Dayton Nursing And Rehabilitation
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Dayton, Texas.
- Location
- 310 E Lawrence St, Dayton, Texas 77535
- CMS Provider Number
- 455642
- Inspections on file
- 27
- Latest survey
- September 17, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 18
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Dayton Nursing And Rehabilitation during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Surveyors found that food preparation equipment, including baking sheets, muffin pans, steam table lids, and saucepans, had brown colored buildup on both inside and outside edges. Staff acknowledged ongoing efforts to clean the items, but the buildup remained. Facility policy and FDA guidelines require food-contact surfaces to be free of such accumulations, but these standards were not met.
The facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program by not documenting infection trends from July 2023 through July 2024. Interviews revealed that the previous DON allegedly deleted infection records, and the Regional MDS Nurse did not complete infection trending after assuming the role. This lack of documentation could risk cross-contamination and infection development among residents.
The facility failed to ensure accurate MDS assessments for two residents, leading to potential care risks. One resident was incorrectly assessed as receiving medications they were not taking, while another's tobacco use was not documented. These inaccuracies were due to oversight and system errors, as confirmed by staff interviews.
The facility failed to create comprehensive care plans for two residents, one with a wound and another receiving hospice services. A resident with hemiplegia did not have a care plan for a heel wound, despite physician orders for treatment. Another resident on hospice services lacked a care plan, which was acknowledged by the Corporate MDS Nurse. The Regional MDS Nurse and Administrator recognized the oversight, emphasizing the need for person-centered care plans.
A resident with deep vein thrombosis was prescribed Eliquis, but the facility failed to monitor for side effects of the anticoagulant. The absence of monitoring was confirmed through record reviews and staff interviews, revealing that the monitoring was overlooked when the order was entered into the system. The facility's policy required monitoring for complications, but this was not followed, posing a risk of bleeding.
The facility failed to secure venlafaxine, an antidepressant, which was left unattended at the nurses' station, accessible to staff, residents, and visitors. An LVN intended to return the medication to the pharmacy but left it unsecured. Interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that medications should not be left unattended, as per the facility's policy.
A resident with a full code status was found unresponsive, but an LVN failed to initiate CPR or call 911, mistakenly believing the resident's hospice status precluded resuscitation. This led to a delay of 2.5 hours before CPR was initiated, resulting in the resident being pronounced dead by EMS upon arrival.
The facility failed to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care for two residents, leading to the deterioration of their wounds. One resident's right dorsal foot wound worsened to an unstageable wound with eschar, requiring hospitalization for debridement and graft application. Another resident's blister on the right heel progressed to an unstageable wound with eschar due to inadequate monitoring and treatment. Staff interviews revealed inconsistencies in wound care practices and communication lapses.
A facility failed to provide appropriate care and coordinate with an orthopedic surgeon and attending NP/MD for a resident with a surgical wound and pressure injury. The lack of documentation and communication led to the deterioration of the resident's condition, requiring hospitalization and surgical intervention.
A resident returned from the hospital with a blister on her right heel, but the facility failed to notify the physician for treatment orders. The blister progressed to an unstageable wound with eschar, and weekly skin assessments were found to be incorrect. Interviews revealed that the facility's staff did not follow the protocol for notifying the physician, leading to a delay in treatment.
A facility failed to update a resident's care plan to include new pressure injuries, despite the resident's medical records and wound care consult indicating the presence and treatment of these injuries. Interviews with staff revealed that the oversight was due to a change in staff and a lack of adherence to the facility's care planning policy.
The facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan within the required timeframe for a resident with significant medical conditions, including cardiac issues and hypertensive chronic kidney disease. The absence of a care plan from 02/02/2024 to 03/20/2024 was due to a change in staff and oversight, potentially placing the resident at risk of not receiving appropriate care.
A facility failed to maintain accurate medical records for a resident admitted with serious health conditions. The responsible LVN did not complete the initial admission assessment or document medications due to the resident's late arrival and subsequent medical emergency. The LVN was unable to return to complete the documentation due to illness.
Unsanitary Food Preparation Equipment in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain sanitary conditions in the kitchen, specifically regarding the cleanliness of food preparation equipment. During an inspection, multiple items were found with brown colored buildup, including baking sheets, muffin pans, steam table lids, and saucepans. These items were observed to have buildup on both the inside and outside edges, and some were stacked together while still dirty. Staff interviews confirmed that efforts were being made to clean the equipment, but the buildup remained present at the time of the survey. A review of the facility's Sanitization Policy indicated that all equipment, food contact surfaces, and utensils are to be cleaned and sanitized using heat or chemical solutions. The FDA Food Code was also referenced, which requires food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans to be free of encrusted grease deposits and other soil accumulations. Despite these policies, the facility did not ensure that the kitchen equipment was properly cleaned and sanitized, as evidenced by the observed buildup on multiple items.
