Marshall Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Marshall, Texas.
- Location
- 1007 S Washington Ave, Marshall, Texas 75670
- CMS Provider Number
- 455646
- Inspections on file
- 30
- Latest survey
- May 7, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Marshall Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Two residents with limited range of motion did not receive appropriate restorative therapy and splint application as recommended by occupational therapy and documented in care plans. One resident did not receive restorative exercises for two weeks after therapy discharge due to unclear referral processes, while another was not consistently provided with a prescribed hand splint because of staff confusion over responsibility and documentation.
Surveyors identified multiple infection control deficiencies, including improper hand hygiene and glove use by a CNA during incontinent and catheter care for a resident with complex medical needs, failure to implement contact isolation for a resident with VRE, and improper storage of laundry items on the floor. These lapses were confirmed through staff interviews and direct observation.
A resident with multiple medical conditions, including impaired mobility and risk for skin breakdown, reported discomfort with his mattress and requested a replacement. Despite multiple complaints, there was confusion among staff about whether a maintenance request had been submitted, leading to a delay in replacing the mattress. The facility lacked a process for scheduled mattress inspections, and the issue was only addressed after a formal request was finally made.
A resident with a stage 2 sacral pressure ulcer and multiple risk factors was found to have a pressure-relieving mattress set at a weight far above her actual weight for several days. Staff interviews revealed confusion about who was responsible for setting the mattress correctly, and facility policies required settings to be based on individual weight. This failure resulted in the resident not receiving care consistent with professional standards for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.
A resident with an indwelling urinary catheter did not receive proper catheter care or securement as ordered, with staff failing to use a securement device and not following correct hand hygiene or care sequence during incontinence and catheter care. Staff interviews confirmed that these actions did not meet facility policy or training requirements.
The facility did not ensure that the attending physician or nurse practitioner documented a rationale in the medical record when disagreeing with the consultant pharmacist's recommendations for two residents during medication regimen reviews. In both cases, recommendations to discontinue or adjust medications were not followed, and no justification was provided, despite facility policy requiring such documentation.
A CNA Class Instructor entered the kitchen during meal service without a hairnet while food was being plated, in violation of facility policy requiring all staff to wear hair restraints in the kitchen. This was confirmed by staff interviews and review of the facility's food preparation and service policy.
A resident with a history of recurrent UTIs and moderate cognitive impairment was prescribed a prophylactic antibiotic, which was not discontinued when a second antibiotic was started for an active infection. Facility staff failed to communicate and monitor concurrent antibiotic use, resulting in the resident receiving two cephalosporins at the same time, contrary to the facility's antibiotic stewardship policy.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and legal blindness was physically abused by another resident with a history of behavioral issues, including poor impulse control and previous altercations. The incident occurred in a hallway and was witnessed by a CNA. Despite existing care plans and staff awareness of the aggressor's behavioral risks, the facility did not prevent the altercation, resulting in a deficiency for failure to protect residents from abuse.
The facility failed to develop and implement comprehensive care plans for three residents, including the use of transfer bars and a seizure safety helmet, leading to potential risks and unmet needs.
The facility failed to enforce its smoking and fire safety policies, resulting in a resident's smoking materials being left in their room and multiple residents having items placed on overhead light fixtures, creating potential fire hazards.
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder received an accurate PASRR Level 1 assessment. The assessment, completed by an RN case manager at a local hospital, did not reflect the resident's bipolar disorder diagnosis, which was not caught by the MDS Coordinator or during care plan meetings. This oversight could have impacted the specialized services the resident received.
The facility failed to ensure a resident's drug regimen was free from unnecessary psychotropic drugs due to inadequate behavior and side effect monitoring. The resident was administered Haloperidol without documented behaviors to justify its use or effectiveness, and staff interviews revealed a lack of proper documentation and monitoring.
A CNA failed to perform hand hygiene between assisting two residents with their meals, leading to a risk of cross-contamination and infection. Both residents required full assistance with eating, and the CNA's actions were not in compliance with the facility's infection control policies.
Failure to Provide Restorative Therapy and Splint Application for Residents with Limited ROM
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate restorative therapy and services to two residents with limited range of motion (ROM), as recommended by occupational therapy and documented in care plans. One resident, a male with a history of diabetes, pituitary gland neoplasm, and bilateral hip replacements, was discharged from occupational therapy with a recommendation for restorative nursing exercises. Despite this, there was no documentation of restorative services being provided for two weeks following the therapy discharge. Interviews revealed confusion among staff regarding the referral process and responsibility for initiating restorative services, resulting in the resident not receiving the recommended exercises during this period. Another resident, a female with a history of cerebral infarction, hemiplegia, hemiparesis, and rheumatoid arthritis, was identified as needing a left upper extremity splint to prevent further contracture. Despite this, observations over several days showed that the resident was not wearing the splint, and staff interviews indicated a lack of clarity regarding who was responsible for applying the splint. The restorative plan of care did not reflect the need for the splint, and staff were unaware of the specific requirements for its use, leading to inconsistent application and documentation. Both cases demonstrate failures in communication and implementation of restorative care plans, resulting in residents not receiving necessary interventions to maintain or improve their range of motion. The lack of coordination between therapy, nursing, and restorative staff contributed to these deficiencies, as evidenced by missing documentation, unclear responsibilities, and inconsistent follow-through on recommended treatments and device use.
Infection Control Failures in Resident Care and Laundry Handling
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper infection prevention and control practices in several areas, as observed and documented by surveyors. In one instance, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) did not follow correct hand hygiene and glove-changing protocols while providing incontinent and catheter care to a 94-year-old male resident with multiple diagnoses, including heart failure, sepsis, and acute kidney failure. The CNA performed care on the resident's buttocks and then applied a clean brief without changing gloves or sanitizing hands, and subsequently touched the resident's pants with contaminated gloves. Interviews with other staff confirmed that the CNA did not follow the expected sequence of care or proper hygiene practices, which could lead to contamination and infection. Another deficiency was identified when a female resident with a urinary tract infection caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) was not placed on contact isolation after laboratory results confirmed the presence of this resistant organism. The Director of Nursing (DON), who also served as the Infection Control Practitioner (ICP), was unaware of the VRE result and did not initiate appropriate isolation precautions. Staff interviews revealed that the standard practice was to place residents with VRE on contact isolation to prevent the spread of infection, but this was not done until much later, after the oversight was discovered. Additionally, the facility's laundry room was found to have multiple instances of clean and soiled laundry items, including resident clothing and lift pads, stored directly on or touching the floor. The housekeeping supervisor acknowledged that this practice was not in line with infection control standards and could result in cross-contamination. Observations showed that items were placed back into circulation after touching the floor, and staff responsible for laundry oversight did not consistently ensure proper storage and handling of laundry to prevent contamination.
