Treyburn Rehabilitation Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Durham, North Carolina.
- Location
- 2059 Torredge Road, Durham, North Carolina 27712
- CMS Provider Number
- 345458
- Inspections on file
- 21
- Latest survey
- April 30, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Treyburn Rehabilitation Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with a history of vascular dementia and urinary tract infection exhibited increased agitation and struck another resident with a reacher, causing a minor injury. Despite staff attempts to manage the situation, the resident's behavior escalated, leading to the altercation. The facility's investigation revealed the resident was experiencing distress related to military flashbacks.
A facility failed to notify a resident's responsible party when the resident's IV fluids infiltrated and were placed on hold, leading to a delay in treatment. The resident, who had multiple medical conditions and was experiencing new swallowing problems and nausea, was not sent to the hospital in a timely manner. As a result, the resident was later transferred to the hospital and admitted to the ICU with sepsis.
A resident with multiple medical conditions experienced a decline in health due to poor communication and inadequate assessment by LTC facility staff. Despite family concerns and requests for hospital transfer, the facility attempted in-house treatment, which was delayed and ineffective. The resident's condition worsened, resulting in emergency hospitalization for sepsis and acute organ dysfunction.
A resident with cognitive impairment and a history of falls experienced multiple falls resulting in injuries due to inadequate supervision and ineffective interventions. The facility failed to investigate the root cause of the falls, and there were inconsistencies in documentation and staff communication, leading to repeated incidents and hospital interventions.
A resident's medical records were found to be incomplete and inaccurate, with missing physician orders, incomplete meal intake records, and discrepancies in medication administration times. A nurse failed to document an order to hold IV fluids, and meal consumption sheets were not accurately filled. Additionally, medication administration times did not match the nurse's report, indicating a lack of accurate record-keeping.
The facility failed to discard expired food, label and date thickened liquids, and maintain kitchen equipment and utensils clean. Expired yogurt cups, unlabeled thickened liquids, and dirty kitchen equipment were found. Additionally, nourishment refrigerators contained expired and unlabeled food items. The Dietary Manager and DON acknowledged these deficiencies.
The facility failed to maintain proper food storage and sanitation practices, and did not involve residents or their representatives in the care planning process. Expired food was not discarded, and kitchen equipment was not kept clean. Additionally, care plan meetings were not conducted for a resident. The administrator was new and still learning procedures, while the Regional Director was providing ongoing training.
The facility failed to document the Advance Directives (code status) for a resident who was severely cognitively impaired. Despite procedures for entering this information into the EHR and hard copy chart, the resident's code status was not documented, as confirmed by staff interviews and record reviews.
The facility failed to conduct baseline care plan meetings within 72 hours of admission for two residents. One resident did not recall having a baseline care plan meeting or receiving a summary, and the meeting was only conducted upon readmission. Another resident reported not having any care plan meeting since admission, and the meeting was scheduled after the deficiency was identified. The President of Operations stated that such meetings should occur within 48 hours of admission, with a summary provided to the resident or their representative.
The facility failed to involve a resident and/or the resident's representative in the care planning process. A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses did not have a comprehensive care plan meeting scheduled or conducted with their representative. Staff interviews revealed a misunderstanding of the requirement for comprehensive care plan meetings, leading to the deficiency.
The facility failed to thoroughly investigate an abuse allegation involving a resident with intact cognition. The investigation did not follow the required protocols, as written statements and comprehensive interviews were not conducted. The accused Nurse Aide was suspended and later terminated for poor customer service, not directly related to the abuse allegation.
Resident-to-Resident Altercation Due to Unmanaged Agitation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident from abuse when another resident, who was experiencing increased agitation due to a urinary tract infection, hit him with a reacher. The incident involved Resident #3, who had a history of vascular dementia and was moderately cognitively impaired, and Resident #2, who was cognitively intact. On the day of the incident, Resident #3 exhibited aggressive behaviors and was observed attempting to strike others with his reacher. Despite staff attempts to de-escalate the situation, Resident #3's agitation continued, leading to the altercation with Resident #2. Resident #3's behavior was noted to have escalated throughout the day, with increased confusion and agitation. He was seen by both a PA and a Psychiatric PA, who noted his aggressive behaviors and ordered a urinalysis to check for a urinary tract infection. Despite these interventions, Resident #3's condition worsened, and he eventually struck Resident #2, causing a scratch on his ear. The facility's staff did not witness the incident but responded to the commotion and separated the residents. The facility's investigation revealed that Resident #3 had been experiencing flashbacks related to his military service, which contributed to his distress. Although Resident #3 had no prior history of hitting other residents, his acute confusion and agitation due to the urinary tract infection led to the incident. The facility's response included notifying the appropriate authorities and initiating an investigation, but the deficiency highlights a failure to adequately monitor and manage Resident #3's behavior before the incident occurred.
