Magnolia Place Health Care
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Liberty, Texas.
- Location
- 1620 Magnolia St., Liberty, Texas 77575
- CMS Provider Number
- 676011
- Inspections on file
- 23
- Latest survey
- June 4, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Magnolia Place Health Care during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility did not ensure that the Administrator, DON, and IP received training on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) or implemented EBP for residents with chronic wounds or indwelling medical devices during high-contact care activities. Observations and staff interviews confirmed a lack of EBP signage, PPE setup, and staff awareness of updated requirements, resulting in noncompliance with infection control standards.
The facility did not provide required training on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) to most staff, including the Administrator, DON, ADON/IP, LVNs, and CNAs. Staff were unable to accurately describe or implement EBP during resident care, and leadership had not received or provided updated infection control training prior to surveyor intervention. This resulted in staff not following EBP protocols, such as using gowns during high-contact care for residents with medical devices.
Two residents were administered antipsychotic and antidepressant medications without completed informed consent forms, as required by facility policy. Documentation was missing key information and signatures from both the prescriber and the resident or their representative, and facility leadership was unaware of the incomplete consent process.
Multiple residents with wounds or indwelling medical devices did not have Enhanced Barrier Precautions signage or PPE available, and staff did not consistently wear gowns or follow EBP protocols during high-contact care activities. Staff interviews revealed confusion and lack of training regarding EBP, and care plans and physician orders did not include EBP instructions, resulting in repeated failures to follow infection control policies.
Two residents with mental health diagnoses did not receive accurate PASRR Level 1 screenings, resulting in errors such as unverified primary diagnoses and incorrect documentation of intended length of stay. These inaccuracies occurred despite facility policy requiring proper assessment and coordination for individuals with MI, DD, or ID.
A resident with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and adjustment insomnia was prescribed Seroquel (an antipsychotic) for multiple diagnoses without a clearly documented appropriate indication. The DON was unaware of the multiple diagnoses listed for the medication, and facility policy requiring specific, documented indications for psychotropic drug use was not followed.
A resident with chronic hepatic failure and cirrhosis was found to have over-the-counter medications, including cough drops, Neosporin, and hydrocortisone cream, stored at the bedside without a physician's order, care plan, or self-administration assessment. Facility staff and the DON confirmed that policy requires orders and assessments for bedside medication storage, but these were not in place, and the medications remained accessible over several days.
The facility failed to employ a qualified dietary manager, as the acting Dietary Supervisor lacked certification. Despite efforts to hire a certified dietary manager since April, the position remained unfilled. The facility's policy required a certified dietary manager, which was not met, leading to a deficiency in the food and nutrition service.
The facility's kitchen failed to maintain sanitary conditions by not properly labeling and dating food items in refrigerators, including avocados, sippy cups, orange slices, ham, and cucumbers. The acting dietary supervisor admitted to lapses in labeling, and the administrator confirmed the expectation for proper food storage. This failure could lead to expired foods being served, risking foodborne illness.
The facility failed to comply with regulations by not employing or contracting a Social Worker (SW) as required. The Administrator confirmed the absence of a SW after the previous one quit a month ago, and they were actively searching for a replacement. The facility's policy and Texas Administrative Code require employing a SW to meet residents' needs.
The facility did not ensure that QAPI training was completed for all 17 staff members reviewed, including the Administrator, DON, and various LVNs and CNAs. Interviews revealed that the computer-based training system failed to trigger required training modules, leading to a systemic issue in the training process.
The facility did not ensure compliance and ethics training was completed for 17 staff members, including the Administrator, DON, and various LVNs and CNAs. Record reviews showed none had completed the required training, and interviews revealed a failure in the computer-based training system. The facility's policy mandates training completion as a condition of employment.
The facility failed to provide required training for contracted staff, including a dietician, PT, OT, and ST, and did not maintain training records. Interviews with HR, DON, Administrator, and ADON revealed a lack of awareness and implementation of training protocols for these staff members, despite a policy requiring compliance with training programs.
