Copperas Hollow Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Caldwell, Texas.
- Location
- 345 Country Club Dr, Caldwell, Texas 77836
- CMS Provider Number
- 676227
- Inspections on file
- 43
- Latest survey
- November 19, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 4
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Copperas Hollow Nursing & Rehabilitation Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with advanced dementia and under hospice care was ordered IV fluids due to clinical alerts. Facility staff attempted to start the IV without notifying the resident's family or hospice, and did not document the attempts or the order. The family discovered the IV order after noticing a bruise on the resident's arm, and confirmed that hospice had not been informed. Facility policy required immediate notification and documentation, which was not followed in this case.
A resident with a history of cognitive impairment and chronic prostate cancer was readmitted after hospitalization for sepsis and prescribed oral Ciprofloxacin, but staff failed to transcribe and administer the antibiotic as ordered. Medical records and staff interviews confirmed the omission, and the resident was later transferred back to the hospital with severe sepsis, where it was determined the antibiotic had not been given.
A resident with multiple chronic conditions did not have required documentation for several prescribed medications on the evening medication schedule. The nurse responsible stated the medications were administered and documented, but the MAR showed missing entries, which the nurse attributed to a possible system glitch. Facility policy requires all medication administration to be recorded, and staff interviews confirmed the documentation was incomplete.
A resident with dementia and mood disturbance did not receive necessary psychological services as ordered by the facility's medical director. Despite exhibiting hallucinations and paranoia, the facility failed to refer the resident to psychological services, leading to an Immediate Jeopardy situation. Interviews revealed that the facility staff did not take appropriate action to address the resident's mental health needs.
A facility failed to document an incident accurately where a resident was reportedly slapped by another resident. The incident was not reflected in the resident's progress notes or assessments, and no skin assessments were conducted. An investigation revealed that the resident was not actually slapped, and the resident did not recall the event. The facility's documentation policy was not followed, resulting in a deficiency.
A facility failed to monitor a resident's edema as ordered by a physician, which was not reflected in the treatment administration record due to an error in entering the order into the computer system. The resident, with multiple health conditions including heart failure, was supposed to have edema monitored every shift. Staff interviews revealed that the charge nurse was responsible for entering orders, and the ADON usually monitored new orders, but the oversight led to a lack of monitoring, potentially risking the resident's quality of care.
The facility's kitchen operations were found deficient due to improper food storage, including expired items and dented cans, and inadequate cleaning of equipment. Refrigerated food past its use-by date was not discarded, and dented cans were improperly stored. The industrial can opener was not cleaned as required, posing a risk of cross-contamination. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of policies, but practices were not consistently followed.
The facility failed to maintain a homelike environment in two rooms, where unpainted and damaged walls were observed. The Maintenance Director was unaware of the issues, and the Administrator expected such issues to be addressed, as per the facility's policy on maintaining a safe and comfortable environment.
Two residents with severe cognitive impairments and other health issues were found with long, untrimmed fingernails, posing risks for skin breakdown and infection. Despite being dependent on staff for personal hygiene, their nails were not adequately maintained, contrary to the facility's nail care policy.
A facility failed to provide trauma-informed care for a resident with PTSD, as her care plan did not include her PTSD diagnosis or identify potential triggers. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and implementation of trauma-informed practices, despite the facility's policy requiring such measures. This oversight could lead to re-traumatization and psychological distress for the resident.
A CNA failed to follow standard precautions during peri care for a resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple health issues. The CNA did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene after cleaning feces, before handling the resident's foley catheter and linens. The facility's infection control policy, which emphasizes hand hygiene, was not adhered to.
