Cimarron Place Health & Rehabilitation Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Corpus Christi, Texas.
- Location
- 3801 Cimarron, Corpus Christi, Texas 78414
- CMS Provider Number
- 676087
- Inspections on file
- 31
- Latest survey
- February 6, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 9
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Cimarron Place Health & Rehabilitation Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Surveyors found a 300 Hall nurse med-cart parked at the nurses' station with the lock popped and all drawers except the narcotic drawer accessible, while no staff were present and multiple residents were nearby. An unlabeled and undated tube of Permethrin cream was also found in the cart, contrary to the facility’s medication storage policy requiring proper labeling and locked compartments when not in use. The LVN responsible for the cart admitted she had walked away without locking it, and both the ADON and DON stated that nurses were responsible for checking carts each shift for unlabeled medications and for keeping med-carts locked, consistent with facility policy.
A resident's prescribed narcotic pain medication was diverted and sold by an LVN to another LVN for personal use, after the medication and its count sheet went missing. The incident was discovered when a nurse could not locate the medication during a pain request, leading to an internal investigation and suspension of the involved staff. Required procedures for narcotic counts and documentation were not followed, resulting in the misappropriation.
A resident did not receive safe and appropriate administration of IV fluids when needed, as the facility failed to follow required protocols for IV fluid administration.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and a history of multiple recent falls was found without required fall mats on both sides of the bed, as specified in the care plan. Staff interviews revealed inconsistent understanding and implementation of fall prevention responsibilities, and documentation showed no current physician order or recent fall risk assessment for the resident.
A resident experienced a significant medication error due to a failure in the medication administration process. The report does not provide further details about the circumstances or the resident's condition at the time.
A medication cart was found unlocked and unattended near the nurse's station, with multiple medications in bulk bottles and blister packs easily accessible. An RN responsible for the cart admitted to forgetting to lock it after retrieving items and going to chart, despite regular in-servicing and oversight by the DON. Facility policy requires all medication storage compartments to be locked when not in use, but this protocol was not followed.
A resident with severe dementia and a newly signed OOH DNR order did not have their care plan updated to reflect the change in code status. Despite the DNR order being properly signed and entered into the chart, the care plan continued to indicate that CPR should be performed, and interventions were not revised. Staff interviews confirmed that the care plan should have been updated to match the resident's current wishes, but this did not occur.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions exhibited ongoing behaviors such as yelling, banging, and throwing items, and was at risk for falls, requiring a fall mat. However, the care plan did not address these behaviors or the use of the fall mat, despite staff awareness and facility policy requiring such interventions to be documented and updated as resident needs changed.
A resident with multiple complex diagnoses was sent to the hospital for a CT scan, but staff failed to document the transfer or the physician's order in the medical record. The LPN responsible did not enter a progress note or order, and the DON confirmed that no documentation was made for the verbal order or the transfer, contrary to facility policy requiring immediate recording of such events. The administrator recognized the importance of this documentation for continuity of care.
A resident did not receive the correct dose of Pramipexole as prescribed, due to a medication aide administering only 1 tablet instead of the prescribed 2 tablets. This failure to follow the facility's medication administration policy was observed and confirmed through record review and staff interviews.
A medication aide left a medication cart unlocked and unattended while administering medication to a resident, violating the facility's policy on medication storage. The Administrator, ADON, and DON confirmed that medication carts should always be locked to prevent unauthorized access and ensure resident safety.
The facility failed to maintain proper food storage practices in the nutrition room, specifically regarding the freezer. The freezer lacked a thermometer and a temperature log, and it was not monitored daily as required. Interviews revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to regulations mandating the maintenance and monitoring of temperature-controlled equipment.
A facility failed to maintain an effective infection control program, as a nurse did not perform proper hand hygiene and exposed a resident's wound to an unclean surface during care. The resident had multiple stage 3 pressure ulcers, and the nurse's actions could lead to cross-contamination and infection. Interviews confirmed the importance of proper hand hygiene and preventing cross-contamination, highlighting deficiencies in adherence to facility policies.
The facility failed to ensure proper disposal of garbage and refuse, specifically regarding two grease barrels with ill-fitting, rusted, and bent lids and lock rings. Interviews confirmed the difficulty in securing the lock rings due to their condition, and the facility's policy mandates that all garbage containers must have tight-fitting lids. This failure could place residents at risk of infection from improperly disposed garbage.
