Oak View Health And Rehabilitation
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Conway, South Carolina.
- Location
- 3300 4th Avenue, Conway, South Carolina 29527
- CMS Provider Number
- 425121
- Inspections on file
- 25
- Latest survey
- February 11, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Oak View Health And Rehabilitation during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility failed to properly store food and ensure proper sanitization in the kitchen. Observations revealed improperly stored and unlabeled food items in dry storage, the freezer, and the refrigerator. Additionally, the dishwasher was not receiving sanitizer, and the three-compartment sink was not used correctly, posing a risk of cross-contamination. Staff interviews indicated inconsistent practices and a lack of awareness regarding proper sanitization procedures.
A resident's code status was inaccurately documented in their medical record, leading to a deficiency. Despite the resident's expressed wish for DNR status, their EMR indicated Full Code, conflicting with a signed DNR order. Interviews with staff revealed inconsistencies in verifying code status, and the DON confirmed the discrepancies.
A resident with severe cognitive deficits and high fall risk sustained a femur fracture after being found on the floor. Despite visible swelling and pain, the resident was not immediately sent to the hospital. Instead, Tylenol was administered, and an x-ray was delayed, resulting in prolonged suffering. Interviews revealed a lack of urgency in addressing the injury, and the resident was eventually sent to the hospital hours later, where the fracture was confirmed.
A resident with a stage 4 pressure ulcer on the right heel developed maggots in the wound due to improper management by the facility. Despite the facility's policy to prevent infections, staff failed to communicate effectively and take immediate action, resulting in the resident being sent to the hospital for evaluation.
The facility failed to remove expired medications from storage and medication carts, as observed in 5 of 6 carts and 2 of 4 medication rooms. Expired medications, including insulin pens and various tablets, were confirmed by staff. Interviews revealed inconsistent checking of expiration dates, and the DON acknowledged issues with receiving expired medications from the pharmacy.
The facility failed to employ a certified dietary manager as required, with the acting CDM currently enrolled in a certification program expected to be completed by April 2025. The part-time RD expressed concerns about food safety due to the lack of certification and suggested employing a contract interim CDM until certification is achieved.
The facility failed to employ a qualified, full-time social worker as required for a facility with more than 120 beds. The current Social Worker Interim/Designee lacks a license or certification and also serves as the Central Supply Coordinator. The facility's administrator confirmed the absence of a licensed social worker, and multiple residents reported the lack of a social worker for some time. A Unit Manager, who does not have a social work degree, has been assisting the interim social worker due to staff turnover.
The facility failed to ensure residents had access to their personal funds, affecting four residents with varying cognitive abilities. Despite the facility's policy, residents reported being unable to access funds on weekends. The administrator admitted the receptionist responsible for fund distribution was not trained, leading to residents being unaware or unable to access their funds.
A facility failed to involve a resident with severe cognitive impairment and their representative in care planning. The representative was not contacted about the care plan, and both were unaware of its existence. Facility staff could not provide proof that the resident or representative was informed of the scheduled care plan meeting.
A resident with multiple diagnoses, including Alzheimer's disease, did not receive prescribed heel and ankle protection devices and a wedge cushion while in bed, as per physician orders. Observations showed the resident without these devices, and staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and availability of the required items. The DON emphasized the importance of following physician orders.
A resident was receiving oxygen without a physician's order, contrary to the facility's policy requiring such orders. The resident, who had moderate cognitive impairment, was observed receiving oxygen at 3 LPM via nasal cannula. A nurse confirmed the absence of an active order for oxygen, noting that even in acute situations, an order should be obtained.
The facility failed to maintain consistent RN coverage for 8 consecutive hours daily, as required by regulation. Staffing sheets revealed missing RN coverage on specific dates, confirmed by staff interviews. Despite efforts to cover shifts using agency staff and internal adjustments, the facility could not provide documentation for the missing dates, leading to a deficiency finding.
A facility failed to ensure staff used appropriate PPE for a resident on Enhanced Barrier Precautions. Despite the policy requiring PPE for high-contact care activities, CNAs were observed entering the resident's room without donning PPE. The resident, with multiple medical conditions and a PEG tube, required such precautions. Staff interviews revealed lapses in compliance, with CNAs admitting to forgetting PPE, and the DON acknowledged the need for proper PPE use and ongoing education efforts.
The facility failed to maintain a sanitary environment in the Unit 4 shower room/toilet area, with a stained toilet and poor lighting observed. The housekeeper lacked access to the area, and the housekeeping supervisor was unaware of the issues. The maintenance supervisor was also uninformed about the inoperable toilet and poor lighting, as no maintenance request was submitted.
Improper Food Storage and Sanitization in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly store food in the kitchen, as observed during an initial tour. Several items in dry storage were found improperly stored, including cases of corn and cans of soup that were dented and not labeled. In the freezer, multiple bags and boxes of food items were unidentified, unlabeled, and undated. The refrigerator contained items such as sweet potatoes with a white fuzzy substance, indicating spoilage, and other food items that were not labeled or dated. These observations indicate a lack of adherence to the facility's policies on food storage, which require all foods to be covered, labeled, and dated. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure proper sanitization in the three-compartment sink and the dishwasher. During an observation, it was noted that the dishwasher was not receiving sanitizer, and the temperature was below the required level for effective sanitization. The three-compartment sink was not being used correctly, as the sanitizing compartment was empty, and staff were not consistently using all three compartments for washing dishes. Interviews with kitchen staff revealed a lack of awareness and inconsistent practices regarding the use of sanitizer and proper dishwashing procedures. The facility's non-compliance with federal health, safety, and quality regulations was determined to have caused or was likely to cause serious harm, leading to an Immediate Jeopardy citation. The deficiency was related to the failure to use sanitizer in the three-compartment sink and dishwasher, which posed a risk of cross-contamination and potential foodborne illness among residents. The facility's policies on dishwashing and sanitization were not being followed, contributing to the deficiency.
Removal Plan
- Sanitizer for dishwasher and 3-compartment sink was properly installed by Dietary Resource.
- All dishes, pots, pans, and utensils were washed and sanitized due to the alleged deficient practice by dietary staff after education was provided by Dietary Resource.
- Every shift monitoring for signs and symptoms of foodborne illness due to potential cross-contamination was placed on all residents who take food and/or drink by mouth was entered by Unit Manager and Clinical Resource.
- All dietary staff currently working were educated by Dietary Resource on proper use of sanitizer for dishwasher and 3-compartment sink.
- All dietary staff will receive education on proper use of sanitizer for dishwasher and 3-compartment sink prior to the start of their next shift.
- Education will be included as part of the annual skills fair and new hire orientation for all kitchen staff.
- An adhoc QAPI meeting regarding the items in the IJ template completed. Attendees included the following: Medical Director, Administrator, DON, ADON, Clinical Resource, Clinical Market Lead; and included the Plan of Removal items and interventions.
- Daily audit of sanitizer detergent for proper hook up and function to dishwasher and 3-compartment sink and monitored by Dietary Manager or Designee.