Failure to Timely Accommodate Resident Mattress Request
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to ensure a resident had a comfortable mattress, as required to reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident. The resident, a male with a history of cerebral infarction, pain, insomnia, type 2 diabetes, hemiplegia, and hemiparesis, was at risk for developing pressure ulcers and required setup assistance for activities of daily living. The resident reported that he had requested a new mattress at the beginning of the previous week due to discomfort and the mattress being thin, but had not received one at the time of the initial observation. Staff interviews revealed that the resident had complained multiple times about the mattress, and it was noted that the mattress may have developed a hole due to previous weight changes. However, there was confusion among staff regarding whether a maintenance request had been submitted, with some staff stating they may have verbally informed maintenance or believed someone else had submitted the request. The maintenance staff confirmed that the first formal request was received and addressed on a specific date, and the mattress was found to have an indentation. The facility did not have a process for scheduled mattress inspections, and maintenance issues were generally reported by staff, residents, or family members either verbally or through a maintenance request book. The Director of Nursing and other staff acknowledged the importance of a comfortable mattress for resident well-being, but there was no evidence of proactive monitoring or timely response to the resident's initial complaint, resulting in a delay in addressing the resident's discomfort.
Failure to Ensure Proper Pressure-Relieving Mattress Settings for Resident with Pressure Ulcer
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to ensure that a resident with a stage 2 sacral pressure ulcer received care consistent with professional standards of practice, specifically regarding the use of a pressure-relieving mattress. The resident, a 97-year-old female with multiple diagnoses including severe cognitive impairment, hemiplegia, contractures, and muscle wasting, was identified as being at risk for pressure ulcers and had an active stage 2 sacral ulcer. Her care plan included the use of a pressure-relieving mattress, regular repositioning, wound care, and nutritional support. Despite these interventions being documented, observations over several days revealed that the resident's pressure-relieving mattress was consistently set at a weight setting of 360 pounds, while her actual weight ranged from approximately 134 to 141 pounds. Multiple staff interviews indicated a lack of clarity regarding responsibility for ensuring the mattress was set correctly according to the resident's weight. Nursing staff, the treatment nurse, the ADON, the DON, and the administrator all acknowledged that the mattress should be set based on the resident's weight and that incorrect settings could negatively impact skin integrity and wound healing. Facility policies reviewed indicated that support surfaces should be selected and set based on individual resident factors, including weight, to prevent skin breakdown. However, the failure to ensure the mattress was set appropriately for the resident's weight represented a lapse in following these policies and professional standards, potentially compromising the effectiveness of the pressure-relieving intervention for this resident.
Failure to Provide Proper Catheter Care and Securement
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter did not receive appropriate catheter care and securement as ordered and per facility policy. The resident, a 94-year-old male with diagnoses including heart failure, sepsis, and acute kidney failure, had physician orders and care plan interventions specifying the use of a catheter leg strap and regular catheter care. During observation, the catheter was found unsecured, and the securement device was not in place as required. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) O performed incontinent and catheter care for the resident but did not follow proper procedures. CNA O began care at the resident's buttocks, wiped both buttocks, and applied a clean brief without changing gloves or sanitizing hands. She then changed gloves but did not wash or sanitize her hands before starting catheter care. After performing catheter care, she did not change the dirty brief or gloves before pulling up the resident's pants. These actions were observed and confirmed by another CNA and facility nursing leadership, who noted that the care sequence and hand hygiene were not in accordance with expected standards. Interviews with staff, including the CNAs, LVN, DON, and ADM, confirmed that the resident's catheter was not secured and that proper hand hygiene and care sequence were not followed. Staff acknowledged that the observed practices deviated from facility policy and training, which require front-to-back cleaning, proper glove changes, hand hygiene, and the use of a securement device for all residents with catheters. The facility's policies on urinary continence and catheter care emphasize the importance of these procedures to prevent infection and ensure resident safety.
Failure to Document Rationale for Not Following Pharmacist Medication Recommendations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to act upon the recommendations made by the consultant pharmacist during the monthly medication regimen review (MRR) for two residents. In both cases, the attending physician or nurse practitioner did not provide a documented rationale in the medical record for disagreeing with the pharmacist's recommendations, as required by facility policy. This lack of documentation was observed in the records and confirmed through staff interviews. For one resident, who had diagnoses including vascular dementia, Parkinsonism, anxiety disorder, and delusional disorder, the pharmacist recommended discontinuing Seroquel (an antipsychotic medication) unless a clear therapeutic benefit was documented. The physician disagreed with the recommendation but did not provide any rationale or justification in the resident's chart. Interviews with the ADON, DON, and Administrator confirmed that the expectation was for a rationale to be documented, and this was not done. In the second case, another resident with multiple diagnoses including vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, generalized anxiety disorder, and a history of falls, was identified by the pharmacist as being at increased risk for falls and confusion due to several medications listed on the Beers Criteria. The pharmacist recommended discontinuing certain medications and implementing gradual dose reductions for others. The nurse practitioner responded to the recommendations by noting that a sitter had been provided for the resident, but did not address the specific medication recommendations or provide a detailed rationale for not following them. The DON and Administrator both acknowledged that the response was inadequate and did not meet facility expectations for documentation.
Failure to Enforce Hair Restraint Policy in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the CNA Class Instructor entered the facility's kitchen during lunch service without wearing a hairnet, as observed by surveyors. At the time, kitchen staff were actively plating food on the steam table. The instructor entered the kitchen to hand a sticky note to a dietary staff member on the serving line and then exited. When questioned, the instructor acknowledged not wearing a hairnet, stating she was only delivering a note. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and the Administrator confirmed that all staff entering the kitchen are expected to wear hairnets to prevent hair from contaminating food, in accordance with facility policy. The facility's written policy also specifies that only dietary staff are allowed in the kitchen, and that any other staff entering must wear hair restraints. This lapse in protocol was directly observed and confirmed through staff interviews and policy review.
Failure to Discontinue Prophylactic Antibiotic During Active Infection Treatment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promote antibiotic stewardship by not ensuring appropriate use of antibiotic therapy and not providing written rationale from the provider when an antibiotic was used outside of established criteria. Specifically, a resident with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections and moderate cognitive impairment was prescribed Cephalexin as a prophylactic antibiotic, despite the facility's policy discouraging prophylactic antibiotic use. The resident had an indwelling catheter removed in March and had frequent bowel incontinence, with a care plan in place to assess and prevent recurrent UTIs. When the resident developed symptoms and a urine culture indicated the presence of pseudomonas aeruginosa, a new antibiotic, Cefdinir, was ordered to treat the active infection. However, the original prophylactic Cephalexin order was not discontinued, resulting in the resident receiving two cephalosporin antibiotics simultaneously. Nursing staff recognized the issue after the fact but did not immediately notify the provider or discontinue the prophylactic antibiotic. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of awareness and communication regarding the resident's concurrent antibiotic orders. The DON, who oversaw the antibiotic stewardship program, was unaware of the prophylactic Cephalexin order and confirmed it should have been discontinued when the new antibiotic was started. The nurse practitioner who prescribed the antibiotics also stated she was not reminded of the ongoing prophylactic order and emphasized the risks of unnecessary dual antibiotic therapy. The facility's policy required antibiotics to be prescribed only for active infections or suspected sepsis, based on clinical criteria and culture results.
