Broadmoor Medical Lodge
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Rockwall, Texas.
- Location
- 5242 Medical Drive, Rockwall, Texas 75032
- CMS Provider Number
- 676335
- Inspections on file
- 42
- Latest survey
- November 19, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 3
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Broadmoor Medical Lodge during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Three residents did not receive prescribed nutritional supplements or diet modifications, including double protein portions, shakes, and ice cream, as ordered by their physicians. Staff interviews revealed confusion over responsibilities for ensuring correct meal service, and meal tickets reflected the correct orders, but the supplements and portions were not provided during observed meal times.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and mental health diagnoses did not receive a customized wheelchair within the required timeframe after an IDT meeting recommended it. Miscommunication among staff and confusion over whether to use PASRR or a DME company led to delays, and the facility did not initiate the NFSS as required by policy.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses, who was receiving hospice care, experienced a fall and developed bruises without hospice being notified by facility staff. Documentation and interviews confirmed that required communication with hospice did not occur, resulting in a lack of coordination and documentation of care.
The facility failed to provide adequate pharmaceutical services, resulting in medication errors for four residents. A resident missed 11 doses of alprazolam due to stock issues, another missed a dose of Letrozole, and a third had discrepancies in Tramadol reconciliation. Additionally, a resident received Hydrocodone outside prescribed times. These incidents highlight lapses in medication management, including failure to reorder medications timely, improper documentation, and unauthorized administration.
A resident with cognitive impairments and a history of exit-seeking behaviors was found without her prescribed wander guard bracelet on multiple occasions. Despite facility policies and care plans requiring the use of a wander guard to prevent elopement, staff failed to ensure its placement, as confirmed by observations and interviews with the DON and Administrator.
A facility failed to accurately code a resident's hospice status in the MDS assessment, despite the resident being on hospice as per the care plan and physician orders. The MDS Coordinator admitted the oversight, and both the DON and Administrator stressed the importance of accurate MDS coding for proper care and reimbursement. The Regional Nurse Consultant mentioned the absence of a specific MDS coding policy, relying instead on the CMS RAI manual.
A facility failed to update a resident's care plan after her wound healed, leaving outdated wound care instructions in place. The resident's MDS assessment and order summary showed no current wounds, yet the care plan still included wound care interventions. The MDS Coordinator and DON acknowledged the oversight, emphasizing the importance of accurate care plans for appropriate resident care.
A resident with Parkinson's disease and chronic pain was at risk due to the facility's failure to implement a pharmacist's recommendation to limit acetaminophen dosage to 3,000 mg per day. Despite multiple recommendations, the resident's medication orders lacked this directive, potentially exposing her to liver toxicity. Interviews revealed that the facility's leadership expected pharmacy recommendations to be implemented, but the oversight occurred due to a gap in the facility's policy.
The facility failed to secure medication carts, leaving drugs unattended and accessible. A medication aide left Tramadol unsecured on a cart, and an RN left a cart unlocked while attending to a resident. The DON and Administrator acknowledged the risk of unauthorized access to medications, which could lead to drug diversions or adverse effects.
A facility failed to provide a resident with her prescribed therapeutic diet, specifically her ice cream, on two occasions. The resident, who has dementia and other health conditions, did not receive her ice cream during lunch until a surveyor intervened. Staff interviews revealed that both nurses and aides are responsible for ensuring residents receive the correct diet and supplements, as per facility policy.
A resident with dementia and physical impairments did not receive a physician-ordered plate guard during meals, as required. The care plan and tray card failed to mention the need for the device, and staff were unaware of the requirement. The DON and Administrator acknowledged the oversight, emphasizing the importance of accommodating residents' needs to maintain dignity and nutritional status.
The facility failed to ensure food safety by not enforcing the use of hair restraints in the kitchen. The Dietary Manager was observed in the kitchen without hair and beard restraints, violating the facility's policy and potentially risking food contamination. Interviews confirmed the expectation for all kitchen staff to wear hair restraints to prevent contamination.
The facility failed to coordinate hospice care and maintain necessary documentation for two residents receiving hospice services. Essential documents such as the hospice plan of care, election form, and physician certification were missing, leading to inadequate coordination and communication. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and responsibility for updating hospice records, which could risk inadequate end-of-life care.
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by improper hand hygiene and care procedures. A Treatment Nurse did not perform hand hygiene between changing gloves while providing wound care to a resident with a Stage 3 pressure wound. Additionally, a CNA did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene appropriately while providing incontinent care to another resident, using the same gloves to clean different areas and not following the correct wiping technique. Interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that staff were expected to perform care and hand hygiene correctly to prevent infection.
The facility failed to maintain a clean and safe environment in the central shower area, as observed with trash and a disposable razor left on the floor. Staff interviews confirmed that CNAs and nurses were responsible for cleaning, and the presence of debris posed fall and injury risks. Facility policies emphasized the need for cleanliness, which was not upheld.
Failure to Provide Prescribed Nutritional Supplements and Diet Modifications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that three residents received the prescribed nutritional supplements and diet modifications as ordered by their physicians. One resident, a male with hemiplegia, dysphagia, and GERD, was observed receiving only a single serving of protein at a meal, despite a physician's order for double protein portions. The meal ticket indicated the correct order, but the tray was not prepared accordingly. The staff member responsible for checking trays before serving acknowledged the mistake and confirmed it was his responsibility to ensure accuracy. Another resident, a female with muscle wasting and a history of unplanned weight loss, did not receive the ordered ice cream and shake with her lunch meal. The dietary note and meal ticket both reflected the need for these supplements, but they were not provided during the observed meal service. Similarly, a third resident, a female with primary progressive multiple sclerosis and a history of poor fluid intake and weight loss, did not receive the ordered shake with her lunch. The meal ticket indicated the need for a shake, but the order summary report did not reflect this, and the supplement was not provided. Interviews with nursing and dietary staff revealed confusion and lack of clarity regarding responsibilities for ensuring residents received the correct diets and supplements. Some staff stated that the nurse should check trays before they are distributed, while others indicated that the cook or dietary staff were responsible for certain components. The DON and Administrator both stated that diet orders should be followed and acknowledged that the observed residents did not receive the prescribed supplements and portions. The facility's policy requires that menus meet residents' nutritional needs and be followed as written.
