Smithfield Manor Rehabilitation And Healthcare Cen
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Smithfield, North Carolina.
- Location
- 902 Berkshire Road, Smithfield, North Carolina 27577
- CMS Provider Number
- 345175
- Inspections on file
- 20
- Latest survey
- November 4, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 2 (1 serious)
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Smithfield Manor Rehabilitation And Healthcare Cen during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with osteoporosis and dementia, requiring two-person assistance for ADLs, fell and sustained a leg fracture when only one nurse aide provided incontinence care and rolled the resident away from herself. The aide did not follow the care guide, and a discrepancy existed between therapy recommendations and the care plan, leading to the resident not receiving the required assistance and resulting in injury.
A resident with multiple comorbidities, including neuropathy and a left leg amputation, was injured when her wheelchair tipped backward in a facility van due to improper securement by the Transport Driver, who attached all four anchor straps to the rear wheels instead of the wheelchair frame. The resident suffered neck and back pain, a tongue laceration, and a hand abrasion, requiring hospital evaluation before returning to the facility.
The facility failed to provide opportunities for residents to formulate advance directives and maintain accurate documentation. Several residents lacked documentation of advance directive education, and one resident's care plan inaccurately reflected their code status. Staff interviews revealed assumptions about discussions that were not documented, highlighting systemic issues in communication and documentation of residents' wishes.
A facility failed to accurately code MDS assessments for several residents, leading to deficiencies in skin conditions, bowel and bladder, nutritional status, and discharge. A resident with a surgical wound was not coded for wound care, another with a urostomy was incorrectly coded for catheters, a cognitively impaired resident receiving tube feeding was not coded for a gastrostomy tube, and a resident's discharge was inaccurately recorded. Staff interviews confirmed these errors.
The facility failed to update nutritional care plans for three residents experiencing weight loss, despite physician orders and dietary recommendations. The care plans did not address the risk of decreased nutritional status, and staff interviews revealed that the Dietary Manager had not completed the necessary updates.
A resident receiving oxygen therapy was at risk due to the application of petroleum jelly, a flammable substance, on their lips. Despite the known risks, the facility continued this practice as per a physician's order. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness about the potential hazard, leading to a deficiency in accident prevention.
A resident with hypoxia was prescribed 1L of oxygen via nasal cannula, but observations revealed the oxygen concentrator was set at 2L. Despite the incorrect setting, the resident showed no distress. Staff interviews confirmed the discrepancy, and the Medical Director noted no harm occurred from the higher oxygen level.
A medication cart was found unlocked and unattended in a hallway near an entrance, with no staff or residents nearby. A nurse later acknowledged the cart should have been locked when unattended, but did not provide a reason for the oversight. The DON confirmed the expectation for the cart to be locked at all times when not attended.
A resident with multiple medical comorbidities and on blood thinning medication was left unattended by a Nursing Assistant (NA) during Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care, despite requiring 2 person assistance. The resident fell from the bed, resulting in a closed fracture of the left distal femur and a small skin tear to the left elbow. The injury led to complications and the resident's subsequent death. The incident highlighted the facility's failure to adhere to the care plan and ensure proper supervision, resulting in Immediate Jeopardy.
A dependent resident with multiple comorbidities, including chronic atrial fibrillation, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral artery disease, required two-person assistance for bed mobility, incontinence care, and bathing. Despite this, a Nursing Assistant (NA) provided care independently, resulting in the resident falling from the bed and sustaining a closed fracture of the left distal femur and a skin tear to the left elbow. The incident occurred when the NA left the resident unattended to retrieve a washcloth. The resident's care plan had clearly indicated the need for two-person assistance due to impaired mobility and other risk factors.