Failure to Prevent Resident-to-Resident Physical Abuse
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to protect a resident from physical abuse by another resident. The incident involved a female resident with severe cognitive impairment, legal blindness, and altered mental status, who was rarely or never understood and had a BIMS score of 00. This resident was sitting in her wheelchair in the hallway when another resident, who had a moderate intellectual disability, generalized anxiety disorder, and a history of behavioral issues, approached and kicked her on the left leg below the knee. The event was witnessed by a CNA, and the resident who was kicked was assessed immediately after the incident, with no apparent injury or pain noted at that time. The resident who committed the act had a documented history of poor impulse control, episodes of agitation, and previous incidents of hitting other residents. Staff interviews confirmed that this resident was known to be bossy, argumentative, and had difficulty regulating emotions and behaviors. The care plan for this resident included interventions for behavioral symptoms, such as calmly redirecting inappropriate behavior and providing supervision. Despite these interventions, the resident was able to approach and physically abuse another resident in a common area. Prior to the incident, staff were aware of the behavioral risks associated with the resident who committed the abuse, including a previous similar incident earlier in the year. The facility's failure to prevent this altercation, despite knowledge of the resident's behavioral history and the vulnerability of the other resident, led to the deficiency. The incident was observed, documented, and reported by staff, and the residents involved were assessed following the event.
Failure to Implement Comprehensive Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan for three residents, leading to deficiencies in meeting their medical, nursing, mental, and psychosocial needs. Resident #13 and Resident #47 did not have care plans for the use of transfer bars, which were observed to be in use during the survey. Despite the presence of these bars, there were no documented interventions or care plans addressing their use, which could lead to confusion among staff about their purpose and proper use. This lack of documentation was confirmed through interviews with staff, who acknowledged the absence of care plans for the transfer bars and the potential risks associated with their use without proper guidance. Resident #73's care plan included an intervention to wear a seizure safety helmet while out of bed, but this intervention was not implemented. Observations on multiple occasions revealed that Resident #73 was out of bed and in her wheelchair without the seizure helmet, despite the care plan's directive. Interviews with staff, including CNAs and LVNs, confirmed that the helmet was necessary for seizure precautions and that its absence could lead to serious injury during a seizure. Staff admitted to noticing the resident without the helmet and acknowledged their responsibility to ensure it was worn, yet failed to do so. The facility's failure to develop and implement appropriate care plans for the use of transfer bars and the seizure safety helmet placed residents at risk of not having their individual needs met and not receiving necessary services. Interviews with the ADON, DON, and other staff highlighted the importance of care plans in guiding care and ensuring resident safety. The lack of care plans for the transfer bars and the failure to implement the seizure helmet intervention were identified as significant deficiencies that could lead to adverse outcomes for the residents involved.
Failure to Enforce Smoking and Fire Safety Policies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure Resident #32's smoking materials were locked up at the nurse's station as required by the facility's smoking policy. During an observation, Resident #32's cigarettes and lighter were found on his bedside table while he was not in the room. Interviews with the CNA, DON, and Administrator confirmed that the facility policy mandates smoking materials be kept at the nurse's station to prevent fire hazards, and staff are responsible for enforcing this policy. However, the policy was not followed, placing the resident and others at risk of fire hazards. The facility also failed to ensure that objects were not placed on top of overhead light fixtures in the rooms of Resident #19, Resident #47, Resident #62, and Resident #73. Observations revealed that stuffed animals, picture frames, and privacy curtains were placed on the overhead light fixtures, which were turned on. Interviews with various staff members, including CNAs, LVNs, the ADON, and the DON, indicated that placing items on overhead lights is a safety hazard and a fire risk. Despite this, the items were not removed, and the policy was not enforced. The facility's policies on smoking and fire safety were reviewed and confirmed that smoking materials should be kept in a designated area accessible to staff and that all personnel are responsible for fire prevention. However, the facility failed to adhere to these policies, resulting in potential safety hazards for the residents. Staff interviews highlighted a lack of consistent enforcement of these policies, contributing to the deficiencies observed during the survey.
Failure to Ensure Accurate PASRR Screening for Resident with Bipolar Disorder
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Resident #73, who had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, received an accurate Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Level 1 assessment. The PASRR Level 1 assessment, completed by an RN case manager at a local hospital, did not reflect the resident's bipolar disorder diagnosis. This oversight was not caught by the MDS Coordinator, who submitted the PASRR Level 1 to the portal, nor was it identified during care plan meetings and IDT meetings with the Local Authority. As a result, the resident was not considered by the state Level II PASRR process to have a serious mental illness, which could have impacted the specialized services they received. The MDS Coordinator and the DON both acknowledged the importance of accurately completing the PASRR Level 1 to ensure residents receive necessary specialized services. Resident #73, a female with multiple diagnoses including bipolar disorder, autism, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and ADHD, was admitted to the facility. The resident's care plan indicated the potential for depression due to nursing home placement and included interventions for additional counseling and referrals to social/psych/activity services as needed. Despite these measures, the PASRR Level 1 assessment failed to mention the bipolar disorder diagnosis, leading to a lack of appropriate specialized services. The facility's undated PASRR policy did not address the accuracy of the PASRR Level 1 assessments, contributing to the oversight.
Failure to Monitor Psychotropic Drug Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Resident #25's drug regimen was free from unnecessary psychotropic drugs, specifically Haloperidol, due to inadequate behavior and side effect monitoring. Resident #25, a female with severe cognitive impairment and diagnoses including senile degeneration of the brain, depression, and anxiety disorder, was administered Haloperidol without documented behaviors to justify its use or effectiveness. The medication administration record (MAR) and nurse's notes did not reveal any monitoring for signs and symptoms of anxiety or agitation, nor did they document any non-pharmacological interventions attempted before administering the medication. Interviews with staff, including RN E, LVN G, ADON D, and the DON, revealed that there was a lack of proper documentation and monitoring for Resident #25. RN E admitted to not documenting the reason for administering the PRN Haloperidol or any interventions tried before its administration. LVN G and ADON D confirmed that behavior and side effect monitoring should have been documented every shift, and that non-pharmacological interventions should be attempted before administering PRN medications. The DON emphasized the importance of monitoring to track drug effectiveness and adverse reactions. The facility's Antipsychotic Medication Use policy indicated that staff should gather and document information to clarify a resident's behavior, mood, and function, and monitor for side effects and adverse consequences. However, this policy was not followed in the case of Resident #25, leading to a failure in ensuring the resident's drug regimen was free from unnecessary psychotropic drugs. This deficiency could place residents at risk of possible medication side effects, adverse consequences, and decreased quality of life.
