Lakeshore Village Nursing And Rehabilitation
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Waco, Texas.
- Location
- 2320 Lake Shore Dr, Waco, Texas 76708
- CMS Provider Number
- 675438
- Inspections on file
- 41
- Latest survey
- March 3, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 2
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Lakeshore Village Nursing And Rehabilitation during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
An HHSC representative arrived at the facility to conduct a Priority One investigation and was instructed to wait in the lobby for the Administrator. When the Administrator arrived, he told the HHSC representative that they would need to send someone else because he had filed a complaint against that representative and that the resolution was that the representative would not be allowed back in the building. The HHSC representative subsequently left without conducting the investigation, despite state law and HHSC guidance allowing commission representatives to enter at reasonable times and requiring providers to grant surveyors access to records. Facility census records showed 123 residents were present at the time, and the report states that this failure placed all residents at risk of potential harm due to the P1 investigation not being conducted to rule out immediacy.
A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and limited vision was ambulating with a cane while an OT, responsible for supervision, was distracted by her phone and not paying attention. This inattention occurred despite facility policies and staff training prohibiting phone use during resident care, particularly during ambulation, and placed the resident at risk of accident or injury.
A resident with multiple comorbidities refused all nutrition and hydration for several meals, but staff failed to document the refusals or notify the responsible party and practitioners as required. The issue was only discovered when the resident was sent to the ER with acute encephalopathy, renal failure, and dehydration. Facility leadership and practitioners confirmed they were not informed of the resident's declining intake, and the facility's policies for notification were not followed.
A resident with complex medical needs refused all meals and fluids for multiple consecutive meals, but staff failed to document the refusals or notify the practitioner and responsible party as required. The lack of communication and documentation led to the resident being hospitalized with acute encephalopathy, renal failure, and severe dehydration.
The facility exhibited multiple deficiencies in food safety and sanitation practices, including improper food storage, labeling, and temperature maintenance. Staff failed to follow hygiene protocols, such as wearing proper hair restraints and using utensils for food handling. These actions could lead to cross-contamination and foodborne illnesses among residents.
The facility failed to ensure menus met nutritional needs, were prepared in advance, and reviewed by a dietitian. Observations revealed inadequate portion sizes served by hand, lack of menu documentation, and unapproved special meals. Staff interviews highlighted a lack of policy adherence, risking residents' nutritional intake and quality of life.
A resident with moderate cognitive impairment was subjected to an inappropriate comment by a CNA, who likened the resident's meal to "kitty litter." This incident, observed by a state surveyor, highlights a failure to uphold the resident's dignity and respect, as outlined in the facility's policies. The resident expressed discomfort with staff interactions, indicating a broader issue with staff communication.
The facility failed to ensure that call lights were within reach for three residents, including one with severe cognitive impairment and another who was cognitively intact but required assistance. Observations showed call lights out of reach, and staff interviews confirmed the expectation for call lights to be accessible at all times.
The facility failed to ensure residents' rights to choose meal options, as special meals served in the dining room were not offered to those who preferred to eat in their rooms or were bedridden. This practice affected four residents, who were unaware of the special meals and expressed a desire to have them delivered to their rooms. The dietary manager admitted the meals were not listed on the menu and were used as an incentive to encourage dining room attendance, contradicting the facility's policy on resident rights.
The facility failed to honor the food preferences of four residents, leading to dissatisfaction and potential nutritional issues. A resident with quadriplegia was served food against her preferences, while two residents with moderate cognitive impairment did not receive requested items like margarine. Another resident's request for hamburgers was not fulfilled due to errors in processing her request forms. These failures risked poor intake and diminished quality of life.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment had dirty glasses, which were not cleaned regularly, potentially impairing her vision and increasing fall risk. Staff interviews revealed inconsistencies in responsibility for cleaning glasses, with CNAs stating it was their duty, while the ADM and DON noted no specific policy for daily cleaning. The facility's ADL policy emphasized maintaining residents' abilities, but the lack of clear guidelines for cleaning glasses led to a deficiency.
