administering the formula, but the resident refused it. Despite the refusal, the MAR indicated the dose was given. Interviews with staff confirmed that refusals should be documented, highlighting a failure in accurate record-keeping.
A resident with limited mobility experienced multiple incidents of mice in her bed due to the facility's ineffective pest control program. Despite weekly pest control services, mice were found in the resident's room, and staff communication and documentation were inadequate. The issue was linked to nearby construction, and the facility's measures to address the problem were insufficient.
A resident with obstructive and reflux uropathy was found with urinary catheter drainage tubing lying on the floor, posing an infection risk. Despite care plans and staff training, the tubing was improperly positioned, indicating a deficiency in infection control practices. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and oversight regarding the tubing's position.
Improper Storage of Sugar Scoop in Pantry
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store a sugar scoop in a manner that prevented potential cross contamination. During an observation in Hall 2 pantry, the sugar scoop was found stored directly in the bulk sugar bin with the handle in contact with the sugar. Dietary Aide #1, who was assigned to the Hall 2 pantry, stated that the scoop was not in the sugar when she went on her break earlier that day. She acknowledged that the scoop should always be stored separately to maintain sanitary conditions and prevent cross contamination. The Dietary Manager confirmed that the scoop should never be stored in the sugar bin to avoid contamination. [NAME] #1 admitted to using the sugar from the bulk bin to make sweet tea for the residents' supper meal and acknowledged that he accidentally left the scoop in the sugar. The Administrator also confirmed that the scoop should not be stored in the sugar bin after use and stated that [NAME] #1 was aware of this protocol. This incident was observed and reported by surveyors, indicating a deficiency in the facility's food storage practices.
Infection Control Deficiencies in PPE and Hand Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its infection control policies and procedures, as evidenced by multiple staff members not adhering to droplet contact precautions. Housekeeper #1 was observed cleaning the room of two residents diagnosed with Influenza A without wearing an isolation gown, despite signage indicating the need for a gown, mask, and gloves. The Director of Nursing (DON) also entered a resident's room on droplet precautions without the required gown and gloves, mistakenly believing it was an enhanced barrier precautions room. Further observations revealed that Nurse #3 and the Administrative Ambassador entered the room of two residents on droplet precautions without performing hand hygiene or donning the necessary PPE. Both individuals acknowledged their oversight, with Nurse #3 expressing concern over a beeping noise and the Administrative Ambassador admitting awareness of the signage and policy. The DON confirmed that all staff had been trained on infection control practices, including the use of PPE. Additionally, Nurse #1 failed to perform hand hygiene before and after glove use during a blood glucose check, and used a glove that had fallen on the floor, which is considered contaminated. The DON reiterated the importance of hand hygiene and proper glove use, noting that anything dropped on the floor should not be used on residents. The facility was unable to find documentation of Nurse #1's infection control training since her hire date.
Failure to Document and Communicate Advance Directives
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents' advance directives were properly documented and communicated, as evidenced by the cases of two residents. Resident #105, who was cognitively intact, did not have documentation in her record regarding education or opportunities to formulate advance directives. Interviews with various staff members, including social workers and the admissions nurse, revealed a lack of clarity and responsibility regarding who was tasked with discussing and documenting advance directives. Each staff member believed it was someone else's responsibility, leading to a gap in the resident's care plan. Similarly, Resident #114, who was severely cognitively impaired, did not have any documentation of discussions about advance directives in his medical record. His family member confirmed that no one from the facility had discussed or requested copies of existing advance directive documents, such as a living will or health care power of attorney. Interviews with the admissions nurse, admissions director, and social workers indicated that there was no consistent process for addressing advance directives during the admissions process, resulting in the absence of these critical documents in the resident's record. The facility's policy on residents' rights regarding treatment and advance directives was not effectively implemented, as evidenced by the lack of documentation and communication about advance directives for the two residents reviewed. The staff interviews highlighted a lack of clear responsibility and communication among the team members, leading to the failure to support and facilitate residents' rights to formulate and document advance directives as per the facility's policy.
