Average — CMS composite of the measures below.
A standard survey is most likely before around November 2026
Estimate from public CMS data, current as of July 2026. Survey timing is at the state agency's discretion.
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Life Care Center Of East Ridge during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility did not ensure that kitchen beverage cooler and high temperature dishwasher temperatures were maintained within recommended ranges, with logs showing out-of-range readings and missing required surface temperature checks. These issues were not promptly reported or addressed, and were missed during weekly reviews by the DM and confirmed by facility leadership.
Two residents who required nebulizer treatments for chronic respiratory conditions had their nebulizer masks left uncovered and open to air on bedside tables, contrary to facility policy requiring storage in labeled bags. Both the DON and ADON confirmed the improper storage, and observations documented the deficiency during the survey.
A resident with multiple complex diagnoses received a COVID-19 vaccine without the required documentation of contraindication screening in the medical record. Although staff reported that screening was performed and no contraindications were present, the screening questionnaire was not completed as required by facility policy.
A resident with an indwelling urinary catheter did not receive enhanced barrier precautions as required by facility policy. Staff failed to use appropriate PPE, such as gowns and protective eyewear, during high-contact care activities, and there was no EBP signage or PPE available at the resident's room. Facility staff confirmed that the resident required EBP, but these measures were not in place.
Two residents with complex medical conditions were given the Influenza vaccine without documented screening for medical contraindications, as required by facility policy. Although consent was obtained and no adverse reactions occurred, the necessary assessment and documentation were not completed prior to vaccine administration.
The facility failed to accurately complete MDS assessments for two residents, leading to deficiencies in reflecting their current health status. One resident receiving hospice services was not coded for such care, and another resident's active diagnosis of Delusional Disorder was omitted. These inaccuracies were confirmed by facility staff, indicating a failure to adhere to policy and RAI Manual requirements.
A facility failed to resubmit a PASARR for a resident after new mental health diagnoses were identified. The resident was admitted with Anxiety, Diabetes, and Colon Cancer, and later diagnosed with Delusions and Adjustment Reaction with Anxiety and Depression. Despite the facility's policy requiring referral for a Level 2 PASARR upon new diagnoses, this was not done, as confirmed by the RN MDS Coordinator.
A facility failed to ensure an accurate PASARR for a resident upon admission. The resident's PASARR Level I Screen showed no known mental health diagnosis, despite having Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, and Delusional Disorder. This was confirmed by the RN MDS Coordinator, who acknowledged the failure to reflect the resident's diagnoses and submit for Level II services.
A facility failed to include a PTSD diagnosis in a resident's care plan, despite policies requiring comprehensive care plans for all medical and psychosocial needs. The resident, with moderate cognitive impairment and an active PTSD diagnosis, reported no awareness of specialized interventions. This was confirmed by an LPN, who noted the care plan lacked PTSD-related interventions.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment had unsecured medications in their bathroom, contrary to the facility's policy requiring locked storage. Observations over several days confirmed the presence of unsecured medications, which were not provided by the facility. Despite the resident being in a private room with no wandering residents, the medications were not stored properly, leading to a deficiency.
Failure to Maintain Required Food Storage and Dishwashing Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper temperature controls for both the kitchen beverage cooler and the high temperature dishwasher, as required by facility policy and manufacturer specifications. Review of temperature logs revealed that the beverage cooler was recorded at 42°F, exceeding the recommended maximum of 41°F, and this out-of-range temperature was not reported to the Director of Food and Nutrition Services or addressed in a timely manner. The Dietary Manager, responsible for weekly log reviews, confirmed she was not made aware of the abnormal temperature and missed it during her review. Additionally, the high temperature dishwasher's rinse cycle temperatures were repeatedly recorded below the recommended 180°F on multiple occasions, and required daily surface temperature checks were not documented for over two weeks. These deficiencies were not reported immediately as required by policy, and the omissions were not identified during the Dietary Manager's weekly reviews. Both the Administrator and Dietary Manager confirmed the failures to report and address the abnormal and omitted temperature records.