The facility failed to ensure that 11 out of 17 employees received mandatory training in effective communications, including during orientation and annually. Interviews revealed issues with the computer-based training system, which did not trigger the required trainings. This deficiency could place residents at risk of miscommunication and social isolation.
The facility failed to ensure staff completed training on resident rights and facility responsibilities during orientation and annually. Two employees did not complete the training during orientation, and three others, including the DON, did not complete it annually. A computer-based training system issue contributed to this deficiency.
The facility failed to ensure required training on Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) and dementia management for staff. An LVN did not complete ANE and dementia training during orientation, and the DON did not receive annual ANE training. A computer issue failed to trigger necessary trainings, potentially risking resident care.
The facility failed to ensure infection prevention and control training was completed for an LVN during orientation and for an MD annually. The DON and Administrator expected all required trainings to be completed, but a computer-based training issue prevented this. The facility's policy mandates compliance with training programs.
The facility failed to ensure CNAs completed required trainings in ANE and dementia management, with two CNAs not completing these trainings as mandated. CNA N did not complete the trainings during orientation, and CNA K did not complete them annually. The DON and Administrator expected these trainings to be completed, but a computer-based training system issue prevented the necessary alerts.
The facility did not ensure behavioral health training was completed for several staff members during orientation and annually, potentially risking resident care. Interviews revealed a computer system issue that failed to trigger required trainings, despite policy mandates.
A facility failed to accurately document a resident's use of oxygen therapy in her MDS assessment, despite her COPD diagnosis and continuous oxygen order. Staff interviews revealed the omission was an oversight, lacking a backup system for accuracy checks, potentially affecting facility revenue. The facility's policy and assessment manual require documentation of such treatments, underscoring the deficiency.
Failure to Train Staff and Implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the Administrator, Director of Nursing (DON), and Infection Preventionist (IP) received training on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) as required by updated CMS and CDC guidance. Observations conducted over several days revealed that there was no EBP signage or personal protective equipment (PPE) set up outside or inside any resident rooms. Interviews with the ADON/IP and DON confirmed that they were not familiar with EBP, had not received training on the updated requirements, and were unaware of recent changes or provider letters regarding EBP implementation. The Administrator also indicated only a brief awareness of EBP and was not fully informed about the regulatory requirements. Record review indicated that the facility had residents with chronic wounds and indwelling medical devices, such as g-tubes and foley catheters, who were not placed on EBP during high-contact care activities. The lack of EBP implementation was confirmed through staff interviews and direct observation, with no evidence of EBP being practiced for any residents, regardless of their multidrug-resistant organism status. The facility's failure to train key staff and implement EBP protocols resulted in noncompliance with current infection control standards.
Failure to Provide Mandatory EBP Training for Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that mandatory training on infection prevention and control, specifically Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP), was provided to 11 of 12 employees reviewed, including both new and existing staff such as the Administrator, DON, ADON/IP, LVNs, and CNAs. Record review indicated that education on EBP was only conducted after surveyor intervention, and prior to this, staff had not received adequate training on the facility's written standards, policies, and procedures for EBP. The facility's policy required implementation of EBP for residents with certain conditions, such as wounds or indwelling medical devices, but staff were not familiar with these requirements before the surveyor's involvement. Observations and interviews revealed that staff members, including CNAs and LVNs, were unable to accurately describe EBP or differentiate it from other types of precautions, such as Transmission-Based Precautions (TBP) or standard precautions. During incontinent care for a resident with a g-tube, CNAs donned gloves but did not use gowns as required by EBP, and there was no signage indicating EBP in the resident's room. Multiple staff members expressed uncertainty about what EBP entailed, when it should be used, and whether they had received training on it. Some staff confused EBP with the use of barrier creams or standard infection control practices, and several stated they were unsure if any residents were currently on EBP. Interviews with facility leadership, including the ADON/IP and DON, confirmed that they had not been trained on EBP prior to the survey and were unaware of recent updates or changes in infection control guidelines. The ADON/IP stated she relied on the DON and Administrator for updates, while the DON reported difficulty accessing training opportunities and was unable to articulate expectations related to EBP. The Administrator acknowledged responsibility for infection control education but indicated that staff were only educated on EBP after surveyor intervention. The lack of staff training on EBP and the facility's failure to implement its own policy placed residents at risk of illness due to inadequate infection control practices.
