Ignite Medical Resort San Antonio, Llc
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in San Antonio, Texas.
- Location
- 6035 Eckhert Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78229
- CMS Provider Number
- 676447
- Inspections on file
- 34
- Latest survey
- December 8, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 16
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Ignite Medical Resort San Antonio, Llc during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Both facility elevators were repeatedly observed to bounce and make unusual noises during operation, with staff and maintenance confirming ongoing issues over several months. Service records showed multiple calls for similar problems, but documentation of repairs was incomplete and the facility's policy did not address the specific issue of elevator bouncing. No injuries were reported, but the elevators remained in use by residents and staff despite the deficiencies.
A capsule of Lyrica, a Schedule V controlled substance, was found improperly stored in an unmarked cup in a medication cart drawer rather than in the required double-locked compartment. A CNA had removed the medication from its original packaging and left it unsecured instead of discarding it, contrary to facility policy and federal regulations.
A facility failed to protect the confidentiality of resident records when an LPN left a Vital Signs Flow Sheet Report visible on a medication cart, exposing personal information of 14 residents. Staff interviews confirmed the expectation for confidentiality, but the incident still occurred, affecting residents, including one severely cognitively impaired and another cognitively intact.
The facility failed to implement baseline care plans within 48 hours of admission for three residents, leading to potential risks due to unmet immediate care needs. The care plans lacked necessary information on ADLs and mobility, despite residents having significant impairments. Staff interviews revealed confusion over responsibility for care plan completion and inconsistent communication of residents' needs.
The facility failed to secure medication carts on multiple occasions, leaving them unlocked and unattended in various halls. This included carts containing medications such as insulin, thyroid medications, and prescription creams. Although narcotics were double locked, the accessible medications posed a risk of unauthorized access. Nursing staff admitted to leaving the carts unlocked while attending to residents, contrary to facility policy requiring carts to be locked when not in use.
A resident with a history of surgical aftercare, pneumonia, and schizophrenia did not have his weight monitored as per physician orders, which required weekly checks during the night shift. The facility failed to document any refusal or attempts to obtain the weight on the scheduled date, leading to a lapse in care. The resident was eventually weighed days later, revealing significant weight loss, prompting dietary intervention.
A resident with a pressure ulcer on the left heel did not receive consistent care as ordered, with Prevelon boots not applied while in bed or sitting in a chair. Observations showed the resident without boots on multiple occasions, and documentation was inconsistent. Despite the facility having the boots in stock, there was a delay in providing them, and staff were unaware of the issue. The resident's ulcer showed improvement, but the lack of adherence to care orders could have affected healing.
The facility failed to maintain food safety standards, with expired Osmolite found in a fridge and staff not wearing proper facial hair restraints. Observations showed improper hand hygiene and cross-contamination during meal prep, with trays dried using a hand towel instead of air drying. These practices contradict the facility's policy and could risk foodborne illness.
The facility failed to develop and implement baseline care plans within 48 hours of admission for eight residents, as required by their policy. This deficiency was identified through interviews and record reviews, which revealed that the baseline care plans for these residents were not completed in the specified timeframe. The residents involved had various medical conditions, necessitating timely and effective care planning. The DON admitted to being unable to complete the care plans on time due to other job duties, which resulted in missed or inadequate care planning for the residents.
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, with staff not sanitizing equipment or performing hand hygiene between resident interactions. An RN did not sanitize a glucometer between uses for two residents, one on droplet precautions, and failed to wash hands between glove changes. Additionally, a server did not sanitize hands between handling meal trays, despite wearing gloves. These practices were contrary to the facility's infection control policies.
The facility failed to respond promptly to call lights for three residents, leading to distress and unmet care needs. One resident experienced a two-hour delay after vomiting, another faced delays for toileting needs, and a third reported multiple 45-minute waits. Despite these issues, the Administrator believed responses were timely.
A facility failed to accurately assess a resident's functional capacity by omitting a documented anxiety disorder from the Initial MDS Assessment and care plan. The resident, admitted with orthopedic aftercare and diabetes, had a physician-documented anxiety diagnosis and was prescribed hydroxyzine. The DON acknowledged the omission and the potential risk of inadequate anxiety care.
A resident with acute kidney failure, diabetes, and hypertension was unable to use the bathroom call light due to a malfunction, which was not reported to maintenance. The resident, who had decreased vision and was at fall risk, expressed concern after a recent fall. The maintenance director confirmed the issue was due to disconnected wiring, and the facility's policy on call light outages was not followed.
A resident in an LTC facility did not receive scheduled doses of Dexamethasone due to the medication's unavailability. The resident, who was cognitively impaired and had multiple health conditions, missed eight doses over two days. The facility's process for medication ordering failed to ensure timely availability, and the pharmacy did not have the medication in stock during a holiday weekend. The resident was later given IV Dexamethasone and returned to baseline.