- Daily audit of dishwasher to ensure the machine is functioning at manufacturer recommendations and specifications to included temperature monitoring.
- Dietary Manager or Designee will report findings and analysis of reviews to the QA&A committee monthly with additional follow-up and recommendation as needed until substantial compliance is achieved and maintained.
Inaccurate Documentation of Resident's Code Status
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's code status was accurately reflected in their medical record, leading to a deficiency. The resident, who had a moderate level of cognitive function, expressed a desire not to be resuscitated, stating, "I want to die, I don't want them to save me." Despite this, the resident's electronic medical record (EMR) indicated a Full Code status, conflicting with a paper Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order signed by the resident's responsible party and a physician. Additionally, a physician's order for DNR was present in the EMR, but the care plan still reflected a Full Code status. Interviews with facility staff, including LPNs, RNs, and the Director of Nursing (DON), revealed inconsistencies in how code status was verified and documented. Staff members indicated they would check the EMR to verify code status, but the EMR showed conflicting information. The DON confirmed the discrepancies in the resident's code status and acknowledged the need to investigate further. This failure to accurately document and communicate the resident's advance directives led to the identification of Immediate Jeopardy at F578.
Removal Plan
- Resident #424 preferred level intensity was reviewed with responsible party and order was corrected in point click care (PCC).
- The Medical Director was notified of the IJ.
- A full house audit of current residents was reviewed by the Director of Nursing and validated that preferred level of intensity and signed DNR order matches the order in PCC and care plan. No other residents were identified to be affected by the alleged deficiency.
- An in-service was prepared by the DON and initiated by the Assistant Director of Nursing (RN) for all licensed nurses, medical records personnel, and social services employees. The in-service included the advanced directives policy and how to transcribe orders correctly.
- Education will be included as part of the annual skills fair and new hire orientation for licensed nurses, medical records personnel, and social services employees.
- An ad hoc meeting regarding the items in the IJ template completed. Attendees included the following: Medical Director, Administrator, DON, ADON, Clinical Resource, Clinical Market Lead; and included the Plan of Removal items and interventions.
- Changes in advanced directives will be reviewed daily clinical meeting 5x a week x12 weeks and monitored by Director of Nursing or Designee.
- DON or Designee will report findings and analysis of reviews to the QA&A committee monthly with additional follow-up and recommendation as needed until substantial compliance is achieved and maintained.
Neglect Leads to Delayed Treatment of Resident's Fracture
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident, identified as R170, was free from neglect, resulting in a serious injury that was not promptly addressed. R170, who had severe cognitive deficits and was at high risk for falls, sustained a femur fracture after being found on the floor by a CNA. Despite the resident's evident pain and the visible swelling and deformity of the leg, the resident was not immediately sent to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Instead, the resident was given Tylenol for pain and an x-ray was ordered, which delayed appropriate medical intervention. The progress notes indicate that the resident was found on the floor at 6:45 AM, but there was no documentation of the exact time of the fall. The resident was assessed by a nurse, and a STAT x-ray was ordered, but the x-ray was not performed until several hours later. During this time, the resident remained in pain, and the facility staff failed to take immediate action to send the resident to the hospital, despite the severity of the injury and the resident's condition. Interviews with facility staff revealed that there was a lack of urgency in addressing the resident's injury. The attending physician expected the nursing staff to send the resident to the hospital immediately if there was any indication of an injury from a fall. However, the resident remained in the facility for several hours before being transported to the hospital, where the fracture was confirmed, and the resident was eventually placed in hospice care. This delay in treatment resulted in prolonged pain and suffering for the resident.
Removal Plan
- R170 was assessed by LPN. Provider was notified of findings and STAT x-rays were ordered.
- Tylenol was administered for pain by LPN.
- Follow up Tylenol administration was documented as Resident resting with eyes closed. No facial grimacing noted.
- STAT x-ray results were reported by Trident Mobile.
- Order was received to send R170 to emergency room for evaluation of fracture.
- R170 was assessed by Dr. at Conway Medical Center emergency room.
- The Medical Director was notified of the IJ.
- Residents who had a fall in the past 24 hours were reviewed. One resident was identified. Resident was assessed by Registered Nurse with no signs of pain noted.
- All licensed nurses currently working were educated by Director of Nursing Services about pain management.
- All certified nurse aides currently working were educated by Unit Manager (Registered Nurse) on the process of reporting pain to the licensed nurse on duty.
- All licensed nurses will receive education on pain management prior to the start of their next shift.
- All certified nurse aides will receive education on the process of reporting pain to the licensed nurse on duty prior to the start of their next shift.
- Education will be included as part of the annual skills fair and new hire orientation for all nursing staff.
- An adhoc QAPI meeting regarding the items in the IJ template completed. Attendees included the following: Medical Director, Administrator, DON, ADON, Clinical Resource, Clinical Market Lead; and included the Plan of Removal items and interventions.
- The Clinical Interdisciplinary Team will review falls, including pain, 5 days a week in Morning Clinical Meeting.
- Findings will be reported to QAPI committee monthly with additional follow-up and recommendations as needed until substantial compliance is achieved and maintained.
Failure to Manage Wound Leads to Maggot Infestation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly manage a resident's wound, resulting in the presence of maggots in the wound bed on the resident's right heel. The resident, who was admitted with a stage 4 pressure ulcer on the right heel, osteomyelitis, and a methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infection, was found to have maggots in the wound on October 3, 2024. The facility's policy required that wounds be managed to prevent signs of infection unless unavoidable due to the resident's clinical condition. However, the wound care provided did not prevent the infestation. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and communication regarding the resident's wound condition. LPN6 was informed of the maggots by the day shift nurse and took action to notify the DON and the physician, resulting in the resident being sent to the emergency room. LPN7, who discovered the maggots during a dressing change, was instructed by RN3 to treat the wound with Dakin's solution and dress it, but there was no Dakin's available at the time. The ADON and RN3 were involved in the communication but did not take immediate action to address the maggots. The facility's failure to manage the wound properly and the lack of immediate and effective communication among staff members contributed to the deficiency. The resident's condition was not adequately monitored, and the presence of maggots was not addressed promptly, leading to the resident being sent to the hospital for further evaluation. The incident highlights a breakdown in the facility's wound care management and communication processes.
Removal Plan
- R103 was found to be affected by the alleged deficient practice.
- LPN received report on R103. LPN notified physician of findings. Order was received to send resident to emergency room for evaluation. EMS was called and resident left the facility with EMS.
- Director of Nursing Services reviewed R103 TAR (treatment administration record). Treatment administered per order.
- An audit of all wounds was completed by Assistant Director of Nursing (RN) and Unit Manager (RN). No changes were noted to any of the wounds.
- All direct care licensed nurses received wound care education.
- Maintenance director completed facility wide observation for pests, insects, or any related issues. No issues were identified.