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent for Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents were fully informed and provided consent prior to the administration of psychotropic medications. Specifically, for two residents reviewed, required consent forms for antipsychotic and antidepressant medications were either incomplete or missing at the time the medications were administered. Documentation for both residents lacked necessary information and signatures from the prescribing practitioner and the resident or their representative. One resident, an older female with diagnoses including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and adjustment insomnia, was administered Seroquel and Cymbalta without completed consent forms. The forms for both medications were missing critical information such as the prescriber's details, clinical indications, and signatures from both the prescriber and the resident or representative. The resident's care plan indicated use of high-risk drugs and risk for side effects, but the required informed consent process was not documented. Another resident, also an older female with major depressive disorder and severely impaired cognition, received Seroquel without a completed consent form. The form lacked the resident or representative's acknowledgment and signature. Interviews with facility leadership revealed a lack of awareness regarding the incomplete consent forms, and the facility's policy required that residents or their representatives be informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to psychotropic medications prior to administration, with documentation of this process.
Failure to Implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions and Infection Control Measures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to establish and maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, specifically regarding the implementation of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) for residents with wounds or indwelling medical devices. Multiple residents with conditions such as suprapubic catheters, gastrostomy tubes, foley catheters, and pressure ulcers did not have EBP signage posted outside their rooms, and personal protective equipment (PPE) was not set up or readily accessible prior to staff entering the rooms. Observations revealed that staff did not consistently wear gowns or follow EBP protocols during high-contact care activities, such as catheter care, wound care, medication administration via g-tube, and resident transfers. In several instances, staff only wore gloves and did not don gowns, even when their uniforms came into direct contact with residents or their bedding during care. Interviews with staff, including CNAs and LVNs, indicated a lack of understanding and training regarding EBP and the distinction between EBP and other types of precautions. Some staff believed EBP referred to the use of barrier creams or setting up towels, and were unsure about which resident care activities required EBP. Staff also reported not receiving recent or adequate training on EBP, and some were unaware of the updated CDC recommendations or facility policies regarding EBP. The infection preventionist and DON also demonstrated limited knowledge of EBP requirements and did not identify any residents as currently needing EBP, despite the presence of qualifying conditions among several residents. Record reviews further showed that care plans and physician orders for affected residents did not include instructions for EBP, and the facility's own policy on EBP was not being followed in practice. The lack of EBP implementation was observed across multiple days and for several residents, with repeated failures to post signage, provide PPE, and ensure staff compliance with gown use during high-contact care. These deficiencies were confirmed through direct observation, interviews with staff and residents, and review of facility documentation.
Deficient PASRR Screening and Evaluation for Residents with Mental Illness or Disability
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that individuals identified with mental illness (MI), developmental disability (DD), or intellectual disability (ID) were properly evaluated for services, as required by the PASRR process, for two of five residents reviewed. For one resident, the PASRR Level 1 screening incorrectly listed dementia as the primary diagnosis without verification from a physician or supporting documentation, despite the resident having diagnoses of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder and being prescribed antipsychotic and antidepressant medications. The MDS nurse admitted to not confirming the primary diagnosis with the physician and acknowledged the PASRR Level 1 was not accurate and needed to be redone. For another resident, the PASRR Level 1 form was incorrectly marked to indicate a short-term stay of less than 30 days, even though the resident was intended for long-term placement and had diagnoses including schizoaffective disorder and major depressive disorder, and was receiving antipsychotic medications. The MDS nurse responsible for the form was unsure why the error occurred and recognized that the mistake could have delayed services. The facility's policy requires accurate coordination with the PASRR program to ensure appropriate care and services for individuals with MI, DD, or ID, but this was not followed in these cases.