The facility failed to secure medication carts, leaving them unlocked and unattended. Two medication carts were observed in hallways, unsupervised, with drawers facing outward. LVNs admitted to not locking the carts, contrary to facility policy. The DON and ADM confirmed that carts should be locked when not in use, as per the facility's policy.
A facility failed to implement its abuse prevention policies when an LPN reported an allegation of one resident ejaculating on another. The facility did not notify authorities or conduct a thorough investigation, placing residents at risk. The involved residents had cognitive impairments, and staff interviews revealed differing opinions on the nature of the substance found. The facility's policies for reporting and investigating abuse were not followed.
A facility failed to report an alleged abuse incident involving two residents within the required timeframe. An LPN reported suspicions of one resident ejaculating on another, but the DON dismissed the allegation, citing lack of evidence. The administrator and DON did not report the incident to the state, contrary to facility policy.
The facility failed to ensure that kitchen staff adhered to the policy requiring hairnets and beard restraints, as observed during a survey. Staff members, including a dishwasher and dietary aides, were found not wearing the necessary protective gear while handling food, despite being trained on the policy. This inconsistency in policy enforcement could lead to food contamination.
A facility failed to administer medications on time for a resident with multiple health conditions, leading to delays over several days. Additionally, another resident was found with oxycodone without an order, and the facility did not follow its controlled substances policy, resulting in untracked medication. These deficiencies risked improper medication therapy and potential drug diversion.
Administrator Denies HHSC Surveyor Immediate Access for Priority One Investigation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to allow immediate access to residents by a state representative of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) who arrived to conduct a Priority One (P1) investigation. On the morning in question, at about 8:55 a.m., an HHSC representative arrived at the facility and was instructed to wait in the lobby for the Administrator. At approximately 9:04 a.m., the Administrator came to the lobby and told the HHSC representative that they would have to send someone else because the Administrator had filed a complaint against that representative. The Administrator further stated that the resolution to his complaint was that the HHSC representative would not be allowed back in the building. Subsequent observation at about 9:47 a.m. showed the HHSC representative leaving the facility’s parking lot without having been allowed to conduct the P1 investigation. Census records reviewed by surveyors showed that there were 123 residents in the facility on that date. Record review of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 242, Section 242.043, indicated that the commission or its representative may enter an institution at reasonable times to conduct inspections, surveys, or investigations as necessary. Review of HHSC Provider Letter PL 18-26 stated that providers must grant access to all electronic health records when requested by a surveyor. The report states that this failure to allow entry placed all 123 residents at risk of potential harm due to a P1 investigation not being conducted to rule out immediacy.
Inadequate Supervision During Resident Ambulation Due to Staff Phone Use
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when an occupational therapist (OT) failed to provide adequate supervision to a resident with moderate cognitive impairment and limited vision. The resident, a male with a diagnosis of senile degeneration of the brain and ADL self-care performance deficits related to COPD and fatigue, was observed ambulating with a cane while the OT walked behind him, pushing his wheelchair. During this time, the OT was distracted by her phone, looking at pictures and not paying attention to the resident, contrary to facility policy and her training. Interviews with the OT, DON, and ADM confirmed that staff are not permitted to use personal phones during resident care, especially while providing mobility assistance, as outlined in the facility's policies. The OT acknowledged that her inattention could have resulted in serious injury if the resident had fallen. Facility records and interviews further confirmed that staff had received in-service training on the prohibition of phone use during resident care, and that the policy specifically prohibits therapy staff from using phones while ambulating patients.