Failure to Notify Family and Hospice of IV Fluid Order Prior to Attempted Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to immediately inform a resident's family and hospice provider of a new order for IV fluids before attempting to initiate the treatment. The resident in question was an elderly female with diagnoses including Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, and generalized anxiety disorder, who was unable to complete cognitive interviews and had significant memory deficits. She was under hospice care with a valid DNR order and a care plan that required family involvement and coordination with hospice for any changes in condition or treatment. A physician ordered IV fluids for the resident due to clinical alerts such as decreased oral intake and possible dehydration. The ADON attempted to start the IV on two occasions but was unsuccessful, resulting in a blown vein. There was no documentation of these attempts or of any notification to the resident's family or hospice prior to the procedure. The family only became aware of the IV order after noticing a bruise on the resident's arm during a visit, and subsequently learned that hospice had not been notified either. Interviews with facility staff confirmed that the family and hospice were not informed before the IV was attempted, and that documentation of the order and the attempts to start the IV was lacking. Facility policy required immediate notification of significant changes in status to both the physician and the resident's representative, as well as thorough documentation of all notifications and interventions. These procedures were not followed in this instance, resulting in a failure to uphold the resident's rights to be informed and involved in care decisions.
Failure to Administer Prescribed Antibiotic Following Hospital Readmission
Penalty
Summary
A significant medication error occurred when a male resident with a history of mild cognitive impairment, generalized muscle weakness, type 2 diabetes, and chronic prostate cancer was readmitted to the facility following a hospital stay for sepsis related to a prostate infection. Upon discharge from the hospital, the resident was prescribed Ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally twice daily for four weeks to treat the prostate infection. The hospital discharge orders, which included this antibiotic regimen, were provided to the facility upon the resident's return. Despite the clear hospital orders, facility staff failed to transcribe and initiate the antibiotic therapy. Review of the resident's medical record, Medication Administration Record (MAR), and order summary revealed no documentation of the Ciprofloxacin order or its administration during the resident's stay from readmission until his subsequent transfer back to the hospital. Multiple nursing progress notes and interviews with staff confirmed that no interventions or treatments, including the prescribed antibiotic, were documented or provided during this period. Staff interviews indicated a lack of clarity and recall regarding the review and implementation of the hospital discharge orders, and the DON did not oversee or in-service staff on the admission/readmission and medication order process during the relevant timeframe. The resident's condition did not improve, and family members requested his transfer back to the hospital, where he was again diagnosed with severe sepsis. Hospital records confirmed that the resident had not received his prescribed antibiotics during his stay at the facility, and this omission was acknowledged by facility staff. The failure to administer the ordered antibiotic was directly linked to the lack of order transcription and follow-through on hospital discharge instructions, as well as insufficient oversight and communication among nursing staff and leadership.
Failure to Document Medication Administration in Resident Medical Record
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain complete and accurate medical records for a resident with multiple chronic conditions, including dementia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and congestive heart failure. On a specific date, the Medication Administration Record (MAR) for this resident showed missing documentation for several prescribed medications, including Atorvastatin, Donepezil, Apixaban, Carvedilol, Oxybutynin, Sacubitril-Valsartan, and Mirtazapine, all of which were to be administered via PEG-tube. The absence of documentation was noted for the evening medication schedule, despite physician orders requiring these medications. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the nurse responsible for medication administration revealed conflicting accounts. The nurse stated she administered and documented the medications, attributing the missing records to a possible system glitch in the electronic medical record (PCC). However, the DON confirmed that the nurse admitted to forgetting to document the administration initially, and later claimed to have completed the documentation. The facility's policy requires all medication administration or refusals to be documented in the MAR or TAR, with no blanks permitted. Further review of the facility's policies and additional staff interviews confirmed that all medication administration must be recorded, and that failure to do so could result in miscommunication or medication errors. The resident involved was unable to recall whether the medications were received, and no changes in condition were observed following the incident. The deficiency was identified through review of records and staff interviews, which confirmed the lack of required documentation for medication administration.
Failure to Provide Psychological Services for Resident with Mental Disorder
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate treatment and services to a resident diagnosed with a mental disorder and psychosocial adjustment difficulty. The resident, who had a history of trauma and was diagnosed with dementia with mood disturbance, did not receive the necessary psychological services as ordered by the medical director. Despite the physician's order for psychological evaluation and treatment, the resident was discharged to a behavioral health hospital without receiving the required mental health interventions. The resident exhibited several concerning behaviors, including hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions, which were documented in the facility's records. These behaviors included the resident's belief that someone was taking pictures of her at night and her insistence on using a fork for protection. Despite these documented behaviors and the physician's order for psychological services, the facility did not make the necessary referral to the psychological service group employed by the facility. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of action in addressing the resident's mental health needs. The Director of Nursing (DON) and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) were unaware of any referral being made for the resident's psychological services, and the psychological service group confirmed they had not received a referral. This inaction led to the identification of an Immediate Jeopardy situation, highlighting the facility's failure to ensure the resident's mental and psychosocial well-being.