Failure to Provide Required Assistance During Bed Mobility Results in Resident Fall and Fracture
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with osteoporosis, atrial fibrillation, and dementia sustained a left distal tibia and fibula fracture after rolling out of bed during incontinence care. The resident was on an anticoagulant and had a care plan indicating the need for assistance from two staff members for activities of daily living (ADLs) due to impaired mobility, poor safety awareness, and impulsiveness. However, at the time of the incident, only one nurse aide was providing care, and the resident was rolled away from the aide, resulting in the resident sliding off the bed and falling to the floor. The nurse aide involved did not request assistance from another staff member, despite the care guide indicating a two-person assist was required for ADLs. The aide also rolled the resident away from herself, rather than towards herself, which contributed to the resident's fall. The bed was raised to the aide's waist height, and the resident was positioned in the middle of the bed before care began, but during the process, the resident attempted to assist and rolled too far, leading to the fall. At the time of the incident, there was a discrepancy between the physical therapy discharge summary, which indicated the resident required supervision/touch assistance from one staff member for bed mobility, and the care plan and care guide, which still required two-person assistance. The therapy department had notified nursing of the change, but the care plan and care guide had not yet been updated. This lack of timely communication and failure to follow the existing care plan resulted in the resident not receiving the required level of assistance, directly leading to the accident and injury.
Failure to Properly Secure Wheelchair During Transport Results in Resident Injury
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when facility staff failed to follow the manufacturer's instructions for securing a wheelchair in the facility's transportation van. The Transport Driver incorrectly anchored all four securement straps to the rear wheels of the wheelchair, leaving the front of the wheelchair unsecured. According to the manufacturer's instructions, tie-down hooks should be attached to solid frame members near seat level and not to wheels, plastic, or removable parts. This improper anchoring allowed the wheelchair to tip backward during vehicle acceleration. The incident involved a resident with multiple medical conditions, including neuropathy, chronic ischemic heart disease, osteomyelitis, diabetes, and a left leg above-knee amputation. The resident was cognitively intact, dependent on staff for transfers, and required assistance with wheelchair mobility. During transport to a dental appointment, the resident's wheelchair tipped backward when the van accelerated from a stop, causing her to fall and strike her head and back on the floor of the van. The resident was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident. As a result of the fall, the resident experienced posterior neck and upper back pain, a superficial laceration on the tongue, paraspinal tenderness in the upper thoracic region, and a superficial abrasion on the right hand. She was transported to the hospital, where CT scans showed no evidence of hemorrhage or acute fracture, and she was discharged back to the facility later that evening. The investigation confirmed that the Transport Driver had attached both front and rear anchor straps to the rear wheels, leaving the wheelchair frame free to rotate and tip over during transport.
Removal Plan
- Resident #1's wheelchair tipped backwards in the facility transportation van due to the transportation driver failing to follow manufacturer's instructions for wheelchair securement. The driver had improperly anchored both left and right front and rear straps to the rear wheels, leaving the front of the wheelchair unsecured. When the vehicle accelerated, the wheelchair tipped backwards, causing Resident #1's head and back to strike the floor of the van. Emergency services were called, and Resident #1 was transported to the hospital where she was treated for posterior neck pain, upper back pain, a superficial tongue laceration, paraspinal tenderness, and a superficial abrasion to her right hand. A CT scan revealed no evidence of hemorrhage or acute fracture, and the resident was discharged back to the facility.
- The transportation driver was removed from driving duties pending retraining and competency validation.
- The facility conducted a 100% audit of progress notes, transport log and interview with the Transportation Driver of in-house facility residents' transports for the past 90 days by the Assistant Director of Nursing, with no concerns identified.
- The Assistant Director of Nursing reviewed the transport log to identify any resident that would potentially be transported with facility van. No residents were to be transported until investigation and retraining completed.
- All scheduled appointments were scheduled by the Transportation Driver with a contracted outside transportation company.
- The facility has two employees who drive the transportation van. The Transportation Driver is the primary driver and the Maintenance Director is the back up driver.