- Maintenance director contacted Terminix and requested an additional preventative visit and facility administrator ordered air curtain fans for all high traffic doors.
- The Medical Director was notified of the IJ.
- An adhoc QAPI meeting regarding the items in the IJ template completed. Attendees included the following: Medical Director, Administrator, DON, ADON, Clinical Resource, Clinical Market Lead; and included the Plan of Removal items and interventions.
- Wound care education is included as part of the annual skills fair and new hire orientation for all licensed nurses.
- Maintenance Director completed weekly audits of facility for presence of insects, pests, or any other related issues.
- Registered nurses on nursing management team completed weekly audits of wounds for any changes in condition.
- Findings were reported to QAPI committee monthly with additional follow-up and recommendation as needed until substantial compliance is achieved and maintained.
Expired Medications Found in Storage and Carts
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure expired medications were removed and not stored with other medications in use for residents. This deficiency was observed in 5 of 6 medication carts and 2 of 4 medication rooms. The facility's policy on medication access and storage, as well as administering medications, requires that outdated, contaminated, or deteriorated medications be immediately removed from stock and disposed of according to procedures. However, during observations and interviews, it was found that expired medications, including blood collection tubes, IV catheters, insulin pens, and various tablets, were still present in the medication storage rooms and carts. During the survey, it was noted that several medications, such as Ceftriaxone IV bags, insulin pens, and various tablets, were expired and still stored in the medication rooms and carts. Unit Managers and Licensed Practical Nurses confirmed the presence of these expired medications. Additionally, some medications belonging to individual residents were improperly stored with stock medications, and certain medications were not stored according to the instructions on their labels, such as requiring refrigeration after opening. Interviews with nursing staff revealed a lack of consistent checking of expiration dates before administering medications. The Director of Nursing acknowledged issues with receiving medications from the pharmacy after their expiration dates and stated that discussions had been held with the pharmacy regarding this issue. Despite these discussions, the expectation remains that medications should be administered according to the seven rights of medication administration, which includes ensuring medications are not expired.
Facility Lacks Certified Dietary Manager
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a certified dietary manager, as required by their policy and regulatory guidelines. The facility's policy, approved on 11/21/22, mandates that if a qualified dietician or other clinically qualified nutrition professional is not employed full-time, a designated director of food and nutrition services must meet specific certification requirements. However, the acting Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) is currently not certified and is only enrolled in a course to become certified by April 2025. This situation has led to concerns about food safety, as expressed by the part-time Registered Dietician (RD), who works only 8 hours per week and is not involved in daily operations. The RD has voiced concerns regarding the lack of certification of the acting CDM and has suggested the facility employ a contract interim travel CDM to provide coverage until the acting CDM becomes certified. Despite these concerns, the acting CDM is still in the process of completing an online program to achieve certification, which is expected to be completed by March or April 2025. This deficiency highlights the facility's failure to comply with staffing requirements for dietary services, potentially impacting the quality and safety of food and nutrition services provided to residents.
Failure to Employ Qualified Social Worker
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a qualified, full-time social worker as required by regulation for a facility with more than 120 beds. The Social Worker Interim/Designee (SWI) confirmed during an interview that she does not have a license or social worker certification and has been working in the position for approximately one month. She also holds the position of Central Supply Coordinator. The SWI had previously held the position of Social Worker Designee for several months in the previous year. The facility's administrator confirmed the absence of a licensed social worker and stated that the facility is in the process of hiring one. During a Resident Council Meeting, multiple residents expressed that the facility has not had a licensed social worker for some time. Additionally, a Unit Manager (UM) confirmed that she does not have a social work degree and has been assisting the SWI intermittently due to the turnover of social workers in the past year.
Failure to Provide Residents Access to Personal Funds
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents who authorized the facility to manage their personal funds had ready and reasonable access to those funds. This deficiency affected four residents, each with varying degrees of cognitive impairment or intactness. The facility's policy stated that residents could manage their funds or withdraw their request for the facility to manage them at any time. However, interviews revealed that residents were unable to access their funds on weekends, contrary to the facility's policy. Interviews with the residents indicated that they were either unaware of their ability to request funds or were told they had no money available. The administrator initially stated that funds were accessible on weekends, but later admitted that the receptionist, who was responsible for distributing funds, had not been trained on handling personal funds. This lack of training and communication led to residents being unable to access their funds as needed, particularly on weekends.
Failure to Involve Resident and Representative in Care Planning
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident and/or their representative was invited to and allowed to participate in care plan meetings. The facility's policy mandates that residents be informed and involved in care planning, with meetings scheduled at convenient times and signatures obtained post-discussion. However, for a resident with severe cognitive impairment, neither the resident nor their representative was present during a care plan meeting. The facility document indicated that the resident refused to participate, and the representative attended via phone, but the representative later stated that no discussion of the care plan was offered. The resident's representative reported not being contacted about the care plan, and both the resident and representative were unaware of the care plan's existence or purpose. Interviews with facility staff revealed that invitations to care plan meetings are typically printed or mailed, but there was no proof that the resident or representative was informed of the scheduled meeting. This lack of communication and involvement in the care planning process led to the deficiency identified by the surveyors.
Failure to Implement Physician Orders for Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide care and services according to physician orders for a resident, specifically regarding the use of heel and ankle protection devices and a wedge cushion while in bed. The resident, who was admitted with multiple diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease and chronic kidney disease, had physician orders for bilateral heel boots and a wedge cushion to be used every shift. However, observations on two separate occasions revealed that the resident was lying in bed without the prescribed heel boots and wedge cushion. Interviews with facility staff, including a CNA and an RN, revealed that the heel boots were not available because they could not be found, and the CNA was unaware of the wedge cushion order. The Director of Nursing stated that staff are expected to follow physician orders and notify the physician and herself if orders cannot be followed. This deficiency highlights a failure in ensuring that physician orders are implemented as prescribed, potentially impacting the resident's care.
Lack of Physician Order for Oxygen Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a physician order was in place for the use of oxygen for a resident, identified as R219. The facility's policy on oxygen administration requires that oxygen be administered under the orders of a physician. R219 was admitted with diagnoses including cystitis without hematuria and had a moderate cognitive impairment with a BIMS score of 12 out of 14. A review of R219's physician orders did not reveal an order for oxygen use. However, progress notes from 01/20/25 documented that R219 was receiving oxygen via nasal cannula while lying in bed. An observation on 02/04/25 confirmed that R219 was receiving oxygen at 3 liters per minute via nasal cannula. During an interview, RN7 confirmed that there was no active order for oxygen and stated that oxygen should not be administered without an order, even in acute situations, unless an order is obtained. It was noted that the provider's note from the 4th indicated oxygen as needed, but the order was not transcribed.