Inadequate Hand Hygiene During Meal Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure an infection prevention and control program was properly implemented, as evidenced by the actions of a CNA who did not perform hand hygiene between assisting two residents with their meals. The CNA was observed feeding one resident, then moving to another resident without washing hands or using hand gel, and then returning to the first resident again without proper hand hygiene. This practice was observed during lunch service in the television room, where the CNA alternated between feeding two residents without following hand hygiene protocols. Resident #3, a female with severe cognitive impairment, cerebral palsy, muscle weakness, and protein-calorie malnutrition, required full assistance with eating due to her condition. Resident #70, a female with dysphagia, contractures, muscle weakness, and intact cognition, also required assistance with eating. Both residents were dependent on staff for their meals, and the CNA's failure to perform hand hygiene between feeding them posed a risk of cross-contamination and infection. Interviews with the CNA, LVN, DON, and ADM confirmed that the CNA's actions were not in compliance with the facility's infection control policies. The CNA admitted to not remembering if she had washed her hands between feeding the residents, while the LVN, DON, and ADM all stated that proper hand hygiene was required to prevent cross-contamination. The facility's hand hygiene policy, which was reviewed, indicated that handwashing or the use of hand gel was mandatory before and after assisting residents with meals.
Latest citations in Texas
A resident with severe dementia, mobility deficits, and dependence for transfers was provided bed rails without a documented entrapment risk assessment, physician order, or inclusion of bed rail use in the care plan, despite a facility policy requiring alternatives, IDT review, informed consent, and proper installation. Maintenance installed 1/3 bed rails on verbal request from nursing, believing the clinical steps had been completed, and the resident later was found partially out of bed with her head pinned between the rail and a low air loss mattress, unresponsive, and subsequently pronounced deceased. The medical examiner noted neck abrasions, bruising, and muscle hemorrhage consistent with entrapment between the mattress and bed rail and indicated the likely cause of death as strangulation on the rails or asphyxiation on the mattress, and the deficiency was cited as past Immediate Jeopardy.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple pressure injuries received twice-daily wound care without a corresponding pain care plan or documented pain assessments, despite having a PRN acetaminophen order. During an observed wound care attempt, the resident winced, cried out, and showed facial expressions consistent with pain when repositioned, while staff were unsure of her primary language, whether she had been assessed or medicated for pain, or even what pain medications were ordered. CNAs and the treatment nurse noted foul odor and colored drainage from the wounds and that the resident felt warm, but the LVN initially reported no indication of pain or need for vital signs and only checked a temperature after surveyor prompting, without performing a clear pain assessment. The wound care NP later reported the resident had increased necrotic tissue, odor, and frequent combative behavior during prior treatments that had not been considered as possible pain responses, and the resident’s representative stated they were unaware of wound odor, infection concerns, or antibiotic orders and believed the resident was receiving pain medication while video showed wound care being attempted without it.
Surveyors found three mechanical lifts repeatedly parked unlocked and unsecured in a hallway adjacent to the 300 Hall, where they were stored and charged when not in use. An RN and a CNA assigned to the hall both stated they were unaware the lifts were unsecured, despite prior in‑service training on lift safety and storage, and each could not recall when that training last occurred. The DON confirmed that all lifts were expected to be locked when not in use, acknowledged unawareness of the unsecured lifts over several days, and stated that while staff had been educated on lift safety, there was no facility policy addressing accidents and hazards related to mechanical lift safety and storage, and the existing mechanical lift policy lacked such content.
Surveyors found multiple food safety and storage deficiencies in the kitchen, including an unsealed bag of meat, sauce containers with dried drippings on the handle and rim, a container of overripe bananas with black peels, and uncovered whole eggs in an unlabeled, undated bowl. Temperature logs for reach-in refrigerators and a freezer were missing required PM shift temperature checks and staff signatures. In interviews, dietary staff, the Dietary Manager, and the Administrator confirmed that these conditions did not follow facility policies requiring open food to be securely covered, labeled, dated, properly cleaned, and monitored with completed temperature logs.
A resident with lymphedema and multiple comorbidities had physician orders for bilateral lower extremity ace wraps each morning with removal in the evening, along with edema checks every shift. On the survey day, the resident was observed in a wheelchair without leg wraps, while the MAR showed the morning treatment as completed. The resident reported his legs were supposed to be wrapped daily and that they had not been wrapped for about a week, and he described inconsistent staff response to his call light. The charge nurse admitted it was not normal practice to document treatment before completion and stated the resident usually received wraps after a shower, which had not yet occurred. CNAs gave conflicting accounts about how consistently the wraps were applied, and leadership confirmed expectations that treatments be performed per orders and documented only after completion, in line with the facility’s documentation policy prohibiting false entries.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to provide pressure ulcer care consistent with professional standards for three residents. One resident with hemiplegia and vascular dementia had a sacral wound that was omitted from the care plan and repeatedly left off weekly skin assessments, while heel wounds were documented without consistent measurements or staging and ordered treatments were not always recorded as given. A second resident with multiple comorbidities developed a sacral wound that progressed from MASD to an unstageable and then Stage 4 pressure injury with surgical debridement, yet the care plan was not updated to reflect the active pressure ulcer and specific interventions, and weekly skin assessments often lacked complete staging and measurements. A third resident with dementia and incontinence had an unstageable sacral ulcer and MASD, but weekly skin assessments were inconsistent, some ordered wound treatments and topical medications were not documented on the TAR, and nursing notes did not show that care was provided on those dates. Staff interviews revealed that the treatment nurse handled nearly all weekly skin assessments and wound care documentation, relied on the DON or wound physician for staging and measurements, and that facility policies requiring complete wound assessment and documentation were not consistently followed.
The facility failed to ensure call lights were accessible for four residents who were identified as fall risks and required assistance with ADLs or had significant mobility or cognitive impairments. Observations found residents lying in bed with call lights placed at the head of the bed, on the floor, on a roommate’s bed, or on a nightstand, all out of reach, despite care plan interventions requiring call lights to be kept within reach. A CNA, an LVN, and the DON each confirmed that all staff are responsible for keeping call bells within residents’ reach and acknowledged that inaccessible call bells could lead to accidents, falls, avoidable injuries, delayed care, and unmet needs, contrary to the facility’s written call light policy.
Surveyors found that multiple resident rooms and two halls were not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Bathrooms in several rooms had brown or gray stains in corners and around toilets, and some showers and room floors had dark or built-up dirt along edges, near closets, and by beds and walls. Air conditioning vents and filters in several rooms were observed with black grime or thick dust. Handrails on two halls had debris, including tissue with a red-brown substance, candy wrappers, gum, plastic, and paper wedged between the rails. Sharps containers in several rooms had used gloves and trash placed on top. The Administrator and housekeeping staff confirmed that housekeeping was responsible for cleaning rooms, bathrooms, floors, handrails, and air conditioning units, and staff acknowledged that the observed conditions were a health hazard and could cause infection.