Failure to Ensure Appropriate Indication for Antipsychotic Medication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's drug regimen was free from unnecessary medications, specifically regarding the use of Seroquel (an antipsychotic). Record review showed that the resident, an older female with diagnoses of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and adjustment insomnia, had physician orders for Seroquel to treat all three conditions, as well as Cymbalta for major depressive disorder. The orders did not specify an appropriate diagnosis for the use of Seroquel, and the care plan identified her as being at high risk for side effects from both antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) confirmed the resident was taking both an antipsychotic and an antidepressant and had moderately impaired cognition. During interviews, the DON stated she was unaware that the resident had multiple diagnoses listed for Seroquel and acknowledged that a resident could receive a medication for the wrong indication. She explained that nurses are responsible for verifying the correct diagnosis with the physician, and that she and the ADONs conduct random chart reviews. The facility's policy on psychotropic medications requires that such drugs only be given when necessary to treat a specific, documented condition and that the medication's benefit be demonstrated through monitoring and documentation, which was not followed in this case.
Unauthorized Bedside Storage of Medications Without Physician Order or Assessment
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident was found to have over-the-counter medications, including Luden's cough drops, Neosporin ointment, and Equate hydrocortisone cream, stored at the bedside without a physician's order or care plan authorizing self-administration. The resident's medical record did not contain any orders for these medications, nor was there documentation of a self-administration medication assessment or a care plan addressing the storage or self-administration of medications. Multiple observations over several days confirmed that the medications remained accessible on the resident's bedside table while the resident was not present in the room and the door was open. Interviews with the resident revealed that he did not inform nursing staff about possessing the medications, stating he was capable of managing them himself. The responsible party for the resident admitted to bringing the medications into the facility and was unaware of the requirement to notify staff about over-the-counter medications. Nursing staff and the DON confirmed that facility policy requires a physician's order and a completed self-administration assessment before a resident may keep medications at the bedside, and that unauthorized medications should not be left in resident rooms. Review of facility policy indicated that all medications found at the bedside without authorization must be reported and returned to the responsible party, and that the care plan must reflect any arrangements for self-administration and storage. In this case, the facility failed to follow its own policy and federal regulations regarding medication storage, labeling, and resident self-administration, resulting in unauthorized medications being accessible in a resident's room.
Deficiency in Dietary Management Staffing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skill sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service. Specifically, the facility did not designate a qualified dietary manager, as the acting Dietary Supervisor lacked the necessary certification or any other qualifying credentials. This deficiency was identified during a review of the personnel file, which showed no documentation of the Dietary Supervisor having completed the certified Dietary Manager course. Interviews with the Dietary Supervisor, HR staff, and the Administrator confirmed that the Dietary Supervisor had not started the dietary manager classes and was temporarily filling the role until a certified dietary manager could be hired. The facility had been attempting to hire a certified dietary manager since April 2024, but had not succeeded by the time of the survey. The facility's policy required the employment of a full-time certified dietary manager, which was not met.
Improper Food Labeling and Storage in Facility Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain sanitary conditions in its kitchen, as observed during a survey. Specifically, food items in the refrigerators were not properly labeled with product and expiration dates. This included a browning avocado in a gallon-sized bag, sippy cups with a white substance, a container with orange slices, a piece of ham covered with foil, and a Styrofoam dish with sliced cucumbers, all of which were not labeled or dated. The acting dietary supervisor admitted to forgetting to label and date the sippy cups and was unsure about the dates for the cucumbers and orange slices, leading to their disposal. The supervisor acknowledged that all dietary staff were responsible for labeling and dating items to prevent serving old food to residents. The facility's administrator, who was temporarily overseeing the dietary staff, confirmed the expectation for proper food storage, including labeling and dating. The facility's policy from 2005 required refrigerated foods to be covered, labeled, and dated. Additionally, the 2022 Food Code mandates date marking for ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food, to ensure food is consumed, sold, or discarded within a safe timeframe. The lack of proper labeling and dating could result in expired foods being served to residents, posing a risk for foodborne illness.
Failure to Employ Required Social Worker
Penalty
Summary
The facility's governing body failed to comply with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes by not employing or contracting a Social Worker (SW) as required by state regulations. During an interview, the Administrator confirmed that the facility did not have a SW, as the previous SW had quit about a month prior, and they were actively searching for a replacement. A review of the facility's Social Services Policy indicated that the facility was supposed to employ a full or part-time SW. Additionally, the Texas Administrative Code 554.703 (a)(2) mandates that a facility with 120 beds or less must employ or contract with a qualified SW to provide social services adequately to meet the residents' needs.