Failure to Maintain Consistent RN Coverage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure appropriate Registered Nurse (RN) coverage for 8 consecutive hours daily, 7 days a week, as required by regulation. A review of the facility's daily staffing sheets revealed that there was no RN coverage for specific dates, including 11/09/24, 12/21/24, 12/22/24, 12/25/24, 01/01/25, 01/04/25, and 01/05/25. Interviews with staff members, including a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), the Director of Nursing (DON), and the facility Administrator, confirmed the lack of RN coverage on these dates. The CNA mentioned frequent staff shortages due to turnover and sickness, while the LPN and DON described efforts to cover shifts, including using agency staff and having unit managers and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) fill in as needed. The Administrator provided additional documentation of RN coverage but was unable to account for the missing dates. The DON stated that the facility always has RN coverage, even on weekends, and described the process for staffing and scheduling. Despite these assertions, the facility could not provide evidence of RN coverage for the specified dates, leading to the deficiency finding. The report highlights the facility's struggle with maintaining consistent RN staffing, which is crucial for meeting regulatory requirements and ensuring quality care for residents.
Failure to Use PPE for Resident on Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that staff used appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for a resident on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP). The facility's policy required gowns and gloves to be available immediately outside the resident's room, and PPE was necessary for high resident contact care activities. However, during observations, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) were seen entering the resident's room without donning PPE, despite the resident having a PEG tube, which required such precautions. An empty PPE bin was noted outside the resident's room, indicating a lack of available PPE for staff to use. The resident involved had multiple medical conditions, including hemiplegia, dysphagia, and a history of traumatic brain injury, and was receiving nutrition and hydration via a PEG tube. Despite the facility's policy and the resident's care plan indicating the need for enhanced barrier precautions, staff interviews revealed lapses in compliance, with CNAs admitting to forgetting to wear PPE. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the expectation for management to observe staff using proper PPE and mentioned ongoing education efforts, but the deficiency persisted as staff failed to adhere to infection control protocols during care activities.
Failure to Maintain Sanitary Conditions in Shower Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe and sanitary environment in the Unit 4 shower room/toilet area. Observations revealed a stained toilet bowl with a dark, greenish dried substance and a foul odor, indicating a lack of cleanliness and maintenance. The shower room was also noted to have poor lighting. Despite the presence of feces in the toilet, the housekeeper responsible for cleaning the area reported not having access to the shower/toilet area due to not being provided with the necessary code. The housekeeping supervisor was unaware of the issue and confirmed the dim lighting, indicating a lack of communication and oversight in maintaining the facility's cleanliness and safety standards. Further observations showed that the maintenance assistant was seen transporting a soiled toilet, and the maintenance supervisor was unaware of the inoperable toilet and poor lighting conditions. The procedure for reporting broken equipment was not followed, as no maintenance request was submitted for the issues. The maintenance supervisor expressed surprise at the condition of the shower/toilet area and indicated plans to replace the lighting. The lack of a checklist for daily cleaning tasks further contributed to the oversight, as the housekeeping supervisor only had a checklist for monthly deep cleans, not for everyday cleaning duties.
Latest citations in South Carolina
A resident with dementia, severe cognitive impairment, wandering behavior, and documented elopement risk eloped after staff failed to adequately respond to an exit-door alarm and did not promptly recognize the resident was missing. The resident, who required close supervision and was on 30-minute checks for wandering, was last seen ambulating in the facility before a dining room/fire exit alarm sounded; dietary staff briefly checked, saw no one, silenced the alarm, and returned to work without initiating a facility-wide missing-resident response. Later, when the resident did not appear for dinner, staff began searching and learned from a staff member driving home that someone resembling the resident was seen near a nearby store. Police, responding to a report of a suspicious person with a hospital bracelet, found the resident disoriented at a nearby intersection and arranged EMS transport to a hospital. Interviews showed that some CNAs lacked elopement training, one CNA was newly assigned to 1:1 care, and leadership acknowledged uncertainty about how long the alarm had been sounding and how the resident exited, supporting the finding of inadequate supervision and failure to prevent elopement.
A resident with traumatic brain injury, moderate cognitive impairment, wheelchair dependence, and documented wandering behaviors eloped from the facility after being able to exit through a door without an active alarm. Despite physician orders and a care plan requiring wander guard checks every shift, MAR/TAR review showed these checks were largely undocumented prior to the incident. Staff notes described frequent redirection needs, room-to-room wandering, and impulsive behavior, yet the resident was still able to leave the building and was later found in the parking lot. The State Agency determined this failure to supervise and to implement ordered wander guard monitoring constituted Immediate Jeopardy under F689 (Quality of Care).
A cognitively impaired resident with dementia and depression, who was usually independent with toileting, became involved in an altercation with a CNA while the CNA was assisting with cleaning a soiled bathroom. The resident became agitated, spit on the CNA, and struck the CNA in the face with a BM-soiled washcloth. In retaliation, the CNA held the resident’s hands and struck the resident in the face with an open hand, later describing the action as a slap or “smudging” the resident’s face. The CNA admitted to multiple staff and law enforcement that she had put her hands on and slapped the resident. Staff assessments noted the resident was visibly upset but without visible injuries, and the resident could not recall the incident due to severe cognitive impairment. Surveyors determined this constituted non-compliance with abuse regulations and cited the facility for failure to ensure freedom from physical abuse.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment, a history of falls, and documented need for a gait belt and walker during transfers was ambulated from the bathroom by a CNA without a gait belt in place. The CNA reported holding the resident’s pants while walking, during which the resident’s feet became twisted and she fell in her room. Facility documentation showed the resident had been assessed as requiring a gait belt, but gait belt use was not included in physician orders or the care plan and was instead communicated via door name tags. The resident sustained a left hip fracture requiring surgical repair and was later readmitted for rehab and strengthening.
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease and hypertension, treated with Benazepril and enrolled in PACE, had multiple significantly elevated BP readings over two consecutive days. Facility policy required prompt physician notification for significant changes in condition, and the care plan directed staff to contact PACE for medical needs. However, there was no documentation in nursing notes that the physician or PACE was notified, and the patient liaison and weekend supervisor reported not being informed. A CNA stated she reported the elevated BP to an RN, but the RN later indicated that if no progress note existed, the notification was not documented, resulting in a failure to notify the physician of the resident’s elevated blood pressures.
A resident with epilepsy, paranoid schizophrenia, and dementia did not receive 11 ordered doses of Lacosamide 100 mg, prescribed as 1.5 tablets PO BID for seizures, because the facility failed to obtain and administer the medication and did not develop a care plan addressing epilepsy, seizure risk, or seizure medications. Review of the MAR showed repeated omissions, and interviews revealed that although there was a protocol for handling missing medications—requiring nurses to call the pharmacy, notify the MD for alternatives, and check Omnicell—this process was not effectively followed or documented. The DON reported being unaware that there was no prescription for the medication, and the PCP stated she was never notified of the missed doses and that any missing medication should have been communicated to the NP and then to her by direct, immediate means.