Failure to Properly Store Nebulizer Masks for Two Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly store nebulizer masks for two residents who required respiratory care. According to the facility's policy, nebulizer equipment must be cleaned with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, allowed to air dry, and then stored in a patient-care set-up bag labeled with the resident's name and date. For one resident with COPD, chronic respiratory failure, and emphysema, observations revealed the nebulizer mask was left open to air on the bedside table, with no storage bag present. The unit manager confirmed that this was not in accordance with facility policy. The resident was cognitively intact and required assistance with activities of daily living. For another resident with a history of left femur fracture, artificial hip, and chronic respiratory failure, the nebulizer mask was also observed uncovered and open to air on multiple occasions. Both the DON and ADON confirmed that the nebulizer mask had not been stored appropriately prior to being placed in a bag during the survey. Medical records indicated that both residents were receiving nebulized medications as ordered, but the required infection control practices for storing the nebulizer masks were not followed.
Failure to Document COVID-19 Vaccine Contraindication Screening
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the assessment for contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine was documented in the medical record for one resident. According to the facility's policy, residents are to be screened for prior vaccination status and the presence of medical precautions or contraindications before being offered the COVID-19 vaccine, with this information documented in the medical record. For the resident in question, although the COVID-19 Immunization Screening and Consent Form was present in the medical record, the screening questionnaire portion was not completed prior to vaccine administration. The resident did provide verbal consent and received the vaccine, but the required documentation of screening for contraindications was missing. Interviews with facility staff, including the Infection Preventionist, Medical Director, and DON, confirmed that the expectation was for screening and documentation to occur prior to immunization. The Infection Preventionist acknowledged that the resident was screened and had no contraindications, but admitted that this was not documented on the form. The DON also confirmed that the screening questionnaire was not completed as required. The resident had multiple diagnoses, including polyneuropathy, emphysema, severe protein-calorie malnutrition, adult failure to thrive, and acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, but there were no adverse reactions to the vaccine noted.
Failure to Implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions for Resident with Indwelling Catheter
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter, as required by facility policy. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder and urinary retention, was admitted with an indwelling urinary catheter. The care plan and physician's orders documented the presence of the catheter and the need for catheter care, but there were no specific orders for EBP. Observations revealed that there was no EBP signage or personal protective equipment (PPE) available at the resident's room, and staff did not use appropriate PPE during high-contact care activities, such as toileting and catheter care. During multiple observations, staff, including a CNA, assisted the resident with personal care and catheter management without donning the required gown and protective eyewear. The resident confirmed that staff did not wear gowns or protective eyewear during routine care or when emptying the catheter bag. Interviews with facility staff, including the RN Supervisor and Infection Preventionist, confirmed that the resident should have been on EBP due to the indwelling catheter, but the necessary precautions were not implemented.
Failure to Screen for Contraindications Prior to Influenza Vaccination
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess two residents for medical contraindications prior to administering the Influenza vaccine, as required by its own policy. The policy specified that each resident should be assessed for possible contraindications before receiving the vaccine, and that findings should be documented in the medical record. For both residents, there was no evidence in the medical record that screening for contraindications was completed prior to vaccine administration, despite the existence of a Universal Vaccine Informed Consent/Declination Form designed to capture this information. The Infection Preventionist (IP) and Director of Nursing (DON) both confirmed that the required screening and documentation did not occur for these residents. The residents involved had significant medical histories, including conditions such as polyneuropathy, emphysema, severe protein-calorie malnutrition, adult failure to thrive, acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, metabolic encephalopathy, chronic kidney disease, dementia, and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia. In both cases, consent for vaccination was obtained from the residents' emergency contacts, and the vaccines were administered without documented adverse reactions. However, the lack of documented screening for contraindications prior to administration constituted a failure to follow established procedures.
Inaccurate MDS Assessments for Two Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately complete the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for two residents, leading to deficiencies in reflecting their current health status. Resident #25, who was admitted with diagnoses including Protein-Calorie Malnutrition, Anorexia, and Cerebrovascular Disease, was receiving hospice services as per physician's orders. However, the quarterly MDS assessment did not include hospice care, despite confirmation from both a Licensed Practical Nurse and the MDS Coordinator that the resident was indeed receiving such services. This omission resulted in an inaccurate representation of the resident's care needs. Similarly, Resident #11, admitted with Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, and Delusional Disorder, had an MDS assessment that failed to code the active diagnosis of Delusional Disorder. The resident was receiving anti-psychotic medication and had a moderate cognitive impairment as indicated by a BIMS score of 9. A Registered Nurse Clinical Reimbursement Specialist confirmed the inaccuracy in the MDS assessment, which did not reflect the resident's mental health diagnosis. These inaccuracies in the MDS assessments highlight a failure to adhere to the facility's policy and the RAI Manual requirements.
