Cypress Springs Wellness & Rehabilitation
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Mount Vernon, Texas.
- Location
- 501 Yates Street, Mount Vernon, Texas 75457
- CMS Provider Number
- 676477
- Inspections on file
- 20
- Latest survey
- June 11, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Cypress Springs Wellness & Rehabilitation during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility did not obtain ordered laboratory tests for three residents, including missed CMP, CBC, and urinalysis collections, despite physician orders and care plan requirements. Staff interviews revealed confusion about active lab orders after a change in medical directors and inconsistent communication and follow-up regarding outstanding lab collections.
A resident with a seizure disorder had a lab result showing an elevated Keppra level, which was above the therapeutic range. The medical director questioned the current Keppra dosage, but nursing staff did not respond or document any follow-up. The resident continued to receive the medication as ordered, and the facility's required process for addressing high medication levels was not followed.
A resident with hemiplegia and dementia did not have a comprehensive admission MDS assessment completed within the required 14-day timeframe. The assessment was signed 8 days late due to coordination issues between the MDS Coordinator, who was not an RN and worked at multiple sites, and the DON, who was unaware of the required deadlines and unable to sign assessments daily.
Surveyors identified that two residents did not have complete, up-to-date care plans reflecting their assessed needs. One resident's care plan required a fall mat to be in place while in bed, but observations showed the mat was not used as directed, and there was no documentation explaining its absence. Another resident was prescribed an antidepressant, but this was not included in the care plan, contrary to facility policy. These omissions were confirmed by staff interviews and record reviews.
A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions was found to have a bottle of meyer's cleaner left on his bedside table, brought in by a family member. Staff and administration acknowledged that hazardous items should not be present in resident rooms, but the facility lacked a policy addressing this issue. The cleaner remained in the room over multiple days, and staff did not remove it, creating a risk for injury.
Two residents were found with medications and biologicals left unsecured at their bedsides, including wound cleanser, non-prescribed powder, and artificial tears, despite facility policy requiring locked storage and staff administration. Neither resident had been assessed for self-administration, and staff were unclear about authorization, resulting in medications being accessible in resident rooms.
The facility did not obtain or maintain the most recent hospice plan of care and nursing visit notes for a resident with multiple medical conditions receiving hospice services. Required hospice documentation was not delivered to the facility as expected, resulting in outdated records and a lack of coordination between facility staff and hospice representatives.
Two residents did not receive care in accordance with infection control protocols: a nurse failed to wear required PPE during wound care for a resident with a Foley catheter, and a CNA did not perform hand hygiene between glove changes during incontinent care for another resident. Both staff members acknowledged the lapses, and facility leadership confirmed these actions were not consistent with policy.
A resident alleged rough handling and verbal mistreatment by a CNA during care, which was witnessed by another CNA who did not report the incident promptly. The DON and ADON were notified of the allegation via text but did not inform the abuse coordinator, allowing the alleged perpetrator to continue working. Additionally, several CNAs had not received required abuse training before providing care, as confirmed by personnel records and staff interviews.
A resident with rheumatoid arthritis and PTSD, who was cognitively intact and dependent on staff for care, experienced disrespectful treatment from CNAs. One CNA provided care while wearing earbuds and was inattentive, while another spoke to the resident in a disrespectful manner, making the resident feel awful. Witness statements and staff interviews confirmed these actions, which violated facility policy and resident rights.
The facility failed to maintain food safety standards as Cook K used malfunctioning thermometers to check food temperatures, and the Maintenance Supervisor entered the kitchen without performing hand hygiene or wearing a hair restraint. Despite reheating, food temperatures remained inconsistent, posing a risk of foodborne illness.
The facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program, leading to multiple deficiencies. Staff did not perform hand hygiene or change gloves during care, did not clean equipment between uses, and were unaware of a resident's contact isolation precautions, placing residents at risk for infection.
The facility failed to assist a resident with severe cognitive impairment in removing facial hair, despite the resident being dependent on staff for all ADLs. Staff interviews and observations confirmed that the resident did not refuse care, and it was the responsibility of CNAs and nurses to ensure grooming was completed during bathing.
The facility failed to ensure that a medication cart was locked and secure, posing a risk of unauthorized access to medications. An unlocked cart was found in the hallway near the dining room, with multiple residents around. Staff interviews confirmed that medication carts should always be locked when unattended, as per facility policy.