Surveyors found that washer filters were heavily soiled with lint and debris on all observed machines, despite manufacturer instructions and a label on the equipment requiring daily cleaning. The Laundry Supervisor stated that laundry staff did not maintain the filters and that maintenance was responsible, while the Maintenance Supervisor reported the filters were typically cleaned three times per week and that no documentation was kept to verify cleaning in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
A resident with multiple medical conditions and decreased ability to perform ADLs was found with two white tablets in a medication cup on the bedside table, which the resident identified as Imodium saved from a prior medication pass. Facility policy requires staff to remain with residents until oral medications are swallowed and prohibits leaving medications in a room without a self-administration order. Record review confirmed there was no such order for this resident. An LPN verified that medications had been left at the bedside contrary to policy, and the DON stated that nurses are not to leave medications at the bedside and must observe residents swallowing medications.
An LPN pre-poured medications for more than one resident and failed to follow required resident-identification and "five rights" checks, resulting in a resident with dementia and multiple comorbidities receiving another resident’s ordered regimen, including oxycodone 30 mg, multiple antihypertensives, an antiarrhythmic, and gabapentin, none of which were prescribed for her. After receiving the wrong medications mixed in pudding, the resident developed hypotension, bradycardia, somnolence, and hypoxia, with documented very low BP and HR, and was transferred to the hospital where she required IV fluids, naloxone, atropine, and vasopressor support and was diagnosed with drug-induced hypotension, accidental drug overdose, bradycardia, respiratory insufficiency, sepsis with acute hypoxic respiratory failure, and pneumonia. Surveyors found that this failure to adhere to the facility’s medication administration policy and to ensure residents were free from significant medication errors constituted non-compliance at F760, rising to Immediate Jeopardy.
The facility failed to report a serious medication error that led to a resident’s hospitalization to the Administrator and State Agency within the required two-hour timeframe. An LPN pre-pulled medications for more than one resident, became distracted, and administered another resident’s medications, including multiple cardiac and pain medications, to a resident with dementia, atrial fibrillation, dysphagia, and depression. The resident subsequently developed hypotension, bradycardia, and decreased respirations and was transferred to the hospital. Although the LPN notified supervisory nursing staff and the NP, the incident was not entered on the reportable incident log, the Administrator was not promptly informed, and the State Agency was not notified, in part because the ADON was unaware of the reporting requirement and the DON was on leave.
Failure to Supervise High-Risk Wanderer Resulting in Elopement
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide adequate supervision and prevent an elopement for a resident with known cognitive impairment and wandering behaviors. The resident had dementia with severe cognitive impairment, a BIMS score of 7/15, generalized muscle weakness, unsteadiness on feet, and abnormal gait and mobility. The admission MDS and care plan identified the resident as at risk for falls and elopement, with documented wandering throughout the facility and a recent elopement. An elopement risk observation completed shortly before the incident documented that the resident did not have safe decision-making capabilities. Nursing staff reported that the resident remained ambulatory with good strength and endurance, had impaired judgment and poor safety awareness, and required close supervision due to ongoing exit-seeking behaviors. On the day of the incident, staff last observed the resident in a safe environment ambulating in the facility between approximately 5:30 PM and 5:40 PM, which was described as baseline behavior. Around this same time frame, the alarm on a dining room/fire exit door near the dietary department sounded. Dietary staff responded, visually checked the area, reported not seeing anyone, re-engaged or disarmed the alarm, and returned to the kitchen. Multiple staff later acknowledged that it was difficult to hear the alarm in the kitchen and that they were unable to determine how long the alarm had been sounding before it was noticed. The facility’s elopement policy required immediate notification of all employees and a prompt, thorough search process when a resident was considered missing, but there is no indication that a facility-wide code or missing resident procedure was initiated at the time the door alarm sounded. Subsequently, between approximately 5:50 PM and 6:05 PM, the resident’s CNA noticed the resident was not in the room to receive a dinner tray and began looking for the resident, prompting a census head count. Staff were unable to locate the resident in the building, and a search was initiated. Around 6:08 PM to 6:39 PM, an employee leaving work by car believed they saw the resident near a nearby Dollar General store and called the facility. A nurse drove to the store but did not find the resident. During this period, the local police were notified by Dollar General about a suspicious person with a hospital bracelet. Police located the resident at a nearby intersection; the police report described the resident as delirious, disoriented, and unable to provide coherent responses. EMS was requested, and the resident was transported to a hospital emergency department. The facility later confirmed that the resident had eloped from the building and was found with a wander guard still in place, and staff, including the administrator and DON, were unable to state exactly how the resident exited the building, though they believed it may have been through the dining room door whose alarm had sounded earlier. Interviews with staff revealed additional gaps related to supervision and elopement procedures. One CNA assigned to 1:1 care for the resident stated it was her first day in that role and could not confirm how long the resident had been on 1:1 care. Another CNA, who had recently completed orientation, reported not receiving any in-service training related to elopements and stated that the survey interview was the first time she heard about the resident’s exit from the building. The LPN on duty reported that the resident had been on 30-minute checks due to wandering, last saw the resident around 5:25 PM–5:30 PM, and assumed the resident was doing usual laps in the facility. The DON and administrator both acknowledged that staff could not determine how long the door alarm had been sounding before it was heard and that staff responded by looking outside, not seeing anything, and shutting off the alarm. These actions and inactions, in the context of a known high-risk, cognitively impaired, exit-seeking resident, led to a successful elopement and formed the basis of the cited deficiency under 42 CFR 483.25 for failure to keep the environment free of accident hazards and provide adequate supervision.
Removal Plan
- Evaluate resident at emergency room; confirm no injuries.
- Initiate and continue 1:1 supervision for the resident.
- Assess each exit door to validate doors are working properly.
- Update the resident’s elopement risk assessment to reflect current status.
- Update the resident’s care plan and resident profile.
- Complete an elopement drill.
- Administrator will notify the charge nurse, Director of Nursing, and Social Service designee that a resident is missing as part of drill procedure.
- Director of Nursing/designee will announce Code [NAME] to signal the elopement drill procedure.
- Director of Nursing/designee will organize an immediate and thorough search of the center and surrounding grounds; complete the entire search process within 30 minutes.
- If search fails to locate resident within allotted time, Administrator/designee will place a mock telephone call to appropriate community agencies, resident's legal representative, and attending physician; staff will provide mock police with physical identifying information.
- Continue the search if resident not located, including having staff search surrounding streets by car for a 2 mile radius.
- When the volunteer resident is located, the charge nurse will complete a head-to-toe assessment.
- Social Services designee will assess the resident for emotional distress.
- Director of Nursing will notify appropriate community agencies, attending physician, and resident's legal representative.
- Facility Quality Assurance Committee will investigate the incident and implement interventions to prevent reoccurrences.
- When missing resident is found, make an announcement: Code [NAME] all clear.
- Update elopement risk assessments for all residents.
- Place residents identified as elopement risk in the elopement binder and update their care plans and profiles.
- Reeducate facility staff on the elopement policy and Abuse, Neglect & Misappropriation policy.
- Provide education to any staff not receiving this education prior to their next scheduled shift.
- Review new admission elopement risk assessments in Clinical Morning Meeting to validate accuracy and interventions if indicated.