Failure to Complete QAPI Training for Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) training was completed for all 17 employees reviewed, including the Administrator, Assistant Administrator, Director of Nursing (DON), Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), and various other staff members such as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). The lack of training was identified through interviews and record reviews, which revealed that none of the staff had completed the required QAPI training. This deficiency was noted across various roles, indicating a systemic issue in the training process. Interviews with the DON and Administrator highlighted that there was an expectation for all required trainings to be completed during orientation and annually. However, it was discovered that there was a problem with the computer-based training system, which failed to trigger the necessary training modules for staff. The facility's Staff Education policy mandates compliance with training programs as a condition of employment, yet this was not adhered to, potentially placing staff and residents at risk due to a lack of awareness of facility programs, implementation, and monitoring.
Failure to Complete Compliance and Ethics Training
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that compliance and ethics training was completed for all 17 employees reviewed, including the Administrator, Assistant Administrator, Director of Nursing (DON), Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), and various licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). The record review of employee files revealed that none of these staff members had completed the required training. This lack of training was acknowledged by the DON, who stated that all training should be completed during orientation and annually as required. The Administrator also confirmed the expectation that all necessary training should be completed during orientation and on an annual basis. Interviews conducted with the DON and Administrator highlighted a failure in the computer-based training system, which did not trigger the required training for staff during orientation and annually. The facility's Staff Education policy, implemented in 2024, mandates that compliance with training programs is a condition of employment, requiring all employees to complete necessary training within designated time frames. The absence of completed training could potentially impact the quality of care provided to residents, as indicated by the DON.
Deficiency in Training for Contracted Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that individuals providing services under a contractual arrangement received training consistent with their expected roles. This deficiency was identified for four contracted staff members, including a dietician, physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT), and speech therapist (ST). The facility did not maintain records of these trainings, which could potentially place residents at risk due to insufficiently trained staff. Interviews with facility personnel, including the Human Resources (HR) representative, Director of Nursing (DON), Administrator, and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), revealed a lack of awareness and implementation of training protocols for contracted staff. The HR representative was unaware of any training files for the dietician and therapy staff, while the DON and ADON confirmed that the facility did not provide training for contracted staff. The Administrator expressed an expectation that all required trainings should be completed during orientation and annually as required, but acknowledged that the impact of incomplete trainings would depend on the specific staff and trainings involved. A review of the facility's Staff Education policy indicated that compliance with training programs is a condition of employment, yet this policy was not effectively implemented for contracted staff.
Deficiency in Staff Training on Effective Communication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that employees received the required training in effective communications, which is mandatory for direct care staff members. This deficiency was identified for 11 out of 17 employees reviewed for training, including the Administrator, Assistant Administrator, LVN F, RN G, AD, MD, HS, CNA K, CNA L, CNA M, and CNA N. Specifically, the facility did not ensure that effective communication training was completed during orientation for LVN F, RN G, CNA L, CNA M, and CNA N. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure that the Administrator, Assistant Administrator, AD, MD, HS, and CNA K completed this training annually. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that there was an expectation for all required trainings to be completed during orientation and annually. However, the DON indicated that there was an issue with the computer-based training system, which failed to trigger the required trainings for staff. The facility's Staff Education policy, implemented in 2024, mandates compliance with training programs as a condition of employment, yet the deficiency in training completion was evident. This lack of training could potentially place residents at risk of miscommunication and social isolation.
Deficiency in Staff Training on Resident Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that staff members were adequately trained on resident rights and facility responsibilities, as required during orientation and annually. Specifically, two employees, LVN F and CNA N, did not complete the necessary training during their orientation period. Additionally, three other staff members, including the Director of Nursing (DON), LVN D, and CNA K, did not complete their annual training on these critical topics. This lack of training was identified through a review of employee files, which showed gaps in compliance with the facility's training requirements. Interviews with the DON and the Administrator revealed that there was an expectation for all staff to complete the required training during orientation and annually. However, a computer-based training system issue was identified as a contributing factor, as it failed to trigger the necessary training alerts for staff. The facility's Staff Education policy mandates compliance with training programs as a condition of employment, yet these deficiencies in training completion could potentially affect residents by leaving them uninformed due to the staff's lack of training.