Removal Plan
- The DON/ADON audited all psychology and psychiatry orders for active residents. Two residents were identified, and both are actively receiving psychiatric services. The facility has 11 total residents on psych services and 2 of those were referred to psych services.
- The Administrator and DON will be responsible for initiating all psychological and psychiatry referrals to the provider.
- The Administrator DON, and ADON were in serviced 1:1 by the Regional Compliance Nurse on the following topics: Abuse and Neglect Policy, Behavioral Management Policy, Following Physician Orders Policy.
- An ADHOC QAPI meeting was completed with interdisciplinary team which included the Medical Director, Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Assistant Director of Nursing to discuss the citations and plan of removal.
- The Administrator and DON initiated the following in-services for Licensed Nurses. Licensed Nurses not present and PRNs will be in-serviced prior to their next shift. All new hires will be in-serviced during facility orientation. All agency staff will be in-serviced prior to their assigned shift.
- The Administrator and DON initiated the following in-services for all staff. All staff not present, and PRNs will be in-serviced prior to their next shift. All new hires will be in-serviced during facility orientation. All agency staff will be in-serviced prior to their assigned shift.
- The administrator and/or DON will review all orders daily for any orders in reference to psychological and psychiatry services to ensure that all referrals have been initiated.
Failure to Document Resident Incident Accurately
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate documentation of medical records for a resident who was reportedly slapped by another resident. The incident was self-reported by the facility, but the resident's progress notes and assessments did not reflect this event. The resident, a male with Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and major depressive disorder, was reported to have been slapped in the mouth by another resident. However, there were no entries in the resident's care plan or nursing progress notes regarding the incident, and no skin assessments were conducted on the date of the reported event. Upon investigation by the area director of operations, it was discovered that the incident was not accurately documented, and staff later reported that the resident was not actually slapped, but rather another resident attempted to slap him and missed. The resident himself did not recall being hit when interviewed six months after the incident. The facility's policy on documentation emphasizes the importance of recording all relevant information accurately and in a timely manner, but this was not adhered to in this case, leading to a deficiency in maintaining accurate clinical records.
Failure to Monitor Edema as Ordered
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident received treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice and the comprehensive person-centered care plan. Specifically, the facility did not follow the physician's orders and the comprehensive care plan to monitor the resident for edema. The resident, a female with multiple diagnoses including heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes, was supposed to have her edema monitored every shift as per a physician's order dated July 1, 2024. However, the medication and treatment administration records for July 2024 showed no evidence of edema monitoring each shift. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the order to monitor edema was not correctly entered into the computer system, resulting in its absence from the treatment administration record. The Registered Nurse (REGN) and the Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the oversight, noting that the charge nurse was responsible for entering and initiating physician orders, and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) usually monitored new orders. The Administrator (ADM) confirmed that physician orders needed to be accurately transcribed into the computer system. This failure to monitor edema as ordered could place residents at risk for untreated medical issues and diminished quality of care.
Sanitation Deficiencies in Kitchen Operations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain sanitary conditions in its kitchen, as observed during a survey. Refrigerated food products were found to be past their use-by dates, including croissants, strawberry yogurts, hot dogs, hard-boiled eggs, and black olives. These items were not discarded as required by the facility's policy, which mandates that food past its use-by date should be immediately discarded. The Dietary Supervisor (DS) acknowledged the oversight and stated that all kitchen staff are responsible for checking dates and discarding expired items. Additionally, the facility's dry storage area contained dented cans, including enchilada red salsa, cream of chicken, and spaghetti sauce. The DS stated that dented cans should be refused at delivery or removed from storage to prevent potential bacterial growth. Despite a posted notice instructing staff to return dented cans to the dietary manager's office, these items were found on the shelves, indicating a failure to adhere to the facility's procedures. The industrial can opener in the kitchen was observed to have a sticky black substance and debris around the blade, suggesting it had not been cleaned as required. The DS stated that the can opener should be cleaned daily or after each use to prevent cross-contamination. Interviews with kitchen staff confirmed that they were aware of the policies regarding food storage, labeling, and equipment cleaning, but these practices were not consistently followed, leading to potential risks of cross-contamination and foodborne illness for residents.
