Riverton Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
- Location
- 803 North Wahneta St, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103
- CMS Provider Number
- 395171
- Inspections on file
- 25
- Latest survey
- March 18, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 10
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Riverton Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with heart failure, HTN, and atrial fibrillation was mistakenly given clonazepam, trazodone, and simvastatin that were prescribed for another resident, despite a facility policy requiring triple-check verification of the right resident, medication, dose, time, and route. Record review confirmed there were no physician orders for these medications for the resident who received them, and the ADON acknowledged that staff administered one resident’s medications to another.
A resident with multiple chronic conditions was given atorvastatin instead of the physician-ordered simvastatin to manage high cholesterol. The administration of the unprescribed medication was confirmed by the ADON after review of clinical records and staff interviews.
A resident with heart disease, a left artificial hip, and spinal stenosis experienced a delay in response to her call bell while in the bathroom. Despite being able to communicate her needs, staff did not respond promptly, as observed over a 35-minute period. The resident expressed frustration over the slow response, and facility leadership acknowledged that call lights should be answered promptly.
A delayed egress door on the first floor near the main employee lounge failed to open as expected, affecting one of three floors. The door, which should have opened within 15 seconds, did not function properly, as confirmed by facility management.
The facility failed to maintain a hazardous area enclosure as the 1st floor Mechanical Room door did not latch into its frame when tested. This issue was confirmed during an exit interview with the Facility Administrator, Director of Plant Operations, and Facilities Manager.
The facility did not conduct the required monthly inspections of portable fire extinguishers as per NFPA 10 standards. Observations revealed that a fire extinguisher in the 1st floor electrical room missed 5 inspections in 2024, and another in the corridor near the electrical room lacked the November 2024 inspection. This was confirmed in an exit interview with facility management.
The facility's 2nd floor Country Kitchen doors, equipped with self-closure mechanisms and tied to the fire alarm, failed to latch into the frame when released from the hold open device. This was confirmed during an exit interview with the Facility Administrator and other staff.
Medication Error Due to Failure to Verify Resident and Orders
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to implement physician orders and follow its own medication administration policy, resulting in one resident receiving another resident’s medications. The facility’s “Administering Medications” policy dated December 1, 2025, required staff to check the medication label three times to verify the right resident, medication, dosage, time, and route before administration. Clinical record review showed that a resident admitted with heart failure, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation was given clonazepam (for anxiety disorders and seizures), trazodone (an antidepressant), and simvastatin (for high cholesterol). Further review revealed that these medications were actually prescribed for a different resident and there was no documented order for these medications for the resident who received them. In an interview, the Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that staff had administered one resident’s medications to another, in violation of 28 Pa. Code 211.12(d)(1)(5) regarding nursing services.
Failure to Administer Medication as Ordered by Physician
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with diagnoses including heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension was not provided care in accordance with physician's orders. The clinical record showed that the physician had ordered simvastatin to be administered daily to control high cholesterol. However, documentation revealed that on one occasion, a nurse administered atorvastatin, a different cholesterol-lowering medication that was not ordered by the physician. This was confirmed by the Assistant Director of Nursing during an interview, who acknowledged that the medication given was not the one prescribed.
Failure to Respond to Call Bell in a Timely Manner
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a call bell was answered in a timely manner for a resident, identified as Resident 6, who was part of a sample of ten residents. Resident 6 had a medical history that included heart disease, a left artificial hip, and spinal stenosis. According to the Minimum Data Set assessment, the resident was not cognitively impaired, required assistance with transfers and mobility, and was able to communicate her needs. The resident's care plan indicated that staff were to assist with transfers and toileting. On December 30, 2024, an observation was made from 11:20 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. where Resident 6 was seen with her call bell activated and calling aloud for assistance while in the bathroom. Despite the call signal being visible, staff at the nurses' station and in the hallways did not respond to the call bell or offer assistance. The resident expressed frustration in an interview, stating that call bells were often answered slowly. The Nursing Home Administrator and Director of Nursing confirmed that call lights were expected to be answered promptly.