Failure to Obtain Ordered Laboratory Services for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that laboratory services were obtained as ordered for three residents. One resident with diagnoses including cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and prediabetes had a physician's order for a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) on admission and every three months, but the last CMP was collected several months prior to the review, and there was no care plan addressing lab collection. Another resident with Parkinson's disease, hyperlipidemia, and chronic kidney disease had orders for a CBC and CMP every three months, but these labs were also not collected as ordered, with the last collection occurring months earlier. The care plan for this resident did mention monitoring labs, but the orders were not followed. A third resident, admitted with Parkinson's disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia, had an order for a urinalysis upon admission. Documentation showed repeated notations over several days that the urinalysis was needed, but the specimen was not collected until more than a week after the order. Nursing staff interviews revealed that attempts to collect the specimen were unsuccessful, and alternative collection methods were not pursued. Communication about the outstanding lab order was inconsistent, and the need for the urinalysis was not consistently documented in the 24-hour report. Interviews with nursing leadership indicated confusion regarding lab order discontinuation following a change in medical directors, with some staff believing the orders were no longer active. Leadership also acknowledged that lab collection should have been monitored and communicated more effectively among staff. The facility's policy required the team to process and arrange for lab tests as ordered by the physician, but this was not consistently followed for the residents in question.
Failure to Notify Physician and Follow Up on Elevated Keppra Level
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promptly notify and follow up with the ordering physician regarding a laboratory result that was outside the clinical reference range for one resident. The resident, an elderly female with a history of cerebrovascular disease, seizures, and dementia, had a physician's order for a Keppra level to be drawn and monitored. The lab result, received and electronically signed by the medical director, showed a Keppra level above the therapeutic range. The medical director specifically questioned the resident's current Keppra dosage in response to the elevated result. Despite the physician's inquiry, there was no documented response from the nursing staff regarding the resident's current Keppra dose. Review of the facility's 24-hour reports and progress notes revealed no indication that the lab result was addressed or that the physician's question was answered. The resident continued to receive her prescribed Keppra dosage, and there was no documentation of any changes to her medication or further follow-up regarding the elevated lab value. Interviews with the DON and nursing staff confirmed that the elevated Keppra level and the physician's inquiry were not followed up on or documented. The DON acknowledged that the lab result was not written on the 24-hour report for follow-up and that the process for addressing such results was not completed. The facility's policy required prompt physician notification and withholding of the next dose in the event of a high or toxic medication level, but this procedure was not followed in this instance.
Late Completion of Admission MDS Assessment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a comprehensive assessment of a resident's needs, strengths, goals, life history, and preferences within 14 calendar days after admission, as required. Specifically, the admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment for a female resident with hemiplegia, hemiparesis following a stroke, and dementia was not completed on time. The resident was admitted on 03/04/2025, but the MDS assessment, which had an Assessment Reference Date (ARD) of 03/11/2025, was not signed as completed until 03/25/2025, making it 8 days late. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the MDS Coordinator, who was not an RN and worked at two different buildings, relied on the DON to sign off on MDS assessments. The MDS Coordinator attempted to notify the DON via email about assessments needing signatures, but the DON was not always able to check or sign them daily due to other responsibilities and was unaware of the required timeframes. The Administrator expected timely completion but was not aware of the clinical implications. Facility policy required a registered nurse to coordinate and sign each assessment within the specified timeframes, which was not followed in this instance.
Failure to Implement Comprehensive, Person-Centered Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement comprehensive, person-centered care plans for two residents, as identified through observation, interviews, and record reviews. For one resident, who had diagnoses including dementia, chronic kidney disease, anxiety, and hypertension, the care plan required a fall mat to be in place while the resident was in bed due to a recent fall. However, during multiple observations, the fall mat was found folded and not in use while the resident was in bed. Staff interviews revealed that the resident had previously moved the mat herself and sometimes requested its removal, but there was no documentation explaining why the intervention was not in place as required by the care plan. For another resident with diagnoses of dementia, urinary retention, heart failure, and hypertension, the care plan did not include the use of an antidepressant medication, despite the resident having an active order for citalopram for depression. The resident's medication administration record confirmed ongoing use of the antidepressant, but this was not reflected in the care plan. Interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that the care plan should have included this medication and the associated diagnosis. The facility's policy requires that care plans be comprehensive, person-centered, and updated to reflect all relevant diagnoses, medications, and interventions based on ongoing assessments. The failures identified in these two cases resulted in care plans that did not accurately reflect the residents' needs or the interventions required to address those needs, as evidenced by the lack of a fall mat in use and the omission of an antidepressant medication from the care plan.
