Legend Oaks Healthcare And Rehabilitation-kyle
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Kyle, Texas.
- Location
- 1640 Fairway, Kyle, Texas 78640
- CMS Provider Number
- 676272
- Inspections on file
- 39
- Latest survey
- January 29, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 7
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Legend Oaks Healthcare And Rehabilitation-kyle during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Surveyors found that multiple residents had stained privacy curtains that were not promptly cleaned or replaced, despite repeated work orders documenting large dark or feces-like stains and bowel movement on the curtains. One resident with post-stroke hemiplegia and moderate cognitive impairment reported that a CNA splattered bowel movement on his curtain, attempted to wipe it off, and that the stain remained for weeks, affecting family visits. Other residents with conditions including paroxysmal AFib, muscle weakness, post-polio syndrome, and major depressive disorder reported brown splatters and streaks on their curtains and believed they were rarely laundered. Staff interviews showed reliance on a TELS work-order system, uncertainty among nursing staff about laundering frequency, and a practice of monthly deep-cleaning rotations, resulting in stained curtains remaining in resident rooms for extended periods.
A resident with a history of stroke and moderate cognitive impairment, but described by staff as able to consent and oriented, was started on oseltamivir (Tamiflu) prophylaxis after exposure to influenza A. The resident’s POA documents granted only financial authority to family members, with no medical decision-making authority, yet staff documented notifying the responsible party and obtaining approval for the medication without documenting any discussion with the resident. The resident reported he was not told about the new flu medication or its purpose until several days later, learning of it from family rather than staff, and stated he was capable of making his own decisions and wanted to be consulted. Multiple staff, including an LPN, RN, ADON, DONs, and the administrator, acknowledged that residents should be informed of new medications and that this should be documented, but there was no record that this resident was informed prior to initiation of the antiviral therapy.
A medical assistant in an LTC facility failed to sanitize a blood pressure monitor between uses on two residents, both with severe cognitive impairments and multiple health conditions. Additionally, personal drinks were observed on the medication cart, contrary to facility policy. The facility's infection control program requires equipment disinfection to prevent infection spread.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment was physically and emotionally abused by another resident with moderate cognitive impairment and behavioral issues. The incident occurred when the aggressive resident grabbed the other's arm, causing redness, as she attempted to enter a room. Despite staff training on abuse and neglect, the facility failed to prevent this altercation.
Two residents in an LTC facility were observed wearing dirty clothing throughout the day, compromising their dignity. Despite requiring assistance with personal care, staff failed to change their soiled clothes after meals, as per facility policy. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of adherence to the expected practice of maintaining residents' dignity by ensuring clean clothing.
The facility failed to ensure resident privacy by not knocking before entering rooms. Staff members entered the rooms of four residents without knocking, violating their right to privacy. Despite being aware of the policy, staff cited reasons such as rushing or habit for not adhering to it. Residents expressed mixed feelings, with some desiring consistent knocking. The facility's policy emphasizes residents' rights to dignity and privacy.
The facility failed to maintain professional standards for food service safety due to inadequate hand hygiene by Cook C during food preparation. Despite training, Cook C did not wash hands between tasks, potentially risking cross-contamination. Interviews confirmed staff awareness of hand hygiene protocols, but these were not followed, as observed during the preparation of pureed foods.
A resident's OOH-DNR form was found incomplete, missing required signatures from the resident, witnesses, and physician, leading to a deficiency in honoring the resident's rights to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment. Despite the resident's care plan indicating a DNR status, the form's invalidity was confirmed by staff, highlighting a failure in the facility's process for verifying advanced directives.
A resident with dementia and other health issues did not receive necessary nail care, resulting in long, jagged, and dirty fingernails. Despite requiring moderate to extensive assistance with personal hygiene, there was no documentation of nail care for nearly a month. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of clarity and responsibility regarding nail care, placing the resident at risk of skin tears and infection.
The facility failed to assist two residents in obtaining necessary dental services, despite their requests and visible dental issues. Both residents, who were cognitively intact, had not seen a dentist in the past year. Staff interviews revealed a lack of communication and follow-up regarding their dental needs, and the facility did not adhere to its policy requiring prompt referral for dental services.
A resident's call light system was found to be non-functional, preventing them from alerting staff for assistance. The resident, who was at risk for falls, expressed concerns about staff response times. Staff confirmed the malfunction, and faulty wiring was identified and replaced. The facility's policy required immediate reporting of defective call lights.