- Review quarterly elopement risk assessments to validate accuracy and interventions if indicated.
- Maintenance Director/designee will inspect facility exit doors to validate doors are functioning properly.
- Administrator will round with the Maintenance Director validating doors are functioning properly.
- Hold an Ad Hoc QACPI.
- Notify the Medical Director of the incident and plan.
- Present results of audits in the QAPI Committee meeting for review and recommendations.
Failure to Monitor Wander Guard and Supervise Resident Resulting in Elopement
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure adequate supervision and prevent a successful elopement for one resident identified as at risk for wandering and elopement. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including traumatic subdural hemorrhage, muscle weakness, difficulty in walking, and need for assistance with personal care. An admission MDS showed a BIMS score of 9/15, indicating moderate cognitive impairment, and documented that the resident used a wheelchair and required substantial assistance for most ADLs. The facility’s own policy defined wandering and elopement, required staff training on elopement prevention, and called for interventions and care plan documentation for residents at risk of elopement. Physician orders were in place directing staff to check the resident’s wander guard for effectiveness and function every shift beginning shortly after admission. However, review of the MAR/TAR for the period from admission through the date of elopement showed that this order was not consistently documented as completed. For the period 01/30/26–02/19/26, there was an order to check the wander guard every shift, but it was only signed once on the date of the elopement for the first shift. There was no documentation on the MAR/TAR for January related to checking the wander guard, despite the order being in effect. The resident’s care plan, initiated on admission and revised on 02/19/26, identified behavioral symptoms of wandering and elopement related to impaired cognition and impulsivity, and included an intervention to equip the resident with a wander guard upon admission for 48 hours and to check the device’s proper functioning every shift, but the documented implementation of these checks was lacking. In the days leading up to the elopement, progress notes documented that the resident needed frequent redirection due to wandering in and out of other residents’ rooms, and that staff discussed with the resident’s representative the possibility of obtaining a sitter because of these behaviors. Another note described the resident being found seated on a fall mat after getting out of bed to remove pictures from the wall and pack his bag, indicating ongoing impulsive and wandering behavior. On the night of the elopement, a CNA reported that the resident had been described as hard to redirect and constantly pacing the unit in his wheelchair. Later that night, the resident was found wandering in the parking lot and brought back inside by a CNA; the nurse documented that the door alarm was not going off at the time the resident was found outside. The resident’s representative later stated that he had been informed that the front door was not working properly and that the resident had a wander guard device that should have locked the door when he left, but the door did not function correctly, allowing the resident to exit the building. Based on these findings, surveyors determined that the facility failed to provide adequate supervision and accident prevention, resulting in a successful elopement and an Immediate Jeopardy determination at F689. The State Agency determined that the facility’s non-compliance with federal health and safety regulations caused or was likely to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death, and identified the Immediate Jeopardy as related to 42 CFR 483.25, Quality of Care. The Immediate Jeopardy was determined to have existed as of the date of the elopement. The survey findings emphasized the lack of documented adherence to physician orders and care plan interventions for checking the wander guard device, the presence of documented wandering and impulsive behaviors, and the fact that the resident was able to leave the building without triggering a door alarm. These combined actions and inactions led to the conclusion that the facility did not ensure the environment was free from accident hazards and did not provide adequate supervision to prevent the resident’s elopement.
Removal Plan
- Resident was immediately located and safely returned to the facility.
- Full nursing assessment completed by licensed nurse; no injuries noted.
- Physician/Medical Director and responsible party notified by administrator.
- Resident placed on increased monitoring immediately.
- Wandering/elopement risk reassessed.
- Care plan updated to include enhanced interventions.
- Wander guard applied and verified functioning.
- Staff education initiated by administrator.
- Incident reported per facility policy and state requirements.
- Facility conducted a 100% audit of all residents for elopement risk.
- Verified wander guard placement and function for all residents.
- Verified accuracy of assessments and care plans for all residents.
- Updated care plans to include individualized interventions such as secured unit placement/discharge plan and structured activities to reduce wandering.
- Conducted environmental safety checks.
- All exit doors secured and alarmed and verified by maintenance department weekly.
- Wander guard system tested by maintenance department weekly with a log.
- All staff education completed by DON/Administrator on policy/protocol for wandering and elopement and immediate response procedures if a resident is missing.
- Results reviewed in QWAPI meetings monthly for 3 months, with corrective actions implemented as needed.
Failure to Protect Cognitively Impaired Resident From Physical Abuse by CNA
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a failure to protect a resident from physical abuse by a CNA. The facility’s abuse policy defines physical abuse as including hitting, slapping, and controlling behavior through corporal punishment. The resident involved was admitted with major depressive disorder and dementia with agitation, and a recent MDS showed a BIMS score of 7/15, indicating severe cognitive impairment. The resident was generally independent with toileting and transfers. On the day of the incident, the resident was on a locked dementia unit and had experienced bowel incontinence, leaving the bathroom soiled. A CNA entered the resident’s room to assist with cleaning the bathroom. During this interaction, the resident became agitated and combative, reportedly spitting on the CNA and striking the CNA in the face with a wet washcloth containing bowel movement. The CNA later reported that she responded by holding the resident’s hands above her head and then making contact with the resident’s face with an open hand, described as a slap or “smudging” the resident’s face. The CNA admitted to multiple staff, including the charge nurse, DON, Administrator, and Social Services, that she had put her hands on the resident and struck the resident in the face with an open hand in retaliation for the resident’s actions. A police report documented that the CNA admitted to assaulting the resident with an open-hand slap during a physical altercation. Staff who assessed the resident after the incident noted that the resident appeared visibly upset but had no visible injuries, and the resident was unable to recall the specific events due to severe cognitive impairment. The State Agency determined that the facility’s non-compliance with abuse regulations caused or was likely to cause serious harm and cited the facility under 42 CFR 483.12 for failure to ensure the resident was free from physical abuse.
Removal Plan
- Removed CNA3 from the resident care area after the incident.
- Interviewed CNA3 regarding the incident.
- Terminated CNA3 by the Administrator and DON.
- Notified law enforcement of the incident.
- Submitted a report to the Regional Ombudsman.
- Completed a nursing assessment and body audit of R1; no injuries found.
- Notified R1's family/responsible party of the incident.
- Monitored residents for psychosocial distress or changes by nursing staff and Social Services.
- Provided 1:1 re-education for staff working in skilled nursing on abuse and appropriate response/intervention and workplace fatigue.
- Conducted an investigation and determined there was no physical evidence of abuse.
- Social worker interviewed all residents on Unit 3 regarding abuse, whether any abuse had been witnessed/experienced, and whether residents felt safe.
- Social worker interviewed residents on other skilled units regarding abuse and whether residents felt safe.
- Arranged for MD and PA to evaluate R1; MD issued new medication orders and PA checked on the resident.
- Obtained family consent for a psychiatric evaluation.