Failure to Timely Initiate PASARR-Recommended Specialized Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to incorporate recommendations from the PASARR Level II determination and evaluation report into a resident's assessment, care planning, and transitions of care. Specifically, after an IDT/PCSP meeting, a customized manual wheelchair was recommended for a resident with major depressive disorder, anxiety, and severe cognitive impairment. The facility did not initiate the request for specialized services (NFSS) within the required 20 business days following the meeting, as outlined in facility policy. Record reviews and staff interviews revealed confusion and miscommunication regarding the process for obtaining the wheelchair. The MDS Coordinator stated that she entered the recommendation into the portal but later claimed it was entered in error, asserting that neither the resident nor the family requested a wheelchair. The DOR and Habilitation Coordinator, however, confirmed that a wheelchair was recommended and that the family initially agreed to pursue it through PASRR, but the facility ultimately sought to obtain it through a DME company and the resident's insurance instead. The Habilitation Coordinator documented multiple follow-ups to remind staff of the need to initiate the request, but the process was not completed within the required timeframe. Interviews with facility leadership, including the DON, Administrator, and Regional Clinical Reimbursement Specialist, indicated a lack of clarity regarding responsibility and timelines for completing the NFSS after the IDT meeting. The facility's own policy required initiation of the request for specialized services within 20 business days, but this was not adhered to, resulting in a delay in the resident receiving the recommended customized wheelchair.
Failure to Notify Hospice of Resident Status Changes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to effectively communicate and coordinate with hospice representatives regarding a resident who was receiving hospice services. Specifically, the facility did not notify hospice when the resident experienced a fall and when bruises were identified on her left forearm. Record reviews showed that there was no documentation indicating hospice was informed of these incidents, despite the facility's policy requiring notification of hospice for significant changes in a resident's physical, mental, social, or emotional status. Interviews with facility staff, including the DON and nurses, confirmed that hospice was not notified of these changes, and staff were either unaware or could not recall if notifications had been made. The resident involved was an elderly female with diagnoses including dementia, hypertension, and stroke, and was severely cognitively impaired, requiring extensive assistance with activities of daily living. She was admitted to hospice care and had a care plan addressing her terminal prognosis and associated risks. Despite these needs, the lack of communication and documentation between the facility and hospice resulted in a failure to ensure that hospice could assess and coordinate care in response to changes in the resident's condition.
Medication Management Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate pharmaceutical services, resulting in multiple medication errors for four residents. Resident #11 did not receive her prescribed alprazolam for several days due to the medication being out of stock, leading to 11 missed doses. The staff failed to reorder the medication in a timely manner, and there was a lack of communication between the nursing staff and the pharmacy. Despite the resident experiencing symptoms of anxiety, the medication was not administered from the emergency kit, and the issue was not resolved until the pharmacy delivered the medication days later. Resident #50 missed a dose of Letrozole, a hormone treatment for breast cancer, because the medication was unavailable. The nursing staff did not ensure the medication was on hand, and the error was only discovered when a nurse attempted to administer the medication. Similarly, Resident #49's Tramadol, a pain medication, was not accurately reconciled, leading to discrepancies in the narcotic count. The medication was administered without proper documentation, increasing the risk of medication errors and potential drug diversion. Resident #5 received Hydrocodone outside of the prescribed administration times. A medication aide attempted to administer the medication early without a physician's order, which was against the facility's policy. The DON intervened and instructed the aide to waste the medication. These incidents highlight significant lapses in medication management, including failure to reorder medications timely, improper documentation, and unauthorized administration of medications.
Failure to Ensure Wander Guard Placement for At-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the environment was free from accident hazards for a resident who was at risk for elopement due to cognitive impairments. The resident, who had diagnoses including dementia, schizophrenia, and depression, was supposed to have a wander guard bracelet on her left lower leg as per her care plan and physician's orders. However, during observations on two separate days, the resident was found without the wander guard, which was confirmed by both the resident and a CNA. The resident's care plan and physician's orders clearly indicated the need for the wander guard due to her exit-seeking behaviors and risk of elopement. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that the facility staff were responsible for ensuring that residents with orders for wander guards had them in place. The DON acknowledged that the resident was supposed to have the wander guard on and that its absence posed a risk of elopement. The facility's policy on wandering and elopement emphasized the importance of identifying residents at risk and implementing protective measures, yet the failure to ensure the resident had her wander guard on demonstrated a lapse in adherence to this policy.
Inaccurate MDS Assessment for Hospice Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment accurately reflected the status of a resident, specifically regarding hospice services. Resident #14, a male with diagnoses including dementia, seizures, anxiety, and high blood pressure, was not coded as receiving hospice care on the MDS assessment dated 11/08/24, despite being on hospice as indicated in the care plan and physician orders. This discrepancy was identified during a review of the resident's records and interviews with facility staff. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged the error, stating that hospice services were not coded in the MDS assessment, which is crucial for reflecting the resident's care needs and reimbursement. The Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator both emphasized the importance of accurate MDS coding to ensure appropriate care. The Regional Nurse Consultant noted that there was no specific policy for MDS coding, and they followed the CMS RAI manual, which requires coding for hospice services. The failure to accurately code the MDS assessment could potentially impact the care and services provided to the resident.
Failure to Update Resident Care Plan Post-Wound Healing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to update the care plan for a resident who no longer required wound care, as her wound had healed. Despite the resident's comprehensive care plan indicating a Stage 3 pressure ulcer on the right hip, the care plan was not revised to reflect the healed status of the wound. The resident's quarterly MDS assessment did not indicate any wounds, and the order summary report confirmed there were no current wound care orders. Interviews with the MDS Coordinator and the DON revealed that the care plan should have been updated to reflect the resident's current condition, as the care plan is essential for guiding staff in providing appropriate care. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged the oversight, stating that care plans should be revised whenever there is a change in the resident's condition. The DON emphasized the importance of accurate care plans to ensure residents receive the necessary care. The facility's policy on care plans requires that they be reviewed and updated when there is a significant change in the resident's condition, during readmissions, and at least quarterly. The failure to update the care plan could potentially place residents at risk of not receiving appropriate interventions to meet their current needs.
Failure to Implement Pharmacist's Recommendations for Acetaminophen Dosage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to act upon the recommendations of the pharmacist report of irregularities for a resident reviewed for Drug Regimen Review (DRR). The resident, an elderly female with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and chronic pain, was receiving medications containing acetaminophen. The pharmacist had recommended that the orders for these medications include a directive not to exceed 3,000 mg per day to prevent the risk of severe liver injury. However, the facility did not implement this recommendation, as evidenced by the resident's medication orders lacking the necessary dosage limit. The resident's comprehensive care plan indicated that she was receiving pain medication therapy, but the orders did not reflect the pharmacist's recommendation to limit acetaminophen intake. The pharmacy consultant had made this recommendation on multiple occasions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the manufacturer's guidelines to prevent liver toxicity, especially in elderly patients. Despite these recommendations, the facility's order audit report showed that the resident's medication orders did not include the advised dosage limit. Interviews with the pharmacy consultant, the Director of Nursing (DON), and the Administrator revealed that the facility's leadership expected pharmacy recommendations to be addressed and implemented. However, the DON admitted to missing the recommendation for the resident's acetaminophen dosage limit. The facility's policy on the role of the consultant pharmacist did not specifically address the implementation of pharmacy recommendations, which contributed to the oversight in ensuring the resident's medication orders were updated accordingly.