The facility failed to follow its own infection control practices and physician orders for three residents requiring respiratory care. A resident with COPD had a nasal cannula and nebulizer mask connected to equipment that were not bagged or dated when not in use, despite orders for weekly changes. Another resident with asthma had an unbagged, undated nasal cannula and an oxygen humidifier bottle that was partially full, cracked, and dated from a prior week. A third resident with COPD had both nasal cannula and nebulizer mask unbagged and undated, despite orders for weekly equipment changes and monitoring of pulse, O2 sat, treatment time, and lung sounds. Staff, including a CNA, an LVN, and the DON, acknowledged that equipment should always be bagged, dated, and changed per schedule to prevent infection, consistent with the facility’s infection prevention and control policy.
Surveyors found that staff failed to administer multiple residents’ scheduled medications within the facility’s one-hour administration window, despite active orders for numerous drugs treating conditions such as DM, HTN, CHF, dementia, seizures, and hypothyroidism. During a morning med pass, a med tech had not completed 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. medications by late morning, and staff interviews confirmed that medications were required to be given within a defined time range. In addition, staff did not consistently check BP before dispensing medications with BP parameters, did not keep a milk-based Med Pass nutritional supplement refrigerated or on ice as required by manufacturer directions and facility protocol, and failed to date most insulin vials when opened, contrary to facility policy. These actions and inactions showed that pharmaceutical services, including accurate dispensing, administration, and storage of medications and biologicals, were not provided as required for the residents reviewed.
Failure to Assess, Order, and Care Plan Bed Rail Use Resulting in Fatal Entrapment
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its own policy and regulatory requirements for the assessment, ordering, care planning, and safe use of bed rails for a cognitively impaired resident. The resident was an elderly female with severe dementia, repeated falls, a fractured neck of the left femur, cognitive communication deficit, and a need for assistance with personal care. Her admission MDS showed a BIMS score of 03, indicating severe cognitive impairment, and documented that she required substantial staff assistance with bed mobility and was completely dependent on staff for transfers from bed to chair. Despite these needs, her care plan addressed ADL self-care performance deficits related to dementia and included interventions for bed mobility requiring one staff member to assist with repositioning, but it did not mention bed rails or any risk of entrapment. The facility obtained a bed rail consent form signed by the resident’s family member, which listed multiple potential dangers of bed rail use, including suffocation and various forms of entrapment that could cause injury or death. However, from the time of admission through the date of the incident, there was no documented bed rail safety or entrapment risk assessment for this resident, no physician order for bed rails, and no inclusion of bed rail use in the resident’s care plan. Maintenance staff reported that a charge nurse verbally requested installation of bed rails on the resident’s bed, and he believed the usual clinical steps—assessment, IDT review, consent, and physician order—had already been completed, but he had no documentation of when the rails were installed. The DON later confirmed that, for this resident, the required risk of entrapment assessment, physician order, and care plan focus for bed rails were not completed, and alternatives to bed rails were not attempted prior to installation, contrary to facility policy. On the night of the incident, a CNA observed the resident resting calmly around 2:00 a.m. During a subsequent round close to 5:00 a.m., the CNA found the resident partially out of bed with her head pinned between the assist bar/bed rail and the mattress, and notified the LVN. The LVN’s written statement described finding the resident seated on the floor on the right side of the bed, off the mattress, with her head resting between the side rail and the mattress, unresponsive. CPR was initiated and EMS was called, but the resident was later pronounced deceased. The county medical examiner reported that the resident had bruising and abrasions around the neck and jawline and hemorrhaging in the neck muscles, injuries consistent with being trapped between the mattress and bed rails, and indicated that the likely cause of death would be strangulation on the bed rails or asphyxiation on the mattress. Subsequent observation of the bed showed 1/3 bed rails of the same make and model as the bed frame and a low air loss mattress; while the rails were not loose and there was little space when the mattress was fully inflated, the air mattress could be compressed enough to create significant space between the mattress and rails. The facility’s failure to conduct a bed rail entrapment risk assessment, obtain a physician order, and incorporate bed rail use into the care plan prior to installation led to the resident’s entrapment and death, and constituted noncompliance identified as past Immediate Jeopardy. The facility’s written bed rail policy required that appropriate alternatives be attempted before installing bed rails, that the IDT assess each resident for entrapment risk, that risks and benefits be reviewed with the resident or representative, that informed consent be obtained prior to installation, and that manufacturer instructions and compatibility of bed, mattress, and rails be verified. It also required updating the care plan to reflect the need or choice for bed rails. In this case, staff interviews and record review showed that these steps were not followed for the resident involved. The DON acknowledged that the process did not occur as required, that the IDT did not meet to assess the resident for entrapment risk, and that the bed rails were installed based on the responsible party’s request without the mandated clinical review and documentation. This sequence of omissions and deviations from policy directly preceded the resident’s fatal entrapment between the bed rail and mattress.