- Social worker contacted the family and obtained updates; family visited and reported no changes in mood/behavior/psychosocial status.
- Social worker checked in on R1 and monitored for changes.
- Initiated in-house education for all staff working in Skilled Nursing on types/definitions of abuse, dementia with abuse prevention, de-escalation of behaviors, and how to appropriately avoid these situations.
- Re-educated staff on who the Abuse Coordinator is and how to notify the Abuse Coordinator of concerns.
- Reviewed the abuse policy with staff.
- Obtained statements from all staff who work in Skilled Nursing.
- Continued education ongoing.
- Nursing management (DON, ADON, Unit Managers) to conduct rounding and audits for signs of abuse.
- Held QAPI and updated it regarding this issue.
Failure to Use Required Gait Belt During Ambulation Resulting in Hip Fracture
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident was free from accident hazards and received adequate supervision during ambulation, resulting in a fall and left hip fracture. The facility’s Fall Management Program policy included staff education and interventions to prevent unsafe transfers and ambulation. The resident had severe cognitive impairment, as evidenced by a BIMS score of 3/15, and used a walker and wheelchair. A Safe Resident Handling Data Collection form documented that a gait belt and walker were required for transfers with staff and that the resident continued to require use of a gait belt. The resident’s care plan included assistance with transfers and ambulation and provision of adaptive equipment, but there was no physician order for a gait belt, and gait belt use was not listed on the care plan. Instead, the Administrator stated that transfer methods, including gait belt use, were communicated via name tags on residents’ doors and that the resident had a history of tripping over her own feet and falling. On the day of the incident, the resident was being assisted by a CNA from the bathroom when the resident’s feet became twisted and she fell to the floor. The CNA reported she was holding the resident’s pants while walking her from the bathroom and acknowledged that the fall was her fault. Documentation indicated the resident fell in her room while being transferred/ambulated from the bathroom with the CNA present, wearing shoes at the time. The Administrator confirmed that the resident had been assessed for gait belt use and that the resident did not have a gait belt on when she fell. The Administrator stated that, in situations where a resident is already in motion without proper equipment, staff should hold the resident and call for help rather than continue ambulation. The resident sustained a subcapital femoral neck fracture of the left hip, required surgical repair at a hospital, and was later readmitted to the facility for rehabilitation and strengthening, with documentation noting she had been confined to a wheelchair prior to the fall and was unlikely to progress beyond her previous level of activity.
Failure to Notify Physician of Resident’s Elevated Blood Pressures
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to notify a resident’s physician of significantly elevated blood pressures as required by facility policy. The facility’s policy on Change in a Resident’s Condition or Status, revised February 2021, states that the nurse will promptly notify the attending or on-call physician when there is a significant change in the resident’s physical condition, defined as a major decline or improvement that will not normally resolve without intervention. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including Alzheimer’s disease, essential hypertension, and hypothyroidism, and had an active order for Benazepril 5 mg daily for hypertension with instructions to hold the medication if systolic blood pressure (SBP) was less than 110. The admission MDS showed the resident was unable to complete the BIMS interview and had an active diagnosis of hypertension. Blood pressure records showed multiple elevated readings, including 172/102 and 172/101 on one day and 171/119 on the following day. Review of the nurse’s notes revealed no documentation that the physician or PACE program was notified of these elevated blood pressures. The care plan indicated the resident was a PACE participant and directed staff to contact PACE for any medical needs. During interviews, the UM stated all medication orders came from PACE, and the DON acknowledged that 171/119 was an elevated blood pressure and that a call should have been made to the on-call PACE medical director, with family also to be notified of the change in condition. The patient liaison and weekend supervisor both reported not being informed of the elevated blood pressures, and CNA staff reported notifying an RN of the elevated readings but was unsure what occurred afterward. The RN stated she did not recall the patient but indicated that if there was no progress note, the notification would not have been documented anywhere else.
Failure to Obtain and Administer Ordered Seizure Medication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain and administer Lacosamide, an ordered seizure medication, for one resident, resulting in 11 missed doses over the period from 1/7 to 1/13. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including epilepsy, paranoid schizophrenia, and dementia. Review of the care plan showed no care plan addressing epilepsy, seizure risk, or seizure medications. Review of the MAR for 1/7/26 through 1/14/26 showed that the resident did not receive Lacosamide 100 mg, ordered as 1.5 tablets by mouth twice daily for seizures, for a total of 11 missed doses. The facility’s policy on Adverse Consequences and Medication Errors defined a medication error to include omissions when a drug is ordered but not administered. During interviews, an LPN stated that if a progress note about Lacosamide not being given was scratched out, it meant the medication was administered, and that when waiting for a medication, the nurse keeps a running list and calls the pharmacy for status updates. The Staff Development Coordinator reported that the protocol for missing medications requires nurses to call the pharmacy and document the call, notify the MD for alternatives, and check the Omnicell if the medication is not a narcotic. The DON stated that on admission, floor nurses should send all prescriptions to the pharmacy and, if a prescription is missing, contact onsite/on-call providers to obtain one so the pharmacy can send the medication stat, and reported being unaware that there was no prescription for Lacosamide. The resident’s PCP stated she had no memory of being notified about any missed Lacosamide doses and explained that the NP should be notified first and work with the pharmacy, and if issues persist, the PCP should be contacted; she also stated that missing medication should be communicated immediately by direct means, not by a note left in a book.
Failure to Maintain Washer Filters per Manufacturer Instructions
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s infection prevention and control program related to the maintenance of laundry equipment. Review of the Alliance Laundry Systems washer manufacturer guidelines showed that, as part of end-of-day maintenance, the AC invert drive filter was to be cleaned by removing the external plastic cover, taking out the foam filter, and washing it with warm water and allowing it to air dry, or by vacuuming the filter. During an observation of the laundry area, the filter located on the front of the washing machine was found to be heavily soiled with lint and debris, despite a metal manufacturer label directly beneath the filter stating, "Clean Daily." Three of three washing machines observed had this issue. In an interview conducted at the time of the observation, the Laundry Supervisor acknowledged the condition of the filter and stated that laundry personnel did not maintain the filter, indicating that maintenance staff were responsible for cleaning it. In a subsequent interview, the Maintenance Supervisor reported that maintenance staff usually cleaned the filter about three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, rather than daily as directed by the manufacturer. The Maintenance Supervisor also stated there was no log or record maintained to verify that the filter was cleaned as required.
Medications Left at Bedside Without Self-Administration Order
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the resident environment remained free of accident hazards when medications were left at the bedside for one resident. The facility’s “Oral Medication Administration Procedure” policy states that staff must administer oral medications in an organized and safe manner, remain with the resident while the medication is swallowed, and never leave medication in a resident’s room without an order for self-administration. Review of the resident’s orders showed there was no order for self-administration of medication. The resident involved had diagnoses including post hemorrhagic anemia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, irritable bowel syndrome, and osteoarthritis, and had a BIMS score of 15/15, indicating no cognitive impairment. The baseline care plan documented decreased ability to perform ADLs/self-care related to debility/generalized weakness. During observation, two white tablets were found in a medication cup on the resident’s bedside table. An LPN confirmed the medications should not have been left in the room and that the resident did not have an order to self-administer. The resident stated that a nurse had brought the medications the previous night and that she was saving them to use when needed, identifying them as Imodium. The DON stated that nurses are not to leave medications at the bedside and should remain with the resident to ensure medications are swallowed safely, and that anyone could take medications left at the bedside.