Medication Storage Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments and that only authorized personnel had access to the keys for two medication carts. Specifically, a medication aide left a controlled narcotic, Tramadol, unsecured on a medication cart while retrieving his computer from the nurse's station, leaving the medication unattended and out of the surveyor's line of sight. Additionally, a registered nurse failed to secure the medication cart on multiple occasions while attending to a resident, leaving the cart unlocked and unattended, which could allow unauthorized access to medications. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that the facility's policy required medications and carts to be secured at all times. The DON and Administrator acknowledged the risk of residents accessing unsecured medications, which could lead to drug diversions or adverse effects. The facility's policy, dated April 2019, emphasized the importance of storing drugs and biologicals in a safe, secure, and orderly manner, with specific instructions for maintaining locked compartments and ensuring that medication carts are not left unattended.
Failure to Provide Prescribed Therapeutic Diet
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Resident #49 received her prescribed therapeutic diet, specifically her ice cream, as ordered by the attending physician. This deficiency was observed on two separate occasions. On December 2, 2024, during lunch, Resident #49 did not receive her shake or ice cream until a surveyor intervened. CNA R acknowledged that the nurses usually check the trays, but CNAs should also recheck them to ensure residents receive everything on their trays. On December 4, 2024, Resident #49 again did not have her ice cream with her lunch. LVN E admitted to missing the ice cream when checking the tray cards and stated it should have been included with her tray. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that the facility's protocol required both nurses and aides to verify that residents received the correct diet and supplements. The DON emphasized the importance of reading meal tickets to ensure residents receive the correct diets, while the Administrator highlighted the necessity of providing the correct diet/supplements to prevent weight loss. The facility's policy on therapeutic diets, dated October 2017, mandates that therapeutic diets be prescribed by the attending physician and regularly reviewed by the dietitian, nursing staff, and physician.
Failure to Provide Physician-Ordered Plate Guard for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a physician-ordered plate guard for a resident with dementia, stroke, hemiplegia, and a contracture of the left hand, who required special eating equipment and assistance. The resident's care plan did not mention the use of a plate guard, and the tray card did not reflect the need for it. During observations, the resident was seen eating meals without the plate guard, and staff, including an LVN and the Dietary Manager (DM), were unaware of the requirement. The DM stated that he had not received communication about the need for a plate guard, which should have been included on the tray card. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that the process for ensuring the resident received the necessary device involved the nurse providing the DM with a copy of the order. The DON expected the plate guard to be in place to allow the resident to feed herself independently. The Administrator acknowledged that not having a plate guard could affect the resident's dignity and nutritional status, emphasizing the importance of getting meal services right. The facility's policy indicated that residents' individual needs, including adaptive devices, should be accommodated and reviewed regularly.
Failure to Use Hair Restraints in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was prepared and served in a manner that prevented foodborne illness, as observed during a survey. The Dietary Manager entered the kitchen without wearing the required hair and beard restraints, which is a violation of the facility's policy on food preparation and services. This policy mandates that all dietary staff must wear hair restraints to prevent hair from contacting food. During an observation, the Dietary Manager was seen in the freezer and storage area without these restraints, despite having facial and beard hair approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Interviews conducted with the Dietary Manager, the Director of Nursing (DON), and the Administrator confirmed the expectation that all kitchen staff should wear hair restraints to prevent contamination and ensure infection control. The Dietary Manager admitted to not wearing the restraints and acknowledged the importance of doing so to prevent hair from getting into the food. The DON and Administrator both emphasized the necessity of maintaining a clean kitchen environment and preventing cross-contamination, with the Administrator specifically noting that the Dietary Manager should have adhered to the policy by wearing the appropriate restraints.
Failure to Coordinate Hospice Care and Maintain Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to collaborate effectively with hospice representatives and coordinate the hospice care planning process for residents receiving hospice services. This deficiency was identified for two residents, who were not provided with adequate documentation and coordination of care. The facility did not maintain the hospice binders containing essential information such as the most recent plan of care, hospice election form, physician recertification, and hospice medication profile. This lack of documentation and communication could potentially place residents at risk of receiving inadequate end-of-life care. For Resident #14, the facility did not have the necessary hospice documentation in the resident's binder, including the physician certification of terminal illness, care plan, medication list, or hospice election form. Interviews revealed that the facility staff were not aware of the frequency of hospice meetings or the responsibility for updating the hospice folders. The hospice administrator confirmed that the binders should contain specific documents and be updated regularly, but this was not being done. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the lack of communication and monitoring to ensure the hospice documents were brought to the facility. Similarly, for Resident #129, the facility failed to have a hospice plan of care, hospice election form, or physician's certification of terminal illness in the resident's records. The hospice provider's director indicated that these forms were crucial for coordinating care. The DON and other staff members expected the hospice provider to supply all necessary admission paperwork, but this was not consistently happening. The administrator emphasized the importance of having all required documents at the time of admission to ensure proper coordination of care, but the process was not effectively managed.
Infection Control Deficiencies in Hand Hygiene and Care Procedures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by two separate incidents involving improper hand hygiene and care procedures. In the first incident, a Treatment Nurse did not perform hand hygiene between changing gloves while providing wound care to a resident with a Stage 3 pressure wound. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired and always incontinent, required specific wound care as per physician orders. The nurse acknowledged forgetting to wash her hands between the dirty and clean phases of the procedure, which could lead to infection. In the second incident, a CNA did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene appropriately while providing incontinent care to another resident. This resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired and always incontinent, required assistance with activities of daily living. The CNA used the same gloves to clean different areas and did not follow the correct wiping technique, which could result in cross-contamination. The CNA admitted to not performing hand hygiene when changing gloves and acknowledged the importance of wiping front to back to prevent infection. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator confirmed that staff were expected to perform peri-care, wound care, and hand hygiene correctly to prevent infection. The facility's policies on hand hygiene, perineal care, and wound care were reviewed, indicating that hand hygiene is considered the primary means to prevent the spread of infection. The DON and Administrator both recognized that failure to adhere to these procedures could lead to infection issues.