Failure to Maintain Elevators in Safe Operating Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain both of its elevators in safe operating condition, as evidenced by repeated issues with bouncing, slow travel, and unusual noises during operation. Surveyors observed both elevators exhibiting multiple bounces when moving between floors, with elevator #2 displaying more severe and frequent bouncing, as well as creaking, groaning, and popping sounds. No current inspection certificates were posted in either elevator at the time of observation, although records indicated that both had passed their last annual inspection. Review of service records revealed a pattern of recurring problems with the elevators, including multiple service calls for issues such as bouncing, being stuck, and slow operation. The facility's Maintenance Director acknowledged that one of the elevator shocks was not working and that the issue had been ongoing for an unknown period. He also stated that repairs required corporate approval and that documentation of service calls and repairs was lacking, with no invoices or detailed records available for parts ordered or work completed. Interviews with staff confirmed that the elevators had been bouncing for several months and that residents regularly used them. The Maintenance Director and DON both recognized the potential for falls due to the elevator issues, although no injuries had been reported. The facility's elevator maintenance policy did not address the specific issue of car movement or bouncing, only stating that inoperable elevators should be shut down and serviced.
Improper Storage of Controlled Substance in Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a medication cart on the 100 hallway was found to have a capsule of Lyrica (pregabalin), a Schedule V controlled substance, stored improperly. The capsule, intended for a specific resident, was discovered in an unmarked medication cup in the upper right drawer of the cart, outside of the required double-locked controlled substance compartment. The medication had been removed from its original blister pack and was not labeled. This was observed during a review of the medication cart and confirmed through staff interviews. Further investigation revealed that a CNA had accidentally removed the Lyrica capsule from its packaging earlier and, instead of discarding it, placed it in a cup to the side in the cart. The CNA admitted to this practice and stated that the medication was not labeled. The DON clarified that the facility's expectation was for any unused or accidentally removed controlled substances to be wasted with a witness and co-signed, and that all controlled substances should be stored in a locked narcotic drawer, as per facility policy and federal regulations.
Confidentiality Breach of Resident Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect the confidentiality of personal and medical records for 14 residents, as observed during a survey. An unattended Vital Signs Flow Sheet Report was found on a locked medication cart in the 200-East Hall, displaying personal information such as names, room numbers, vital signs, and dialysis appointment times. This document was left visible and unattended, potentially exposing sensitive information to anyone passing by. The staff member identified in relation to this incident was an LPN, who acknowledged that the vital signs document should not be visible to everyone. Interviews with facility staff, including the ACNO and CNO, revealed that the expectation was for personal protected information to remain confidential and not be visible in public areas. The facility's policy on medical records, last revised in May 2023, emphasized the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of patient records. Despite these policies, the incident occurred, affecting residents, including one who was severely cognitively impaired and another who was cognitively intact, both of whom expressed concerns about their information being exposed.
Failure to Implement Timely Baseline Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a baseline care plan for each resident within 48 hours of admission, as required by their policy. This deficiency was identified for three residents who were reviewed for baseline care plans. The absence of a timely baseline care plan meant that the residents' immediate needs, such as activities of daily living (ADLs), mobility, and other care requirements, were not adequately addressed, potentially placing them at risk for inconsistent care. For Resident #1, the baseline care plan lacked selections for functional abilities related to self-care, mobility, and activities of daily living. The resident had multiple diagnoses, including syncope, hemiplegia, and hemiparesis, and required assistance with various ADLs. Despite these needs, the care plan was not initiated until several days after admission. Similarly, Resident #2's baseline care plan did not include necessary information about self-care and mobility needs, despite the resident being bedbound and requiring extensive assistance. Resident #3's care plan also lacked interventions for ADL transfer and mobility needs, even though the resident had significant mobility impairments and required assistance. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of clarity and communication regarding the responsibility for completing baseline care plans. The admissions nurse was believed to be responsible for initiating the care plan, but this was not consistently executed. Direct care staff often did not receive adequate information about new residents' needs, relying instead on verbal reports or their own observations. This inconsistency in communication and documentation contributed to the failure to meet the residents' immediate care needs within the required timeframe.
Medication Carts Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments, as observed in three medication carts located in different halls of the facility. On multiple occasions, medication carts on the 200-East Hall, 200-West Hall, and 300-West Hall were found unlocked and unattended. This was confirmed through observations and interviews with the nursing staff responsible for these carts. The staff members admitted to leaving the carts unlocked while attending to residents, which included administering medications or assisting with personal care tasks. During the observations, it was noted that the unlocked carts contained various medications and supplies, such as over-the-counter medications, insulin, thyroid medications, and prescription creams. Although the narcotics drawers were double locked, the accessible medications posed a risk of unauthorized access. The nursing staff acknowledged the potential risks associated with leaving the carts unlocked, including the possibility of residents accessing medications they should not have. Interviews with the facility's nursing leadership, including the Assistant Chief Nursing Officers and the Chief Nursing Officer, revealed a clear expectation that medication carts should always be locked when not in use or attended by authorized personnel. The facility's policy on medication storage emphasized the importance of securing medication supplies to prevent unauthorized access. Despite these policies, the failure to lock the medication carts when unattended was a recurring issue, as observed during the survey.
