Pruitthealth-trent
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in New Bern, North Carolina.
- Location
- 836 Hospital Drive, New Bern, North Carolina 28560
- CMS Provider Number
- 345371
- Inspections on file
- 21
- Latest survey
- February 6, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 5 (2 serious)
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Pruitthealth-trent during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with multiple comorbidities, including Type 2 DM, had a critically high blood glucose one week before a fatal decline, with only a one‑time insulin dose ordered and no ongoing BG monitoring documented afterward. Over the next several days, staff observed new respiratory symptoms, increasing sleepiness, markedly reduced oral intake, inability to drink through a straw, and decreased responsiveness, yet nursing staff notified the NP only of a cough and obtained an order for a CXR, without reporting the resident’s altered mental status, poor intake, or prior critical BG. Vital signs and BG checks were not consistently obtained despite these changes, and no additional provider consultation occurred until the resident was found extremely hot and in respiratory distress, prompting EMS transfer and subsequent death in the ED. Surveyors cited the facility for failing to notify the physician of all observed changes in condition and for not securing appropriate monitoring and treatment orders.
A resident with diabetes, CKD, intellectual disability, and multiple psychiatric and neurologic conditions had an elevated HgbA1C and later a critically high serum glucose, but providers did not initiate a diabetes treatment plan or order ongoing FSBS monitoring. After a one-time dose of SQ insulin for a glucose near 500 mg/dL, no further blood sugar checks or new orders were documented, and the care plan lacked specific diabetes interventions. Over subsequent days, staff noted the resident feeling like she had a cold, then becoming unusually sleepy, not eating three consecutive meals, developing a cough with coarse breath sounds, and losing the ability to drink through a straw, yet nurses did not obtain complete VS or FSBS despite these changes, focusing instead on ordering a chest x-ray. EMS later found the resident with a blood sugar reading of "high"; in the ED she was obtunded, severely hyperglycemic, febrile, and dehydrated, and she subsequently coded and died. Surveyors determined this constituted a failure to provide comprehensive assessment, monitoring, and treatment of diabetes and to perform acute monitoring and assessment when new respiratory symptoms developed.
A resident with diet-controlled diabetes had an elevated HgbA1C result, which was reviewed and signed by an NP without a corresponding progress note documenting a plan of care at that time. At the next regulatory visit, the NP referenced an older, lower HgbA1C value and documented that the diabetes remained diet controlled with a plan to continue a healthy diet, but did not address the more recent elevated HgbA1C result. In interview, the NP reported having discussed blood sugar monitoring and treatment options with the resident and the resident’s preference for diet control, but acknowledged that this discussion and plan were not documented in the medical record.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to maintain proper food storage and kitchen cleanliness, including unsealed cereal and grits in dry storage, grainy food particles on shelf liners, and multiple food items and debris on the dry storage floor, along with a span of dried grease under the oven. A dietary aide reported difficulty cleaning under the oven due to loose parts, while the Administrator noted that the former dietary manager had left abruptly and the current dietary manager worked only part time. The dietary supervisor stated staff were supposed to clean nightly but the conditions suggested this had not occurred, and the cleaning schedule in use did not include the dry storage area, despite the part-time dietary manager having previously created a schedule that did.
The facility failed to maintain effective kitchen sanitation and food storage practices and did not coordinate or communicate adequately with pest control technicians regarding pest-contributing factors in the main kitchen. Over multiple visits, pest control staff and a health department inspector documented roach activity, food and grease buildup under equipment, dirty and wet floors, dirty drains and strainers, structural issues such as holes and peeling wall covering, and repeated food debris throughout the kitchen. Surveyors later observed live and dead roaches, open and improperly sealed dry food items, food crumbs and miscellaneous items under shelving, dried grease under the oven, and peeling wall surfaces. Dietary staff cleaning routines did not cover the dry storage area per the corporate cleaning schedule, and facility leadership and maintenance did not consistently receive or act on detailed pest control reports describing sanitation and structural concerns.