Failure to Maintain Cleanliness in Shower Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment in the central shower area, as observed on multiple occasions on 5/24/24. During these observations, a disposable razor and various trash items, including used gloves and popcorn, were found on the floor of the shower room. This failure to maintain cleanliness was noted during three separate observations at different times of the day, indicating a consistent issue with the upkeep of the shower area. Interviews with facility staff, including a CNA, an LVN, and the DON, revealed that the responsibility for cleaning the shower area fell on the CNAs and nurses. The staff acknowledged that leaving razors and trash on the floor posed risks, such as falls and injuries, and emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean environment for infection control purposes. The facility's policies on maintaining a homelike environment and shower procedures were reviewed, highlighting the expectation for a clean and orderly environment, which was not met in this instance.
Latest citations in Texas
A resident with severe dementia, mobility deficits, and dependence for transfers was provided bed rails without a documented entrapment risk assessment, physician order, or inclusion of bed rail use in the care plan, despite a facility policy requiring alternatives, IDT review, informed consent, and proper installation. Maintenance installed 1/3 bed rails on verbal request from nursing, believing the clinical steps had been completed, and the resident later was found partially out of bed with her head pinned between the rail and a low air loss mattress, unresponsive, and subsequently pronounced deceased. The medical examiner noted neck abrasions, bruising, and muscle hemorrhage consistent with entrapment between the mattress and bed rail and indicated the likely cause of death as strangulation on the rails or asphyxiation on the mattress, and the deficiency was cited as past Immediate Jeopardy.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple pressure injuries received twice-daily wound care without a corresponding pain care plan or documented pain assessments, despite having a PRN acetaminophen order. During an observed wound care attempt, the resident winced, cried out, and showed facial expressions consistent with pain when repositioned, while staff were unsure of her primary language, whether she had been assessed or medicated for pain, or even what pain medications were ordered. CNAs and the treatment nurse noted foul odor and colored drainage from the wounds and that the resident felt warm, but the LVN initially reported no indication of pain or need for vital signs and only checked a temperature after surveyor prompting, without performing a clear pain assessment. The wound care NP later reported the resident had increased necrotic tissue, odor, and frequent combative behavior during prior treatments that had not been considered as possible pain responses, and the resident’s representative stated they were unaware of wound odor, infection concerns, or antibiotic orders and believed the resident was receiving pain medication while video showed wound care being attempted without it.
Surveyors found three mechanical lifts repeatedly parked unlocked and unsecured in a hallway adjacent to the 300 Hall, where they were stored and charged when not in use. An RN and a CNA assigned to the hall both stated they were unaware the lifts were unsecured, despite prior in‑service training on lift safety and storage, and each could not recall when that training last occurred. The DON confirmed that all lifts were expected to be locked when not in use, acknowledged unawareness of the unsecured lifts over several days, and stated that while staff had been educated on lift safety, there was no facility policy addressing accidents and hazards related to mechanical lift safety and storage, and the existing mechanical lift policy lacked such content.
Surveyors found multiple food safety and storage deficiencies in the kitchen, including an unsealed bag of meat, sauce containers with dried drippings on the handle and rim, a container of overripe bananas with black peels, and uncovered whole eggs in an unlabeled, undated bowl. Temperature logs for reach-in refrigerators and a freezer were missing required PM shift temperature checks and staff signatures. In interviews, dietary staff, the Dietary Manager, and the Administrator confirmed that these conditions did not follow facility policies requiring open food to be securely covered, labeled, dated, properly cleaned, and monitored with completed temperature logs.
A resident with lymphedema and multiple comorbidities had physician orders for bilateral lower extremity ace wraps each morning with removal in the evening, along with edema checks every shift. On the survey day, the resident was observed in a wheelchair without leg wraps, while the MAR showed the morning treatment as completed. The resident reported his legs were supposed to be wrapped daily and that they had not been wrapped for about a week, and he described inconsistent staff response to his call light. The charge nurse admitted it was not normal practice to document treatment before completion and stated the resident usually received wraps after a shower, which had not yet occurred. CNAs gave conflicting accounts about how consistently the wraps were applied, and leadership confirmed expectations that treatments be performed per orders and documented only after completion, in line with the facility’s documentation policy prohibiting false entries.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to provide pressure ulcer care consistent with professional standards for three residents. One resident with hemiplegia and vascular dementia had a sacral wound that was omitted from the care plan and repeatedly left off weekly skin assessments, while heel wounds were documented without consistent measurements or staging and ordered treatments were not always recorded as given. A second resident with multiple comorbidities developed a sacral wound that progressed from MASD to an unstageable and then Stage 4 pressure injury with surgical debridement, yet the care plan was not updated to reflect the active pressure ulcer and specific interventions, and weekly skin assessments often lacked complete staging and measurements. A third resident with dementia and incontinence had an unstageable sacral ulcer and MASD, but weekly skin assessments were inconsistent, some ordered wound treatments and topical medications were not documented on the TAR, and nursing notes did not show that care was provided on those dates. Staff interviews revealed that the treatment nurse handled nearly all weekly skin assessments and wound care documentation, relied on the DON or wound physician for staging and measurements, and that facility policies requiring complete wound assessment and documentation were not consistently followed.
The facility failed to ensure call lights were accessible for four residents who were identified as fall risks and required assistance with ADLs or had significant mobility or cognitive impairments. Observations found residents lying in bed with call lights placed at the head of the bed, on the floor, on a roommate’s bed, or on a nightstand, all out of reach, despite care plan interventions requiring call lights to be kept within reach. A CNA, an LVN, and the DON each confirmed that all staff are responsible for keeping call bells within residents’ reach and acknowledged that inaccessible call bells could lead to accidents, falls, avoidable injuries, delayed care, and unmet needs, contrary to the facility’s written call light policy.
Surveyors found that multiple resident rooms and two halls were not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Bathrooms in several rooms had brown or gray stains in corners and around toilets, and some showers and room floors had dark or built-up dirt along edges, near closets, and by beds and walls. Air conditioning vents and filters in several rooms were observed with black grime or thick dust. Handrails on two halls had debris, including tissue with a red-brown substance, candy wrappers, gum, plastic, and paper wedged between the rails. Sharps containers in several rooms had used gloves and trash placed on top. The Administrator and housekeeping staff confirmed that housekeeping was responsible for cleaning rooms, bathrooms, floors, handrails, and air conditioning units, and staff acknowledged that the observed conditions were a health hazard and could cause infection.
The facility failed to follow its own infection control practices and physician orders for three residents requiring respiratory care. A resident with COPD had a nasal cannula and nebulizer mask connected to equipment that were not bagged or dated when not in use, despite orders for weekly changes. Another resident with asthma had an unbagged, undated nasal cannula and an oxygen humidifier bottle that was partially full, cracked, and dated from a prior week. A third resident with COPD had both nasal cannula and nebulizer mask unbagged and undated, despite orders for weekly equipment changes and monitoring of pulse, O2 sat, treatment time, and lung sounds. Staff, including a CNA, an LVN, and the DON, acknowledged that equipment should always be bagged, dated, and changed per schedule to prevent infection, consistent with the facility’s infection prevention and control policy.