Failure to Resubmit PASARR After New Mental Health Diagnoses
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to resubmit a Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) for a resident after new mental health diagnoses were identified. According to the facility's policy, any resident with newly evident or possible serious mental disorders must be referred to the appropriate state-designated mental health authority for review. Resident #44 was admitted with diagnoses including Anxiety, Diabetes, and Colon Cancer. On 4/3/2024, a Nurse Practitioner diagnosed the resident with Delusions and Adjustment Reaction with Anxiety and Depression. However, the facility did not refer the resident for a Level 2 PASARR following these new diagnoses, as confirmed by the Registered Nurse Minimum Data Set Coordinator during an interview on 6/5/2024.
Inaccurate PASARR Screening for a Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the accuracy of the Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) for a resident upon admission. The facility's policy requires that potential admissions be screened for serious mental disorders or intellectual disabilities, and those with possible conditions be referred for a Level II resident review. However, the PASARR Level I Screen for the resident indicated no known or suspected mental health diagnosis, despite the resident being admitted with diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, and Delusional Disorder. This discrepancy was confirmed during an interview with the RN MDS Coordinator, who acknowledged the failure to accurately reflect the resident's mental health diagnoses and to submit for Level II services.
Failure to Implement Comprehensive Care Plan for PTSD
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement a comprehensive care plan for a resident diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The facility's policy on Person Centered Care Plan, dated August 16, 2022, mandates that each resident should have a comprehensive care plan that addresses their medical, physical, mental, and psychosocial needs, including measurable goals and timeframes. Additionally, the Trauma Informed Care policy, dated August 22, 2023, requires that residents with a history of PTSD receive appropriate treatment and services. However, a review of the comprehensive care plan dated May 21, 2024, revealed that the resident's PTSD diagnosis was not included, and no interventions were implemented to address this condition. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including Dementia, Anxiety, and PTSD, had a moderate cognitive impairment as indicated by a score of 11 on the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) assessment. Despite having an active PTSD diagnosis coded on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, the resident reported being unaware of any specialized interventions for PTSD. This was confirmed by an interview with the LPN MDS Coordinator, who acknowledged that the comprehensive care plan did not reflect the resident's PTSD diagnosis or any related interventions.
Failure to Secure Medications for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to secure medications for a resident, leading to a deficiency in ensuring a safe environment free from accident hazards. The facility's policy mandates that all medications be stored in locked compartments, but observations revealed that medications were left unsecured on a shelf in the resident's bathroom over several days. These medications included Azo Yeast Plus tablets, Terconazole cream, Miconazole cream, and Fluticasone Propionate nasal spray. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment as indicated by a BIMS score of 6, was not assessed to self-administer medications, and the medications were not provided by the facility or its pharmacy. Despite the resident being in a private room with the door kept closed and no wandering residents in the hallway, the unsecured medications posed a potential risk. Interviews with the LPN and the DON confirmed that the medications were not stored properly. The Tennessee Poison Control indicated that the medications, if ingested, would not cause long-lasting harm but could lead to mild gastric discomfort. The facility's failure to adhere to its medication storage policy resulted in this deficiency.
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Resident with a documented fall history left unattended on the patio; found on the ground with a hip fracture.
Walk-in cooler logs missing for 12 days; expired supplements in the medication room fridge.
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How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nhc Healthcare Ft Oglethorpe | 3.2 mi | ★★★★★ | 2 | 0 |
| Pruitthealth - Fort Oglethorpe | 3.3 mi | ★★★★★ | 8 | 0 |
| Nhc Healthcare, Chattanooga | 4.6 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Center For Advanced Rehab At Parkside, The | 4.6 mi | ★★★★★ | 10 | 0 |
| Nhc Healthcare Rossville | 5.3 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
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