Removal Plan
- Notify Medical Director
- Notify Ombudsman
- Conduct ad hoc QAPI
- DON to provide education to trainers regarding abuse and neglect
- Review admissions processes regarding bed rails and complete in-service with DON, ED, and IDT
- Provide in-service to all nurses involved with admissions process regarding bed rails
- Audit bed rails currently in use
- Inspect bed rails currently in use
- Verify consent on file for all bed rails in use
- Verify order and care plan for all bed rails
- Complete bed rail safety evaluation for all residents with bed rails
- Audit low air loss mattresses currently in use
- Verify order and care plan for all low air loss mattresses in use
- Complete fall risk assessment for all residents with low air loss mattress
- Provide staff education regarding use of enabler/bed rail
- Provide staff education regarding false safety
- Provide staff education regarding low air loss mattress
- Audit admissions for completion
- Audit low air loss mattresses and bedside rails
- Conduct ongoing monitoring for improvement to be reviewed at QAPI
Failure to Assess and Manage Pain During Wound Care for a Nonverbal Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide safe, appropriate pain management consistent with professional standards of practice and the resident’s needs during wound care. A female resident with severe cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 00) was admitted with multiple pressure-related skin conditions, including a left heel deep tissue injury (DTI), right heel DTI, an unstageable sacral pressure injury, a left heel ulcer, a right bunion DTI, and other bruising/discoloration. Her MDS Care Area Assessment did not trigger for pain and no care planning decision for pain was documented. The resident’s care plan contained detailed entries for her multiple wounds but did not include any care plan for pain, despite the presence of significant pressure injuries and ongoing wound care orders. Record review showed the resident had an active PRN order for acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed for pain and an order for Doxycycline for the sacral wound, as well as twice-daily wound care orders for the unstageable sacral pressure injury. The MAR for the month showed that no acetaminophen had been administered since early in the month, even though wound care was being performed twice daily. During an observed attempt to perform wound care, the resident was dependent for mobility and required staff to roll and reposition her. When staff attempted to roll her for treatment, she winced, cried out "Oh my God" in Spanish, and displayed furrowed eyebrows and facial expressions consistent with pain. CNAs assisting with care noted that she appeared to be lying on the wound, that her wounds often drained, and that there was a foul odor and visible brownish-green drainage on her brief and positioning towels. Despite these signs, the treatment nurse could not confirm whether the resident had been assessed for pain or medicated prior to the procedure and was unsure of the resident’s primary language. During this same encounter, the resident was noted by the surveyor and CNAs to feel warm to the touch, and her wounds and dressings showed green, brown, or red drainage. The treatment nurse and CNAs acknowledged the resident felt warm, but the charge nurse (LVN) initially stated there was no indication the resident was in pain or needed vital signs assessed and only checked the resident’s temperature after being prompted by the surveyor. The LVN reported a normal temperature using a contactless thermometer, was unsure if the resident had any pain medication orders, and did not initially perform a direct pain assessment. Subsequent interviews revealed that the wound care NP had observed increased necrotic tissue and odor in the sacral wound the prior week and that the resident had been frequently combative, refusing wound care by kicking and biting, but this behavior had not been considered as a possible reaction to pain. CNAs later described the resident’s facial expressions and reactions during repositioning as indicating pain, while the LVN reported feeling pressured and nervous during the surveyor’s questioning and could not clearly describe having assessed the resident for pain during her shift. The resident’s responsible party stated they had not been informed of wound odor, infection concerns, or antibiotic orders and believed the resident was receiving pain and fever medications, later expressing shock upon reviewing video that showed wound care being attempted without medication. The facility’s own pain assessment and management policy stated that residents should be assessed for pain at admission and ongoing, monitored for pain with changes in condition, and that procedures such as moving or wound care can cause pain. It also directed that pain management interventions be consistent with the resident’s goals and documented in the care plan, and that underlying causes of pain, including skin/wound conditions like pressure ulcers, be addressed. In this case, the resident with multiple pressure injuries and ongoing wound care had no pain care plan, no documented pain assessment using appropriate tools for severe dementia, and no administration of ordered PRN pain medication in the weeks preceding the observed event, despite clear non-verbal signs of pain during wound care attempts. These actions and omissions led surveyors to determine that the facility failed to ensure pain was assessed and treated prior to wound care, resulting in the resident crying out and exhibiting pain behaviors when touched or moved.
Removal Plan
- Amend treatment orders to require pain evaluation prior to treatments and medication if indicated upon re-admission.
- Provide additional 1:1 education to CNA A, CNA B, LVN A, and the facility treatment nurse specific to issues identified in the preliminary fact analysis.
- Nursing leadership (DON/designees) to conduct facility rounds on all residents to ensure no unreported or undocumented changes in pain levels; audit all wound care orders to ensure pain management orders are present as indicated.
- Complete house-wide pain assessments; communicate any reported pain to the charge nurse for medication administration if indicated and complete follow-up assessment to ensure effectiveness.
- Re-educate licensed nurses on change in condition, pain assessment and management, administering pain medications, and the pain-clinical protocol (including identifying situations where increased pain may be anticipated such as wound care, ambulation, repositioning, and reviewing the critical element pathway for pain recognition and management).
- Re-educate all non-licensed nursing staff on recognizing change in condition/status including changes in pain levels and proper reporting using STOP AND WATCH Alert in PCC/point-of-care documentation and/or direct communication to the charge nurse; re-educate staff not working prior to their next scheduled shift.
- Educate the Facility Administrator and DON by the Divisional President of Operations on standards of care, pain management, and quality oversight.
- Validate staff education via completion of a quiz and acknowledgement covering recognition of changes in condition, proper notification procedures, and pain assessment and management.
- Review and validate the pain assessment and management policy to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements (no changes required).
- Implement monitoring: change in condition/pain assessment audits (review 24-hour summary report and nurse progress notes; ensure changes are reported to the provider and documented; ensure pain assessments are completed prior to treatments); review audit results in IDT/QAPI meetings and address issues immediately, including provider communication.
Unsecured Mechanical Lifts Left Unlocked in Resident Hallway
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to keep the environment as free of accident hazards as possible in the hallway adjacent to the 300 Hall, specifically related to unsecured mechanical lifts. Surveyors repeatedly observed three mechanical lifts parked in this hallway that were unlocked and unsecured on multiple occasions over three consecutive days at various times. These observations showed that the lifts remained in an unsecured state while not in use, in an area used for storing and charging them. During interviews, an RN assigned to the 300 Hall stated she was unaware that the three mechanical lifts parked in the adjacent hallway were unlocked and unsecured, despite being stationed at the nearby nurses’ station. She reported having received in‑service training on mechanical lift safety and storage but could not recall when the training occurred. The RN acknowledged that mechanical lifts were supposed to be locked when not in use and confirmed that the three lifts observed were the only ones she used for residents and that they were stored in that hallway to be charged when not in use. She also stated that she typically did not check the parked lifts to verify they were locked and secured. A CNA assigned to the same hall similarly reported being unaware that the three mechanical lifts were unlocked and unsecured, despite also having received in‑service training on mechanical lift safety and storage and being unable to recall when that training last occurred. The DON stated she was unaware that the three lifts had been left unlocked and unsecured over the three days of observation and confirmed her expectation that all mechanical lifts be locked when not in use. The DON stated that all staff had been educated on proper mechanical lift usage and safety but could not recall when the last in‑service training occurred. The DON and Administrator both reported that the facility did not have a policy addressing accidents and hazards related to mechanical lift safety and storage, and the existing “Total Mechanical Lift” policy did not contain information on accidents and hazards related to lift safety and storage.