Plan Of Correction
1. Resident 6 had her needs met immediately. 2. The Director of Nursing/Designee will conduct an initial audit to verify that call bells are being answered appropriately. 3. The Director of Nursing/Designee will educate nursing staff on appropriate call bell response time. 4. The Director of Nursing/Designee will conduct weekly audits for four weeks and then monthly for two months thereafter to verify that call bells are being answered appropriately.
Delayed Egress Door Failure
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a delayed egress door on the first floor near the main employee lounge. During an observation on December 9, 2024, at 11:45 a.m., it was noted that the exit door did not open as expected when tested. The door was supposed to open within 15 seconds, as indicated by the signage, but it failed to do so. This deficiency was confirmed during an exit interview with the Facility Administrator, Director of Plant Operations, and Facilities Manager on the same day at 1:30 p.m. The failure of the door to open as required affects one of the three floors within the facility, indicating a lapse in maintaining the egress system as per the NFPA 101 standards.
Plan Of Correction
The statements made in this Plan of Correction are not an admission to and do not constitute an agreement with the alleged deficiencies herein. To maintain compliance with all federal and state regulations, the facility has taken or will take the actions set forth in the following plan of correction. The following plan of correction constitutes the facilities allegation of compliance such that all alleged deficiencies cited have been or will be corrected by the date or dates indicated. 1. The Maintenance Director corrected the 1st floor exit door, near main employee lounge, to ensure delayed egress operates correctly. 2. The Maintenance Director/Designee will conduct an initial audit to verify doors with delayed egress operate correctly. 3. Nursing Home Administrator or Designee will re-educate the Maintenance Director on proper functions of delayed egress doors. 4. The Maintenance Director/Designee will conduct weekly audits for four weeks and then monthly for two months thereafter to verify that doors with delayed egress operate correctly. This plan of correction will be reviewed at the monthly Quality Assurance Performance Improvement meeting and changes will be made as needed.
Mechanical Room Door Latching Failure
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a hazardous area enclosure on one of its three floors. Specifically, during an observation on December 9, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., it was noted that the door to the 1st floor Mechanical Room did not latch into its frame when tested. This deficiency was confirmed during an exit interview with the Facility Administrator, Director of Plant Operations, and Facilities Manager later that day at 1:30 p.m.
Plan Of Correction
The statements made in this Plan of Correction are not an admission to and do not constitute an agreement with the alleged deficiencies herein. To maintain compliance with all federal and state regulations, the facility has taken or will take the actions set forth in the following plan of correction. The following plan of correction constitutes the facilities allegation of compliance such that all alleged deficiencies cited have been or will be corrected by the date or dates indicated. 1. The Maintenance Director corrected the 1st floor mechanical room door to ensure it latches. 2. The Maintenance Director/Designee will conduct an initial audit to verify that fire barrier doors latch appropriately. 3. Nursing Home Administrator or Designee will re-educate the Maintenance Director on proper latching of fire barrier doors. 4. The Maintenance Director/Designee will conduct weekly audits for four weeks and then monthly for two months thereafter to verify that fire barrier doors latch appropriately. This plan of correction will be reviewed at the monthly Quality Assurance Performance Improvement meeting and changes will be made as needed.
Failure to Maintain Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspections
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the required monthly inspections of portable fire extinguishers in accordance with NFPA 10 standards. During an observation on December 9, 2024, it was noted that the fire extinguisher in the 1st floor electrical room was missing 5 out of 11 monthly inspections for the year 2024. Additionally, the fire extinguisher located in the 1st floor corridor near the electrical room lacked the monthly inspection for November 2024. This deficiency was confirmed during an exit interview with the Facility Administrator, Director of Plant Operations, and Facilities Manager.
Plan Of Correction
The statements made in this Plan of Correction are not an admission to and do not constitute an agreement with the alleged deficiencies herein. To maintain compliance with all federal and state regulations, the facility has taken or will take the actions set forth in the following plan of correction. The following plan of correction constitutes the facilities allegation of compliance such that all alleged deficiencies cited have been or will be corrected by the date or dates indicated. 1. The Maintenance Director inspected the 2 identified fire extinguishers to ensure compliance. 2. The Maintenance Director/Designee will conduct an initial audit to verify that facility fire extinguisher inspections are current. 3. Nursing Home Administrator or Designee will re-educate the Maintenance Director on facility fire extinguisher inspection compliance. 4. The Maintenance Director/Designee will conduct weekly audits for four weeks and then monthly for two months thereafter to verify that facility fire extinguisher inspections are current. This plan of correction will be reviewed at the monthly Quality Assurance Performance Improvement meeting and changes will be made as needed.