Surveyors found that staff failed to administer multiple residents’ scheduled medications within the facility’s one-hour administration window, despite active orders for numerous drugs treating conditions such as DM, HTN, CHF, dementia, seizures, and hypothyroidism. During a morning med pass, a med tech had not completed 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. medications by late morning, and staff interviews confirmed that medications were required to be given within a defined time range. In addition, staff did not consistently check BP before dispensing medications with BP parameters, did not keep a milk-based Med Pass nutritional supplement refrigerated or on ice as required by manufacturer directions and facility protocol, and failed to date most insulin vials when opened, contrary to facility policy. These actions and inactions showed that pharmaceutical services, including accurate dispensing, administration, and storage of medications and biologicals, were not provided as required for the residents reviewed.
Failure to Assess, Order, and Care Plan Bed Rail Use Resulting in Fatal Entrapment
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its own policy and regulatory requirements for the assessment, ordering, care planning, and safe use of bed rails for a cognitively impaired resident. The resident was an elderly female with severe dementia, repeated falls, a fractured neck of the left femur, cognitive communication deficit, and a need for assistance with personal care. Her admission MDS showed a BIMS score of 03, indicating severe cognitive impairment, and documented that she required substantial staff assistance with bed mobility and was completely dependent on staff for transfers from bed to chair. Despite these needs, her care plan addressed ADL self-care performance deficits related to dementia and included interventions for bed mobility requiring one staff member to assist with repositioning, but it did not mention bed rails or any risk of entrapment. The facility obtained a bed rail consent form signed by the resident’s family member, which listed multiple potential dangers of bed rail use, including suffocation and various forms of entrapment that could cause injury or death. However, from the time of admission through the date of the incident, there was no documented bed rail safety or entrapment risk assessment for this resident, no physician order for bed rails, and no inclusion of bed rail use in the resident’s care plan. Maintenance staff reported that a charge nurse verbally requested installation of bed rails on the resident’s bed, and he believed the usual clinical steps—assessment, IDT review, consent, and physician order—had already been completed, but he had no documentation of when the rails were installed. The DON later confirmed that, for this resident, the required risk of entrapment assessment, physician order, and care plan focus for bed rails were not completed, and alternatives to bed rails were not attempted prior to installation, contrary to facility policy. On the night of the incident, a CNA observed the resident resting calmly around 2:00 a.m. During a subsequent round close to 5:00 a.m., the CNA found the resident partially out of bed with her head pinned between the assist bar/bed rail and the mattress, and notified the LVN. The LVN’s written statement described finding the resident seated on the floor on the right side of the bed, off the mattress, with her head resting between the side rail and the mattress, unresponsive. CPR was initiated and EMS was called, but the resident was later pronounced deceased. The county medical examiner reported that the resident had bruising and abrasions around the neck and jawline and hemorrhaging in the neck muscles, injuries consistent with being trapped between the mattress and bed rails, and indicated that the likely cause of death would be strangulation on the bed rails or asphyxiation on the mattress. Subsequent observation of the bed showed 1/3 bed rails of the same make and model as the bed frame and a low air loss mattress; while the rails were not loose and there was little space when the mattress was fully inflated, the air mattress could be compressed enough to create significant space between the mattress and rails. The facility’s failure to conduct a bed rail entrapment risk assessment, obtain a physician order, and incorporate bed rail use into the care plan prior to installation led to the resident’s entrapment and death, and constituted noncompliance identified as past Immediate Jeopardy. The facility’s written bed rail policy required that appropriate alternatives be attempted before installing bed rails, that the IDT assess each resident for entrapment risk, that risks and benefits be reviewed with the resident or representative, that informed consent be obtained prior to installation, and that manufacturer instructions and compatibility of bed, mattress, and rails be verified. It also required updating the care plan to reflect the need or choice for bed rails. In this case, staff interviews and record review showed that these steps were not followed for the resident involved. The DON acknowledged that the process did not occur as required, that the IDT did not meet to assess the resident for entrapment risk, and that the bed rails were installed based on the responsible party’s request without the mandated clinical review and documentation. This sequence of omissions and deviations from policy directly preceded the resident’s fatal entrapment between the bed rail and mattress.
Removal Plan
- Notify Medical Director
- Notify Ombudsman
- Conduct ad hoc QAPI
- DON to provide education to trainers regarding abuse and neglect
- Review admissions processes regarding bed rails and complete in-service with DON, ED, and IDT
- Provide in-service to all nurses involved with admissions process regarding bed rails
- Audit bed rails currently in use
- Inspect bed rails currently in use
- Verify consent on file for all bed rails in use
- Verify order and care plan for all bed rails
- Complete bed rail safety evaluation for all residents with bed rails
- Audit low air loss mattresses currently in use
- Verify order and care plan for all low air loss mattresses in use
- Complete fall risk assessment for all residents with low air loss mattress
- Provide staff education regarding use of enabler/bed rail
- Provide staff education regarding false safety
- Provide staff education regarding low air loss mattress
- Audit admissions for completion
- Audit low air loss mattresses and bedside rails
- Conduct ongoing monitoring for improvement to be reviewed at QAPI
Failure to Assess and Manage Pain During Wound Care for a Nonverbal Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide safe, appropriate pain management consistent with professional standards of practice and the resident’s needs during wound care. A female resident with severe cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 00) was admitted with multiple pressure-related skin conditions, including a left heel deep tissue injury (DTI), right heel DTI, an unstageable sacral pressure injury, a left heel ulcer, a right bunion DTI, and other bruising/discoloration. Her MDS Care Area Assessment did not trigger for pain and no care planning decision for pain was documented. The resident’s care plan contained detailed entries for her multiple wounds but did not include any care plan for pain, despite the presence of significant pressure injuries and ongoing wound care orders. Record review showed the resident had an active PRN order for acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed for pain and an order for Doxycycline for the sacral wound, as well as twice-daily wound care orders for the unstageable sacral pressure injury. The MAR for the month showed that no acetaminophen had been administered since early in the month, even though wound care was being performed twice daily. During an observed attempt to perform wound care, the resident was dependent for mobility and required staff to roll and reposition her. When staff attempted to roll her for treatment, she winced, cried out "Oh my God" in Spanish, and displayed furrowed eyebrows and facial expressions consistent with pain. CNAs assisting with care noted that she appeared to be lying on the wound, that her wounds often drained, and that there was a foul odor and visible brownish-green drainage on her brief and positioning towels. Despite these signs, the treatment nurse could not confirm whether the resident had been assessed for pain or medicated prior to the procedure and was unsure of the resident’s primary language. During this same encounter, the resident was noted by the surveyor and CNAs to feel warm to the touch, and her wounds and dressings showed green, brown, or red drainage. The treatment nurse and CNAs acknowledged the resident felt warm, but the charge nurse (LVN) initially stated there was no indication the resident was in pain or needed vital signs assessed and only checked the resident’s temperature after being prompted by the surveyor. The LVN reported a normal temperature using a contactless thermometer, was unsure if the resident had any pain medication orders, and did not initially perform a direct pain assessment. Subsequent interviews revealed that the wound care NP had observed increased necrotic tissue and odor in the sacral wound the prior week and that the resident had been frequently combative, refusing wound care by kicking and biting, but this behavior had not been considered as a possible reaction to pain. CNAs later described the resident’s facial expressions and reactions during repositioning as indicating pain, while the LVN reported feeling pressured and nervous during the surveyor’s questioning and could not clearly describe having assessed the resident for pain during her shift. The resident’s responsible party stated they had not been informed of wound odor, infection concerns, or antibiotic orders and believed the resident was receiving pain and fever medications, later expressing shock upon reviewing video that showed wound care being attempted without medication. The facility’s own pain assessment and management policy stated that residents should be assessed for pain at admission and ongoing, monitored for pain with changes in condition, and that procedures such as moving or wound care can cause pain. It also directed that pain management interventions be consistent with the resident’s goals and documented in the care plan, and that underlying causes of pain, including skin/wound conditions like pressure ulcers, be addressed. In this case, the resident with multiple pressure injuries and ongoing wound care had no pain care plan, no documented pain assessment using appropriate tools for severe dementia, and no administration of ordered PRN pain medication in the weeks preceding the observed event, despite clear non-verbal signs of pain during wound care attempts. These actions and omissions led surveyors to determine that the facility failed to ensure pain was assessed and treated prior to wound care, resulting in the resident crying out and exhibiting pain behaviors when touched or moved.