Failure to Notify Responsible Party of IV Infiltration and Delay
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to immediately notify the responsible party when a resident's intravenous (IV) fluids infiltrated and were placed on hold. The resident, who had been experiencing new swallowing problems, nausea, and no food intake for multiple consecutive meals, was not sent to the hospital in a timely manner. The resident's family reported that they would have requested the resident be sent to the hospital if they had been informed about the delay with the IV fluids. As a result, the resident was transferred hours later to the hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with a principal diagnosis of sepsis. The resident had a history of multiple medical conditions, including an occipital stroke, Lewy body dementia, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, depression, and a history of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism. On the morning of the incident, the resident's provider had given orders for IV fluids to be administered. However, the IV infiltrated, and there was a delay in restarting it due to the unavailability of the facility's IV team until later in the evening. Despite the change in the treatment plan, the responsible party was not notified of the delay. The failure to communicate the change in the resident's treatment plan resulted in a significant delay in the resident receiving necessary medical care. The resident's condition deteriorated, leading to an emergency transfer to the hospital, where she was intubated and treated for sepsis. The emergency department physician indicated that if the resident had been transferred to the hospital earlier, her condition might not have been as severe.
Removal Plan
- Education was initiated to licensed nursing staff by the Director of Nursing/designee on notification to provider and resident/responsible party for change in treatment during change of condition.
- Education was completed.
- Education was initiated to certified nursing assistants by the Director of Nursing/designee regarding the ability to identify a change in condition in residents and reporting those changes to the nurse that includes but not limited to having a decreased appetite, consistent refusal of therapeutic diet, nausea, decreased intake of fluids, and/or general malaise, etc.
- Education for licensed and unlicensed staff was completed.
- The Director of Nursing was responsible for ensuring all licensed and unlicensed staff received the education.
- Newly hired licensed, unlicensed and agency staff will receive this education during orientation.
- The Director of Nursing will be responsible for ensuring that this education is completed.
- The Administrator and Director of Nursing will be ultimately responsible for ensuring implementation of this immediate jeopardy removal for this alleged noncompliance.
- 100% licensed nursing staff education regarding notification to the provider and resident and/or responsible party (RP) for any changes of condition, as well as 100% unlicensed nursing staff education regarding reporting changes in resident condition to the nurse.
- Education was completed.
- 100% audit of resident medical records was completed to ensure that notification of changes in condition was completed in the past 30 days as applicable.
- The audits were ongoing.
Failure to Communicate and Assess Leads to Resident's Hospitalization
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to effectively communicate among staff, medical providers, and the family of a resident who was showing signs of a change in condition. The resident, who had a history of multiple medical conditions including stroke, dementia, and diabetes, was initially requested by her family to be transferred to the hospital. However, the family agreed to facility treatment based on the understanding that the resident would receive appropriate evaluation and care at the nursing home. Despite this, the resident's condition deteriorated, and she was eventually transferred to the hospital where she was emergently intubated and admitted to the intensive care unit with sepsis and acute organ dysfunction. The deficiency was marked by poor communication over several shifts, which led to a failure to identify the seriousness of the resident's condition. The resident had been experiencing nausea and difficulty swallowing, but these symptoms were not adequately addressed. Orders for tests and treatments, such as IV fluids and lab work, were delayed or not executed properly. The resident's vital signs indicated a decline, but there was a lack of timely and effective response from the nursing staff and management. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and urgency regarding the resident's condition. The Director of Nursing and Unit Manager did not perform a hands-on assessment, and there was confusion about the orders for IV fluids. The resident's family was not informed of the IV infiltration or the delay in treatment, leading to a critical situation where the resident was found unresponsive and had to be sent to the hospital via emergency services.