Failure to Notify Responsible Party and Practitioners of Resident's Significant Change in Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to immediately notify a resident's responsible party and practitioners when there was a significant change in the resident's physical status, specifically a deterioration in health. The resident, a male with a history of cerebral infarction, hypertension, neoplasm-related pain, heart disease, ataxia, and myocardial infarction, was admitted to the facility and subsequently refused to eat or drink from dinner on his admission day through breakfast two days later. Despite this refusal, there were no entries in the resident's progress notes regarding the lack of nutrition or hydration, nor any documentation that practitioners or the responsible party were notified of the situation. Staff interviews revealed that the CNA informed the charge nurse about the resident's refusal to eat or drink, and both attempted to encourage intake without success. However, the charge nurse did not document these refusals in the electronic medical record, citing being busy, and did not notify the responsible party or practitioners. The nurse also mistakenly believed the resident was his own responsible party. Practitioners who saw the resident during this period were not informed of the missed meals, and documentation in the point-of-care system only allowed for a 0-25% intake range, not a true 0% intake, further obscuring the severity of the issue. The responsible party was only notified when the resident was being sent to the emergency room after being found lethargic with low vital signs. Upon hospital evaluation, the resident was diagnosed with acute encephalopathy, acute renal failure, and profound dehydration. Interviews with facility leadership confirmed that there was an expectation for staff to notify management, the responsible party, and practitioners when a resident refused meals or hydration, but this did not occur in this case. The facility's own policies required prompt notification in such circumstances, but these were not followed, resulting in a significant lapse in care and communication.
Removal Plan
- Resident #1 no longer resides in the facility.
- DON/Designee initiated a full audit of all residents to identify any with poor intake or refusal trends. Residents identified with low or declining intake (<25%) were immediately evaluated by nursing. NP/MD and RP notifications initiated. Care plans updated accordingly by DON/Designee.
- DON was in-serviced by Regional Nursing to notify MD/NP and RP for 2 consecutive days of missed meals or poor intake (<25%), accurate documentation in nurses note and communication expectations with return demonstration.
- DON/Designee will in-service licensed nursing staff/licensed agency re-educated and directed to notify Practitioner and RP for 2 consecutive days of missed meals or poor intake (<25%), accurate documentation in nurses note and communication expectations. This will be added to licensed nurses' general orientation for new hires.
- Mandatory in-services will be completed with all current and oncoming nursing staff prior to start of shift worked.
- DON/Designee will complete competency validation conducted for licensed nurses/licensed agency on meal percentages documentation and training above per visual aides and return demonstration. This will be added to licensed nurses' general orientation for new hires.
- Administrator was in-serviced on department head meal manager schedule and details by Texas Area President.
- Department Heads will be in-serviced by administrator on meal manager requirements.
- DON/designee will monitor for residents with poor intake on PCC dashboard in the morning meeting or remotely daily to ensure that interventions are initiated, and Practitioner and RP are notified immediately but not later than 24 hours from identification of nutritional change. This will be documented on a monitoring tool.
- Any issues will be reported to the QAPI Committee meeting monthly.
- Administrator will lead Ad hoc QAPI to review the deficiency and the process for POR.
Failure to Notify and Document Resident's Refusal of Nutrition and Hydration
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with multiple medical conditions, including a recent stroke, heart disease, and ataxia, was admitted to the facility and subsequently refused all meals and hydration from dinner on the day of admission through breakfast two days later. Despite this refusal, there was no documentation in the resident's progress notes regarding the lack of nutrition or hydration, nor was there evidence that the practitioner or responsible party (RP) was notified of the resident's ongoing refusal. The care plan was updated only after the resident was sent to the emergency room, and meal intake documentation was limited to entries indicating 0-25% consumption, with no option to record 0% intake. Interviews with staff revealed that the certified nursing assistant (CNA) informed the charge nurse of the resident's refusal to eat or drink, but the charge nurse did not document these refusals or notify the practitioner or RP. The nurse stated she became busy and did not complete the required documentation or notifications. Nurse practitioners who saw the resident during this period were not informed of the missed meals and were unaware of the resident's poor intake until after the resident was found to be lethargic and was sent to the hospital. The responsible party was only notified when the resident was being transferred to the emergency room, and expressed that earlier notification could have allowed them to intervene. Upon arrival at the hospital, the resident was diagnosed with acute encephalopathy, acute renal failure, and profound dehydration, requiring admission for further treatment. The facility's own policy required notification of the physician and RP in cases of significant changes in intake or nutritional status, but this was not followed. Multiple staff, including the director of nursing, administrator, and medical director, confirmed that the expected protocol was not adhered to, and that the lack of communication and documentation contributed to the resident's decline.