Removal Plan
- Amend treatment orders to require pain evaluation prior to treatments and medication if indicated upon re-admission.
- Provide additional 1:1 education to CNA A, CNA B, LVN A, and the facility treatment nurse specific to issues identified in the preliminary fact analysis.
- Nursing leadership (DON/designees) to conduct facility rounds on all residents to ensure no unreported or undocumented changes in pain levels; audit all wound care orders to ensure pain management orders are present as indicated.
- Complete house-wide pain assessments; communicate any reported pain to the charge nurse for medication administration if indicated and complete follow-up assessment to ensure effectiveness.
- Re-educate licensed nurses on change in condition, pain assessment and management, administering pain medications, and the pain-clinical protocol (including identifying situations where increased pain may be anticipated such as wound care, ambulation, repositioning, and reviewing the critical element pathway for pain recognition and management).
- Re-educate all non-licensed nursing staff on recognizing change in condition/status including changes in pain levels and proper reporting using STOP AND WATCH Alert in PCC/point-of-care documentation and/or direct communication to the charge nurse; re-educate staff not working prior to their next scheduled shift.
- Educate the Facility Administrator and DON by the Divisional President of Operations on standards of care, pain management, and quality oversight.
- Validate staff education via completion of a quiz and acknowledgement covering recognition of changes in condition, proper notification procedures, and pain assessment and management.
- Review and validate the pain assessment and management policy to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements (no changes required).
- Implement monitoring: change in condition/pain assessment audits (review 24-hour summary report and nurse progress notes; ensure changes are reported to the provider and documented; ensure pain assessments are completed prior to treatments); review audit results in IDT/QAPI meetings and address issues immediately, including provider communication.
Unsecured Mechanical Lifts Left Unlocked in Resident Hallway
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to keep the environment as free of accident hazards as possible in the hallway adjacent to the 300 Hall, specifically related to unsecured mechanical lifts. Surveyors repeatedly observed three mechanical lifts parked in this hallway that were unlocked and unsecured on multiple occasions over three consecutive days at various times. These observations showed that the lifts remained in an unsecured state while not in use, in an area used for storing and charging them. During interviews, an RN assigned to the 300 Hall stated she was unaware that the three mechanical lifts parked in the adjacent hallway were unlocked and unsecured, despite being stationed at the nearby nurses’ station. She reported having received in‑service training on mechanical lift safety and storage but could not recall when the training occurred. The RN acknowledged that mechanical lifts were supposed to be locked when not in use and confirmed that the three lifts observed were the only ones she used for residents and that they were stored in that hallway to be charged when not in use. She also stated that she typically did not check the parked lifts to verify they were locked and secured. A CNA assigned to the same hall similarly reported being unaware that the three mechanical lifts were unlocked and unsecured, despite also having received in‑service training on mechanical lift safety and storage and being unable to recall when that training last occurred. The DON stated she was unaware that the three lifts had been left unlocked and unsecured over the three days of observation and confirmed her expectation that all mechanical lifts be locked when not in use. The DON stated that all staff had been educated on proper mechanical lift usage and safety but could not recall when the last in‑service training occurred. The DON and Administrator both reported that the facility did not have a policy addressing accidents and hazards related to mechanical lift safety and storage, and the existing “Total Mechanical Lift” policy did not contain information on accidents and hazards related to lift safety and storage.