Soiled Privacy Curtains Not Timely Cleaned or Replaced
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment by not ensuring that privacy curtains for three residents were free of stains. For Resident #1, a male with a history of cerebral infarction and resulting hemiplegia/hemiparesis and moderate cognitive impairment (BIMS 12), surveyors observed housekeeping staff on a ladder replacing the middle privacy curtain in his room. Resident #1 reported that the curtain had been dirty for approximately two to three weeks, stating that a CNA had splattered bowel movement on the curtain while changing his roommate, attempted to wipe it off, but the stain remained and no one made an effort to clean it afterward. He also reported that a similar incident had occurred previously, that his family member had reported it, and that his family did not want to sit near the curtain during visits. For Resident #2, a female with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, muscle weakness, and a cognitive communication deficit but no cognitive impairment (BIMS 14), observation revealed several brown splattered dots on the privacy curtain between her and her roommate. Resident #2 stated she did not know what was on the curtain, wished it could be washed, and was unsure if the curtain had ever been washed since she had been in the room. For Resident #3, a male with post-polio syndrome, major depressive disorder, and a need for assistance with personal care, and no cognitive impairment (BIMS 15), observation showed brown streaks and spots on the middle privacy curtain in his room. Resident #3 stated he did not think the curtain was laundered very often and believed the stains were food. Staff interviews revealed inconsistent understanding and implementation of procedures for handling soiled privacy curtains. CNAs and nursing staff reported that when curtains were soiled, they were to submit a work order in the TELS system and notify maintenance or housekeeping, and that nursing staff could not remove curtains themselves. Some staff, including an LVN and an RN, were unsure about the routine frequency for laundering curtains. The housekeeping supervisor and maintenance staff stated that privacy curtains were laundered on a monthly deep-cleaning rotation and as needed via TELS work orders, with increased urgency if bodily fluids or bowel movement were noted. Review of TELS work order logs showed multiple requests over several weeks for curtains in Resident #1’s room and another room to be changed or washed due to large dark or feces-like stains, including repeated notes that the curtain had a large stain that looked like feces for well over two weeks, and specific entries indicating the curtain had bowel movement or “poop” on it. The facility’s physical environment policy stated that TELS was used to track and document maintenance and regular tasks to keep the facility in good working order for resident and staff safety.
Failure to Inform Cognitively Capable Resident of New Antiviral Prophylaxis
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure a cognitively capable resident was informed of and allowed to participate in decisions regarding a new medication order. The resident was an older male with a history of cerebral infarction and resulting hemiplegia/hemiparesis, with a quarterly MDS BIMS score of 12 indicating moderate cognitive impairment. His face sheet and POA documents identified two family members as financial POA only, with no medical decision-making authority or MPOA designation. The resident’s care plan noted risk for impaired cognitive function, but staff interviews consistently described him as able to consent to his own treatment, oriented, and able to recognize people and express his needs. Record review showed that on a January date, the resident was exposed to influenza A in the facility and, per protocol, was started on oseltamivir (Tamiflu) 75 mg orally once daily for influenza A prophylaxis for 14 days, ordered by the in-house provider. A nursing progress note documented that the responsible party was notified and approved the medication, but there was no documentation from the NP, ADON, LVN, or any other staff that the resident himself was informed of the new medication or its purpose between the start of therapy and the survey date. The resident’s immunization record showed he had already received an influenza vaccine earlier in the season, and there was no indication in the chart that he had been found incompetent by a court of law, as referenced in the facility’s resident rights policy. During interviews, the resident stated he was started on “flu medication” and did not learn what it was for until about three days later, after a family member asked if he knew he had been started on Tamiflu and told him the facility had contacted another family member for permission. He stated that he was not “crazy,” could still make his own decisions, and wanted the facility to contact family only if he was unable to decide for himself. He reported that no one came to ask him about starting the medication or whether he wanted to take it. Multiple staff members, including an LVN, RN, ADON, DONs, and the administrator, described that residents should be notified of new medications and that this should be documented, and several acknowledged that this was important for resident autonomy and involvement in care. However, the LVN could not recall if this resident was notified, the ADON stated the nurse or NP was responsible for speaking with residents, and the DON later asserted that the NP had notified this resident, despite the absence of documentation and the resident’s statement that he had not been informed in advance.