Removal Plan
- Resident #1 no longer resides in the facility.
- DON/Designee initiated a full audit of all residents to identify any with poor intake or refusal trends.
- Residents identified with low or declining intake (25% or less) were immediately evaluated by nursing. NP/MD and RP notifications initiated.
- Care plans updated accordingly by DON/Designee.
- DON/Designee will in-service Licensed nursing/licensed agency staff re-educated and directed to notify Practitioner and RP for 2 consecutive days of missed meals or poor intake (<25%), accurate documentation in nurses note and communication expectations. This will be added to licensed nurses' general orientation for new hires.
- DON/Designee will in-service CNAs/Agency CNA re-educated and directed to notify charge nurse of missed meals or poor intake (<25%), accurate documentation and communication expectations. This will be added to CNAs general orientation for new hires.
- Mandatory in-services will be completed with all current and oncoming nursing staff prior to start of shift worked.
- Competency for License staff and CNAs/Agency CNAs validation conducted on meal percentages documentation and training above per visual aides and return demonstration. This will be added to licensed nurses/CNAs general orientation for new hires.
- Administrator was in-serviced on department head meal manager schedule and details by Texas Area President.
- Department Heads will be in-serviced by administrator on meal manager requirements.
- DON/designee will monitor for residents with poor intake on PCC dashboard in the morning meeting or remotely daily for a period to ensure that interventions are initiated, and Practitioner and RP are notified immediately but not later than 24 hours from identification of nutritional change. This will be documented on a monitoring tool.
- Any issues will be reported to the QAPI Committee meeting.
- Ad hoc QAPI to review the deficiency and the process for POR will be completed.
Deficiencies in Food Safety and Sanitation Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food service safety, resulting in multiple deficiencies in food storage, preparation, and service. Observations revealed that food product bags in the freezer were left open, exposing them to air and causing freezer burn. Additionally, food items in the refrigerator and freezer were not labeled or dated, and a three-door freezer was not maintained at acceptable temperatures, leading to frozen foods thawing and refreezing without being discarded. These practices could potentially lead to cross-contamination and foodborne illnesses among residents. In the kitchen, staff members were observed not following sanitary practices. One staff member, identified as [NAME] H, was seen opening a package of food with his mouth, eating while cooking, and using gloved hands to portion food after touching multiple surfaces without changing gloves. Furthermore, proper hair restraints were not worn by staff, with beard guards not covering full facial hair, increasing the risk of contamination. The facility also failed to reheat and hold food at the proper temperature, as evidenced by chili being served at 110 degrees Fahrenheit, below the required 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The nourishment rooms also exhibited deficiencies, with refrigerators not maintaining proper temperatures and food items not being labeled with residents' names or dates. The facility's policies and training on food safety, hygiene, and labeling were not effectively implemented, as staff members were observed not adhering to these guidelines. Interviews with staff and management revealed a lack of awareness and action regarding these issues, further contributing to the deficiencies observed during the survey.
Failure to Adhere to Menu Planning and Portion Control Policies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the menus met the nutritional needs of residents in accordance with established national guidelines. The menus were not prepared in advance, were not followed, and appropriate substitutions were not made. Additionally, the menus were not reviewed by the facility's dietitian or another clinically qualified nutrition professional for nutritional adequacy. This deficiency was observed in the kitchen where the Dietary Manager (DM) did not create a menu in advance for a special incentive lunch meal served in the dining room, and the menu was not reviewed or approved by the regional dietitian. During observations, it was noted that the DM served inadequate portion sizes during a lunch meal by not using the correct scoop size and serving food portions with hands, which is against the facility's policy. The facility also failed to document any substitutions made to the menus for soft mechanical and puree diets for ten residents. This lack of documentation and adherence to menu guidelines placed residents at risk of poor intake, possible weight loss, and diminished quality of life. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to policies regarding menu planning and portion control. The DM admitted to creating special meals without a formal process or policy, and there were no menus or meal tickets for these meals. The dietitian was not involved in the process and had not approved any menus for the special meals. The facility's policies on menu planning, portion control, and menu substitutions were not followed, leading to inconsistencies in meal service and potential nutritional inadequacies for the residents.