Failure to Maintain Corridor Door Latching
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper corridor door functionality on the 2nd floor, specifically at the Country Kitchen doors. These doors, which are equipped with self-closure mechanisms and are connected to the fire alarm system, did not latch into the frame when released from the hold open device. This deficiency was observed during a survey conducted on December 9, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. During an exit interview with the Facility Administrator, Director of Plant Operations, and Facilities Manager, it was confirmed that the doors failed to latch when tested. This issue affects the facility's compliance with regulations requiring corridor doors to resist the passage of smoke and to have positive latching hardware, especially in areas that are not fully sprinklered.
Plan Of Correction
The statements made in this Plan of Correction are not an admission to and do not constitute an agreement with the alleged deficiencies herein. To maintain compliance with all federal and state regulations, the facility has taken or will take the actions set forth in the following plan of correction. The following plan of correction constitutes the facilities allegation of compliance such that all alleged deficiencies cited have been or will be corrected by the date or dates indicated. 1. The Maintenance Director corrected the 2nd floor country kitchen doors to ensure they latch appropriately. 2. The Maintenance Director/Designee will conduct an initial audit to verify that country kitchen doors latch appropriately. 3. Nursing Home Administrator or Designee will re-educate the Maintenance Director on proper latching of dining room doors. 4. The Maintenance Director/Designee will conduct weekly audits for four weeks and then monthly for two months thereafter to verify that country kitchen doors latch appropriately. This plan of correction will be reviewed at the monthly Quality Assurance Performance Improvement meeting and changes will be made as needed.
Latest citations in Pennsylvania
A resident with dementia, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety, residing on a locked unit with a wander guard, was able to leave the secured area by closely following a housekeeper through coded double doors and out a side door without being noticed. Staff did not check for residents before and after exiting the unit, and the resident left the premises, traveled into the community, and purchased food and a drink before being located by local police and returned without injury. The facility’s elopement policy required monitoring for missing residents and initiation of emergency procedures, but these measures were only implemented after the resident was discovered missing and an elopement alarm was activated.
Surveyors observed that dietary staff did not follow the facility’s personal hygiene policy requiring hair restraints, as two dietary employees worked over uncovered food on the tray line with uncovered mustaches. In the same food preparation area, equipment including a large mixer with an uncovered bowl, a Robot-coupe mixer, and a blender were stored and used beneath window frames with peeling paint, and a nearby window blind had dried food debris along its length. Another window frame above a storage rack of meal trays also had peeling paint, demonstrating unsanitary food storage and preparation conditions.
Surveyors determined that the facility failed to provide required written notices of transfers and discharges to multiple residents and/or their representatives, and did not notify the State LTC Ombudsman when residents were transferred to the hospital after changes in condition or left against medical advice. Record reviews showed repeated absence of documentation that residents or responsible parties received written information about the transfers, and that the Ombudsman was informed. The Administrator confirmed that these notifications were not sent.
The facility failed to address repeated grievances regarding slow responses to resident call bells. The grievance policy required acknowledgment and active resolution of both written and verbal complaints, yet multiple residents reported that call bells often went unanswered for more than 30 minutes. Resident council minutes over several consecutive months documented ongoing complaints about delayed call bell response, and grievance records showed multiple similar complaints over an extended period. The DON and the administrator acknowledged a pattern of complaints about slow call bell responses and confirmed that the facility had not responded to these grievances.
Surveyors found that the facility did not ensure a safe, clean, and comfortable environment on two nursing units, noting a shattered clear plastic fire extinguisher cover in a hallway between resident rooms, holes in bathroom walls, a dented and misshaped room entrance doorframe near the floor, a hole in the wall between resident beds, and dented, crumbling wallboard near a bathroom entrance. These conditions were cited under state regulations for licensee responsibility and management.
A deficiency was identified when a resident’s MDS assessment did not accurately reflect the resident’s need for corrective lenses. The resident had a history of diabetes mellitus and falls and was care planned for impaired vision with a requirement for glasses. Despite this, the MDS indicated that no corrective lenses were needed during the look-back period, while direct observation showed the resident wearing glasses, and the Administrator later confirmed the inaccuracy of the MDS documentation.