Failure to Monitor Resident's Weight as Per Physician Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident received treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice, specifically regarding the monitoring of the resident's weight as per physician orders. The resident, a male with a history of surgical aftercare, pneumonia, and schizophrenia, was supposed to have his weight taken every Tuesday night shift. However, the facility did not obtain his weight on the scheduled date, and there was no documentation of any refusal or attempts to take the weight at a different time. Interviews with staff revealed that the resident had a history of refusing various interventions, and it was likely that he refused to have his weight taken on the scheduled date. Despite this, the staff did not document any refusal or make further attempts to obtain the weight on that day. The lack of documentation and follow-up meant that the resident's weight was not monitored, which could have implications for his health, especially given his potential for nutritional and hydration alterations. The facility's policy required residents to be weighed weekly, especially with a significant change in condition or as per physician orders. The failure to adhere to this policy and the lack of documentation of the resident's refusal or any subsequent attempts to obtain the weight led to a deficiency in care. The resident was eventually weighed three days later, revealing a significant weight loss, which prompted a dietary intervention. However, the initial failure to follow the physician's order and document the process was a clear lapse in the facility's care standards.
Failure to Apply Prevelon Boots as Ordered for Pressure Ulcer Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care for a resident, leading to a deficiency in treatment and care according to professional standards. The resident, a male with a history of surgical aftercare, pneumonia, and schizophrenia, was admitted with a pressure ulcer on his left heel. Despite physician orders for Prevelon boots to be worn while in bed or sitting in a chair, the resident was observed multiple times without the boots, indicating non-compliance with the prescribed treatment. Observations over several days revealed that the resident was not wearing the Prevelon boots as ordered, both while in bed and sitting in a wheelchair. The Treatment Administration Record showed inconsistencies in the documentation of the boots being applied, with some days marked as refused and others left blank. Interviews with staff indicated a delay in providing the boots, despite the facility having them in stock, and a lack of awareness from the Chief Nursing Officer about the resident not having the boots. The resident's pressure ulcer showed signs of improvement over time, with a decrease in surface area, but the failure to consistently apply the Prevelon boots as ordered could have impacted the healing process. The facility's policy on foot care emphasizes the importance of maintaining mobility and good foot health, which was not adhered to in this case, potentially putting the resident at risk for further skin breakdown.
Food Safety and Hygiene Deficiencies in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food service safety, as evidenced by several observations and interviews. Expired Osmolite, a tube feeding formula, was found in the third-floor nutrition fridge, with a best-by date of February 1, 2024. The Director of Nursing confirmed that expired Osmolite should not be present in any nutrition fridge. Additionally, staff members were observed not wearing appropriate facial hair restraints, which could lead to hair contamination in food. One staff member was seen without a beard guard after returning from a break, and another staff member's mustache was not covered while handling dishes and food. Further observations revealed improper hand hygiene and cross-contamination practices during meal preparation. A staff member was seen preparing meals without changing gloves or washing hands after handling various food items and equipment, which could lead to cross-contamination. The use of a hand towel to dry trays, lids, and bases instead of allowing them to air dry was also noted, which could result in contamination. Interviews with staff, including the Executive Chef and Dietician, confirmed that these practices were not in line with the facility's policy on preventing foodborne illness and maintaining hygiene standards. The facility's policy on employee hygiene and sanitary practices was reviewed, highlighting the need for proper handwashing, use of utensils, and wearing of hair restraints to prevent foodborne illness. The U.S. Public Health Service Food Code was also referenced, emphasizing the requirement for food employees to wear hair restraints to prevent hair from contacting food and clean equipment. These deficiencies in food safety practices could place residents at risk for foodborne illness, as noted in the report.
Failure to Implement Timely Baseline Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement baseline care plans within 48 hours of admission for eight residents, as required by their policy. This deficiency was identified through interviews and record reviews, which revealed that the baseline care plans for these residents were not completed in the specified timeframe. The residents involved had various medical conditions, including acute and chronic respiratory failure, sepsis, fractures, and other complex health issues, necessitating timely and effective care planning. The report highlights that the baseline care plans for residents were either initiated late or not completed within the required 48-hour period. For instance, Resident #77's care plan was completed several days after admission, and similar delays were noted for other residents. Interviews with the MDS Coordinator and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed these lapses, with the DON acknowledging the importance of timely care plans to ensure residents' needs are met. The facility's policy mandates that a baseline care plan be developed for each resident within 48 hours of admission, yet this was not adhered to for the residents reviewed. The DON admitted to being unable to complete the care plans on time due to other job duties, which resulted in missed or inadequate care planning for the residents. This failure to meet the policy requirements could potentially affect the quality of care provided to the residents.