Resident Dignity Compromised by Inappropriate Staff Interaction
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to treat a resident with respect and dignity, as observed during an interaction between a CNA and a resident. The resident, who has moderate cognitive impairment and requires assistance with eating, asked the CNA about the lunch being served. The CNA responded inappropriately by saying, "Looks like you're going to be having kitty litter today," and then left the room. This interaction was witnessed by a state surveyor, and the resident later expressed that she would not have eaten the food if she had understood the comment, and mentioned that staff often made worse comments when surveyors were not present. The resident's care plan indicated she had several medical conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and cognitive impairment, and required assistance with eating. The facility's policies on resident rights and abuse prevention emphasize treating residents with respect and dignity and prohibit any form of abuse, including verbal abuse. The facility administrator acknowledged the inappropriateness of the CNA's comment and noted that while abuse in-servicing was routinely conducted, there had not been a specific in-service on professional communication.
Failure to Ensure Call Lights Within Reach for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the call lights for three residents were within reach, which is a violation of resident rights and could potentially place residents at risk of unmet needs. Resident #99, a male with multiple diagnoses including pneumonia and myocardial infarction, was observed on two separate occasions with his call light out of reach, lying on the floor between the bed and the wall. His care plan specifically included the intervention of having the call bell within reach due to his physical functioning deficit and risk for falls. Resident #112, a male with severe cognitive impairment and multiple health issues, was also found with his call light out of reach on two occasions. Despite being dependent on staff for all activities of daily living, his care plan required that the call bell be within reach. Staff interviews revealed that although Resident #112 might not be capable of using the call light, it was still expected to be within reach as part of his care plan. Resident #72, who was cognitively intact but required assistance for daily activities, reported that his call light was placed out of reach after a CNA made his bed. He demonstrated that he could not reach the call light and expressed that he would have to yell or go into the hallway to get help. Interviews with staff, including CNAs and the ADM, confirmed that call lights should be within reach at all times, and failure to do so could lead to residents being unable to call for help when needed.
Failure to Offer Equal Meal Options to All Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents had the right to make choices about significant aspects of their lives, specifically regarding meal options. Four residents were affected by this deficiency, as they were not allowed to enjoy the special meals served in the dining room because they either preferred to eat in their rooms or were bedridden. This practice could potentially diminish residents' feelings of self-worth and quality of life. Observations revealed that a kitchen aide served chili cheese dogs with optional onions in the dining room, but these meals were not offered to residents who ate in their rooms. Interviews with the residents indicated that they were unaware of the special meals being served in the dining room and expressed a desire to have the option to enjoy these meals in their rooms. The dietary manager admitted that the special meals were not listed on the menu and were intended as an incentive to encourage residents to eat in the dining room. The facility's policy on resident rights emphasizes treating all residents with kindness, respect, and dignity, and ensuring a dignified existence. However, the practice of offering special meals only to those who dine in the dining room contradicts this policy. Staff interviews confirmed that there was confusion among residents about the availability of special meals, and some staff members expressed that all residents should have the option to enjoy the same meals, regardless of their dining location.
Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accommodate the food preferences of four residents, leading to dissatisfaction and potential nutritional issues. Resident #9, who has quadriplegia and requires total assistance with eating, was served hamburger patties covered in gravy despite her meal ticket indicating a preference for no gravy or sauce. This occurred because the kitchen ran out of the planned menu item, and the staff did not inform the nurse or provide an alternative meal. Resident #11, with moderate cognitive impairment, consistently did not receive margarine and sweet and low with her meals, as indicated on her meal ticket. Despite her requests, the aides did not return to provide the missing items, leading to her reluctance to ask for assistance. Similarly, Resident #43, also with moderate cognitive impairment, did not receive margarine with his meals and was served oatmeal, which he disliked, despite his preferences being known to the staff. Resident #53, who is independent in eating, requested hamburgers for lunch but did not receive them, even though her family member filled out the necessary forms. The dietary manager acknowledged that errors in the dates on the forms might have led to the requests being ignored. The facility's failure to honor these residents' food preferences and provide appropriate substitutions as per their policies placed the residents at risk of poor intake and diminished quality of life.