Failure to Prevent Repeated Falls and Provide Adequate Supervision
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adequately investigate the root cause of repeated falls and provide necessary supervision to prevent further incidents for a resident with a history of falls and cognitive impairment. The resident, who had metabolic encephalopathy, osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, and macular degeneration, experienced multiple falls within a short period, some resulting in significant injuries requiring hospital intervention. Despite these incidents, the facility did not implement effective interventions or update the care plan to address the resident's fall risk adequately. On several occasions, the resident was found on the floor after attempting to transfer or ambulate independently, despite requiring supervision. The facility's response to these falls was insufficient, as interventions such as frequent rounding and reminders to use the call bell were not effective in preventing further falls. Additionally, there was a lack of thorough documentation and incident reporting, as some falls were not recorded in the facility's incident list, and there were no nursing notes regarding the resident's return from the hospital. Interviews with staff revealed inconsistencies in supervision and communication regarding the resident's condition and needs. Some staff members were unaware of the resident's fall history or the interventions in place, and there was a lack of coordination in monitoring the resident's activities. The facility's failure to provide adequate supervision and investigate the root cause of the falls contributed to the resident's repeated injuries and eventual transfer to a memory care unit.
Incomplete and Inaccurate Medical Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a complete and accurate medical record for a resident, leading to several deficiencies. On one occasion, a nurse documented that intravenous (IV) fluids for the resident had infiltrated, and a Nurse Practitioner was notified, who ordered the IV fluids to be placed on hold. However, this order was not entered into the resident's electronic medical record, as confirmed by the regional clinical director. Additionally, the resident's meal consumption records were incomplete, with missing entries for several supper meals and inaccurate documentation of meal intake on another occasion. Furthermore, discrepancies were found in the medication administration records. A medication administration audit revealed that the documented times for administering medications did not match the times reported by the nurse who administered them. The nurse reported giving medications at the same time as a blood sugar check, but the records showed the medications were given over an hour later. This inconsistency in documentation was acknowledged by the nurse, who could not explain the discrepancy.
Failure to Discard Expired Food and Maintain Cleanliness in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to discard expired food from the walk-in refrigerator, label and date thickened liquids in the reach-in refrigerator, and maintain the kitchen equipment and bin holding scoops and ladles clean. During an observation, ten 4-ounce cups of yogurt with an expiration date were found in the walk-in refrigerator. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that the expired yogurt cups were overlooked and would be discarded. Additionally, two opened 46 fluid ounce cartons of nectar thick water were found in the reach-in refrigerator without any labels indicating the open date or use by date. The Dietary Manager admitted that all opened food and nutrition supplements should be labeled with an open date, but these cartons may have been opened during the weekend and were not labeled accordingly. The facility also failed to maintain the cleanliness of kitchen equipment and utensils. The deep fryer had dried food crumbs on the top panel, light brown food particles floating in the oil, and a large brown greasy stain on the back splash. The Assistant Dietary Manager, responsible for cleaning the deep fryer, stated that the oil was not drained, and the equipment was not cleaned after the Friday meal. Additionally, a plastic bin containing scoops, ladles, and serving spoons was found to have dirt and dried food particles during a tray line observation. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that the bin was constantly used by staff and had some dried food particles on the base. Furthermore, the facility failed to label and date opened dietary supplements and thickened liquids and discard expired food from two nourishment refrigerators. In nourishment refrigerator #2, a white plastic bag containing takeout food, a wet brown bag with takeout containers, and a small opened snack tray with brown-colored fluid on apple slices were found. Four opened 32 fluid ounce nutritional supplements were also found without any labels indicating the open date or use by date. In nourishment refrigerator #1, a plastic bag containing takeout food and two opened 46 fluid ounce nectar thick water cartons without open dates were found. The Director of Nursing stated that nurses should label all opened nutritional supplements with an open date and discard perishable food brought by families within 72 hours if not consumed by the resident. The dietary department was responsible for ensuring these foods were discarded within 72 hours.
Deficiencies in Food Storage and Care Planning
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper food storage and sanitation practices, as well as involve residents or their representatives in the care planning process. Specifically, the facility did not discard expired food from the walk-in refrigerator, label and date thickened liquids in the reach-in refrigerator, or maintain kitchen equipment cleanliness. Additionally, the facility did not label and date opened dietary supplements and thickened liquids, failed to discard expired food, and did not maintain the nourishment refrigerators clean. These deficiencies were observed in both the walk-in and reach-in refrigerators, as well as in two nourishment refrigerators near nursing stations. The Dietary Manager also failed to change gloves and perform hand hygiene between tasks during meal preparation. The facility also failed to involve residents or their representatives in the care planning process. This was evidenced by the lack of care plan meetings for one of the sampled residents reviewed for care plans. Interviews with the administrator and the Regional Director revealed that the administrator was new to the position and still learning the procedures involved in the survey process. The Regional Director stated that training was ongoing and that the QAPI/QA Manual was being updated to improve performance outcomes. Despite these efforts, the facility's inability to sustain an effective QAPI program was evident during two federal surveys of record, showing a pattern of continued failure in maintaining implemented procedures and monitoring interventions.