Significant Medication Error When Wrong Resident Received Another Resident’s Medications
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a failure to ensure that a resident was free from significant medication errors when an LPN administered another resident's medications. Facility policy required that medications be administered safely and as prescribed, including verifying the resident's identity before administration using methods such as checking an identification band, reviewing a photograph on the medical record, and, if necessary, confirming identity with other staff. The policy also required the person administering medications to check the label three times to verify the right resident, medication, dosage, time, and route, and prohibited administering medications ordered for one resident to another. Despite these requirements, the LPN pre-poured medications for more than one resident at a time and did not correctly verify the resident's identity before administration. The resident who received the wrong medications, identified as R2, had been admitted with diagnoses including cognitive communication deficit, dementia with mild anxiety, atrial fibrillation, dysphagia, and major depressive disorder. Another resident, identified as R3, had diagnoses including heart failure, high blood pressure, chronic pain syndrome, and lumbar spondylosis, and had active orders for multiple medications: oxycodone 30 mg three times daily, amlodipine 5 mg (two tablets once daily), losartan 50 mg twice daily, dofetilide 250 mcg twice daily, gabapentin 600 mg four times daily, and metoprolol 50 mg once daily. R2 did not have physician orders for these medications. On the morning of the incident, the LPN labeled a medication cup with a resident's name, poured medications into the cup, mixed whole pills in pudding, and administered them to R2 in her room. The LPN later discovered that R2's medication cup was still on the cart and realized that the medications given to R2 were actually those prescribed for R3. Following the administration error, staff documented that R2 had received oxycodone 30 mg, amlodipine 5 mg, losartan 50 mg, dofetilide 250 mcg (also documented once as 520 mcg), gabapentin 600 mg, and metoprolol 50 mg, none of which were ordered for her. Progress notes and vital sign records showed that R2 subsequently experienced low blood pressure and slow heart rate, with multiple blood pressure readings in the 70s and 80s systolic and 40s diastolic, and heart rates in the 40s and 50s. A nurse practitioner assessed R2 shortly after the error and initially noted no acute distress, but within an hour R2 became symptomatic. Later documentation indicated that R2 was transferred to the hospital, where she was evaluated for somnolence, hypotension, bradycardia, and hypoxia after receiving the incorrect medications. Hospital records described that she required interventions including IV fluids, naloxone, atropine, and vasoactive medications due to persistent hypotension over several days, and she was diagnosed with hypotension due to drugs, drug overdose (accidental or unintentional), confusion caused by a drug, bradycardia, respiratory insufficiency, sepsis with acute hypoxic respiratory failure, and pneumonia. The state survey agency determined that the facility's non-compliance with pharmacy services requirements caused or was likely to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death, and cited the facility at F760.
Removal Plan
- The Administrator notified the Medical Director of the Immediate Jeopardy.
- R2 was assessed by the Nurse Practitioner, and new orders were written for vital signs every 30 minutes and Midodrine stat.
- R2 was sent to the emergency department for a higher level of care.
- The Assistant Director of Nursing began the investigation into the medication error.
- The Assistant Director of Nursing counseled LPN1 related to the medication error and failure to follow the five rights of medication pass, including prepulling medication that resulted in the medication error; the licensed nurse was placed on a process improvement plan.
- The Assistant Director of Nursing provided 1:1 education with LPN1 related to types of medication errors, causes, and prevention.
- The Assistant Director of Nursing began a medication pass in-service related to the 5 rights of medication administration.
- The Assistant Director of Nursing or designee began education with the licensed nurses on the 5 rights of medication pass and medication administration.
- The Assistant Director of Nursing or designee began education on the medication administration policy to include how to verify the medications are correct for all licensed nurses on or before their next scheduled shift.
- The Assistant Director of Nursing or designee began competency checks on medication pass on all licensed nurses.
- The Administrator, the Director of Nursing, and the Assistant Director were re-educated on Medication Pass, including medication errors, by the Regional Assistant Director of Clinical Services.
- The Director of Nursing completed a review of hospitalizations to determine if any were related to medication error.
- The Director of Nursing completed a medication error review to ensure proper documentation, appropriate corrective action, and reporting compliance.
- Nurse management will randomly select each nurse daily to observe medication passes for 7 days, then weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly for 2 months.
- The nurse involved in the deficiency will complete medication pass competency daily for 7 days, weekly for 4 weeks, monthly for 2 months, and quarterly for 2.
Failure to Report Serious Medication Error Resulting in Resident Hospitalization
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to timely report a significant medication error that resulted in serious bodily injury to the Administrator and the State Agency within two hours, as required by its own abuse, neglect, exploitation, and misappropriation reporting policy. The policy, last revised in September 2022, states that suspicions of abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation, or injury of unknown source must be reported immediately to the Administrator and appropriate authorities, defining "immediately" as within two hours for allegations involving abuse or resulting in serious bodily injury. Despite this, the medication error involving Resident 2, which led to hospitalization, was not entered on the facility’s reportable incident log and was not reported to the State Agency or Administrator as required. Resident 2 was admitted with diagnoses including cognitive communication deficit, dementia with mild anxiety, atrial fibrillation, dysphagia, and major depressive disorder. On the morning of 12/04/25, LPN1 pre-pulled medications for more than one resident at a time and prepared medications for Resident 2 and Resident 3. When Resident 3 requested pain medication, LPN1 retrieved oxycodone for Resident 3 but then became distracted and administered Resident 3’s medications to Resident 2 instead. Witness statements from the Unit Manager and ADON documented that Resident 2 received multiple medications not prescribed for them, including oxycodone 30 mg, amlodipine 5 mg, losartan 50 mg, dofetilide, gabapentin 600 mg, and metoprolol 50 mg. Progress notes show that Resident 2’s blood pressure remained low despite ordered midodrine and fluids, with documented hypotension, bradycardia, and decreased respirations, and the resident was ultimately transferred to the hospital for further evaluation. Following the error, LPN1 reported the incident to her supervisor, and the ADON and NP were notified; however, the Administrator and State Agency were not notified as required by policy. The DON, who was on maternity leave at the time, later stated that the incident should have been reported to the State Agency but confirmed that no report was submitted and that the ADON was unaware the incident needed to be reported. The ADON stated she was unsure if the Administrator had been notified and acknowledged she did not know she was required to report the incident to the State Agency. The Facility Administrator reported that he only became aware of the medication error recently, after speaking with another resident, and confirmed that no report had been sent to the State Agency and that he had not been informed of the incident when it occurred.
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