Infection Control Breach with Blood Pressure Monitor
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by the actions of a medical assistant (MA A) who did not clean and disinfect a blood pressure monitor between uses on two residents. On the specified date, MA A used the same blood pressure monitor on two residents without sanitizing it before, between, or after the measurements. This oversight occurred despite the facility's policy requiring the cleaning and disinfection of equipment to prevent the spread of infections. Additionally, MA A was observed with personal drinks on the medication cart, which is against the facility's policy. The residents involved were both elderly males with multiple diagnoses, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dementia, and both had severely impaired cognition as indicated by their BIMS scores. The facility's policy on infection prevention and control, revised in December 2023, outlines the importance of cleaning and disinfection procedures for environmental surfaces and equipment. Despite receiving in-service training on infection control, MA A admitted to not following the policy and was unaware of the reasons behind the prohibition of personal food and drinks on the medication cart.
Resident Abuse Incident Due to Inadequate Protection
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident from physical and emotional abuse by another resident. On the date of the incident, Resident #2 screamed at and grabbed the right arm of Resident #1, who had a history of a nondisplaced fracture of the triquetrum bone in the wrist. This altercation resulted in erythema on Resident #1's arm that lasted for four days. The incident was confirmed through a facility investigation and video footage, which showed Resident #2 coming out of her room and grabbing Resident #1's arm as she attempted to enter the room. Resident #1, a female with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease and a history of fractures, was known to ambulate via wheelchair and enjoyed looking out the windows in Hall 100. Despite her cognitive deficits, she was described as pleasant and had no behavioral concerns. Resident #2, who had moderate cognitive impairment and a history of behavioral issues, expressed paranoia about intruders due to past trauma and was on antidepressant medication. The facility had attempted to refer Resident #2 to behavioral health services, but the referral was declined by her and her family. The incident was witnessed by staff, including an LVN and MD, who observed Resident #2's aggressive behavior towards Resident #1. The facility's investigation revealed that contrary to initial impressions, Resident #1 had not entered Resident #2's room but was attempting to open the door when the altercation occurred. The facility had conducted in-services on abuse and neglect, as well as on responding to resident altercations, but the measures in place were insufficient to prevent the incident from occurring.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity Through Clean Clothing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the dignity of two residents by not maintaining their clothing in a clean state throughout the day. Resident #34, a female with dementia and other conditions requiring extensive assistance with personal care, was observed wearing a dirty t-shirt with yellow stains throughout the day on 09/04/24. Despite being dependent on staff for dressing and personal hygiene, her clothing was not changed after it became soiled, as documented in the care plan and observed by surveyors. Similarly, Resident #67, a male with Parkinson's disease and dementia, was observed on multiple occasions wearing a dirty shirt and clothing protector with food and moisture stains on 09/03/24 and 09/04/24. His family had previously reported the issue to the facility, but it persisted. The resident required substantial assistance with dressing, yet staff failed to change his clothing after meals, as expected by the facility's policy and care plan. Interviews with staff, including CNAs and nursing management, revealed a lack of adherence to the facility's policy of changing residents' clothing after meals if they became dirty. Staff members acknowledged the expectation to change soiled clothing but failed to notice or act upon the residents' needs. The facility's policy on resident rights emphasizes the importance of maintaining dignity, which was compromised by the failure to provide clean clothing, potentially leading to embarrassment for the residents.
Failure to Ensure Resident Privacy by Not Knocking Before Entering Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure resident rights for personal privacy for four residents reviewed for personal privacy. Staff members did not knock on the doors of these residents before entering their rooms, which is a violation of the residents' right to privacy. This practice was observed during meal tray passes, where staff entered the rooms of the residents without knocking, potentially causing the residents to feel that their privacy was being invaded. The residents involved in this deficiency included individuals with various medical conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, dementia, and mobility issues. Despite their medical conditions, these residents had varying levels of cognitive ability, with some being able to understand and communicate effectively. Interviews with the residents revealed mixed feelings about the lack of knocking, with some expressing a desire for staff to knock consistently before entering their rooms. Interviews with staff members, including a CNA, an LVN, the DON, and the ADM, revealed that they were aware of the policy requiring staff to knock before entering residents' rooms. However, reasons for not adhering to this policy included being in a rush, habit, or distraction. The facility's policy on resident rights, dated October 4, 2016, clearly states that residents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, including the right to personal privacy.
Failure in Hand Hygiene During Food Preparation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food service safety, specifically in the area of hand hygiene, during food preparation in the kitchen. Cook C was observed on multiple occasions not washing her hands between tasks while preparing pureed foods. This included touching various surfaces and equipment, such as the puree machine blade, stove, and steam table, without performing hand hygiene in between these actions. The lack of proper hand hygiene was noted during the preparation of both meat and green peas, which were then served to residents. Interviews with the Dietary Manager (DM), Cook D, and the Administrator (ADM) confirmed that all kitchen staff had been trained on hand hygiene practices, which require washing hands between tasks to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infections. Despite this training, Cook C did not follow the hand hygiene protocol, potentially placing residents at risk of food-borne illness. The facility's hand hygiene policy, dated October 2022, mandates that all personnel follow handwashing procedures to prevent the spread of infections, yet this was not adhered to during the observed food preparation process.