Failure to Remove Hazardous Cleaner from Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident's environment was not kept free from accident hazards, as evidenced by a blue bottle of meyer's cleaner being left on the bedside table in the resident's room. The resident, a male with diagnoses including heart failure, diabetes, glaucoma, kidney failure, anxiety, and high blood pressure, had moderate cognitive impairment and required total assistance with most activities of daily living. Observations on two separate days confirmed the presence of the cleaner in the room. Staff interviews revealed that the cleaner had been brought in by a family member, and both the RN and DON acknowledged that such items should not be present in resident rooms due to the risk of ingestion by the resident or others. Further review showed that the facility did not have a policy addressing hazardous items or the storage of cleaners in resident areas. The administrator confirmed that staff were expected to ensure hazardous items were not left in resident rooms, but acknowledged that there was no formal policy in place. The lack of staff action to remove the cleaner and the absence of a relevant policy contributed to the deficiency, placing residents at risk for injury.
Failure to Secure Medications and Biologicals in Locked Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments and only accessible to authorized personnel, as required by policy. For one resident with moderate cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses, including heart failure and diabetes, a bottle of wound cleanser and a container of non-prescribed buttocks powder were observed left on the bedside dresser on multiple occasions. The resident's care plan required staff to administer medications as prescribed, and there was no order for the buttocks powder. Despite previous discussions with the resident's family, these items remained accessible at the bedside. Another resident, who was cognitively intact and at risk for substance abuse, was found with artificial tears on his bedside table. There was no physician order for these eye drops, and the resident reported self-administering them as needed. Nursing staff were unsure if this resident was authorized to self-administer medications, and the DON confirmed that neither resident had been assessed for self-administration. Facility policy required that only authorized staff have access to medications, and that medications be stored in locked areas, but these procedures were not followed for the two residents.
Failure to Maintain Updated Hospice Documentation and Coordination
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to collaborate and coordinate with hospice representatives to ensure the hospice care planning process was properly managed for a resident receiving hospice services. Specifically, the facility did not obtain the most recent updated hospice plan of care and hospice nursing visit notes for a female resident with a history of cerebrovascular disease, seizures, and dementia. The resident was moderately cognitively impaired and was receiving hospice care as indicated in her care plan and medical orders. However, the hospice binder at the facility only contained outdated documents, with the most recent RN visit note and hospice plan of care update both over a month old. Interviews with the Hospice Director of Nursing (DON), facility DON, and Administrator revealed that hospice documents were expected to be delivered to the facility every two weeks following the hospice interdisciplinary team (IDT) meeting. Due to the absence of the hospice Assistant Office Manager, the updated documents had not been delivered as required, and the responsible staff had not realized the lapse. The facility's contract with the hospice provider required the provision of the most recent hospice plan of care and clinical notes after each visit, but these were not present in the resident's records at the time of the survey.
Failure to Follow Infection Control Protocols During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper infection prevention and control practices for two residents during direct care activities. For one resident with a history of heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, and other chronic conditions, who had a Foley catheter and required wound care, a registered nurse provided wound care without donning an isolation gown as required by the facility's enhanced barrier precautions policy. The nurse acknowledged during an interview that she should have worn a gown and gloves prior to providing care, and that the resident required enhanced barrier precautions for both catheter and wound care. In a separate incident, a certified nursing assistant provided incontinent care to another resident with a history of cerebrovascular disease, seizures, and dementia, who was dependent on staff for all activities of daily living and was always incontinent of urine and bowel. During the care process, the CNA failed to perform hand hygiene after removing soiled gloves and before applying clean gloves. The CNA admitted to forgetting to sanitize her hands between glove changes, which she recognized as a lapse in proper infection control practice. Interviews with the Director of Nursing and the Administrator confirmed that staff are expected to use appropriate personal protective equipment and perform hand hygiene according to facility policy. Both acknowledged that failure to follow these protocols could place residents and staff at risk for infection, and that the individuals providing care are responsible for adhering to infection control procedures.