A facility failed to include a resident's advanced directive in their medical record and did not honor the resident's DNR wishes. Despite the RP indicating the resident had a DNR order, the facility recorded the resident as full code. Staff interviews revealed a lack of follow-up to ensure the advanced directives were obtained and documented, leading to a discrepancy between the resident's wishes and the facility's records.
The facility failed to attempt alternatives before installing side rails for two residents, leading to a deficiency. One resident with a traumatic brain injury and another with hemiplegia had side rails installed without prior attempts at alternatives. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness about the requirement to try alternatives before using side rails, and observations confirmed the consistent use of side rails.
A resident with COPD was found with their inhaler at the bedside without a self-administration assessment or physician's order. The resident self-administered the medication, which was not documented as self-administered. Nurse #3 admitted to leaving the inhaler at the bedside inadvertently. The DON confirmed that medication should not be left at the bedside without proper assessment and orders.
A facility failed to accurately code the MDS assessment for a resident who experienced a fall. The resident's quarterly MDS assessment incorrectly indicated no falls since the prior assessment, despite documentation of a fall in nursing progress notes. The MDS Coordinator admitted the oversight, and both the DON and Administrator confirmed that MDS assessments should accurately reflect the resident's status.
A facility failed to follow infection control practices for Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) during high contact care for a resident with a hemodialysis catheter. Two nurse aides provided a bed bath without wearing gowns, despite signage indicating the requirement. Interviews revealed a misunderstanding of EBP requirements among staff, including the Director of Nursing and Unit Manager, who were unaware that a hemodialysis catheter necessitated EBP.
Failure to Notify Physician of Significant Change in Diabetic Resident’s Condition
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to notify the physician of significant changes in a resident’s condition and to obtain appropriate medical orders for monitoring and treatment. The resident had a history of Type 2 diabetes, epilepsy, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, hypertension, kidney disease, prior metabolic encephalopathy, feeding difficulties, and dysphagia, and was a full code. On 1/14/26, the resident’s blood glucose was critically elevated at 466–496, and the on‑call provider ordered a one‑time dose of Novolog insulin, a recheck in one hour, and placement in the acute book for PCP follow‑up with instructions to notify if glucose remained greater than 450. The recheck that evening was 386, but there were no further documented blood glucose checks or additional orders addressing blood sugars or abnormal labs from 1/14/26 through discharge. On 1/20/26, a nurse aide observed the resident sounding like she was getting a cold, with a deeper voice, dark circles and sunken eyes, and increased sleepiness, though the resident could still drink independently with a straw and assist with turning. On 1/21/26, a day‑shift nurse aide noted a significant change from the resident’s prior baseline: the resident remained sleepy all day, did not eat breakfast, lunch, or supper (only one bite at lunch), did not converse as usual, appeared darker in color, and could not pull fluid through a straw, requiring the aide to provide about one cup of fluids by sips. The aide reported to the nurse that the resident had not eaten breakfast or lunch and that she did not feel well. However, there was no documentation that the physician was notified of these changes, and no nursing progress notes on 1/21/26 reflected physician notification of a change in condition. On 1/21/26, the assigned nurse assessed the resident for a bad cough and coarse lung sounds, believed a respiratory issue was present, and contacted the NP only about the cough, obtaining an order for a chest x‑ray. The nurse did not obtain a blood glucose level, did not take full vital signs beyond a temperature of 98.5, and did not communicate the resident’s poor oral intake, altered responsiveness, or prior critical blood sugar to the provider. Subsequent nurses on the evening and night shifts were informed that the resident was not eating and that a chest x‑ray was ordered, but they did not obtain vital signs or blood glucose checks, and they did not notify or consult the physician about the resident’s diminished responsiveness and need for total assistance with turning. In the early morning hours of 1/22/26, a nurse aide found the resident extremely warm with labored breathing; the nurse then obtained abnormal vital signs, including a temperature of 104.6°F, hypotension, tachycardia, and low oxygen saturation, and EMS was called. EMS documented a blood sugar reading of “high,” and the hospital ED documented the resident as obtunded, severely dehydrated, with a blood glucose of 882 and multiple abnormal labs. The surveyors determined that the facility failed to notify the physician of all observed changes in condition on 1/21/26 and failed to consult regarding whether additional diagnostic tests, monitoring (including blood glucose, oxygen saturation, and vital signs), or treatment were needed, leading to the cited deficiency. Immediate jeopardy was determined to have begun on 1/21/26 when staff were aware that the resident had eaten only one bite in three consecutive meals, was not pulling up fluid through a straw, was not responding to staff per her baseline, and required total assistance to turn in bed and was no longer talking, without physician notification of these changes or consultation for further orders. The facility’s failure to notify the physician regarding all changes in condition and to obtain appropriate monitoring and treatment orders for the resident’s evolving symptoms on and after 1/21/26 constituted the core noncompliance identified by the surveyors.