Inadequate Infection Control Program Due to Lack of Trending
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program, which is essential for providing a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents. The deficiency was identified through interviews and record reviews, revealing that the facility did not maintain a system for trending infections from July 2023 through July 2024. This lack of documentation and tracking could potentially place residents at risk of cross-contamination and the development of infections. Interviews with the facility's Administrator and the Regional MDS Nurse, who assumed the role of Infection Control Nurse, indicated that the previous Director of Nursing (DON) had left the facility in July 2024 and allegedly deleted the facility's computer records, including those related to infection trending. The Regional MDS Nurse admitted to not completing any infection trending after taking over the position. The facility's policy on infection surveillance, revised in September 2017, emphasized the importance of identifying individual cases and trends to guide appropriate interventions and prevent future infections. However, the absence of infection tracking and trending documentation highlighted a significant gap in the facility's infection control practices.
Inaccurate MDS Assessments for Two Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate assessments for two residents, leading to potential risks in their care. Resident #4, a female with dementia, anxiety, and depression, was inaccurately assessed in the MDS as receiving anticoagulant and antidepressant medications, despite physician orders indicating otherwise. The resident had a history of depression but had not been on antidepressant medication since March 2024 and was only taking aspirin, which should not have been coded as an anticoagulant. Resident #12, a male with COPD, was inaccurately assessed in the MDS as not using tobacco, despite being a current everyday smoker. The resident's care plan and smoking risk assessment indicated he smoked every few hours and required supervision while smoking. Observations confirmed that the resident smoked daily and was monitored by staff during smoking times. Interviews with the Regional MDS nurse, DON, Administrator, and Regional Consultant revealed that the inaccuracies were due to oversight and system errors. The Regional MDS nurse acknowledged the errors and stated that the MDS assessments were not double-checked for accuracy, leading to misinformation about the residents' statuses. The facility's policy and the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User's Manual were not adhered to, resulting in the deficiencies.
Failure to Develop Comprehensive Care Plans for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement comprehensive person-centered care plans for two residents, which included measurable objectives and timeframes to meet their medical, nursing, and psychosocial needs. Resident #2, an elderly female with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction, did not have a care plan for a trauma-induced wound on her right heel. Despite physician orders for daily wound care, the Treatment Nurse, who was responsible for writing care plans for new wounds, did not create one. The Regional MDS Nurse, who was the Treatment Nurse's supervisor at the time, acknowledged the oversight and admitted that it was his responsibility to ensure care plans were complete and accurate. Resident #3, an elderly male with a cerebral infarction due to embolism, was admitted to hospice services but did not have a corresponding care plan. The Corporate MDS Nurse, responsible for ensuring comprehensive care plans, confirmed the absence of a hospice care plan for Resident #3. The Administrator stated that every resident should have a person-centered care plan, and the Regional MDS Nurse was the interim DON when these care plans were not written. The facility's policy requires comprehensive person-centered care plans to be developed and implemented for each resident, describing the services needed to maintain their highest practicable well-being.
Failure to Monitor Anticoagulant Side Effects
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's drug regimen was free from unnecessary medication by not monitoring for side effects of the anticoagulant medication Eliquis. The resident, a male with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, was prescribed Eliquis 5 mg twice daily. However, the facility did not document monitoring for side effects such as bleeding, which is crucial for patients on anticoagulant therapy. The absence of monitoring was confirmed through record reviews and interviews with staff, including the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the Director of Nursing (DON). The ADON acknowledged that the monitoring was overlooked and should have been included in the computer system when the order was entered. The DON, who was new to the position, confirmed that monitoring for side effects was not in place and emphasized the importance of such monitoring to prevent potential bleeding risks. The facility's policy on anticoagulant therapy required staff to monitor for complications and manage related problems, but this was not adhered to in the case of the resident.
Unsecured Medication at Nurses' Station
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store all drugs and biologicals in locked compartments under proper temperature controls, as required by their Medication Labeling and Storage policy. During an observation, two 30-count cards of venlafaxine, an antidepressant, were found left unattended on the desk at the nurses' station, accessible to staff, residents, and visitors. This incident occurred when an LVN left the medication out with the intention of returning it to the pharmacy but left the nurses' station without securing it. Interviews with the LVN, the DON, and the Administrator confirmed that medications should not be left unsecured and unattended, as they could be accessed by unauthorized individuals. The facility's policy clearly states that all medications and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments and that only authorized personnel should have access to them. The failure to adhere to this policy could lead to the misappropriation of property and drug diversion, posing a risk to residents.
