Buena Vida Nursing And Rehab Odessa
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Odessa, Texas.
- Location
- 3800 Englewood Ln, Odessa, Texas 79762
- CMS Provider Number
- 675145
- Inspections on file
- 32
- Latest survey
- November 20, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 12
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Buena Vida Nursing And Rehab Odessa during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with type 2 diabetes did not receive prescribed glimepiride for five days because the medication, supplied by the family, was lost after delivery to the facility. Medication aides documented the drug as unavailable and notified charge nurses, but there was no clear follow-up or retrieval from the E-kit. The DON was unaware of the missed doses until informed by surveyors, and facility policy for medication administration and handling of unavailable medications was not effectively followed.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment, hemiplegia, and a history of falls was regularly observed using a Geri chair for mobility, but the care plan did not include any focus, goals, or interventions related to its use. Staff interviews confirmed the necessity of the Geri chair due to the resident's physical limitations, yet the omission in the care plan was acknowledged by multiple staff members. The facility's policy required comprehensive care planning, but the resident's needs for Geri chair mobility support were not documented.
A resident with a gastrostomy tube did not receive required physician orders for tube flushing and site care after tube feedings were discontinued. Nursing staff and the DON were unaware that orders had lapsed, resulting in no tube maintenance or site care being provided for an extended period, despite the resident's ongoing need for tube patency and infection prevention.
Surveyors found that insulin pens and vials on multiple medication carts were either not dated upon opening or remained in use past their expiration period, contrary to facility policy and professional standards. Nursing staff and leadership confirmed that it was the responsibility of each nurse to check for expired or undated insulin, but these checks were not consistently performed, leading to expired and undated insulin being available for administration.
A nurse failed to wear a gown, as required by enhanced barrier precautions, while administering IV medication to a resident with a central line and an unhealed pressure injury. Although the care plan and posted instructions specified the need for both gloves and a gown for high-contact activities, only gloves were used. The nurse was unsure of the PPE requirements, and facility leadership confirmed that proper PPE should have been used according to policy.
A resident with Alzheimer's disease and paraplegia, fully dependent for transfers, was moved from bed to wheelchair by a CNA and LVN without the use of a gait belt, contrary to facility policy and the resident's care plan. Instead, staff lifted the resident by her underarms and the back of her pants, and both later acknowledged the omission of the gait belt. The DON and Administrator confirmed this was not in line with required procedures.
A resident with a history of amputation, dementia, and diabetes suffered second-degree burns after using a lighter to remove a tight gauze bandage, due to delayed staff response and the facility's failure to enforce its policy prohibiting lighters in resident rooms. Multiple residents were found with lighters, and staff interviews revealed inconsistent retrieval of lighters after smoke breaks and a lack of a written smoking procedure, leading to inadequate supervision and accident hazards.
A resident with a history of Covid-19 and other health issues received incontinence care from two CNAs who failed to follow proper infection control protocols. The CNAs did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene as required, leading to potential cross-contamination. Despite having received training, the CNAs acknowledged their mistakes, and the DON confirmed awareness of the issue.
A long-term care facility failed to provide adequate pharmaceutical services, resulting in medication administration errors for three residents. Two residents received Metoprolol Tartrate despite their blood pressure being below the prescribed threshold, and another resident was given short-acting insulin without clear parameters for when to hold the medication. The errors were acknowledged by the DON and a Regional Consultant, highlighting a lack of specific guidelines and potential confusion among nursing staff.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and limited mobility suffered leg injuries due to inadequate padding on her wheelchair. The facility failed to document or investigate the wounds, which were discovered by a state surveyor. The DON and Treatment Nurse were unaware of the injuries, and the care plan did not address the risk of injury from the wheelchair.
A CNA failed to follow proper infection control procedures during incontinent care for a resident with bladder incontinence. The CNA did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene after handling soiled materials and before continuing care, which could lead to cross-contamination. Interviews with the CNA, DON, and Administrator confirmed the lapse in protocol adherence, attributing it to possible nervousness.