Removal Plan
- Provide one-to-one education to NA #1 on the importance of communicating changes in condition timely to the charge nurse.
- Hold an ad hoc Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) meeting including the Medical Director, Administrator, DON, Social Worker to address the breakdown in the nurse-to-provider notification process related to resident change in condition.
Failure to Monitor and Treat Diabetes and Acute Status Changes Leading to Resident Death
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to comprehensively assess, monitor, and treat a resident’s diabetes and to provide acute monitoring and assessment when the resident later developed respiratory symptoms in the context of uncontrolled hyperglycemia. The resident had multiple diagnoses including type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, intellectual disability, schizoaffective disorder, epilepsy, hypertension, and a history of feeding difficulties and dysphagia. A HgbA1C drawn on 10/14/25 was 8.1% (above the lab’s normal range of ≤5.7%), but there was no documented plan to address this elevated result. The consultant pharmacist notified the NP on 11/5/25, suggesting initiation of Metformin or Jardiance, but the NP initialed “no change” on 11/20/25 without documenting a rationale or creating a treatment plan, and no diabetic medications were ordered. The resident’s care plan, reviewed on 12/15/25, contained a problem related to diabetes-associated fatigue but did not include any interventions for blood sugar monitoring or diabetes management. On 12/18/25, the NP documented a regulatory visit and follow-up of chronic conditions, noting the resident’s diabetes as diet controlled based on an older HgbA1C of 6.5 from 9/1/24 and did not reference the elevated 10/14/25 HgbA1C of 8.1. On 1/5/26, a different NP saw the resident for chronic issues but addressed only hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and vitamin D deficiency, and did not review or plan for the resident’s diabetes, despite the elevated HgbA1C from October. A CMP drawn on 1/13/26 and reported on 1/14/26 showed a critically high serum glucose of 466, elevated creatinine, low potassium and chloride, high CO2, and a reduced estimated GFR. A nurse notified the on-call provider via the triage system, reporting the critical glucose, a finger-stick blood sugar (FSBS) of 496, stable vital signs, and the resident’s complaint of feeling sleepy all day, and requested insulin orders. The provider ordered a one-time dose of Novolog 10 units SQ, a recheck of glucose in one hour, and notification if the result remained above 450. The insulin was administered and a repeat FSBS was documented at 386, but no further blood sugar checks or additional orders addressing the abnormal labs were documented after 1/14/26. A progress note later received from the NP, dated for a service date of 1/15/26, stated that the resident was seen for an acute visit for elevated blood glucose, that labs were at baseline except for glucose, and that the resident was asymptomatic with no signs of infection or hyperglycemia. The NP documented that staff were encouraged to monitor for signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia and infection, to take FSBS, and to notify the PCP for status changes, and referenced risks such as diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, blindness, kidney disease, heart attack, further decline, and rehospitalization if left untreated and unmonitored. However, no orders were actually written for FSBS monitoring or repeat HgbA1C, and no further blood sugar checks were documented from 1/14/26 through discharge. On 1/19/26, the resident received a COVID vaccine and had a recorded temperature of 97.6; this was the last documented vital sign before the acute decline. Over 1/19/26 and 1/20/26, nursing and NA staff reported the resident