A resident with chronic kidney disease and DM was documented on the MDS as alert and frequently incontinent of urine, and the CAA indicated that urinary incontinence should be addressed in the care plan. Review of the resident’s current care plan showed no interventions related to urinary incontinence, and the DON confirmed there was no documented evidence that this identified care area was included in the plan.
A resident with chronic kidney disease, polyneuropathies, and muscle weakness, who had no cognitive impairment and required substantial staff assistance for showers and total assistance for transfers, was scheduled to receive showers twice weekly on the evening shift. Over a 30-day period, there was no documentation that showers were provided, offered, or refused, and the resident reported not having had a shower since admission. The DON confirmed the absence of documentation that shower care was offered or provided, resulting in a deficiency related to nursing services and ADL care.
Surveyors found that staff did not follow multiple physician orders for three residents. A resident with diabetes received ordered insulin even when blood glucose readings were below the ordered hold parameter. Another resident with cerebral palsy, DM, and heart failure had repeated significant overnight weight gains without evidence that the physician was notified as ordered. A third resident with anemia and CKD had ordered CBC and CMP lab tests that were not documented as completed. The DON confirmed there was no documentation that these physician orders were carried out.
Staff failed to follow facility policy and physician orders requiring documentation of non-pharmacological interventions (NPI’s) before administering PRN oxycodone for two residents. One resident with osteoarthritis, hip pain, and diabetes had orders for NPI documentation each shift and PRN oxycodone for moderate to severe pain, yet received the narcotic multiple times in a month without any recorded attempt of NPI’s beforehand. Another resident with a history of stroke, diabetes, hemiplegia, and hemiparesis also had orders to document NPI’s prior to PRN pain medication, but similarly received PRN oxycodone several times without documentation that NPI’s were tried first, resulting in noncompliance with state pharmacy and nursing service regulations.
Failure to Prevent Elopement From Secured Unit
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a resident with unspecified dementia without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety who was admitted to the facility in November 2025 and resided on a locked, secured unit requiring a code to exit. The facility had a written "Wandering and Elopements" policy that directed staff, when a resident was missing, to initiate the elopement/missing resident emergency procedure, determine if the resident was on an authorized leave, search the building and premises if not authorized to leave, and notify administration, the resident’s representative, the attending physician, and law enforcement if the resident was not located. On the date of the incident, the resident closely followed a housekeeper through double doors on the ground floor into a back hallway and then out a side door, leaving the secured unit without authorization. The housekeeper was unaware that the resident had followed through the door, and staff failed to ensure the resident’s safety by not checking for residents before and after exiting the unit. An elopement alarm was later activated after the resident was found to be unaccounted for on the secured unit, and the facility’s established protocols were then initiated, including notification of local law enforcement. The resident was subsequently located off premises by local police, sitting in a relaxed manner, conversing appropriately with officers, holding a beverage, and with no visible injuries, and he denied pain or discomfort. Facility documentation showed that the resident had been able to travel far enough to purchase food and a drink at a restaurant, as evidenced by a receipt from a nearby McDonald’s. A progress note recorded that the resident had been noted not on the unit, an immediate search was conducted, administration and proper authorities were notified, and the resident was returned safely, with a skin check completed and the resident later observed in his room eating dinner. In an interview, the resident stated that it was taking too long to get out of the building, that he waited for an opportunity and took it, and that he wanted to leave and go back to his place. In a separate interview, the Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that staff failed to ensure the resident’s safety by not checking for residents before and after exiting the unit, leading to the elopement from the secured environment.