- The Administrator audited the transport employee files: audit to include training, valid driver's license, van maintenance checklist to include proper alignment of the wheelchair between the tie down straps, attaching the rear tie down straps to the rear frame, front tie down straps to the front frame, ensuring tightness on both the front and rear tie downs, and securing seatbelt around resident, and employee vehicle policy to include but not limited to vehicle purpose, driver licensing, maintenance of company van, proof of insurance on company van, traffic violations, usage of cellular phone, accidents involving company vehicle, theft of company vehicle and driver responsibilities in regards to operation of vehicle, use of seatbelts and securement devices and reporting requirements with no concerns identified.
- The Maintenance Director did the initial education for the Transportation Driver on site of incident and return demonstration.
- The Administrator reviewed the manufacturer's video and training documents provided by the facility and re-educated post incident.
- The Maintenance Director conducted education and an initial return demonstration with the Transportation Driver, Director of Nursing and Administrator that included proper securement of the wheelchair and van anchors per manufacturer's instructions.
- Outside Maintenance Director from a sister facility provided additional education to the Administrator, Maintenance Director and Transportation Driver regarding proper securement of the wheelchair and van anchors per manufacturer's instructions.
- The Administrator initiated 100% in-service with the Maintenance Director and Transportation Driver about proper securement of wheelchairs during transport per manufacturer's instructions. The in-service was completed.
- All newly hired Transport Drivers will be in-serviced by the Maintenance Director during orientation to include the skills check list. The skills check list includes but is not limited to a competency validation of loading, securing and unloading a resident and a return demonstration.
- The Maintenance Director sent the van out for inspection that included checking functional status of the wheelchair anchors with no concerns identified.
- The facility initiated 10% audit of all residents being transported by the facility to be completed by the Maintenance Director weekly then monthly utilizing the Van Transport Audit Tool to ensure proper securing of the resident before leaving the facility and this was taken to Quality Assurance committee meeting. This audit is an observational audit to determine proper securement of the resident, wheelchair, and van anchors. The results will be documented on the Van Transport Audit Tool. All areas of concern will be addressed by the Administrator and/or Maintenance Director immediately.
- The Administrator will forward the results of the Van Transport Audit Tool to the Executive Quality Assurance Committee to include Administrator, Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, Quality Assurance Nurse, Infection Control Preventionist/Staff Development Nurse, Activities Director, social workers, unit managers and unit coordinators, Maintenance Director, Minimum Data Set nurse, Dietary Manager, Medical Director and additional staff representatives monthly for review to determine trends and / or issues that may need further interventions put into place and to determine the need for further and / or frequency of monitoring.
Deficiency in Advance Directive Documentation and Code Status Accuracy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide an opportunity for residents to formulate advance directives and maintain accurate documentation of these directives in the medical records. Specifically, for five residents reviewed, there was no documentation indicating that education regarding advance directives was offered. This included residents with various medical conditions such as spinal cord disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pyothorax, chronic ischemic heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Interviews with staff revealed that discussions about advance directives were assumed to occur but were not documented, leading to a lack of evidence that residents were informed about their rights to formulate these directives. Additionally, there was a discrepancy in the documentation of a resident's code status. One resident, who was severely cognitively impaired, had a care plan indicating a full code status, despite having a documented preference for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) in their hard chart and physician's orders. This error was acknowledged by the MDS Nurse responsible for updating the care plan, who admitted to entering the incorrect code status by mistake. The Director of Nursing confirmed that care plans should accurately reflect the resident's wishes, and this discrepancy was discussed in morning meetings. The report highlights a systemic issue within the facility regarding the documentation and communication of advance directives and code status. Staff interviews revealed a lack of consistent procedures for discussing and documenting these critical aspects of resident care, leading to potential confusion and misalignment with residents' wishes. The facility's failure to ensure accurate and complete documentation of advance directives and code status represents a significant deficiency in meeting residents' rights and care needs.