appeared at baseline. On the evening of 1/20/26, an NA noted the resident reported feeling like she was getting a cold, had a deeper voice, dark circles and sunken eyes, and was sleepy but still able to drink independently with a straw; the NA believed she informed a nurse but could not recall whom. On 1/21/26, multiple staff observed significant changes: the resident did not eat three consecutive meals (except for one bite at lunch), was unusually sleepy, did not converse at her baseline, and required assistance with drinking, with one NA unable to get her to pull fluid through a straw. A nurse caring for her that morning noted a bad cough and coarse breath sounds, difficulty administering medications in the morning due to somnolence, and only minimal intake at lunch. This nurse requested a chest x-ray from an NP, obtained an order, and verified it with the mobile x-ray company, but did not obtain a full set of vital signs or check the resident’s blood sugar, documenting only a temperature she recalled as 98.5 and citing a very busy day. Another nurse manager recalled being told the resident did not seem herself and knew a chest x-ray was ordered but did not perform an assessment. There were no nursing progress notes for 1/21/26 documenting vital signs or FSBS, and interviews with four nurses confirmed that no complete sets of vital signs or blood sugar levels were obtained despite the resident’s decreased intake, increased sleepiness, cough, and functional decline. In the early morning of 1/22/26, EMS was dispatched for the resident, and paramedics found a blood sugar reading of “high.” The resident was transported to the ED, where she was noted to be obtunded and dehydrated, with a glucose of 882, a temperature of 41.7°C (107.06°F), and other lab abnormalities. She coded at 6:53 AM and expired after unsuccessful resuscitation attempts. The survey identified that immediate jeopardy began on 1/15/26 when the facility failed to ensure ongoing monitoring and initiation of a treatment plan for the resident’s critically elevated blood glucose following the 1/14/26 lab result, in the context of a previously elevated HgbA1C and subsequent development of respiratory symptoms without appropriate acute monitoring, assessment, and treatment.
Failure to Document Diabetes Management Plan After Elevated HgbA1C Result
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that the medical provider documented an appropriate plan of care for a resident’s diabetes during required regulatory visits. The resident was admitted with a diagnosis of diabetes, and during a regulatory visit in late September, the nurse practitioner (NP) documented that the diabetes was diet controlled. A Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C) lab ordered in mid-October showed an elevated result of 8.1%, significantly above the lab’s normal range of ≤5.7%. The electronic lab record showed the NP signed off on these results in early November, but there was no corresponding provider progress note on that date addressing the elevated HgbA1C. Following the September visit, the next documented regulatory visit by the NP occurred in mid-December. In that progress note, the NP documented that the resident’s Type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease was diet controlled, referenced an older HgbA1C of 6.5% from the previous year, and planned to continue a healthy diet. The NP did not reference or address the more recent elevated HgbA1C of 8.1% from October in this regulatory visit note. During interview, the NP stated she had discussed with the resident the option of more frequent blood sugar checks and treatment, and that the resident preferred diet control with reevaluation in three months, but she acknowledged that she had not documented this discussion or the diabetic plan in the regulatory progress note, and confirmed she should have done so.