Failure to Administer Prescribed Diabetes Medication Due to Lost Supply and Communication Breakdown
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of a resident with type 2 diabetes, morbid obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. The resident was prescribed glimepiride, an oral medication for diabetes management, which was not administered for five consecutive days as documented in the Medication Administration Record (MAR). The MAR indicated the medication was unavailable on those days, and multiple medication aides confirmed they did not administer the drug due to its unavailability. The resident's responsible party reported that a 90-day supply of glimepiride had been delivered to the facility, but staff lost the medication, and the facility did not follow through with obtaining a new supply as promised. Interviews with medication aides revealed that they notified charge nurses about the missing medication and that it was common practice to retrieve medications from the emergency kit (E-kit), but it was unclear if this was attempted. The aides could not recall which charge nurse was informed, and there was no documentation of further action to secure the medication from the E-kit or other sources. The responsible party was told by staff that the medication was in stock and being administered, but this was not the case according to the MAR and staff interviews. The Director of Nursing (DON) was unaware that the resident had missed five days of glimepiride until informed by the surveyor. The DON confirmed that a staff member had signed for the medication delivery, but the medication could not be located. The facility's policy required medications to be administered as prescribed and outlined procedures for handling unavailable medications, but these procedures were not effectively followed in this instance, resulting in the resident missing multiple doses of a critical medication.
Failure to Develop and Implement Comprehensive Care Plan for Geri Chair Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive, person-centered care plan with measurable objectives and timeframes for a resident who required the use of a Geri chair for mobility. Despite multiple observations of the resident using a Geri chair throughout the facility, the care plan did not include any documented focus, goals, or interventions related to the use of this equipment. The resident's electronic records indicated significant medical needs, including nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage, right side hemiplegia, muscle weakness, and severe cognitive impairment, all of which necessitated specialized mobility support. Interviews with facility staff, including the Director of Rehab, Regional Nurse Consultant, LVN, MDS Coordinator, and DON, confirmed that the resident regularly used a Geri chair due to poor trunk control and a history of falls from bed and wheelchair. Staff acknowledged that the Geri chair was essential for the resident's mobility and safety, and that its use should have been included in the care plan. The Director of Rehab noted that attempts to use a standard wheelchair were unsuccessful due to the resident's physical limitations, and the Regional Nurse Consultant stated that Geri chairs should be care planned as part of the resident's mobility needs. The facility's own policy required the development and implementation of a comprehensive, person-centered care plan for each resident, including measurable objectives and timeframes to address identified needs. However, the care plan for this resident did not reflect the use of the Geri chair, and staff interviews revealed a lack of clarity regarding responsibility for updating care plans. This omission could result in staff not being aware of the resident's mobility needs and the equipment required for their care.
Failure to Maintain Physician Orders and Care for Resident with Gastrostomy Tube
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate treatment and services to prevent complications for a resident with a gastrostomy feeding tube. Specifically, after all enteral feed orders were discontinued, the resident continued to have a gastrostomy tube in place but did not have physician orders for the volume, frequency, and type of flush to maintain tube patency, nor for the frequency of cleaning and care of the tube site. As a result, no enteral feeding care, including flushes or site care, was administered for an extended period while the tube remained in place. The resident involved was an older female with diagnoses including protein-calorie malnutrition, dysphagia, Parkinson's disease, and abnormal weight loss. She had moderate cognitive impairment but was able to understand and be understood. Although she required tube feeding due to dysphagia, she chose to eat by mouth and was not receiving nutrition via the tube during the period in question. The care plan indicated the need for daily cleansing of the insertion site and monitoring for infection or tube dysfunction, but these interventions were not carried out due to the lack of physician orders. Interviews with nursing staff, the DON, and the resident's physician confirmed that nurses were responsible for obtaining and maintaining appropriate physician orders for tube care and flushing. The DON and staff were unaware that the orders had been discontinued, and the facility's policy did not specify requirements for flushing or cleaning the insertion site. The absence of orders and care placed the resident at risk for tube obstruction, malfunction, and infection, as noted by the staff and physician during interviews.
Failure to Properly Label and Remove Expired Insulin from Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that drugs and biologicals, specifically insulin pens and vials, were properly labeled and stored according to professional standards. During observations of three medication carts, surveyors found insulin pens that had been opened and not dated, as well as insulin pens that remained in use beyond their manufacturer-recommended expiration period after opening. Nursing staff present during the inspections acknowledged that the insulin pens should have been removed once expired and that opened vials should have been dated. The staff indicated that it was each nurse's responsibility to check their assigned medication carts for expired or undated medications, but these checks were not consistently performed. Interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that the facility's expectation was for nursing staff to date insulin products upon opening and to discard them after the recommended period, typically 28 to 30 days. Facility policy also required dating insulin pens when placed into use and discarding them after 28 days at room temperature. The deficiency was attributed to nursing staff failing to inspect their medication carts as required, resulting in expired and undated insulin remaining available for resident use.