Training Deficiency in ANE and Dementia Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that employees received the required training on Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) and dementia management. Specifically, the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN F), who was hired on August 7, 2023, did not complete ANE and dementia management training during orientation. Additionally, the Director of Nursing (DON), hired on January 19, 2015, last completed ANE training on January 31, 2023, and did not receive the required annual training. The Health Services (HS) staff also did not complete the annual ANE training. Interviews with the DON and the Administrator revealed that there was an expectation for all nursing staff to complete the necessary trainings during orientation and annually. However, a computer-based training issue failed to trigger the required trainings for staff, leading to the deficiency. The lack of training could potentially place residents with dementia at risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, as well as result in poor quality of care by inadequately trained staff.
Infection Control Training Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that its infection prevention and control program's standards, policies, and procedures were completed for two staff members, an LVN and an MD, as part of their training requirements. Specifically, the LVN, hired on 08/07/23, did not complete the infection prevention and control training during orientation. Additionally, the MD, hired on 07/01/04, did not complete the required annual infection prevention and control training. These lapses in training were identified through a review of employee files. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that there was an expectation for all nursing staff to complete required trainings during orientation and annually. The DON acknowledged an issue with the computer-based training system, which failed to trigger the necessary training requirements for staff. The facility's Staff Education policy, implemented in 2024, mandates compliance with training programs as a condition of employment, yet these deficiencies in training completion were noted.
Failure to Complete Required CNA Trainings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) completed required trainings in Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) and dementia management. Specifically, two CNAs, identified as CNA K and CNA N, did not complete these trainings as mandated. CNA N, who was hired on December 7, 2023, did not complete the ANE and dementia management trainings during their orientation period. Similarly, CNA K, hired on October 25, 2021, failed to complete the annual ANE and dementia management trainings. This oversight in training could potentially place residents with dementia at risk of receiving inadequate care. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that there was an expectation for all nursing staff to complete required trainings during orientation and annually. The DON acknowledged a problem with the computer-based training system, which failed to trigger the necessary training alerts for staff. The facility's Staff Education policy, implemented in 2024, mandates compliance with training programs as a condition of employment, yet this policy was not adhered to in these instances.
Failure to Complete Behavioral Health Training for Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that behavioral health training was completed for 11 out of 17 employees reviewed for training. Specifically, the facility did not provide behavioral health training during orientation for several staff members, including an LVN, an RN, and multiple CNAs. Additionally, the facility did not ensure that the Administrator, Assistant Administrator, AD, MD, HS, and a CNA completed their required annual behavioral health training. This lack of training could potentially place residents with behavioral issues at risk of not receiving appropriate care. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that there was an expectation for all required trainings to be completed during orientation and annually. However, a computer-based training system issue was identified, which failed to trigger the necessary training requirements for staff. The facility's Staff Education policy mandates compliance with training programs as a condition of employment, yet the deficiency in training completion was evident in the employee files reviewed.
Inaccurate Resident Assessment for Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the resident assessment for a resident accurately reflected her status, specifically regarding the use of oxygen therapy. The resident, an elderly female with a diagnosis of Chronic Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and dependence on supplemental oxygen, was admitted to the facility with a physician's order for continuous oxygen therapy. Despite this, the quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment did not indicate that she was receiving oxygen therapy, which was a significant oversight given her medical condition and treatment requirements. Interviews with facility staff, including the MDS nurse and the Director of Nursing (DON), revealed that the omission was due to an oversight and lack of a backup system to double-check the accuracy of MDS entries. The MDS nurse acknowledged the error and noted that it could affect the facility's revenue, while the DON emphasized the importance of accurate MDS documentation to reflect the residents' needs and conditions. The facility's policy and the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument Manual both require that special treatments, such as oxygen therapy, be documented in the MDS, highlighting the deficiency in the facility's assessment process.
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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