Failure to Maintain Resident's ADL Abilities Due to Unclean Glasses
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents were provided with the necessary care and services to maintain or improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Specifically, Resident #231, who was severely cognitively impaired with a BIMS score of 05, had dirty glasses with built-up grime on both lenses. This condition was observed on 02/19/25, and the resident reported that nobody cleaned her glasses except herself and the nurses, and they had not been cleaned in a long time. The resident's care plan indicated a risk for falls and injury due to poor safety awareness, and the lack of clean glasses could have impaired her vision, increasing the risk of falls. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of clarity and consistency regarding the responsibility for cleaning residents' glasses. The occupational therapist (OT) mentioned trying to keep the glasses clean during therapy sessions but was unsure who was ultimately responsible. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) C and D stated that it was the CNAs' responsibility to clean the glasses daily, as part of their training to maintain residents' belongings. However, the Administrator (ADM) and Director of Nursing (DON) indicated that there was no specific policy requiring daily cleaning, only that glasses should be cleaned when dirty or upon request. The facility's policy on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) emphasized providing care to maintain or improve residents' abilities to perform ADLs, including grooming and personal hygiene. However, the lack of a clear policy or consistent practice regarding the cleaning of glasses led to a deficiency in meeting the resident's needs. The facility's policy on cleaning and disinfection of resident-care items did not specifically address the cleaning of glasses, contributing to the oversight in ensuring Resident #231's glasses were kept clean to prevent potential vision impairment and associated risks.
Medication Carts Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments, making them inaccessible to unauthorized staff, visitors, and residents. During an observation, two medication carts were found unattended and unlocked. Medication Cart #1 was located in Hall-B, against a wall across from the nurses' station, with its drawers facing outward. The cart was unsupervised, and no residents or staff were in sight. LVN-A admitted to leaving the cart unlocked after retrieving something from it and acknowledged that it should have been locked. Similarly, Medication Cart #2 was found in Hall-A, also against a wall across from the nurses' station, with its drawers facing outward. This cart was also unsupervised, with two residents nearby and multiple staff members moving around the area. LVN-B confirmed that medication carts should be locked unless in use. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator (ADM) revealed that the expectation was for medication carts to be locked when not in use. The facility's policy on the security of medication carts, revised in April 2007, stated that carts should be secured during medication passes, parked in the doorway of the resident's room with drawers facing inward, and locked when out of the nurse's view. The policy also required that when not in use, carts should be locked and parked at the nurse's station or inside the medication room. The failure to adhere to these policies could potentially allow unauthorized access to medications.
Failure to Report and Investigate Alleged Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its written policies and procedures regarding prohibiting and preventing abuse for one resident. The incident involved an allegation that one resident ejaculated on another resident, which was reported by an LPN via text message to the administrator. Despite the report, the facility did not notify local, state, and federal agencies as required by current regulations. The facility also failed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, which included not assessing all possible incidents of abuse and not reporting all allegations of abuse within the required timeframes. The resident involved in the incident had severe cognitive impairments and was non-verbal, with a history of sitting in laps of other residents and staff, and frequently chewing on his hands. The resident was dependent on staff for meeting emotional, intellectual, physical, and social needs. The alleged perpetrator was another resident with mild cognitive impairment and a history of delusions, but no prior history of inappropriate sexual behavior. The facility's failure to investigate the incident thoroughly and report it as required placed residents at risk of undetected abuse and potential harm. Interviews with staff revealed that the LPN and CNA believed the substance found on the resident's brief was semen, but the DON dismissed the allegation, suggesting it could be saliva. The administrator and DON did not document the investigation properly, failed to interview all relevant parties, and did not notify the ombudsman or the residents' representatives. The facility's policies required thorough documentation and reporting of such incidents, which were not followed in this case.