Improper Food Storage and Inadequate Kitchen Cleaning Practices
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s main kitchen related to improper food storage and inadequate cleaning practices. During observations in the dry storage room, an open bag of cereal was found in a container whose lid was on the floor under another shelving unit. A bag of grits on a metal shelf was not sealed, with the top only rolled up. Shelf liners on this and another shelf had visible fine grainy food particles. Underneath the shelving units in dry storage, surveyors observed multiple food items and debris, including loose dry cereal, a dried orange peel, closed packets of cookies, water bottles, condiment packets, a carbonated drink, a closed bag of Cheetos, a closed pudding cup, a loose cigarette, and a pair of sandal slides. Under the kitchen oven, there was about 12 inches of black, dried grease. Staff interviews further described the circumstances leading to the deficiency. A dietary aide stated they had to be careful when cleaning under the oven because part of the oven bottom would come off. The Administrator acknowledged seeing the unsealed food items and dirty dry storage floor and reported that the former Dietary Manager had left abruptly months earlier, and the current Dietary Manager was only present one to two days per week. The Dietary Supervisor stated she typically sealed opened food if staff forgot and that staff were supposed to sweep and clean nightly, but the condition of the dry storage area suggested this had not been done. She also provided a cleaning schedule that did not include dry storage. The part-time Dietary Manager reported that her own cleaning schedule, which included dry storage, had been replaced by a corporate schedule that did not address cleaning of the dry storage room, while also stating that staff had been instructed to clean and mop nightly and to ensure all food was sealed, covered, and dated.
Failure to Maintain Kitchen Sanitation and Coordinate Pest Control in Main Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain effective kitchen sanitation and food storage practices to deter pests, and failure to communicate effectively with contracted pest control technicians regarding contributing factors to pest activity in the main kitchen. Pest control records showed repeated findings of roaches and sanitation problems over several months. A pest control technician documented roaches in the kitchen and sanitation issues such as food and grease buildup under the cook/steam line and on the kitchen floor, with repeated notations to "please clean regularly." A local health department inspection of the main kitchen later identified a large number of roaches in an electrical box above the three-compartment sink, general floor cleaning deficiencies, lack of cleaning under food equipment and shelving in the walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, and dry storage, as well as wall damage throughout the kitchen. Subsequent pest control invoices continued to note pest activity and sanitation problems in the kitchen, including cockroaches coming out of the trash disposal door and other areas, dirty floor drains, dirty strainers, and floors that were consistently wet. Technicians repeatedly documented that standing water and food debris were present during most services and that these conditions could cause pest problems, again instructing the facility to clean regularly and keep the kitchen as dry as possible. One technician later documented structural concerns that could cause pest problems, including holes and gaps throughout the kitchen and peeling wall covering, along with food debris throughout the kitchen. The facility could not produce documentation of all follow-up night services that technicians reported they intended to perform, and there was a gap in available pest control records for certain months. During on-site kitchen observations, surveyors found a dead roach behind the ice machine and a live roach in a kitchen corner, open and improperly sealed dry food items such as cereal and grits in dry storage, and food crumbs and miscellaneous items under shelving, including loose cereal, a dried orange peel, snack items, beverage containers, a loose cigarette, and shoes. There was a 12-inch span of dried black grease under the oven, and a portion of wall covering was peeling near the sink. Staff interviews revealed that dietary staff were expected to sweep and clean nightly, but the posted cleaning schedule did not include the dry storage area. The part-time Dietary Manager reported she had created a cleaning schedule that included dry storage but was told to use a corporate schedule that did not. Pest control technicians reported consistently seeing sanitation issues such as trash and food particles on the floor, wet floors around the ice machine, food left in the dishwasher food trap, and an unrinsed prep sink during their visits. Maintenance and administrative staff reported that pest control technicians did not routinely communicate structural or sanitation issues directly to them, and that the facility did not routinely receive or review detailed pest control invoices noting these problems.
Failure to Honor Resident's Advanced Directives
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's advanced directive was included in their medical record and did not honor the resident's expressed wishes regarding their code status. The resident, who was admitted with a diagnosis of dementia, had a hospital discharge summary indicating a full code status. However, the resident's Responsible Party (RP) had completed admission paperwork indicating the resident had a DNR order and advanced directives, which were not included in the resident's record. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of follow-up to ensure the advanced directives were obtained and included in the resident's medical record. The Admissions Director and Unit Managers did not verify the presence of these documents, and the Social Worker did not clarify the discrepancy between the resident's code status in the medical record and the RP's expressed wishes. The RP was unaware that the resident's code status was recorded as full code in the facility, contrary to the resident's wishes. The Director of Nursing and the Administrator acknowledged the system in place to verify advanced directives on admission but admitted that the process was not followed through in this case. The failure to ensure the resident's advanced directives were documented and honored resulted in a discrepancy between the resident's expressed wishes and the facility's records.