Unsanitary Food Storage and Staff Hygiene Practices in Dietary Department
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store and handle food in a sanitary manner in the dietary department in accordance with its own policy and professional standards. The facility’s “Personal Hygiene” policy dated February 2, 2026, required all staff to wear hair restraints to effectively keep hair from contacting exposed food. During observation of the lunch meal service tray line on April 15, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:03 p.m., two dietary employees were observed working directly over uncovered food on the tray line with uncovered mustaches. In the same area, the window frame above the shelf where a large mixer with an uncovered bowl, a Robot-coupe mixer, and a blender were stored had peeling paint, while the Robot-coupe mixer and blender were actively being used to prepare resident food. Additionally, the blind in this window frame had dried food debris along its length, and another window frame above a storage rack of resident meal trays also had peeling paint. These conditions were cited under 42 CFR 483.60(i) Food Safety Requirements and 28 Pa. Code 201.14(a) Responsibility of licensee, and had been previously cited on March 26, 2025. No specific residents, medical histories, or clinical conditions were described in the report; the deficiency focused on environmental and staff hygiene practices in the dietary department during food preparation and tray line service.
Failure to Provide Required Written Transfer Notices and Ombudsman Notification
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to provide required written notifications of transfers and discharges to residents and/or their representatives, and failed to notify the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman for six residents who were transferred out of the facility. Clinical record review showed that one resident was transferred to the hospital after a change in condition on December 26, 2025, without documented evidence that the resident or responsible party received written information regarding the transfer or that a copy of the transfer notice was sent to the Ombudsman. Another resident was transferred to the hospital after a change in condition on January 9, 2026, with no documented evidence that the Ombudsman was notified of the transfer. Additional record reviews revealed that three more residents were transferred to the hospital after changes in condition on March 30, 2026, and March 12, 2026, without documentation that the residents and/or their responsible parties or legal representatives were provided written information regarding the transfers, or that the Ombudsman was notified. One resident left the facility against medical advice on February 3, 2026, and there was no documented evidence that the Ombudsman was notified of this transfer. In an interview on April 17, 2026, the Administrator confirmed that notifications of transfers were not sent to the residents and/or their representatives and that written notices of the transfers and discharge were not sent to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Failure to Address Repeated Grievances About Slow Call Bell Response
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to address ongoing grievances related to slow response times to resident call bells, as required by its grievance policy. The policy, last reviewed on February 24, 2026, stated that grievances could be either formal written complaints or verbal complaints to staff, and that the facility was to acknowledge and actively work toward resolution of such complaints. During a confidential resident group interview on April 14, 2026, all four participating residents reported that call bells were answered slowly, often taking more than 30 minutes. Review of resident council minutes from September 8, 2025, through December 11, 2025, showed repeated complaints about slow call bell responses at each monthly meeting, with no evidence that any resident council minutes were recorded in 2026. Additionally, review of resident grievances from October 31, 2025, through March 23, 2026, revealed multiple complaints about slow call bell responses on several dates in late 2025 and early 2026. In an interview on April 17, 2026, the DON and Nursing Home Administrator confirmed there was a pattern of complaints about slow call bell responses and that the facility had failed to respond to those grievances. These findings demonstrate that the facility did not honor residents’ rights to have grievances acknowledged and addressed, despite repeated verbal and written complaints documented through resident council minutes and the grievance process.
Damaged Walls, Doorframes, and Fire Extinguisher Cover Compromise Safe, Homelike Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment on two of five nursing units, specifically the [NAME] and [NAME] units. During observations conducted over two days, surveyors noted that the clear plastic fire extinguisher cover in the hallway between rooms 135 and 137 was shattered. In one resident bathroom, there were holes on the left and right walls, and the doorframe at the entrance to another resident room was dented and misshaped near the floor. Additionally, there was a hole in the wall between the beds in another resident room, and the wallboard at the bottom of the wall to the right of the entrance to a bathroom in yet another room was dented and crumbling. These environmental deficiencies were directly observed in resident care areas and common hallways and were cited under 28 Pa. Code 201.14(a) regarding the responsibility of the licensee and 28 Pa. Code 201.18(e)(2.1) regarding management responsibilities.
Inaccurate MDS Documentation of Resident’s Need for Corrective Lenses
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to ensure that the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment accurately reflected a resident’s current status. Clinical record review showed that Resident 139 had diagnoses including diabetes mellitus and a history of falls, and the resident required glasses to correct impaired vision. The resident’s care plan documented a problem with impaired vision and indicated that glasses were required beginning March 8, 2022. However, the MDS assessment dated [DATE] documented in Section B (Hearing, Speech, and Vision) that the resident did not require corrective lenses during the previous seven days. On observation on April 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., Resident 139 was noted to be wearing glasses. In an interview on April 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., the Administrator confirmed that the MDS assessment for this resident was inaccurate, as it did not reflect the resident’s actual need for and use of corrective lenses during the assessment look-back period.