Failure to Provide CPR to Full Code Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide basic life support, including CPR, to a resident who required emergency care, despite having physician orders and advance directives indicating a full code status. The incident involved a resident who was found unresponsive by a CNA at around 4:00 a.m. The CNA immediately notified an LVN, who failed to verify the resident's code status and instead called hospice. This led to a delay of approximately 2.5 hours before CPR was initiated, during which time the resident was pronounced dead by EMS upon their arrival. The resident, a male with diagnoses including cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, and anoxic brain damage, had a care plan indicating a full code status. Despite this, the LVN did not initiate CPR or call 911, mistakenly believing that the resident's hospice status precluded the need for resuscitation. The LVN admitted to not checking the resident's code status and was more concerned with completing her other duties. The hospice nurse, upon arrival, informed the LVN that the resident was a full code, prompting the LVN to return to the facility and initiate CPR, but it was too late. Interviews with staff revealed that the facility had a system in place to identify residents' code statuses, including a binder on the crash cart and information in the computer. However, the LVN failed to utilize these resources. The facility's policy required CPR to be initiated unless a DNR order was present, which was not the case for this resident. The failure to provide timely CPR and call emergency services directly led to the resident not receiving potentially life-saving measures in a critical situation.
Removal Plan
- Immediate suspension of LVN A
- CPR audit conducted on all direct care staff
- Abuse/Neglect in-service
- In-service on emergency procedures for codes (CPR)
- Performed mock codes
- Held CPR training recertification class
Failure to Provide Appropriate Pressure Ulcer Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing for two residents. For the first resident, the facility did not conduct proper assessments or provide necessary treatments for a pressure injury on the right dorsal foot, which deteriorated to an unstageable wound with eschar. Despite the resident's cognitive intactness and multiple diagnoses, including end-stage renal disease and a recent surgical procedure, the facility did not document or notify the physician about the worsening condition from 02/14/2024 to 02/27/2024. The resident eventually required hospitalization for wound irrigation, debridement, and graft application due to the severity of the wound and associated infection. Additionally, a pressure injury on the resident's right buttock was identified only upon hospital admission, indicating a lack of comprehensive skin assessments by the facility staff. For the second resident, the facility failed to monitor and treat a blister on the right heel, which was noted upon readmission. The blister deteriorated into an unstageable wound with eschar, but the facility did not document the changes or notify the physician in a timely manner. Weekly skin assessments from 02/23/2024 to 03/15/2024 did not reflect the presence of the blister, and there was no documentation of physician notification about the wound's progression. The resident's care plan and physician orders were not updated to address the worsening condition, leading to a delay in appropriate wound care and treatment. Interviews with facility staff, including LVNs, the DON, and the ADON, revealed inconsistencies in wound care practices and communication lapses regarding the residents' conditions. The facility's failure to adhere to professional standards of practice for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment resulted in significant deterioration of the residents' wounds, necessitating advanced medical interventions and hospitalizations.
Failure to Coordinate Care and Document Skin Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive person-centered care plan, and the resident's choices for one resident reviewed for quality of care. The facility did not coordinate care with the orthopedic surgeon and attending NP/MD regarding a change in the resident's skin condition at the surgical area on the right lower extremity. This lack of coordination and communication led to the deterioration of the resident's pressure injury, which eventually required hospitalization, surgical debridement, and graft application. The resident, who had multiple diagnoses including a displaced trimalleolar fracture, osteomyelitis, and end-stage renal disease, was admitted to the facility with an external fixator on the right lower extremity. Despite the orthopedic surgeon identifying a scab and discolored skin on the resident's right foot, the facility did not document any assessment or treatment for this condition. Weekly skin assessments and other required documentation were either missing or incomplete, and there was no evidence of communication with the orthopedic surgeon or attending physician regarding the identified pressure injury. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the focus of care was primarily on the external fixator pin sites, and the dark or discolored area on the top of the resident's right foot was not adequately addressed. The facility's failure to follow up on outside appointments and obtain necessary documentation further contributed to the lack of appropriate care. The resident's condition worsened, leading to significant pain, infection, and the need for surgical intervention, highlighting the facility's deficiencies in care coordination and documentation.