Food Storage, Labeling, and Temperature Monitoring Deficiencies in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s food storage and handling practices in the main kitchen. During an observation of the walk-in refrigerator, they found a zip-top bag containing meat slices that was not fully sealed and exposed to air. They also observed one gallon container of sauce with black drippings on the handle and one jar of sauce with yellow, dried drippings around the rim. A container held approximately ten overripe whole bananas with black peels, and three whole eggs were left uncovered and exposed to air in an unlabeled and undated bowl. Additionally, temperature logs for two reach-in refrigerators and one reach-in freezer were missing the PM shift temperature checks and signatures for a specific date. In interviews, dietary staff, the Dietary Manager, and the Administrator confirmed that these conditions were inconsistent with facility policies and expected practices. Dietary staff stated that temperature logs were to be completed at the start and end of each shift by cooks and dietary aides, and that the Dietary Manager was responsible for ensuring completion. They explained that eggs should be returned to their original container or stored sealed, labeled, and dated; overripe bananas should be discarded; zip-top bags should be fully sealed; and jars and gallon containers should be wiped down after each use. The Dietary Manager and Administrator reiterated that all open food must be securely covered, labeled, and dated, and that fruits and vegetables showing visible damage or rot should be discarded, consistent with written facility policies on food storage and dietary food service personnel responsibilities.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders for Lymphedema Leg Wraps and Accurate Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide treatment and care in accordance with physician orders and professional standards of practice for one resident with lymphedema. The resident was an adult male with multiple diagnoses including cardiac arrhythmia, musculoskeletal symptoms, osteitis deformans of multiple sites, eye and adnexa disorder, lymphedema, major depressive disorder, prostate disorder, chronic pain, hypokalemia, COPD, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, epilepsy with complex partial seizures, unsteadiness on feet, and other gait and mobility abnormalities. His Quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 15, indicating intact cognition, and he was dependent for toileting hygiene, showering/bathing, and personal hygiene. Physician orders on the March MAR included ace wraps to both lower extremities every morning and removal every evening, along with edema checks every shift. On the survey date, record review of the March MAR showed that the charge nurse had documented completion of the resident’s morning leg wrap treatment, but when the surveyor reviewed the resident at 11:21 a.m., he was observed sitting in his wheelchair with his legs not wrapped. At 11:50 a.m., the MAR still reflected that the treatment was completed, despite the wraps not being in place. The resident reported he had severe leg swelling due to lymphedema and stated his legs were supposed to be wrapped daily, but the last time they had been wrapped was about a week prior. He stated that whether his call light requests for treatment were answered depended on who responded, and that staff sometimes did not return to complete his care, which made him feel bad. In interviews, Charge Nurse A acknowledged that it was not normal nursing practice to document treatment before completion and stated that the resident normally received leg wraps after his shower, but that morning the resident had not yet had a shower. CNAs provided differing accounts: one CNA stated the wraps were always on during bed baths but did not bathe the resident that day; another CNA stated that sometimes the resident’s legs were wrapped and sometimes not, that his legs were not wrapped that day, and that she had given him a bed bath that morning; a third CNA stated she had never seen his legs unwrapped. The NP explained that the purpose of the wraps was to enhance circulation due to lymphedema. The DON confirmed the resident had bilateral leg wrap orders in the morning and removal in the evening, and that she was informed around midday that his legs were not wrapped. The Administrator stated she knew the resident’s legs were wrapped but did not know why, and both the DON and Administrator stated that documentation of treatment should occur after the treatment is performed, consistent with the facility’s documentation policy, which prohibits false information in the medical record.
Failure to Accurately Assess, Care Plan, and Treat Pressure Ulcers for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide pressure ulcer care consistent with professional standards, including accurate assessment, staging, measurement, care planning, and implementation of ordered treatments for multiple residents with pressure injuries. For one resident with hemiplegia, vascular dementia, incontinence, low body weight, and an admission Braden score indicating risk, the facility did not consistently identify and document all existing wounds. Her care plan listed only a left heel pressure wound and omitted a sacral wound. Weekly skin assessments from late January through March repeatedly failed to document the sacral wound after its initial identification, and heel wounds were inconsistently documented without required measurements or staging. On several dates, the weekly skin assessment was left blank or lacked measurements, despite physician documentation that the left heel wound progressed from Stage 3 to Stage 4 with increasing size. The treatment administration record (TAR) also showed missing documentation of ordered wound treatments to the sacrum and left heel on multiple dates, with no corresponding nursing notes indicating that care was provided. A second resident with hemiplegia, vascular dementia, diabetes, malnutrition, peripheral vascular disease, incontinence, and significant weight loss was identified as at risk for pressure ulcers but initially had no documented pressure wounds. Her care plan, last updated the previous year, addressed only potential for pressure ulcer development and other skin integrity risks, and did not reflect a current sacral pressure wound. However, physician orders and TAR entries showed daily treatment to a sacral wound, and weekly skin assessments documented a sacral wound beginning in mid-February. These assessments frequently lacked staging and, at times, lacked complete measurements. Over several weeks, documentation showed the sacral wound increasing in size and evolving from MASD to an unstageable wound and then to a Stage 4 pressure injury requiring surgical debridement of devitalized tissue, including subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, and tendon. Despite this progression and ongoing wound physician involvement, the resident’s care plan was not updated to reflect the current pressure injury and specific wound care interventions. A third resident with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, muscle weakness, incontinence, and an initially non-risk Braden score that later declined to moderate risk had an unstageable sacral pressure ulcer present on admission and MASD. Her care plan included potential for pressure ulcer development, an unstageable sacral pressure ulcer related to immobility, and a wound infection requiring oral antibiotics. Physician orders directed weekly skin assessments and specific daily and evening wound treatments to the sacral area. However, the March TAR showed multiple dates where ordered sacral wound treatments and topical medication for left upper buttock redness were not documented as given, and nursing progress notes did not show that wound care was provided on those dates. Weekly skin assessments for this resident were inconsistent, with several assessments in early January documented as refused or limited, alternating between noting arm discoloration and no skin issues, and later assessments intermittently omitting the sacral wound or lacking measurements and staging. Wound physician notes documented an unstageable sacral pressure injury with rapid clinical decline and later a Stage 3 pressure injury that had increased in size, but these changes were not consistently mirrored in the facility’s weekly skin assessment documentation. Interviews with nursing staff and leadership further described systemic issues contributing to the deficiency. The treatment nurse stated she could not stage wounds and relied on the DON or wound physician for staging, and that she was responsible for updating care plans when new pressure injuries were identified, though she was unsure of the required timeframe. She also reported that she performed nearly all weekly skin assessments for approximately 96 residents Monday through Thursday, with no assessments scheduled on Fridays unless there was a new admission, and that wound measurements were typically taken only when the wound physician visited, after which she transferred his measurements into the weekly skin assessments. The DON and ADON indicated that the treatment nurse was responsible for all wound care planning, weekly skin assessments, and ensuring documentation, and acknowledged that missing or inconsistent wound measurements and documentation on weekly skin assessments would prevent the facility from determining whether wounds were improving or worsening. Facility policies required full assessment and documentation of pressure ulcers, including location, stage, length, width, depth, exudate, and necrotic tissue, as well as complete wound care documentation, but the records for these three residents showed repeated omissions and inconsistencies in assessment, staging, measurement, care planning, and documentation of ordered treatments.