Failure to Include Urinary Incontinence in Comprehensive Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan that addressed an identified care area for one resident. Clinical record review showed that this resident had chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, and a Minimum Data Set completed on February 20, 2026, documented that the resident was alert and frequently incontinent of urine. The Care Area Assessment summary dated the same day specified that the resident’s urinary incontinence was to be addressed in the care plan. However, review of the current care plan revealed no evidence that interventions for urinary incontinence were included. In an interview on April 17, 2026, at 10:25 a.m., the Director of Nursing confirmed that there was no documented evidence that this identified care area was addressed in the resident’s care plan.
Failure to Provide Scheduled Showers and Document ADL Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide and document assistance with activities of daily living, specifically showering, for one resident who was dependent on staff for this care. The resident was admitted on March 12, 2026, with diagnoses including chronic kidney disease, polyneuropathies, and muscle weakness. A Minimum Data Set assessment dated March 19, 2026, showed the resident had no cognitive impairment, required substantial staff assistance for showers, and was totally dependent on staff for transfers. Facility documentation indicated the resident was scheduled to receive showers on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the evening shift. However, the resident reported on April 14, 2026, that they had not had a shower since admission, and review of the clinical record showed no evidence that a shower had been provided, offered, or refused during the previous 30 days. The DON confirmed on April 16, 2026, that there was no documented evidence that showers were offered or provided to this resident. This deficiency was cited under 28 Pa. Code 211.12(d)(1)(5) related to nursing services.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders for Insulin, Weight Monitoring, and Lab Tests
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to implement and follow physicians’ orders for three residents. For one resident with diabetes mellitus, a physician ordered Novolog insulin to be administered in the morning prior to breakfast, with instructions to hold the insulin if the resident’s blood sugar was less than 80 mg/dL. Review of the April 2026 MAR showed that staff administered the insulin on three occasions when the resident’s blood sugar was below 80 mg/dL, contrary to the physician’s order. Another resident with cerebral palsy, diabetes mellitus, and heart failure had a physician’s order to be weighed every night shift and to notify the physician if the resident gained more than 2 lbs in 24 hours or 5 lbs in one week. Clinical records showed multiple instances of significant weight gains over 24-hour periods, including gains of 4.7 lbs, 3.4 lbs, 6 lbs, 2.3 lbs, 5.8 lbs, 4 lbs, 2.4 lbs, and 3.3 lbs, without documented evidence that the physician was notified as ordered. A third resident with anemia and chronic kidney disease had a physician’s order for two blood tests (CBC and CMP), but the clinical record contained no documentation that these lab tests were obtained. The DON confirmed there was no documented evidence that care and services were provided in accordance with these physicians’ orders.
Failure to Document Non-Pharmacological Interventions Before PRN Narcotic Administration
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to follow the facility’s pain management policy and specific physician orders requiring documentation of non-pharmacological interventions (NPI’s) and their effectiveness prior to administering as-needed narcotic pain medication for two residents. The policy, last reviewed February 24, 2026, required staff to document NPI’s and their effectiveness for patients receiving pain interventions. For a resident with left knee osteoarthritis, right hip pain, and diabetes, a physician ordered on March 17, 2026, that NPI’s be documented every shift, and on April 6, 2026, ordered oxycodone every four hours as needed for moderate to severe pain. Review of the MAR showed that this resident received as-needed oxycodone 23 times in April 2026 without documented evidence that NPI’s were attempted prior to administration. Another resident with diagnoses including cerebral infarction (stroke), diabetes, hemiplegia, and hemiparesis had a physician order dated February 7, 2026, directing staff to document NPI’s used before administering as-needed pain medication, and an order dated April 3, 2026, for oxycodone every four hours as needed for moderate to severe pain. MAR review revealed this resident received as-needed oxycodone nine times in April 2026 without documented evidence that NPI’s were attempted prior to administration, in violation of 28 Pa. Code 211.9(a)(1) Pharmacy services and 28 Pa. Code 211.12(d)(1)(5) Nursing services.
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