Food Storage, Labeling, and Temperature Monitoring Deficiencies in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s food storage and handling practices in the main kitchen. During an observation of the walk-in refrigerator, they found a zip-top bag containing meat slices that was not fully sealed and exposed to air. They also observed one gallon container of sauce with black drippings on the handle and one jar of sauce with yellow, dried drippings around the rim. A container held approximately ten overripe whole bananas with black peels, and three whole eggs were left uncovered and exposed to air in an unlabeled and undated bowl. Additionally, temperature logs for two reach-in refrigerators and one reach-in freezer were missing the PM shift temperature checks and signatures for a specific date. In interviews, dietary staff, the Dietary Manager, and the Administrator confirmed that these conditions were inconsistent with facility policies and expected practices. Dietary staff stated that temperature logs were to be completed at the start and end of each shift by cooks and dietary aides, and that the Dietary Manager was responsible for ensuring completion. They explained that eggs should be returned to their original container or stored sealed, labeled, and dated; overripe bananas should be discarded; zip-top bags should be fully sealed; and jars and gallon containers should be wiped down after each use. The Dietary Manager and Administrator reiterated that all open food must be securely covered, labeled, and dated, and that fruits and vegetables showing visible damage or rot should be discarded, consistent with written facility policies on food storage and dietary food service personnel responsibilities.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders for Lymphedema Leg Wraps and Accurate Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide treatment and care in accordance with physician orders and professional standards of practice for one resident with lymphedema. The resident was an adult male with multiple diagnoses including cardiac arrhythmia, musculoskeletal symptoms, osteitis deformans of multiple sites, eye and adnexa disorder, lymphedema, major depressive disorder, prostate disorder, chronic pain, hypokalemia, COPD, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, epilepsy with complex partial seizures, unsteadiness on feet, and other gait and mobility abnormalities. His Quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 15, indicating intact cognition, and he was dependent for toileting hygiene, showering/bathing, and personal hygiene. Physician orders on the March MAR included ace wraps to both lower extremities every morning and removal every evening, along with edema checks every shift. On the survey date, record review of the March MAR showed that the charge nurse had documented completion of the resident’s morning leg wrap treatment, but when the surveyor reviewed the resident at 11:21 a.m., he was observed sitting in his wheelchair with his legs not wrapped. At 11:50 a.m., the MAR still reflected that the treatment was completed, despite the wraps not being in place. The resident reported he had severe leg swelling due to lymphedema and stated his legs were supposed to be wrapped daily, but the last time they had been wrapped was about a week prior. He stated that whether his call light requests for treatment were answered depended on who responded, and that staff sometimes did not return to complete his care, which made him feel bad. In interviews, Charge Nurse A acknowledged that it was not normal nursing practice to document treatment before completion and stated that the resident normally received leg wraps after his shower, but that morning the resident had not yet had a shower. CNAs provided differing accounts: one CNA stated the wraps were always on during bed baths but did not bathe the resident that day; another CNA stated that sometimes the resident’s legs were wrapped and sometimes not, that his legs were not wrapped that day, and that she had given him a bed bath that morning; a third CNA stated she had never seen his legs unwrapped. The NP explained that the purpose of the wraps was to enhance circulation due to lymphedema. The DON confirmed the resident had bilateral leg wrap orders in the morning and removal in the evening, and that she was informed around midday that his legs were not wrapped. The Administrator stated she knew the resident’s legs were wrapped but did not know why, and both the DON and Administrator stated that documentation of treatment should occur after the treatment is performed, consistent with the facility’s documentation policy, which prohibits false information in the medical record.
Failure to Accurately Assess, Care Plan, and Treat Pressure Ulcers for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide pressure ulcer care consistent with professional standards, including accurate assessment, staging, measurement, care planning, and implementation of ordered treatments for multiple residents with pressure injuries. For one resident with hemiplegia, vascular dementia, incontinence, low body weight, and an admission Braden score indicating risk, the facility did not consistently identify and document all existing wounds. Her care plan listed only a left heel pressure wound and omitted a sacral wound. Weekly skin assessments from late January through March repeatedly failed to document the sacral wound after its initial identification, and heel wounds were inconsistently documented without required measurements or staging. On several dates, the weekly skin assessment was left blank or lacked measurements, despite physician documentation that the left heel wound progressed from Stage 3 to Stage 4 with increasing size. The treatment administration record (TAR) also showed missing documentation of ordered wound treatments to the sacrum and left heel on multiple dates, with no corresponding nursing notes indicating that care was provided. A second resident with hemiplegia, vascular dementia, diabetes, malnutrition, peripheral vascular disease, incontinence, and significant weight loss was identified as at risk for pressure ulcers but initially had no documented pressure wounds. Her care plan, last updated the previous year, addressed only potential for pressure ulcer development and other skin integrity risks, and did not reflect a current sacral pressure wound. However, physician orders and TAR entries showed daily treatment to a sacral wound, and weekly skin assessments documented a sacral wound beginning in mid-February. These assessments frequently lacked staging and, at times, lacked complete measurements. Over several weeks, documentation showed the sacral wound increasing in size and evolving from MASD to an unstageable wound and then to a Stage 4 pressure injury requiring surgical debridement of devitalized tissue, including subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, and tendon. Despite this progression and ongoing wound physician involvement, the resident’s care plan was not updated to reflect the current pressure injury and specific wound care interventions. A third resident with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, muscle weakness, incontinence, and an initially non-risk Braden score that later declined to moderate risk had an unstageable sacral pressure ulcer present on admission and MASD. Her care plan included potential for pressure ulcer development, an unstageable sacral pressure ulcer related to immobility, and a wound infection requiring oral antibiotics. Physician orders directed weekly skin assessments and specific daily and evening wound treatments to the sacral area. However, the March TAR showed multiple dates where ordered sacral wound treatments and topical medication for left upper buttock redness were not documented as given, and nursing progress notes did not show that wound care was provided on those dates. Weekly skin assessments for this resident were inconsistent, with several assessments in early January documented as refused or limited, alternating between noting arm discoloration and no skin issues, and later assessments intermittently omitting the sacral wound or lacking measurements and staging. Wound physician notes documented an unstageable sacral pressure injury with rapid clinical decline and later a Stage 3 pressure injury that had increased in size, but these changes were not consistently mirrored in the facility’s weekly skin assessment documentation. Interviews with nursing staff and leadership further described systemic issues contributing to the deficiency. The treatment nurse stated she could not stage wounds and relied on the DON or wound physician for staging, and that she was responsible for updating care plans when new pressure injuries were identified, though she was unsure of the required timeframe. She also reported that she performed nearly all weekly skin assessments for approximately 96 residents Monday through Thursday, with no assessments scheduled on Fridays unless there was a new admission, and that wound measurements were typically taken only when the wound physician visited, after which she transferred his measurements into the weekly skin assessments. The DON and ADON indicated that the treatment nurse was responsible for all wound care planning, weekly skin assessments, and ensuring documentation, and acknowledged that missing or inconsistent wound measurements and documentation on weekly skin assessments would prevent the facility from determining whether wounds were improving or worsening. Facility policies required full assessment and documentation of pressure ulcers, including location, stage, length, width, depth, exudate, and necrotic tissue, as well as complete wound care documentation, but the records for these three residents showed repeated omissions and inconsistencies in assessment, staging, measurement, care planning, and documentation of ordered treatments.
Failure to Ensure Accessible Call Lights for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s failure to reasonably accommodate resident needs and preferences by not ensuring that call lights were accessible to four residents reviewed. For one male resident with a skull fracture, a baseline MDS showing he was a fall risk and unable to complete the BIMS interview, and a care plan indicating he required assistance with ADLs, observation showed he was lying in bed with his call light positioned at the head of the bed, out of his reach. A second male resident, with diagnoses including need for assistance with personal care, stroke, and dysphagia, and a quarterly MDS indicating he was unable to complete the BIMS interview, had a care plan intervention specifying that his call light should be within reach; however, observation found him lying in bed with his call light on the floor, out of reach. A third resident, a female with lack of coordination, unsteadiness on her feet, repeated falls, and severe cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 1), had a care plan intervention to ensure her call light was within reach, yet she was observed lying in bed with her call light placed on her roommate’s bed. A fourth male resident with right-sided paralysis, intact cognition (BIMS 14), and a care plan identifying him as a fall risk with an intervention to keep his call light within reach, was observed lying in bed with his call light on the nightstand, out of reach. During interviews, a CNA, an LVN, and the DON each stated that call bells should always be within residents’ reach and that all staff are responsible for ensuring this, and acknowledged that lack of accessible call bells could result in accidents, falls, avoidable injuries, delayed care, and unmet needs. The facility’s written policy on call lights required staff to place the call device within the resident’s reach before leaving the room.