Inadequate Supervision Leads to Resident Falls During Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide care in a safe manner, resulting in two residents rolling out of bed during care and sustaining injuries. Resident #42, who was on blood thinner medication and had a history of falls, was being changed by a nurse aide who improperly turned her away from herself, causing the resident to slide off the bed. This resulted in skin tears on both arms and a hematoma on the left hip. The resident was cognitively intact and required assistance with transfers and activities of daily living. Despite the resident's initial reluctance, she was sent to the hospital for further evaluation. Resident #92, who had functional impairments and required substantial assistance for bed mobility, experienced a similar incident. During a bed sheet change, the nurse aide turned the resident away from herself, causing the resident to fall off the bed. The resident sustained a skin tear on the right arm but did not report any pain or head injury. The resident was cognitively intact and had not experienced any falls since the prior assessment. Both incidents highlight a failure in the facility's procedures for safely turning and repositioning residents. The nurse aides involved did not follow the standard practice of turning residents towards themselves, which could have prevented the falls. The facility did not complete a 100% audit or in-service training for all staff following these incidents, indicating a lack of comprehensive corrective action to prevent future occurrences.
Failure to Assess Resident's Ability to Self-Administer Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess the ability of a resident to self-administer medications, leading to a deficiency. Resident #42, who was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including anemia, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory failure, was observed with two medication cups at her bedside. These medications were left by Nurse #2 without a physician's order for self-administration or an assessment of the resident's ability to self-administer medications. The resident was unsure which cup contained her regular medications and which contained vitamins, resulting in her not taking the medications. Nurse #2 admitted to leaving the medications on the bedside table when she was called to assist another resident, intending to return shortly but forgetting to do so. The Director of Nursing confirmed that medications should not be left at the bedside and should be administered by the nurse, ensuring the resident takes them before leaving the room. If the nurse needs to leave, the medications should be secured in the locked medication cart. This oversight in medication administration protocol led to the deficiency observed by the surveyors.
Failure to Provide SNF/ABN to Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a CMS-10055 Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (SNF/ABN) to a resident who was reviewed for beneficiary notices. The resident was admitted to the facility and began receiving Medicare Part A services on January 6, 2025, with the last covered day being January 19, 2025. Despite remaining in the facility after the discharge from Medicare Part A, there was no evidence that a SNF/ABN form was provided to the resident or their representative. During interviews, both the social worker and the administrator acknowledged that the SNF/ABN was missed and should have been provided to inform the resident or representative about the costs they would be responsible for out of pocket if they continued services no longer covered by insurance.
Failure to Address Pain Management in Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan addressing pain management for a resident who was admitted with a left leg fracture and was severely cognitively impaired. The resident was on a scheduled pain medication regime and experienced constant pain that affected sleep and daily activities, rating the pain as a 10 on a scale of zero to 10. Despite the Care Area Assessment (CAA) for pain being triggered, the comprehensive care plan initiated on 1/27/25 did not include a focus area for pain. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the MDS Director acknowledged the care plan should have been developed by 1/27/25, based on the comprehensive admission MDS assessment date of 1/14/25. The MDS Coordinator admitted to completing the assessment and recognized the oversight in not including the resident's pain in the care plan. The Director of Nursing also confirmed that the resident's pain should have been included in the comprehensive care plan.
Improper Application of Lidocaine Patch
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards of quality by not following a physician's order for the application of a lidocaine patch on a resident's left hip. Instead, the patch was applied to the resident's back. The resident, who was admitted with a left leg fracture and was severely cognitively impaired, experienced constant pain that affected his sleep and daily activities. The physician's order specifically directed the application of a 5% lidocaine patch to the resident's left hip, but documentation showed that Nurse #10 applied the patch to the resident's lower back without a corresponding physician's order. During an interview, Nurse #10 admitted to applying the patch to the resident's back after the resident requested it, despite knowing that a physician's order was required for such a change. The Director of Nursing and the resident's physician both confirmed that Nurse #10 should have obtained a physician's order before applying the patch to a different body part. The facility's administrator also acknowledged that the nurse acted outside of the physician's directive by applying the patch to the back without proper authorization.
Failure to Implement Diabetes Management Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to clarify and implement orders for blood sugar monitoring and insulin administration for a resident with diabetes following their discharge from the hospital. The hospital discharge summary for the resident included instructions to monitor blood sugars closely and to administer both short-acting and long-acting insulin. However, upon admission to the facility, these orders were not transcribed into the resident's medical record or Medication Administration Record (MAR), resulting in the resident not receiving necessary blood sugar monitoring or insulin administration since admission. The deficiency was identified when it was discovered that the admissions nurse overlooked the instructions for diabetes management in the discharge summary. The nurse admitted to not noticing the instructions and failing to contact the on-call physician or Nurse Practitioner for specific orders. The resident's physician was unaware of the need for these orders until informed later, at which point orders were written for blood sugar checks and insulin administration. The Director of Nursing noted that the admissions process was not followed correctly, as the admissions nurse signed off on the orders without a second nurse's review.