Incomplete DNR Form Leads to Deficiency in Resident Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the proper completion of an out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate (OOH-DNR) form for a resident, identified as Resident #49, which is a violation of the resident's rights to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment. The OOH-DNR form for Resident #49 was missing required signatures from the resident or proxy, witnesses, and the physician, rendering it invalid. This oversight was discovered during a review of the resident's clinical records and interviews with facility staff. Resident #49 was admitted with multiple diagnoses, including an unspecified fracture of the right femur, sequelae of cerebral infarction, unspecified atrial fibrillation, and dysphagia. The resident's care plan indicated a DNR code status, and physician orders confirmed a DNR order. However, the OOH-DNR form dated 06/06/2019 lacked the necessary signatures, which was confirmed by multiple staff members during interviews. The staff, including LVNs, social workers, and the administrator, acknowledged the form's invalidity due to missing signatures and recognized the potential risk of not honoring the resident's wishes. Interviews with staff revealed that the facility's process for verifying advanced directives was not followed. The LVNs and social workers stated that they are responsible for ensuring that DNR forms are complete and valid before being entered into the resident's record. Despite this, the form for Resident #49 was not properly reviewed, leading to the deficiency. The facility's policy requires that advanced directives be reviewed to ensure they reflect the resident's choices and are signed and dated by the appropriate parties, which was not adhered to in this case.
Failure to Provide Adequate Nail Care for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident, who was unable to perform activities of daily living, received the necessary services to maintain good grooming and personal hygiene. Specifically, the facility did not ensure that the resident's fingernails were clean and smooth over a period of several days. The resident, an elderly female with a history of dementia, lack of coordination, and other health issues, required moderate to extensive assistance with personal hygiene. Despite this need, there was no documentation of nail care being provided to her for nearly a month. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of clarity and responsibility regarding nail care. A CNA mentioned that the resident's nails often got dirty due to her behavior, but there was no specific assignment for nail care. An LVN and the ADON both acknowledged that nail care should be part of regular hygiene routines, but there was no consistent monitoring or reporting of issues. The DON and ADM also confirmed that nail care was expected to be monitored by nursing staff, yet there was no evidence of this being effectively carried out. This oversight placed the resident at risk of skin tears and infection due to long, jagged, and dirty fingernails.
Failure to Provide Dental Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assist two residents, Resident #46 and Resident #74, in obtaining necessary dental services. Resident #46, who was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 13, had been experiencing discomfort with her dentures, which was noted in her care plan. Despite her requests to see a dentist and visible buildup on her teeth, there was no record of her having seen a dentist in the past year. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of communication and follow-up regarding her dental needs, with the social worker and administration unsure of why she had not been referred to a dentist. Resident #74, also cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15, had no teeth or dentures in her mouth during observation. She reported that her dentures had been broken by a CNA months ago, yet there was no documentation of her being offered dental services. Staff interviews indicated that she often requested softer foods and preferred not to wear her dentures, but there was no record of her being referred to a dentist. The facility's policy requires prompt referral for dental services, but this was not adhered to in her case. The facility's policy on dental services states that residents should have access to routine and emergency dental care without barriers, and that the facility should investigate and determine financial responsibility for denture repairs. However, both residents had not been seen by a dentist in the past year, and there was no documentation of efforts to address their dental concerns. The facility's failure to follow its own policy and ensure timely dental care for these residents constitutes a deficiency in care.
Deficiency in Resident Call Light Functionality
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a working call system was available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area, specifically for one resident. The call button in the bedroom of a resident was not functioning properly, as observed during an inspection. The resident, who was at risk for falls and dependent on staff for assistance, was unable to alert staff for help when needed. The resident expressed concerns about the timeliness of staff response when the call light was pressed. Interviews with staff confirmed the malfunction of the call light system. A CNA verified that the call light was not working at the time of observation, although it had been functioning earlier. The maintenance director identified faulty wiring as the cause and replaced it upon discovery. The DON and the Administrator both acknowledged the importance of having a functioning call light system to meet residents' needs promptly. Maintenance logs showed previous tests indicating the call light was functioning, and the facility's policy required immediate reporting of defective call lights.
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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