Inaccurate MDS Coding for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately code the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for four residents, leading to deficiencies in the areas of skin conditions, bowel and bladder, nutritional status, and discharge. Resident #129, who was readmitted with a transmetatarsal amputation and a surgical wound treated with a wound vacuum, was inaccurately coded on the MDS as having no surgical wound or receiving wound care. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged the error, stating the data was not reviewed for accuracy before transmission. Resident #31, who had a urostomy due to bladder cancer, was incorrectly coded on the MDS as having an indwelling and external urinary catheter, despite nursing documentation and staff interviews confirming the presence of only a urostomy. The MDS Coordinator admitted the coding error, noting that the resident should not have been coded for catheters they did not have. Resident #5, who was severely cognitively impaired and receiving tube feeding, was not coded for having a gastrostomy tube on the MDS. The Food Service Director, responsible for coding the nutrition section, admitted the oversight. Additionally, Resident #134's discharge MDS was inaccurately coded as discharged to an acute hospital, while progress notes indicated a discharge to an assisted living facility. The MDS Coordinator confirmed the incorrect coding, and the Director of Nursing emphasized the need for accurate MDS coding.
Failure to Update Nutritional Care Plans for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement individualized, person-centered care plans addressing the nutritional needs of three residents, leading to deficiencies in their care. Resident #67, who was admitted with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, experienced significant weight loss over several months. Despite physician orders for dietary interventions and recommendations from a registered dietician, Resident #67's care plan did not address the risk of decreased nutritional status or weight loss. The care plan was last reviewed on December 10, 2024, but did not include necessary updates to reflect the resident's nutritional needs. Resident #122, admitted with a diagnosis of depression, also experienced weight loss and required dietary modifications due to dysphagia. Although dietary notes and physician orders indicated the need for nutritional supplements and a change in diet consistency, Resident #122's care plan was not updated to address the risk of decreased nutritional status or weight loss. The care plan was last reviewed on December 5, 2024, but failed to incorporate the necessary interventions to support the resident's nutritional health. Resident #19, with diagnoses including diabetes mellitus, dementia, and depression, showed a pattern of weight loss over several months. Despite physician orders for dietary supplements and monitoring, the care plan did not address the risk of decreased nutritional status or weight loss. The care plan was last reviewed on December 3, 2024, without necessary updates. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Dietary Manager was responsible for updating care plans but had not completed the task, leading to the deficiencies identified in the residents' care plans.
Use of Petroleum Jelly on Resident with Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident from a potential flammable hazard by using petroleum jelly on a resident receiving oxygen therapy. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for all activities of daily living, was prescribed oxygen therapy to manage hypoxia. Despite the known risks associated with using petroleum-based products in conjunction with oxygen therapy, the facility continued to apply white petroleum jelly to the resident's lips as per a physician's order. Interviews with various staff members, including a nurse, the Director of Nursing, the Pharmacist Consultant, and the Medical Director, revealed a lack of awareness and understanding of the potential hazard posed by petroleum jelly in this context. The Sales Representative from an oxygen concentrator repair company also acknowledged the risk, albeit small, associated with the use of petroleum jelly. The facility's failure to recognize and address this risk resulted in a deficiency related to accident hazards and inadequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Failure to Administer Oxygen as Prescribed
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide supplemental oxygen as ordered by the physician for a resident diagnosed with hypoxia. The resident was readmitted to the facility with a care plan that included oxygen therapy at 1 liter via nasal cannula to maintain oxygen saturation rates greater than 94%. However, observations revealed that the resident's in-room oxygen concentrator was set at 2 liters instead of the prescribed 1 liter. Despite the incorrect setting, the resident showed no signs or symptoms of respiratory distress during the observations. Interviews with staff, including a nurse, the Quality Coordinator, and the Director of Nursing, confirmed that the oxygen setting was not in accordance with the physician's order. The nurse verified the order for 1 liter of oxygen and acknowledged that nurses should check the oxygen concentrators every shift to ensure the correct setting. The Quality Coordinator suggested that the knob might have been accidentally bumped, and the Director of Nursing reiterated the importance of daily checks. The Medical Director confirmed that the oxygen should have been set at the ordered liter, although there was no harm to the resident from the higher oxygen level.
Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to secure residents' medications in a locked medication cart, as observed on the 200-hall upper west medication cart. On the morning of January 24, 2025, the medication cart was found unlocked and unattended outside the nurse's station, approximately 15 feet from an unlocked entrance to the facility. No staff or residents were present in the vicinity of the cart at that time. Shortly after, a nurse was seen exiting a resident's room and walking towards the unlocked cart. During an interview, the nurse acknowledged that the cart should have been locked when unattended but did not provide a reason for the oversight. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the cart was expected to be locked at all times when not attended by the nurse.
Failure to Provide Required Assistance Leads to Resident Injury and Death
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident's right to be free from neglect, as evidenced by an incident involving Resident #1. On 3/4/24, Nursing Assistant (NA) #1 neglected to provide the required 2 person assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care to Resident #1, who had multiple medical comorbidities and was on a blood thinning medication, making him vulnerable to injury. During care, NA #1 left Resident #1 unattended on his right side on the bed at waist height, resulting in the resident rolling off the bed and sustaining a closed fracture of the left distal femur and a small skin tear to the left elbow. The resident's vulnerability and the failure to adhere to the care plan led to serious harm, ultimately resulting in the resident's death due to complications of the left femur fracture. The neglect incident was brought to light when the Director of Nursing (DON) became aware of Resident #1's allegation of neglect, which occurred on 3/4/24 during a bath where the aide turned away from the bed, leading to the resident's fall. The investigation report revealed that NA #1 was aware of the 2 person ADL care requirement for Resident #1 but chose to provide care independently, resulting in the fall and serious bodily injury to the resident. The facility was notified of Immediate Jeopardy on 4/17/24, highlighting the severity of the deficiency in providing safe and appropriate care to vulnerable residents. The deficiency was further emphasized by the facility's failure to ensure proper supervision to prevent accidents for Resident #1, who required 2 person assistance with ADL care. The lack of adherence to the care plan, coupled with the resident's high risk for injury, led to the immediate jeopardy situation on 3/4/24.
Failure to Provide Adequate ADL Assistance Leads to Resident Injury
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency identified in the report pertains to a failure in providing safe Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care to a dependent resident, resulting in a serious adverse outcome. Resident #1, a heavy-set individual with multiple comorbidities including chronic atrial fibrillation, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral artery disease, was assessed as dependent for bed mobility, incontinence care, and bathing. Despite being designated as a two-person assist for ADL care due to impaired mobility and other risk factors, Resident #1 experienced a fall while being cared for by Nursing Assistant (NA) #1 on 3/4/24. The resident rolled off the bed, sustaining a closed fracture of the left distal femur and a small skin tear to the left elbow. The incident occurred when NA #1 left Resident #1 positioned on his right side with the bed at waist height to retrieve a washcloth, failing to provide the required level of supervision to prevent accidents. The report highlights that Resident #1's care plan clearly indicated the need for two-person assistance with ADL care, which was initiated on 11/01/22 due to the resident's condition and risk factors. Despite this, NA #1 proceeded to provide care independently on the day of the incident, citing a busy environment and familiarity with the resident as reasons for not seeking assistance. Interviews with NA #1, other nursing staff, and the Unit Manager Nurse revealed that Resident #1 was known to require extensive assistance and was considered a two-person assist due to his size and mobility limitations. The subsequent investigations and interviews with medical staff, including the Nurse Practitioner and Medical Doctor, shed light on the series of events following the fall, including subsequent hospital visits for chest pain, facial droop, and acute chest pain, ultimately leading to the resident's transfer to an inpatient hospice facility and eventual passing due to complications from the femur fracture.
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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