Failure to Use Required PPE During Central Line Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a nurse failed to follow the facility's infection prevention and control program during the administration of IV medication to a resident with a central line. The resident, who had diabetes with a foot ulcer and an unhealed pressure injury, was on enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) due to the presence of a central line and risk of infection. The resident's care plan and posted instructions outside the room specified that gloves and a gown were required for high-contact activities, including central line care. During an observed medication administration, the nurse sanitized her hands, donned gloves, and administered the IV medication but did not wear a gown as required by EBP protocols. When questioned, the nurse expressed uncertainty about the need for a gown during IV medication administration and indicated she was unaware of other staff using gowns for similar procedures. The Director of Nursing and the Administrator both confirmed that the expectation was for staff to use appropriate PPE, including gowns, when caring for residents on EBP with central lines. Facility policy also required the use of gloves and gowns for high-contact activities involving indwelling medical devices. The failure to adhere to these protocols was identified through observation, interview, and record review.
Failure to Use Gait Belt During Dependent Resident Transfer
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to provide adequate supervision and assistance devices during a transfer for a resident with Alzheimer's disease and paraplegia, who was fully dependent on staff for transfers. The resident's care plan specified that two staff members were required for assistance and that a gait belt should be used during transfers. However, during an observed transfer, a CNA and an LVN moved the resident from her bed to her wheelchair by grabbing her under the arms and by the back of her pants, without using a gait belt. The resident did not appear to bear weight during the transfer, as her legs were partially contracted. Interviews with the involved staff revealed that both the CNA and LVN acknowledged they should have used a gait belt but failed to do so—one citing forgetfulness and the other a lack of immediate availability. The DON and Administrator confirmed that facility policy required the use of a gait belt for such transfers and that the method used was not safe or in accordance with policy. Review of the facility's policy further confirmed that a gait belt was required for safe transfers involving dependent residents.
Failure to Prevent Accident Hazards Related to Smoking Paraphernalia
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate supervision and prevent accident hazards by allowing multiple residents to possess unauthorized lighters, despite a policy prohibiting such items in resident rooms. Five residents were found to have lighters in their possession, and staff interviews revealed that there was no written procedure for handling smoking paraphernalia. Staff often handed lighters to residents during smoke breaks and did not consistently retrieve them afterward, resulting in residents retaining lighters in their rooms. Several staff members and residents confirmed that lighters were not always collected after use, and there was a general lack of clarity and enforcement regarding the facility's smoking policy and procedures. One resident, a female with a history of traumatic amputation, dementia, and diabetes, suffered second-degree burns to her right foot after using a lighter to burn a gauze bandage that was too tight. The resident had previously been assessed as safe to smoke unsupervised, with no cognitive impairment noted on her BIMS assessment. On the night of the incident, the resident requested assistance with her bandage, but staff response was delayed. During this time, the resident attempted to remove the bandage herself using a lighter, which resulted in the bandage and her foot catching fire. Staff responded to the fire, and emergency services were called, but the resident initially refused treatment. Interviews with staff and residents indicated that the facility's policy prohibiting lighters in resident rooms was not consistently followed. Staff admitted to not always retrieving lighters after smoke breaks, and residents reported frequently having lighters in their possession. The facility did not have a written smoking procedure, and staff were unclear about the process for supervising residents during smoke breaks and managing smoking paraphernalia. The lack of adherence to policy and absence of clear procedures directly contributed to the incident and the presence of accident hazards in the facility.
Removal Plan
- Resident was sent to the emergency department for assessment after initially refusing any treatment; placed on 1:1 observation; psychiatric services referral made.
- All other residents who smoke, including those discovered with cigarette lighters, had a skin assessment completed with no visible signs of injury related to cigarettes or lighters.
- Facility administrator, director of nurses, and regional compliance swept all resident rooms for items not allowed in resident's rooms and to check for cigarette lighters; removed offending items and completed a log of items found and removed.