Failure to Attempt Alternatives Before Installing Side Rails
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to attempt alternatives before installing side rails for two residents, leading to a deficiency. Resident #18, who was admitted with a diagnosis of diffuse traumatic brain injury, had side rails installed without prior attempts at alternative interventions. The restraint-adaptive equipment use assessment for Resident #18 did not indicate whether alternatives had been tried, and staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness about the requirement to try alternatives before using side rails. Observations confirmed that side rails were consistently in the raised position for Resident #18. Similarly, Resident #98, who was admitted with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a stroke, also had side rails installed without prior attempts at alternatives. The assessment for Resident #98 similarly lacked documentation of alternative interventions being tried. Staff interviews indicated a general lack of awareness about the necessity of attempting alternatives before implementing side rails, and observations showed that side rails were in use for Resident #98. Interviews with the nursing staff, including the Director of Nursing and the Administrator, revealed a systemic issue where side rails were routinely installed on beds without considering or attempting alternative interventions. The staff was unaware of the requirement to explore alternatives before using side rails, leading to the deficiency identified during the survey.
Medication Administration Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess whether self-administration of medication was clinically appropriate for a resident before leaving medication at the bedside. This deficiency was identified for a resident with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who was cognitively intact and admitted to the facility with a physician's order for Trelegy Ellipta, a medication for COPD. The resident's medical record did not contain a self-administration assessment or a physician's order to self-administer medication. Despite this, the resident was observed with the inhaler at her bedside and self-administered a dose, which was not documented as self-administered in the Medication Administration Record (MAR). Nurse #3, who was responsible for the resident's care, reported administering the inhaler at 9:00 AM but inadvertently left it at the bedside. The Director of Nursing confirmed that medication should not be left at the bedside without proper assessment and orders. The Nurse Practitioner indicated that taking an additional dose would not have harmed the resident, but the medication should not have been left at the bedside. The Administrator noted that leaving medication at the bedside was unusual for Nurse #3, suggesting it was a one-time mistake.
Inaccurate MDS Coding for Resident Fall
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately code the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment for a resident in the area of falls. The resident, who was admitted to the facility, experienced a fall from her bed, as documented in a nursing progress note. Despite this incident, the resident's quarterly MDS assessment incorrectly indicated that she had no falls since her prior assessment. The MDS Coordinator, responsible for coding the assessment, acknowledged the oversight, stating that she typically reviewed progress notes for such information. The fall occurred after the date of the resident's prior MDS assessment, and thus should have been included in the subsequent assessment. Interviews with the Director of Nursing and the Administrator confirmed that MDS assessments should accurately reflect the resident's status.
Failure to Implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions for Resident with Hemodialysis Catheter
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to their infection control practices and procedures for Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) during high contact care for a resident with a hemodialysis catheter. Nurse Aide (NA) #1 and NA #2 were observed providing a bed bath and dressing to Resident #103 without wearing gowns, despite the presence of signage indicating the requirement for gowns and gloves for high contact care. The resident had a hemodialysis catheter inserted in the right upper chest area, which necessitated EBP according to the facility's policy. Interviews with NA #1 and NA #2 revealed a misunderstanding of the EBP requirements, as they believed the precautions were meant for the resident's roommate and did not recognize a hemodialysis catheter as a reason for EBP. The Infection Preventionist confirmed that all residents with indwelling medical devices, including hemodialysis catheters, require EBP for high contact care. The Director of Nursing and Unit Manager #2 also demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding the necessity of EBP for residents with hemodialysis catheters, indicating a gap in understanding and implementation of the facility's infection control policy.
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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