Failure to Attempt Alternatives Before Bed Rail Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to attempt and document alternatives to bed rail use for a resident before installing them. The resident, who was admitted with a left leg fracture and diagnosed with severe cognitive impairment, had bed rails installed without a physician's order or documentation of alternative measures being considered. The resident's family member consented to the use of bed rails, believing they would assist with repositioning, but was not informed of any alternatives. Interviews with facility staff, including the Admissions Nurse and the Director of Nursing, revealed a lack of awareness and discussion regarding alternatives to bed rail use. The Admissions Nurse admitted to not discussing or attempting alternatives with residents or their families, and the Director of Nursing was unaware of any alternatives used by the facility. The Administrator also did not know what alternatives were attempted prior to the use of bed rails, indicating a systemic issue in the facility's approach to bed rail use.
Failure to Assess and Document Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess and document food preferences for a resident, leading to the provision of unwanted food items. A resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired, expressed dissatisfaction with receiving pork products, which she disliked, and stated that no one had inquired about her food preferences. Upon review, the Dietary Manager confirmed that there was no documentation of the resident's food preferences in the system and could not locate a paper assessment. The Dietary Manager mentioned that an assistant previously handled these assessments until two weeks prior. The Administrator expected the Kitchen Manager to ensure that food preference assessments were conducted upon admission, but this was not done for the resident in question.
Inaccurate MAR Documentation for Enteral Nutrition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a complete and accurate Medication Administration Record (MAR) for a resident who was receiving enteral nutrition. The resident, identified as Resident #333, had a physician's order for enteral formula Osmolite 1.5 to be administered every six hours. On one occasion, Nurse #4 began administering the formula, but the resident expressed a desire not to receive it, prompting the nurse to stop the administration. Despite this, the MAR inaccurately reflected that the midnight dose was given as prescribed. Interviews with other nursing staff, including Nurse #6 and Nurse #8, revealed that their practice would be to document any refusal of enteral formula on the MAR. The Director of Nursing and the Administrator both confirmed that refusals should be documented accurately, indicating that the administration was incomplete and the resident refused. The discrepancy in documentation suggests a failure to adhere to the facility's protocol for recording medication administration accurately.
Pest Control Deficiency Leads to Mouse Infestation in Resident's Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in a mouse infestation that directly affected a resident. The resident, who was cognitively intact but had limited physical mobility due to a stroke, experienced multiple incidents where mice were found in her bed. These incidents occurred despite the facility having a contract with a pest control company that serviced the facility weekly. The pest control logs indicated that no mice were found during inspections, yet the resident reported seeing mice in her room and on her dresser. The facility's maintenance director acknowledged receiving reports of rodent activity shortly after construction began near the facility. However, there was a lack of clear communication and documentation regarding the reports of mice sightings. Staff members, including nurse aides and nurses, reported the presence of mice to each other, but there was no consistent follow-up or assessment of the resident involved. The maintenance director was unaware of mice being found in a resident's bed, and there was no log of where glue traps were placed or how many mice were caught. Interviews with staff and residents revealed that the facility had a problem with mice for several months, and the issue was linked to nearby construction. Despite efforts to address the problem, such as placing glue traps and rebaiting exterior bait stations, the facility's pest control measures were insufficient. The lack of effective communication and documentation, along with inadequate pest control measures, contributed to the deficiency, which posed a high likelihood of affecting other vulnerable residents in the facility.
Improper Urinary Catheter Care Leads to Infection Risk
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper care for a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter, leading to a deficiency in infection control practices. The resident, who was admitted with obstructive and reflux uropathy, was observed with the urinary catheter drainage tubing lying on the floor beneath his wheelchair. This improper positioning of the tubing was noted during an observation, and it was confirmed that the tubing should not have been in contact with the floor as it posed an infection risk. The care plan for the resident included checking the catheter tubing for proper drainage and positioning, but this was not adhered to. Interviews with the nursing staff, including a nurse and two nursing assistants, revealed a lack of awareness and oversight regarding the catheter tubing's position. The nurse assigned to the resident was unaware of the tubing's contact with the floor, and the nursing assistants acknowledged that the tubing should not touch the floor due to infection concerns. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the tubing should have been secured properly to prevent contact with the floor and stated that staff received training on catheter care. However, the failure to ensure the tubing was off the floor was identified as a deficiency in the facility's infection control practices.
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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