Failure to Prevent and Report Resident Abuse Due to Policy and Training Lapses
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement and enforce written policies and procedures to prohibit and prevent abuse and neglect of residents, as evidenced by an incident involving a resident who alleged that a CNA was rough during incontinent care, pushing her left shoulder and nearly causing her to hit her head on the bed rail. Another CNA witnessed the alleged abuse but did not report it promptly to the abuse coordinator, citing discomfort and fear of repercussions as a new employee. The incident was instead relayed to another CNA during shift report, who then sent a text message to the DON and ADON, but the abuse coordinator was not notified until much later by the surveyor. The DON and ADON did not immediately notify the abuse coordinator upon receiving the allegation of abuse via text message. Both later stated they did not recall receiving or responding to the message until it was brought to their attention by the surveyor. As a result, the alleged perpetrator was allowed to continue working their shift and provide care to residents after the allegation was made. The administrator confirmed that if he had been notified in a timely manner, the CNA in question would not have worked the subsequent shift. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure that CNAs received abuse training upon hire and prior to providing care. Personnel files revealed that several CNAs did not complete abuse training until weeks or months after their hire dates. The business office manager acknowledged delays in training completion and stated there was no specific policy regarding the timing of abuse training. These failures were identified during interviews and record reviews, and the lack of timely reporting and training placed residents at risk of unreported abuse and neglect.
Removal Plan
- ADON, MDS coordinator and Administrator will conduct 100% resident rounds to determine if further allegations of abuse are alleged.
- Safe surveys will be conducted by Social Worker, Human Resources and Activity Director for all cognitive residents.
- C.N.A. A was educated on Abuse, neglect and reporting by DON.
- C.N.A. B and D were suspended and terminated.
- DON and ADON were given a final written warning stating any further failures would result in termination and were re-educated by Administrator.
- The Abuse Coordinator was educated by the Regional Director of Clinical Services on how to investigate allegations of abuse, reporting of abuse and the importance of a thorough investigation and written documentation of statements and in-services.
- In-servicing was initiated by Administrator on Abuse investigation, notification, and immediate removal of the perpetrator for the DON and ADON.
- In-service will be provided to all staff on Immediate Notification of Allegations to Facility Abuse Coordinator or designee when not in facility or available, Investigating Allegations of Abuse and Neglect, Reporting of Abuse Neglect and Misappropriation, and notification of proper local and state entities by DON and ADON.
- Agency staff that work in the facility or staff on PTO or LOA will have in-servicing completed prior to working the floor by the DON/ADON.
- Abuse and Neglect training will be a part of the new hire orientation and no staff will be allowed to work until the Administrator has verified that training has occurred. This training will include all aspects of Reporting Abuse, Investigating Abuse and resident protection from abuse and will be completed at time of hire by HR/DON and verified by Administrator.
- Any staff member who is an alleged perpetrator for any allegation will be suspended immediately pending investigation and will be escorted out of the facility immediately by the senior staff member on duty or law enforcement and will not be allowed to return to the building until the investigation is complete.
- The police were notified of the allegation of abuse by the Administrator.
Failure to Ensure Resident Dignity and Respect During Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that staff treated a resident with respect and dignity, as required by resident rights regulations. One incident involved a CNA providing care to a resident while wearing earbuds, which was confirmed by a witness statement and staff interview. The CNA was reportedly inattentive and did not engage with the resident during care, which was identified as a respect issue by both the witness and the Director of Nursing (DON). Facility policy and staff expectations prohibit the use of earbuds or cell phones during resident care, and random spot checks are conducted to monitor compliance. Another incident involved a different CNA speaking to the same resident in a disrespectful manner. According to a witness statement and staff interviews, the CNA told the resident she would no longer be friendly because the resident was allegedly trying to get staff in trouble. This interaction made the resident feel awful, as reported during an interview. The DON and Administrator both acknowledged that such behavior constitutes a failure to treat residents with respect and dignity, and emphasized the importance of staff treating residents as they would their own family members. The resident involved had a history of rheumatoid arthritis and PTSD, with intact cognition and dependence on staff for various activities of daily living. The care plan noted a history of the resident making complaints about staff, and interventions included having two staff present during care when possible. Despite these measures, the facility did not prevent the incidents of disrespectful behavior and inattentive care, as documented in staff and resident interviews and witness statements.