Infection Control Deficiencies in Staff Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by several observed deficiencies involving staff practices. RN-E did not sanitize the glucometer between uses for two residents, one of whom was on droplet precautions, potentially risking cross-contamination. Despite acknowledging the oversight, RN-E admitted to not having disinfecting wipes available on the medication cart, which contributed to the failure to sanitize the equipment properly. Additionally, RN-E did not perform hand hygiene between glove changes and when entering or exiting resident rooms, including a room with droplet precautions. This lapse in hand hygiene was confirmed by both RN-E and the Director of Nursing (DON), who acknowledged the risk of spreading germs due to these practices. The facility's policy requires handwashing or sanitizing before and after resident contact and glove removal, which was not adhered to in these instances. Furthermore, Server B, responsible for meal tray distribution, did not sanitize hands between handling trays and entering or exiting resident rooms, despite wearing gloves. The gloves were worn due to having acrylic nails, but Server B admitted that hand sanitization should have been performed regardless. The General Manager (GM) confirmed that hand sanitization is part of infection control, as outlined in the facility's policy, which was not followed during the meal service.
Delayed Call Light Response for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely responses to call lights for three residents, which could affect the care they receive. Resident #201, who was admitted with conditions including spine fusion, type 2 diabetes, and adult T-cell lymphoma, experienced a delay of two hours in response to his call light after feeling nauseous and vomiting. This delay caused significant distress to the resident, who considered self-discharge due to the incident. Resident #67, with diagnoses such as pulmonary embolism and acute respiratory failure, reported a delay in call light response for a toileting need, which was not addressed until after lunch. A family member corroborated this by stating that they observed over an hour delay on several occasions. Resident #203, diagnosed with anemia, UTI, and malignant neoplasm of the endocervix, also reported multiple instances where it took 45 minutes for staff to respond to her call light. The facility's resident council meeting notes and grievance log further indicated concerns about call light response times. Despite these reports, the facility's Administrator believed that staff responded to call lights in a timely manner. The facility's Admission Agreement emphasizes the right of residents to live in an environment that promotes dignity and respect, which was not upheld in these instances.
Failure to Accurately Assess Resident's Anxiety Disorder
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to conduct an accurate comprehensive assessment of a resident's functional capacity, specifically omitting a diagnosis of anxiety disorder. The resident, a male admitted with orthopedic aftercare, infection due to joint prosthesis, and type 2 diabetes, had a documented diagnosis of anxiety disorder and was prescribed hydroxyzine for anxiety management. However, this diagnosis was not reflected in the resident's Initial MDS Assessment under the psychiatric/mood disorder section, nor was it included in the resident's care plan. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the omission and recognized the potential risk of not providing appropriate care related to anxiety.
Inoperable Call Light System in Resident's Bathroom
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a working call system was available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area, specifically affecting one resident. On a specified date, the resident attempted to use the call light, which did not illuminate the nurse call light outside and above the room door. This malfunction could potentially place residents at risk by not receiving timely care and attention. The resident, who had a history of acute kidney failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and primary hypertension, expressed concern about the inoperable bathroom call light, especially after a recent fall in the room. The resident's care plan noted decreased vision, hearing difficulties, and a fall risk, highlighting the importance of a functional call system. During an observation and interview, the resident reported the bathroom call light was not working, and the maintenance director confirmed the issue was due to disconnected wiring. The maintenance director was unaware of the problem as no work order had been submitted. The facility's policy on preventative maintenance and call light outages requires immediate notification to maintenance for repairs, which was not followed in this instance. The lack of awareness and communication among staff contributed to the deficiency, as the LVN assigned to the resident's hallway was also unaware of the malfunction.
Failure to Administer Scheduled Medication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of a resident, specifically in acquiring and administering the scheduled doses of Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, on two consecutive days. The resident, a cognitively impaired elderly female with a history of cerebral meningioma, hyperlipidemia, dementia, anxiety disorder, hypertension, and muscle weakness, missed eight doses of the medication due to its unavailability. The medication was not in the facility's emergency supply box, and the pharmacy, which was new to the facility, did not have it in stock during a holiday weekend. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and medical assistants revealed that the facility's process for ordering medications involved checking for a seven-day supply and reordering as needed. However, the Dexamethasone was not reordered in time, and the facility's stock did not include this medication. The DON acknowledged the issue and mentioned working with the pharmacy to prevent future delays. Despite the missed doses, the resident was later started on IV Dexamethasone and returned to baseline, but the initial failure to administer the medication as prescribed was noted 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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