Unlocked Medication Cart and Unlabeled Medication on 300 Hall
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to medication labeling and storage on the 300 Hall nurse medication cart. During an observation at the nurses' station, the 300 Hall med-cart was found parked and unlocked, with the cart lock popped out and all drawers accessible except the narcotic drawer. There were no staff present at the cart, and multiple residents were seated in the nearby open area. Additionally, an unlabeled and undated tube of Permethrin cream, a topical medication used to treat scabies, was found in the cart. The facility’s Storage of Medications policy stated that drugs and biologicals must be stored in their original packaging, containers with proper labels, and that drug containers with missing or improper labels must be returned to the pharmacy for proper labeling. The policy also required all compartments containing drugs and biologicals, including carts, to be locked when not in use. In an interview, the LVN assigned to the 300 Hall med-cart acknowledged that the cart belonged to her and admitted she had not realized it was unlocked when she walked away briefly to get something. She stated she knew she was not supposed to leave the cart unlocked when away from it. The ADON reported that it was the responsibility of the nurse using the cart to check each shift for expired or unlabeled medications and confirmed that nurses were expected to lock their med-carts when they walked away. The DON similarly stated that nurses knew not to leave medication carts unlocked and that they had been in-serviced previously on locking carts and checking for expired or unlabeled medications. Despite these expectations and prior in-servicing, the cart was left unlocked and contained an unlabeled medication, in direct conflict with the facility’s written policy and accepted professional standards for medication storage and labeling.
Misappropriation of Resident Narcotics by Nursing Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident's right to be free from misappropriation of property, specifically regarding the diversion of 23 Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 10 mg tablets. The incident involved two LVNs, where one LVN diverted and sold the resident's prescribed narcotic medication to another LVN for personal use. The misappropriation was discovered when a nurse was unable to locate the resident's pain medication or the associated count sheet after the resident requested her PRN pain medication. The nurse then medicated the resident from the facility's emergency supply and reported the missing medication to facility leadership. The resident involved was an older adult admitted for a left hip device dislocation, with a history of pain requiring opioid medication, frequent incontinence, and moderate to substantial assistance needed for daily activities. The resident's care plan included interventions to manage pain and monitor for complications related to her surgical wound. Despite these interventions, the resident's prescribed pain medication was diverted, and the medication count and documentation were not properly maintained, leading to the discovery of the missing narcotics. Interviews and record reviews revealed that the two LVNs involved were suspended after drug testing and internal investigation. One LVN admitted to stealing the narcotics, while the other admitted to purchasing them for personal use. The facility's policies required end-of-shift narcotic counts and proper documentation, but these procedures were not followed, resulting in the misappropriation of the resident's medication.
Failure to Ensure Safe IV Fluid Administration
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified regarding the administration of IV fluids to a resident. The facility failed to ensure the safe and appropriate administration of IV fluids when needed for a resident. This indicates that the necessary protocols or procedures for IV fluid administration were not followed or implemented at the time the resident required this intervention.
Failure to Ensure Fall Prevention Interventions for High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a resident environment free from accident hazards and did not provide adequate supervision and assistance devices as required by the resident's care plan. Specifically, on 06/24/2025, a resident with severe cognitive impairment, left-sided weakness, and a history of multiple recent falls was observed without a floor mat on both sides of the bed, as indicated in the comprehensive care plan. The care plan, initiated on 03/27/2025, required fall mats at the bedside due to the resident's high risk for falls. Despite this, only one mat was present during the survey observation, and there was no current physician order for fall mats or a recent fall risk assessment documented prior to the survey. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and inconsistent understanding of responsibilities regarding fall mat placement. A CNA who had recently started employment was unaware that a mat was missing, and another CNA stated that all staff were responsible for ensuring mats were in place, but ultimately the charge nurse was accountable. The ADON confirmed that nurses were responsible for correct mat placement and that all staff should check for mats when entering the room. Training on fall prevention varied among staff, with some having received it only at hiring or within the past month. The facility's Fall Prevention Program Policy required staff and physicians to identify and implement interventions to prevent falls, but these were not consistently followed for this resident.
Significant Medication Error Occurred
Penalty
Summary
Residents were not ensured to be free from significant medication errors. The report identifies that there was at least one instance where a resident experienced a significant medication error, indicating a failure in the medication administration process. Specific details regarding the actions or inactions that led to the error, as well as information about the resident's medical history or condition at the time, are not provided in the report.
Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
A medication cart located by the nurse's station was found unlocked and unattended during an observation. The surveyor was able to open the top drawer and noted that multiple medications in bulk bottles and blister packs were easily accessible. The registered nurse (RN) responsible for the cart was sitting behind the nurse's station and acknowledged responsibility for the unlocked cart. The RN stated that the cart should be locked at all times to prevent unauthorized access but admitted to forgetting to lock it after retrieving items and then going to chart at the nurse's station. Interviews with the RN and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that staff are regularly in-serviced on the requirement to keep medication carts locked when not in use, and that the DON makes frequent rounds to ensure compliance. A review of the facility's Storage of Medications policy also reflected the requirement for all compartments containing drugs and biologicals to be locked when not in use. Despite these policies and procedures, the medication cart was left unlocked and unattended, making medications accessible to unauthorized individuals.
Failure to Update Care Plan with DNR Status
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive, person-centered care plan that included measurable objectives and timeframes to meet the needs of a resident. Specifically, after an Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate (OOH DNR) order was signed by all appropriate parties, the resident's care plan was not updated to reflect the new DNR code status. The care plan continued to indicate that the resident wished to have CPR performed, and the interventions listed were not revised to align with the updated DNR order. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the care plan should have been updated to reflect the resident's current code status, and that failure to do so could result in care that does not align with the resident's wishes. The resident involved was an elderly female with a diagnosis of unspecified dementia and a severely impaired BIMS score of 0. She was ultimately discharged due to death. Record reviews showed that the DNR order was properly signed and entered into the resident's chart, but the care plan was not updated accordingly. Staff interviews revealed that updating the care plan with the correct code status was a shared responsibility among the social worker, MDS nurse, and nursing staff, but in this instance, the update did not occur. The facility's policy required that the care plan reflect the resident's expressed wishes regarding care and treatment goals, which was not followed in this case.
Failure to Develop and Implement Comprehensive Care Plan for Resident with Behavioral and Fall Risks
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive, person-centered care plan for a resident with multiple complex medical conditions, including traumatic subdural hemorrhage, hemiplegia, muscle wasting, unsteadiness, cognitive communication deficit, type 2 diabetes, unspecified dementia, cerebral infarction, and chronic kidney disease. Despite documentation and staff interviews confirming the resident exhibited behaviors such as yelling, banging on the bed or table, throwing items, and removing her brief since admission, these behaviors were not included in the resident's care plan. The care plan also omitted the use of a fall mat, which was in place due to the resident's history of falls and risk factors, even though the fall mat was used as an intervention during her stay. Interviews with facility staff, including the MDS nurse and DON, confirmed awareness of the resident's behaviors and the use of a fall mat, but these interventions were not documented in the care plan. The facility's policy requires that care plans incorporate identified problem areas, risk factors, and interventions, and be updated as resident conditions change. The omission of both behavioral interventions and the fall mat from the care plan represents a failure to ensure that all of the resident's needs were addressed through measurable objectives and timetables as required by facility policy.
Failure to Document Hospital Transfer and Physician Order for CT Scan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain complete and accurate medical records for a resident who was sent to the hospital for a CT scan. Specifically, there was no documentation in the resident's medical record regarding the transfer to the hospital for the CT scan, nor was there a physician's order for the procedure recorded. The resident in question had a complex medical history, including traumatic subdural hemorrhage, hemiplegia, muscle wasting, unsteadiness, cognitive communication deficit, type 2 diabetes, unspecified dementia, cerebral infarction, and chronic kidney disease. The resident also had severe cognitive impairment as indicated by a BIMS score of 7. Interviews with staff revealed that the nurse responsible for the resident's care on the day of the transfer did not document a progress note about the CT scan or the transport, citing workload and the need to cover two halls. The previous nurse had left due to a personal emergency and had not documented either. The DON confirmed that the CT scan was ordered verbally by the physician and communicated to the hospital staff, but no order was entered into the resident's chart. The DON also stated that it was not their practice to document such orders or progress notes for in-and-out procedures, and that documentation was typically only completed when the resident returned from the hospital, which did not occur in this case. Facility policies reviewed indicated that verbal orders must be recorded immediately in the resident's chart and that all services provided, as well as changes in the resident's condition, should be documented to facilitate communication among the care team. The administrator acknowledged that documentation of the order and the resident's transfer was necessary for continuity of care and to ensure follow-up on test results, but this was not done in this instance.
Failure to Administer Correct Medication Dose
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to administer the correct dose of Pramipexole to a resident, leading to a deficiency in pharmaceutical services. Specifically, a medication aide (MA) administered only 1 tablet of Pramipexole 0.125mg instead of the prescribed 2 tablets (0.25mg) to a resident with diagnoses including atrial fibrillation, chronic pain syndrome, restless leg syndrome, and end-stage renal disease. The resident's comprehensive MDS indicated no cognitive impairment, with a BIMS score of 15. The error was observed during a medication administration session and confirmed through record review and interviews with the MA, DON, and ADON. The facility's policy on administering medications, which requires checking the label three times to verify the correct resident, medication, dosage, time, and route, was not followed. Interviews with the MA, DON, and ADON highlighted the potential risks of administering incorrect medication doses, including the lack of therapeutic benefits and possible adverse reactions. The facility's failure to adhere to its medication administration policy resulted in the resident not receiving the prescribed dose of Pramipexole, which could impact the resident's treatment for Parkinson's disease.
Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments under proper temperature controls and permitted only authorized personnel to have access to the keys. During a medication administration observation, a medication aide (MA B) left the 500 Hall medication cart unlocked and unattended while entering a resident's room to administer medication. Although there were no residents in the hallway at the time, this action violated the facility's policy on medication storage and posed a risk of unauthorized access to medications. In interviews, MA B acknowledged the mistake, stating that she became nervous and forgot to lock the cart. The Administrator, Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON A), and Director of Nursing (DON) all confirmed that medication carts should be locked at all times when not in use to prevent drug diversion and ensure resident safety. The facility's policy on the storage of medications, dated April 2007, also mandates that compartments containing drugs and biologicals must be locked when not in use and should not be left unattended if open or otherwise potentially available to others.
Failure to Maintain Proper Food Storage Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper food storage practices in the nutrition room, specifically regarding the freezer. During an observation, it was noted that the freezer did not have a thermometer, and there was no temperature log for monitoring. Interviews with the LVN and DON revealed that the night shift was responsible for logging freezer temperatures, but no log was found. The DON acknowledged the absence of a thermometer and a freezer log, and admitted that the freezer was not being used, but also recognized that a malfunction in the freezer could affect the refrigerator. The RDM confirmed that the nursing staff was responsible for checking and logging temperatures, but admitted that the freezer had not been monitored daily as required. Further interviews with the ADM revealed a lack of awareness regarding the regulation that mandates the maintenance and monitoring of all temperature-controlled equipment. The facility's policy on food receiving and storage, which requires the monitoring of refrigeration and food temperatures at designated intervals, was not being followed. This lapse in protocol could potentially lead to foodborne illnesses among residents due to improper food storage conditions.
Inadequate Hand Hygiene and Wound Care Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by the actions of the Wound Care Nurse during the care of a resident with multiple stage 3 pressure ulcers. The nurse did not perform hand hygiene for the recommended 20 seconds or greater on multiple occasions, with handwashing times ranging from 5 to 15 seconds. Additionally, the nurse exposed the resident's wound to an unclean surface, which could lead to cross-contamination and infection. These actions were observed during the wound care process for the resident's left lateral heel, left lateral calf, and right lateral foot wounds. The resident involved was an elderly male with a history of cerebral ischemia, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. The resident had multiple stage 3 pressure ulcers with specific treatment orders for each wound. During the wound care observation, the nurse failed to adhere to proper hand hygiene protocols and allowed the resident's wound to come into contact with the mattress, which was not cleaned. The nurse admitted to being nervous and miscounting the handwashing duration, despite recent in-service training on hand hygiene. Interviews with the Wound Care Nurse, Administrator, ADON, and DON confirmed the importance of proper hand hygiene and preventing cross-contamination during wound care. The facility's policies on hand hygiene and infection control emphasize the need for thorough handwashing and maintaining a safe, sanitary environment to prevent the spread of infections. However, the observed deficiencies in hand hygiene practices and wound care procedures indicate a failure to adhere to these policies, potentially putting residents at risk for healthcare-associated infections.
Improper Disposal of Grease Barrels
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper disposal of garbage and refuse, specifically regarding two grease barrels. Observations revealed that the barrels were partially full, with ill-fitting, rusted, and bent lids. The lock rings, which are supposed to secure the lids, were found on the ground near the barrels and were also bent and rusted. Interviews with the RDM, MS, and ADM confirmed that there was no regulation in place for the oil barrel rings, and the difficulty in securing the lock rings due to their condition was acknowledged. The ADM stated that the lids and lock rings were very hard to place on the barrels because they were bent and rusted, and she was in the process of having them replaced. The facility's policy on food-related garbage and rubbish, revised in December 2008, mandates that all garbage and rubbish containers must have tight-fitting lids or covers and must be kept covered when stored or not in continuous use. The failure to adhere to this policy could place residents at risk of infection from improperly disposed garbage. The MS admitted that the lock rings were supposed to be on the barrels at all times except when pouring old grease into them, and acknowledged the environmental hazard posed by the potential spillage of grease, which could attract rodents and cause cross-contamination.
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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