Failure to Maintain Food Safety Standards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. Cook K was observed using three different thermometers to check the temperatures of the lunch meal on the steam table, but none of the thermometers provided consistent readings. Despite reheating the food, the temperatures remained inconsistent, with some items like pureed steak fingers and gravy not reaching the required temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit. The Dietary Manager (DM) instructed Cook K to serve the food, believing it was at the correct temperature, although the thermometers were not functioning properly. Additionally, the Maintenance Supervisor entered the kitchen to get ice without performing hand hygiene or wearing a hair restraint. The Maintenance Supervisor admitted to being unaware of the need for these precautions but acknowledged the potential for cross-contamination after considering the situation. The DM confirmed that the Maintenance Supervisor should have asked for ice from the kitchen staff and should have performed hand hygiene and worn a hair restraint before entering the kitchen area. Interviews with the Dietician, Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), Director of Nursing (DON), and the Administrator revealed that they were aware of the importance of maintaining proper food temperatures, hand hygiene, and wearing hair restraints to prevent foodborne illness and contamination. The facility's policies on food holding and service, as well as employee sanitation, were reviewed and indicated the need for serving hot foods at 135 degrees Fahrenheit or greater and the requirement for hand hygiene and hair restraints in the kitchen.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program, leading to multiple deficiencies in infection control practices. One incident involved a CNA who did not perform hand hygiene or change gloves while providing perineal care to a resident, despite the resident having multiple health conditions including multiple sclerosis and herpes viral infection. The CNA admitted to not following proper procedures, and both the ADON and DON confirmed that this failure placed the resident at risk for infection. The facility's policy required hand hygiene and glove changes between clean and dirty tasks, which were not followed in this case. Another deficiency was observed when an LVN did not clean an electronic wrist blood pressure monitor between uses on two residents. The LVN also failed to perform hand hygiene after administering medications to one resident before checking another resident's blood pressure. The LVN acknowledged the importance of these practices to prevent the transfer of germs but admitted to not following them due to nervousness. The ADON and DON confirmed that the failure to clean equipment and perform hand hygiene could lead to the spread of infections. Additionally, the facility did not ensure that staff were aware of a resident's contact isolation precautions. Several staff members, including a housekeeper, an LVN, and a CNA, were observed not wearing PPE while interacting with the resident who had a staph infection. The ADON admitted to not conducting an in-service to update staff on the resident's change from enhanced barrier to contact precautions. The DON and Administrator confirmed that the lack of proper PPE use and hand hygiene placed residents at risk for the spread of infection.
Failure to Assist Resident with Grooming
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident who was unable to carry out activities of daily living received the necessary services to maintain good grooming and personal hygiene. Specifically, the facility did not provide assistance with the removal of facial hair for a resident with severe cognitive impairment. The resident, who had a BIMS score of 1 indicating severe cognitive impairment, was dependent on staff for all ADLs, including bathing and grooming. Despite being scheduled for regular baths, the resident was observed with long chin hairs, and staff interviews revealed that the CNAs and nurses had not noticed or addressed the facial hair removal as part of the resident's grooming routine. Interviews with the CNA, DON, LVN, ADON, and the Administrator confirmed that the resident did not refuse care and that it was the responsibility of the CNAs and nurses to ensure the resident was shaved during bathing. The facility's policy indicated that residents unable to carry out ADLs independently should receive services to maintain good grooming and personal hygiene. However, the failure to remove the resident's facial hair was observed over multiple days, indicating a lapse in the facility's adherence to its own policies and procedures for maintaining resident dignity and appearance.
Failure to Secure Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in a locked compartment, accessible only by authorized personnel. During an observation, an unlocked medication cart was found in the hallway near the dining room entrance, with multiple residents around. LVN A, who was responsible for the cart, acknowledged that it should always be locked when unattended to prevent unauthorized access. The ADON and DON confirmed that medication carts should be locked when staff are away from them, emphasizing the importance of preventing residents or unauthorized individuals from accessing the medications. The facility's policy also indicated that medication carts should be kept closed and locked when out of sight of the medication nurse or aide. Interviews with the ADON, DON, and Administrator revealed that they conduct daily rounds to ensure medication carts are locked and address any lapses with the staff. Despite these measures, the unlocked medication cart posed a risk of residents or unauthorized individuals accessing medications, which could lead to misuse or overdose. The facility's failure to secure the medication cart as per their policy and regulatory requirements was identified as a deficiency.
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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