Failure to Maintain Homelike Environment Due to Unpainted Walls
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a homelike environment in two of the fourteen rooms reviewed, as evidenced by unpainted and damaged walls. In one room, four sections of sheetrock were repaired but left unpainted, creating a stark contrast with the brown-toned walls. In another room, two sections of sheetrock were missing paint, making the unpainted areas noticeable against the rest of the wall. These observations were made during a survey, highlighting the facility's failure to provide necessary maintenance services to ensure a comfortable and homelike environment for residents. Interviews with the Maintenance Director and the Administrator revealed that the Maintenance Director was unaware of the issues in the rooms and had not been notified of the need for painting. He acknowledged that the walls should be painted to match and that residents' rooms should be maintained in a homelike manner. The Administrator also expressed that she expected damaged or unpainted walls to be fixed and painted, aligning with the facility's policy on maintaining a safe, clean, and comfortable environment. The facility's Resident Rights policy emphasizes the importance of treating residents with respect and dignity, which includes maintaining a homelike environment.
Deficient Nail Care for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure adequate grooming and personal hygiene for two residents, leading to a deficiency in care. Resident #6, a male with severe cognitive impairment, parkinsonism, dementia, and hemiplegia, was observed with long fingernails that had caused indentations on his palm, posing a risk for skin breakdown. Despite being dependent on staff for personal hygiene, his nails were not trimmed promptly, as observed over two consecutive days. Similarly, Resident #8, a male with severe cognitive impairment, dementia, and other health issues, was found with long fingernails and a brown substance underneath them. This resident required substantial assistance with functional abilities and had a history of behaviors that could compromise skin integrity. The facility's policy on nail care was not adhered to, as the resident's nails remained untrimmed and uncleaned, despite the potential for infection and injury.
Failure to Provide Trauma-Informed Care for Resident with PTSD
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent care for a resident diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The resident, a female with a history of childhood trauma and PTSD, was not care planned for her PTSD diagnosis, and potential triggers were not identified or addressed in her care plan. This oversight was discovered during a review of the resident's comprehensive care plan, which included diagnoses of major depressive disorder and severe mental illness but omitted any mention of PTSD or related interventions. Interviews with facility staff, including the MDS Nurse, Director of Nursing (DON), and Social Worker (SW), revealed a lack of awareness and implementation of trauma-informed care practices. The MDS Nurse acknowledged the importance of care planning for PTSD and identifying triggers to prevent re-traumatization but admitted that the resident's care plan did not include these elements. The DON and SW also confirmed the absence of PTSD care planning and emphasized the necessity of addressing such diagnoses to ensure proper care and prevent psychological distress. The facility's Trauma-Informed Care Policy outlines the need for identifying triggers and developing individualized interventions for trauma survivors. However, the policy was not effectively implemented for the resident in question. The failure to incorporate PTSD care planning and trigger identification into the resident's care plan could lead to re-traumatization and psychological distress, as staff may not be adequately informed or prepared to address the resident's specific needs.
Infection Control Breach During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection control program, as evidenced by an incident involving a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who did not adhere to standard precautions during peri care for a resident. The resident, a male with severe cognitive impairment and multiple health issues including urinary tract infection, acute kidney failure, morbid obesity, and dementia, required substantial assistance with daily activities. During an observation, the CNA was seen cleaning the resident after a bowel movement but did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene before proceeding to handle the resident's foley catheter and linens. The CNA admitted feeling unprepared and acknowledged the lack of glove change due to not seeing any available gloves in the room. The Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator both stated that staff are regularly trained on infection control practices, including hand hygiene, and are expected to follow these protocols. The facility's infection control policy emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene when moving from contaminated to clean body sites, which was not followed 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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