- Facility administrator/DON/Compliance nurse will keep a log of any medications/items (including cigarette lighters) not allowed found at bedside during champion rounds; any items discovered will be reported to the DON/Administrator at the time of discovery.
- Regional Compliance Nurse in-serviced the DON and administrator on items not allowed; if a resident is found with a cigarette lighter, the item is to be removed from the room.
- Smoke breaks are to be supervised by facility staff assigned to scheduled smoke breaks; residents will not be given a lighter to keep during smoke break; staff will light the cigarette for the resident and return the lighter to the smoking lock box after use.
- A log will be placed in the lock box to verify the count of cigarette lighters at the start and end of the smoke break; facility staff education provided on the new process.
- Facility administrator, director of nursing, or compliance nurse will review the lighter log for discrepancies.
- Staff were given a copy of the new process and verbal checks by DON and compliance nurses are being conducted each shift to verify understanding.
- Regional Compliance Nurse educated the DON/Administrator that this incident and any other incident related to smoking paraphernalia (including cigarette lighters) to be reviewed monthly by the QAPI committee; Area Director of Operations or Regional Compliance Nurse will attend QAPI committee meetings and verify continued compliance.
- Nursing staff education was begun by the Director of Nurses to ask residents returning from being out of facility to smoke if they have cigarette lighters in possession; if found, re-educate and take items or return them to family; incidents to be reported to DON/Admin immediately.
- Facility staff have been given written fact sheets to keep with them during the learning process and verbal questioning is being done of three staff members at least 5 times weekly and PRN.
- Facility completed education/notification in form of an email to all RPs of residents with a list of items not allowed in residents rooms (including cigarette lighters) and the smoking policy; physical copy to be mailed out to resident RPs; for all future residents, list of items not allowed in room will be provided upon admission as part of the admission packet.
- Education/in-service begun for all staff by facility director of nursing to reiterate the policy of items not allowed in residents rooms (including cigarette lighters) and smoking policy, by phone, COVR, and in person; staff will not be able to return to work until education has been provided; signature or acknowledgement of this education will be confirmed by an audit list; monitored for continuous compliance including new hires.
- Facility provided a copy of list of items not allowed (including cigarette lighters) and the smoking policy to residents and kept a signed copy; residents unable to sign confirmed by two witnesses; signed copy scanned into resident's electronic medical record.
- A sign was placed at the front door of the facility with the items not allowed (including cigarette lighters) and the smoking policy for reference and education.
- The physical environment of all residents was observed (closet, nightstands, storage containers) to ensure no cigarette lighters were retained in their room by the facility administrator, director of nurses, and regional compliance nurse.
- MD was notified of IJ F689 Free of Accidents/Hazards/Supervision/Devices.
- All facility staff were educated by the director of nursing that no residents may be left alone on the smoking patio; staff are to light the resident cigarettes and return lighter to the receptacle for safe keeping; facility administrator will review the lighter logs for compliance.
- All in-service education will be completed by new hires at orientation and before assuming duties in the facility; verified by Administrator, Director of Nurses, or Regional Compliance Nurse.
- Facility department heads or weekend manager on duty will conduct champion rounds in every resident room and look for items not allowed per written company guidelines (including cigarette lighters); remove items if identified and report to DON/Administrator; monitoring to start.
- Regional Compliance Nurse will monitor during weekly visits and ask DON and Administrator what items are not allowed in residents room (including cigarette lighters) and what to do if any are identified; will be questioned about the smoking policy and any identified violations; monitoring to continue for at least 8 weeks and PRN thereafter.
- Administrator/DON will assess five resident rooms for posted items not allowed (including cigarette lighters), to ensure residents do not have any items not allowed in room.
- Regional Compliance Nurse will assess for compliance with posted items not allowed (including cigarette lighters) once weekly by verification of completion of facility assigned monitoring and visual verification of five rooms each week; monitoring to continue for at least 8 weeks and PRN thereafter.