Failure to Ensure Accessible Call Lights for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s failure to reasonably accommodate resident needs and preferences by not ensuring that call lights were accessible to four residents reviewed. For one male resident with a skull fracture, a baseline MDS showing he was a fall risk and unable to complete the BIMS interview, and a care plan indicating he required assistance with ADLs, observation showed he was lying in bed with his call light positioned at the head of the bed, out of his reach. A second male resident, with diagnoses including need for assistance with personal care, stroke, and dysphagia, and a quarterly MDS indicating he was unable to complete the BIMS interview, had a care plan intervention specifying that his call light should be within reach; however, observation found him lying in bed with his call light on the floor, out of reach. A third resident, a female with lack of coordination, unsteadiness on her feet, repeated falls, and severe cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 1), had a care plan intervention to ensure her call light was within reach, yet she was observed lying in bed with her call light placed on her roommate’s bed. A fourth male resident with right-sided paralysis, intact cognition (BIMS 14), and a care plan identifying him as a fall risk with an intervention to keep his call light within reach, was observed lying in bed with his call light on the nightstand, out of reach. During interviews, a CNA, an LVN, and the DON each stated that call bells should always be within residents’ reach and that all staff are responsible for ensuring this, and acknowledged that lack of accessible call bells could result in accidents, falls, avoidable injuries, delayed care, and unmet needs. The facility’s written policy on call lights required staff to place the call device within the resident’s reach before leaving the room.
Failure to Maintain Clean Resident Rooms and Hallway Handrails
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s failure to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, as required by the facility’s Resident Rights policy. During observations on the 300 and 400 halls, surveyors noted that handrails contained debris, including a piece of tissue with a red and brownish substance on the 300 hall and candy wrappers, gum, clear plastic materials, and large pieces of paper wedged between the rails on the 400 hall. Multiple resident rooms on these halls were found with unclean and unsanitary conditions. Several bathrooms had brownish or grayish stains in the corners of the floors and around toilets, as well as dark stains along floor edges, in corners, and in showers. Room floors showed built-up dirt near closet doors, door frames, and along floor edges, with brownish or dark stains near beds and walls. Additional observations revealed that air conditioning unit vents and filters in several rooms had black grime or thick dust accumulation. In multiple rooms, sharps containers used for needle disposal had used, dirty or disposable gloves and pieces of trash placed on top of them. During interviews, the Administrator stated that housekeeping services were provided seven days a week, with cleaning in the morning and evening, and that housekeeping was expected to thoroughly clean resident rooms and facility areas. A housekeeper assigned to the 300 and 400 halls confirmed responsibility for cleaning entire rooms, bathrooms, floors, and wiping down handrails, stating that handrails were wiped at least once a week and acknowledging that the observed conditions were a health hazard. The Housekeeping Supervisor confirmed that housekeeping and floor technicians were responsible for cleaning hallways, floors, handrails, entire rooms, bathrooms, and air conditioning units, and acknowledged that not thoroughly cleaning rooms and handrails could cause an infection.
Improper Storage and Maintenance of Oxygen and Nebulizer Equipment
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to provide respiratory care consistent with professional standards, physician orders, and the infection prevention and control program for three residents receiving oxygen and nebulizer treatments. For a male resident with COPD, record review showed physician orders to change tubing, clean filters, and change the O2 water bottle and nebulizer kit weekly on night shift every Saturday. However, observation revealed that his nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator and his nebulizer mask connected to the nebulizer machine were not bagged or labeled with a date when not in use. For a female resident with asthma, physician orders directed weekly changes of tubing, filter cleaning, and O2 water bottle changes, but observation showed her nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator was not bagged or labeled, and an oxygen humidifier bottle left on the nightstand was only one-quarter full, cracked, and dated from an earlier date. A female resident with COPD had physician orders to change tubing, clean filters, and change the O2 water bottle and nebulizer kit weekly, as well as orders to obtain and record pulse, O2 saturation, treatment minutes, and lung sounds in relation to nebulizer treatments. Observation found that her nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator and nebulizer mask connected to the nebulizer machine were not bagged or labeled with a date when not in use. Staff interviews with a CNA, an LVN, and the DON confirmed that facility practice and expectations were for oxygen tubing and nebulizer masks to be bagged and dated when not in use, with bags changed weekly or as needed, and for humidifier bottles to be changed regularly. The DON stated that failure to follow these practices could be an infection control issue leading to serious health consequences. The facility’s written Infection Prevention and Control Program policy emphasized decreasing infection risk, recognizing infection control practices during care, and ensuring compliance with infection control regulations, which was not followed in these observed instances.
Medication Administration, Monitoring, and Storage Failures During Med Pass
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide pharmaceutical services that ensured accurate acquiring, receiving, dispensing, and administering of medications and biologicals for all 10 residents reviewed for pharmacy services. Record reviews showed that multiple residents had active physician orders for medications to treat conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, dementia, end-stage renal disease, hypertension, heart failure, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, hypothyroidism, seizures, neuropathy, and pain. These medications included antihypertensives (such as amlodipine, hydralazine, metoprolol, benazepril, nifedipine), anticoagulants (Eliquis), antidiabetics (metformin, insulin), antipsychotics (olanzapine, quetiapine), anticonvulsants (levetiracetam), thyroid replacement (levothyroxine), heart failure medications (furosemide, carvedilol, isosorbide dinitrate), and others such as gabapentin, baclofen, galantamine, and lidocaine patches. During observation of a morning medication pass, surveyors noted that Med Tech F had not finished passing morning medications on two hallways between 10:15 a.m. and 11:14 a.m., even though those medications were scheduled for 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. This meant that residents’ medications were administered more than one hour after their scheduled administration times, contrary to the facility’s stated one-hour before or after administration window. Interviews with Med Tech F, LVN A, and the DON confirmed that facility practice and policy required medications to be given at the ordered times within that window to maintain effectiveness and comply with physician orders. The facility also failed to follow required procedures related to medication parameters and storage. Med Tech F and LVN A stated that medications with blood pressure check parameters required a blood pressure reading before dispensing the medication into a cup, but the report states the facility failed to check one resident’s blood pressure before dispensing medication. Additionally, observations and interviews revealed that the Med Pass liquid nutritional supplement, described as milk-based, was not kept refrigerated or on ice during medication administration, despite manufacturer directions and facility protocol requiring it to be refrigerated or kept on ice. Further, review of insulin storage on three halls showed that 12 of 14 insulin vials were not dated with the date of first use, even though LVN A, LVN B, and the DON stated that facility policy required insulin vials to be dated when opened and discarded after a specified period (generally 28–30 days). These failures placed residents at risk for receiving medications outside ordered time frames and using insulin vials without a known open date. Facility policy and procedure for medication administration (Policy Number 7C) required that medications be administered as prescribed by the resident’s physician, in accordance with written orders and the resident’s service plan, and that routine medications be administered per facility time ranges unless otherwise specified. The policy also required that medications be recorded on the MAR, that resident identification be verified prior to administration, and that medications be administered according to the dosage schedule on the MAR. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of these requirements, including the need to date insulin vials upon opening and to maintain proper storage conditions for nutritional supplements. Despite this, the observed late medication administration, failure to check blood pressure before dispensing certain medications, failure to keep Med Pass on ice or refrigerated, and failure to date insulin vials demonstrated noncompliance with the facility’s own medication administration and pharmaceutical services procedures for the residents reviewed.
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release May 27, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.