Failure to Maintain Clean Resident Rooms and Hallway Handrails
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s failure to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, as required by the facility’s Resident Rights policy. During observations on the 300 and 400 halls, surveyors noted that handrails contained debris, including a piece of tissue with a red and brownish substance on the 300 hall and candy wrappers, gum, clear plastic materials, and large pieces of paper wedged between the rails on the 400 hall. Multiple resident rooms on these halls were found with unclean and unsanitary conditions. Several bathrooms had brownish or grayish stains in the corners of the floors and around toilets, as well as dark stains along floor edges, in corners, and in showers. Room floors showed built-up dirt near closet doors, door frames, and along floor edges, with brownish or dark stains near beds and walls. Additional observations revealed that air conditioning unit vents and filters in several rooms had black grime or thick dust accumulation. In multiple rooms, sharps containers used for needle disposal had used, dirty or disposable gloves and pieces of trash placed on top of them. During interviews, the Administrator stated that housekeeping services were provided seven days a week, with cleaning in the morning and evening, and that housekeeping was expected to thoroughly clean resident rooms and facility areas. A housekeeper assigned to the 300 and 400 halls confirmed responsibility for cleaning entire rooms, bathrooms, floors, and wiping down handrails, stating that handrails were wiped at least once a week and acknowledging that the observed conditions were a health hazard. The Housekeeping Supervisor confirmed that housekeeping and floor technicians were responsible for cleaning hallways, floors, handrails, entire rooms, bathrooms, and air conditioning units, and acknowledged that not thoroughly cleaning rooms and handrails could cause an infection.
Improper Storage and Maintenance of Oxygen and Nebulizer Equipment
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to provide respiratory care consistent with professional standards, physician orders, and the infection prevention and control program for three residents receiving oxygen and nebulizer treatments. For a male resident with COPD, record review showed physician orders to change tubing, clean filters, and change the O2 water bottle and nebulizer kit weekly on night shift every Saturday. However, observation revealed that his nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator and his nebulizer mask connected to the nebulizer machine were not bagged or labeled with a date when not in use. For a female resident with asthma, physician orders directed weekly changes of tubing, filter cleaning, and O2 water bottle changes, but observation showed her nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator was not bagged or labeled, and an oxygen humidifier bottle left on the nightstand was only one-quarter full, cracked, and dated from an earlier date. A female resident with COPD had physician orders to change tubing, clean filters, and change the O2 water bottle and nebulizer kit weekly, as well as orders to obtain and record pulse, O2 saturation, treatment minutes, and lung sounds in relation to nebulizer treatments. Observation found that her nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator and nebulizer mask connected to the nebulizer machine were not bagged or labeled with a date when not in use. Staff interviews with a CNA, an LVN, and the DON confirmed that facility practice and expectations were for oxygen tubing and nebulizer masks to be bagged and dated when not in use, with bags changed weekly or as needed, and for humidifier bottles to be changed regularly. The DON stated that failure to follow these practices could be an infection control issue leading to serious health consequences. The facility’s written Infection Prevention and Control Program policy emphasized decreasing infection risk, recognizing infection control practices during care, and ensuring compliance with infection control regulations, which was not followed in these observed instances.
Medication Administration, Monitoring, and Storage Failures During Med Pass
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide pharmaceutical services that ensured accurate acquiring, receiving, dispensing, and administering of medications and biologicals for all 10 residents reviewed for pharmacy services. Record reviews showed that multiple residents had active physician orders for medications to treat conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, dementia, end-stage renal disease, hypertension, heart failure, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, hypothyroidism, seizures, neuropathy, and pain. These medications included antihypertensives (such as amlodipine, hydralazine, metoprolol, benazepril, nifedipine), anticoagulants (Eliquis), antidiabetics (metformin, insulin), antipsychotics (olanzapine, quetiapine), anticonvulsants (levetiracetam), thyroid replacement (levothyroxine), heart failure medications (furosemide, carvedilol, isosorbide dinitrate), and others such as gabapentin, baclofen, galantamine, and lidocaine patches. During observation of a morning medication pass, surveyors noted that Med Tech F had not finished passing morning medications on two hallways between 10:15 a.m. and 11:14 a.m., even though those medications were scheduled for 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. This meant that residents’ medications were administered more than one hour after their scheduled administration times, contrary to the facility’s stated one-hour before or after administration window. Interviews with Med Tech F, LVN A, and the DON confirmed that facility practice and policy required medications to be given at the ordered times within that window to maintain effectiveness and comply with physician orders. The facility also failed to follow required procedures related to medication parameters and storage. Med Tech F and LVN A stated that medications with blood pressure check parameters required a blood pressure reading before dispensing the medication into a cup, but the report states the facility failed to check one resident’s blood pressure before dispensing medication. Additionally, observations and interviews revealed that the Med Pass liquid nutritional supplement, described as milk-based, was not kept refrigerated or on ice during medication administration, despite manufacturer directions and facility protocol requiring it to be refrigerated or kept on ice. Further, review of insulin storage on three halls showed that 12 of 14 insulin vials were not dated with the date of first use, even though LVN A, LVN B, and the DON stated that facility policy required insulin vials to be dated when opened and discarded after a specified period (generally 28–30 days). These failures placed residents at risk for receiving medications outside ordered time frames and using insulin vials without a known open date. Facility policy and procedure for medication administration (Policy Number 7C) required that medications be administered as prescribed by the resident’s physician, in accordance with written orders and the resident’s service plan, and that routine medications be administered per facility time ranges unless otherwise specified. The policy also required that medications be recorded on the MAR, that resident identification be verified prior to administration, and that medications be administered according to the dosage schedule on the MAR. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of these requirements, including the need to date insulin vials upon opening and to maintain proper storage conditions for nutritional supplements. Despite this, the observed late medication administration, failure to check blood pressure before dispensing certain medications, failure to keep Med Pass on ice or refrigerated, and failure to date insulin vials demonstrated noncompliance with the facility’s own medication administration and pharmaceutical services procedures for the residents reviewed.
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