Failure to Notify Physician of Change in Resident's Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the physician was consulted for a change of condition for a resident who returned from the hospital with a blister on her right heel. The resident, who had dementia and high blood pressure, was readmitted with a fracture of the femur. Despite the hospital discharge records noting the blister, the facility did not notify the physician for treatment orders upon the resident's return. Weekly skin assessments initially noted the blister but later failed to document it, and there was no record of the physician being notified of the blister's progression to an unstageable wound with eschar. Interviews with the DON, MD, NP, and ADON revealed that the facility's staff did not follow the protocol for notifying the physician of the change in the resident's condition. The MD and NP were unaware of the blister until much later, and the weekly skin assessments were found to be incorrect for several weeks. The facility's policy required prompt notification of changes in medical condition to the physician, but this was not adhered to, leading to a delay in treatment for the resident's wound.
Failure to Update Care Plan for New Pressure Injuries
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan for a resident with new pressure injuries. The resident, a male with multiple diagnoses including anoxic brain damage, cerebrovascular disease, and sepsis, was identified with new pressure injuries on his buttocks. Despite the identification of these injuries and the subsequent orders for wound care, the resident's care plan was not updated to reflect these new needs. The resident's medical records indicated that he was moderately cognitively impaired and had triggered a care area assessment for pressure ulcers. However, the care plan dated after the identification of the new pressure injuries did not include these new issues. Nursing progress notes and a wound care consult confirmed the presence of the injuries and detailed the treatment plan, but this information was not incorporated into the resident's care plan. Interviews with the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the Administrator revealed that the care plan should have been updated to include the new pressure injuries. The ADON acknowledged that the care plan was not accurate and up-to-date, which could lead to staff being unaware of the resident's needs. The Administrator attributed the oversight to a change in staff and confirmed that the new MDS Coordinator and charge nurses were responsible for updating care plans. The facility's policy on care planning emphasized the importance of an interdisciplinary team in developing and updating care plans based on resident assessments.
Failure to Develop Comprehensive Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan within 7 days after the completion of the comprehensive assessment or no more than 21 days after admission for one of the residents reviewed. Specifically, Resident #3, who was admitted and readmitted on specified dates, did not have a comprehensive care plan from 02/02/2024 to 03/20/2024. The care plan should have been completed by 02/17/2024. Resident #3 had significant medical conditions, including cardiac issues, hypertensive chronic kidney disease, and a history of a fractured hip, which required careful monitoring and management. Despite these needs, the comprehensive care plan was not developed in the required timeframe, potentially placing the resident at risk of not receiving appropriate care and services. Observations and record reviews indicated that Resident #3 had 2+ edema in both lower extremities and episodes of asymptomatic hypotension. The resident's medical records showed that the cardiologist and attending nurse practitioner were aware of these conditions and had provided new orders. Interviews with the resident confirmed that she was aware of her cardiac issues and the efforts being made to manage her condition. However, the absence of a comprehensive care plan meant that these interventions were not formally documented and integrated into her care plan. Interviews with facility staff, including the ADON and the Administrator, revealed that the comprehensive care plan for Resident #3 was missed due to a change in staff. The previous MDS Coordinator, who was responsible for completing the care plans, had resigned, and the new MDS Coordinator had not completed the necessary documentation. The ADON acknowledged that the lack of a comprehensive care plan could lead to residents not receiving adequate care. The facility's policy required that a comprehensive, person-centered care plan be developed within seven days of the completion of the MDS assessment, but this was not adhered to in Resident #3's case.
Failure to Maintain Accurate Medical Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain accurate medical records for a resident admitted for rehabilitation services. The resident, who had multiple serious diagnoses including acute respiratory failure, pneumonia due to COVID-19, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism, was admitted to the facility but did not have an initial admission assessment completed by the assigned LVN. Additionally, there was no documentation on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) indicating what medications the resident was admitted with or whether any medications were administered during the resident's short stay at the facility. The LVN responsible for the resident's admission acknowledged that she did not complete the necessary documentation due to the resident arriving late in the evening and subsequently experiencing a medical emergency that required transfer back to the hospital. The LVN cited being overwhelmed with other emergencies and a high number of residents to care for as reasons for the incomplete documentation. She also mentioned that she became ill and was unable to return to the facility to finish the documentation. The facility's administrator confirmed that the documentation was incomplete and stated that the issue was addressed with the LVN over the phone. The facility's policy requires that all services provided to the resident, progress toward care plan goals, and any changes in the resident's condition be documented in the medical record. However, in this case, the required documentation was not completed, leading to a deficiency in maintaining accurate medical records for the resident.
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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