Failure to Document Advance Directives for a Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to have Advance Directives (code status) documented in the records for a resident who was assessed as severely cognitively impaired. The resident was admitted to the facility, and the admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) indicated severe cognitive impairment. However, the comprehensive care plan and the physician's orders did not contain any information regarding the resident's code status or Advance Directives. This deficiency was confirmed through a review of the resident's electronic health record (EHR) and hard copy chart, which lacked any documentation of the code status. Interviews with various staff members, including a nurse, the Director of Nursing (DON), the Social Worker assistant, and a Nurse Practitioner, revealed that the facility's process for documenting code status was not followed. The Social Worker assistant explained that the code status should be discussed during the initial care plan meeting and entered into the EHR and hard copy chart. Despite these procedures, the resident's code status was not documented in any of the expected locations, including the EHR, hard copy chart, and the code status book. The Administrator confirmed that the resident's code status should have been entered at admission, but it was not, leading to the deficiency.
Failure to Conduct Timely Baseline Care Plan Meetings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to conduct a baseline care plan within 72 hours of admission for two residents, leading to a deficiency. Resident #91 was admitted to the facility and later readmitted after a hospital discharge. Despite being assessed as cognitively intact, the resident did not recall having a baseline care plan meeting or receiving a summary of the baseline care plan. The Social Worker confirmed that the baseline care plan meeting was missed during the initial admission and was only conducted upon readmission, four days after the resident returned from the hospital. The details of the meeting were documented in the resident's electronic medical record, but no summary was provided to the resident or their representative. Similarly, Resident #252, who was also assessed as cognitively intact, reported not having any care plan meeting since admission and did not receive a summary of the baseline care plan. The Social Worker and Admission Assistant acknowledged that the baseline care plan meeting was not scheduled within the required 72-hour timeframe. The meeting was eventually set up after the deficiency was identified. The President of Operations stated that baseline care plan meetings should be conducted within 48 hours of admission, and a summary should be signed and provided to the resident or their representative.
Failure to Involve Resident in Care Planning Process
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to involve a resident and/or the resident's representative in the care planning process. Resident #41, who was readmitted with diagnoses including end-stage renal disease, dependence on renal dialysis, and dementia, was assessed as severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for most activities of daily living. The comprehensive care plan for Resident #41 was reviewed by staff, but there was no indication that the resident or the resident's representative participated in the care plan meeting or its development. Interviews revealed that the Social Worker and Social Worker assistant did not schedule comprehensive care plan meetings with residents and/or their representatives, as they believed the baseline care plan meeting conducted within 3 days of admission sufficed for detailed care planning discussions. The Social Worker assistant stated that she did not schedule the comprehensive care plan meeting for Resident #41 because it was not indicated in the monthly calendar provided by the MDS Nurse coordinator. The MDS Nurse coordinator confirmed that the calendar did not include the comprehensive assessment ARD, assuming that the Social Services department would schedule these meetings during the 72-hour care plan meeting. The President of Operations confirmed that the expectation was for care plan meetings and notifications to be sent to residents and/or their representatives per state and federal regulations, and that the care plan should be reviewed and revised by the interdisciplinary team after each assessment, including comprehensive assessments. However, this process was not followed for Resident #41, leading to the deficiency noted in the report.
Incomplete Investigation of Abuse Allegation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a thorough investigation for an allegation of physical abuse involving a resident with intact cognition. The facility's abuse neglect policy required a comprehensive investigation, including obtaining written statements from all involved parties and witnesses, as well as conducting interviews with other residents who may have had contact with the accused staff member. However, the investigation conducted by the Administrator and the former Director of Nursing did not adhere to these protocols. They only obtained oral statements from the resident and the accused Nurse Aide, without securing written statements or interviewing other potential witnesses and residents. This oversight was acknowledged by the Administrator during an interview. The incident report revealed that the resident had reported the abuse, but the investigation summary lacked evidence of a thorough review. The accused Nurse Aide was suspended and later terminated for poor customer service, not directly related to the abuse allegation. Interviews with the involved staff and the former Director of Nursing confirmed that the standard procedures for abuse investigations were not followed, as written statements and comprehensive interviews were not conducted. This failure to follow protocol resulted in an incomplete investigation of the abuse allegation.
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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