Inadequate Infection Control During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by the actions of CNA A and CNA B during incontinence care for Resident #1. Resident #1, a male with a history of Covid-19, gangrene, and bilateral leg amputations, required substantial assistance with activities of daily living and was always incontinent of bowel and bladder. During an observation, CNA A and CNA B did not adhere to proper hand hygiene and glove-changing protocols while providing care. CNA A used visibly soiled wipes multiple times without changing gloves or performing hand hygiene before applying skin protector and handling a clean brief. Similarly, CNA B did not change gloves before assisting with the clean brief, contributing to potential cross-contamination. Interviews with CNA A and CNA B revealed that both had received infection control training but failed to follow the protocols during the observed care. CNA A acknowledged the mistake and attributed it to nervousness, while CNA B recognized the risk of infection due to improper glove use. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed awareness of the infection control concerns and stated that staff were expected to follow standard precautions, including handwashing and glove changes. The facility's infection control plan and perineal care policy outlined the necessary steps for maintaining a safe and sanitary environment, which were not followed in this instance.
Medication Administration Errors in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate pharmaceutical services, resulting in medication administration errors for three residents. Resident #24, a male with a history of stroke and hypertension, received Metoprolol Tartrate despite his blood pressure being below the prescribed threshold. The medication was administered on an evening when his blood pressure was recorded at 98/61, contrary to the order to hold the medication if systolic blood pressure was less than 100 or heart rate was less than 60. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the error, attributing it to potential confusion among nurses due to differing parameters for different residents. Similarly, Resident #69, a female with hypertension, was administered Metoprolol Tartrate on two occasions when her blood pressure readings were below the prescribed threshold of 110 systolic. On 6/10/24 and 6/17/24, her blood pressure readings were 106/67 and 105/60, respectively, yet the medication was given. The DON confirmed these errors, noting that the medication should have been withheld according to the resident's specific parameters. Resident #43, a female with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, was administered short-acting insulin (Novolog) without clear parameters for when to hold the medication. On two occasions, her blood sugar levels were below 90, yet she received the insulin. The DON and a Regional Consultant acknowledged the lack of specific hold parameters for Novolog, which could lead to potential hypoglycemic events. The facility's policy required physician notification for medication errors, but there was no evidence of such communication in these cases.
Failure to Prevent Injury Due to Inadequate Wheelchair Padding
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's environment was free from accident hazards and that adequate supervision and assistance devices were provided to prevent accidents. Specifically, the facility did not properly pad a resident's wheelchair, which led to injuries on the resident's legs. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and required substantial assistance for activities of daily living, was at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Despite these risks, the care plan did not address the potential for injury from the wheelchair. Observations revealed that the resident had an open wound on her left calf, which was covered with saturated steri-strips, and another scabbed area below it. The Director of Nursing (DON) was unaware of these wounds until informed by the state surveyor. The Treatment Nurse, who was responsible for weekly skin assessments, was also unaware of the wounds and had not documented them. The nurse suggested that the injuries might have occurred during a transfer to or from the wheelchair, which had been wrapped with sheepskin to prevent such injuries. Interviews with the DON and the Treatment Nurse indicated a lack of communication and documentation regarding the resident's skin condition. The DON admitted that no investigation into the cause of the wounds had been conducted until the surveyor's discovery. The facility's policy required skin assessments for new admissions and residents returning from hospital stays, but there was no documentation of the wounds in the resident's records, including shower sheets and nurse's notes. The lack of documentation and communication contributed to the oversight of the resident's injuries.
Infection Control Breach During Incontinent Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by the actions of CNA A during the provision of incontinent care to Resident #79. Resident #79, who was admitted with diagnoses of muscle weakness and reduced mobility, was observed to have bladder incontinence and required regular incontinent care. During the care process, CNA A did not adhere to proper hand hygiene and glove-changing protocols, which are critical to preventing cross-contamination and infection spread. CNA A initially washed his hands and donned gloves before starting the care. However, after wiping the resident's vaginal area and noticing the bed sheets were wet with urine, CNA A removed his gloves and left the room to get clean sheets. Upon returning, he put on a new pair of gloves without washing or sanitizing his hands. He continued with the care, applying skin protection ointment and assisting the resident with dressing and transferring to a wheelchair, all without changing gloves or performing hand hygiene. Interviews with CNA A, the DON, and the Administrator revealed an acknowledgment of the failure to follow proper infection control procedures. CNA A admitted to not washing or sanitizing his hands and not changing gloves at appropriate times, which could lead to cross-contamination. The DON and Administrator confirmed that the expected protocol was not followed, attributing the lapse to possible nervousness on the part of CNA A. The facility's policies on perineal care and infection control emphasize the importance of hand hygiene and glove changes, which were not adhered to 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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