Failure to Report Alleged Abuse in a Timely Manner
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an alleged incident of abuse involving two residents within the required two-hour timeframe. An LPN reported via text message to the administrator that she believed one resident had ejaculated on another resident. Despite this report, the facility did not immediately notify the State Agency, delaying the investigation into the allegation. This delay could have placed residents at risk for abuse and resulted in undetected abuse or psychosocial harm. Resident #1, a male with severe cognitive impairment and intellectual disabilities, was found with a fluid substance on his brief by a CNA during rounds. The LPN and CNA suspected the substance was semen and reported their concerns to the administrator and DON. However, the DON dismissed the allegation, suggesting the substance could be saliva, and instructed the LPN to discard the brief. The LPN felt the situation warranted an investigation, but her incident report was struck out by the DON, citing a data entry error. The administrator, who was traveling at the time, delegated the investigation to the DON, who concluded there was no abuse due to the lack of visible trauma or ill outcome for Resident #1. The administrator and DON did not report the incident to the state, as they collectively decided it was not a reportable incident. The facility's policy requires all allegations of abuse to be reported and investigated, but this protocol was not followed in this case.
Non-Compliance with Hairnet and Beard Restraint Policy in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food service safety, specifically regarding the use of hairnets and beard restraints in the kitchen. During observations, it was noted that several staff members, including a dishwasher and dietary aides, were not wearing the required hairnets and beard restraints while preparing and handling food. This non-compliance was observed during a survey, where staff members admitted to not wearing the necessary protective gear, despite being trained and in-serviced on the policy. The facility's policy, revised in November 2022, clearly mandates that food and nutrition services staff must wear hair restraints to prevent hair from contacting food. Interviews with the staff revealed inconsistencies in the understanding and enforcement of the hairnet policy. Some staff members believed that only those on the service line or cooking needed to wear hairnets, while others acknowledged the requirement but failed to comply due to forgetfulness or misunderstanding. The Dietary Manager (DM) confirmed that training was provided, but there was a discrepancy in the enforcement of the policy, particularly regarding dishwashers. The DM stated that dishwashers were not required to wear hairnets according to the policy, yet she still instructed them to do so. This lack of consistent enforcement and understanding of the policy could potentially lead to physical contamination of food, posing a risk of foodborne illness to residents.
Medication Administration and Controlled Substances Policy Failures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of Resident #2, as medications were not administered on time over several consecutive days. Resident #2, a male with multiple diagnoses including seizures, hypertension, and depression, reported receiving medications such as dicyclomine, Eliquis, Zoloft, lactulose, levetiracetam, and enalapril maleate late, often over an hour past the scheduled time. The medication aide, MA B, confirmed administering medications late due to her workload, which involved administering medications to 40 residents. Despite the resident's intact cognition and awareness of the late administration, there was no documentation of any negative effects from the delays. The facility also failed to implement its controlled substances policy when a bottle of oxycodone was found in Resident #3's possession without an order in place. Resident #3, who had diagnoses including chronic pain and major depressive disorder, was found with the medication on her first day at the facility. LVN B confiscated the oxycodone and locked it in the medication cart, but there was no documentation of the medication being prescribed to the resident or any subsequent tracking of the medication's disposition. The DON was not informed of the situation until much later, and there was no record of the oxycodone being destroyed or accounted for, raising concerns about potential drug diversion. The DON acknowledged that the facility's policy on timely medication administration was not followed, as medications should be administered within one hour before or after the scheduled time. The lack of documentation and communication regarding the oxycodone found with Resident #3 also indicated a failure to adhere to the facility's procedures for handling controlled substances. These deficiencies placed residents at risk of not receiving appropriate medication therapies and potential drug diversion.
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.
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release May 27, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.



