Park Bend Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Burleson, Texas.
- Location
- 301 Huguley Blvd, Burleson, Texas 76028
- CMS Provider Number
- 455763
- Inspections on file
- 40
- Latest survey
- March 11, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 7 (2 serious)
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Park Bend Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with multiple comorbidities, including CKD, neurogenic bladder, and an indwelling Foley, experienced progressively worsening urine changes over several weeks, with staff and family-obtained video showing dark brown to black, foul-smelling urine draining from the catheter. Although an initial episode of blood-tinged urine and hypotension prompted physician notification and orders for UA and IV fluids, subsequent darkening and persistence of abnormal urine were not documented or reported to the physician or NP, and the catheter was not changed despite PRN orders for infection or system compromise. CNAs and LVNs acknowledged observing the abnormal urine color and odor, but some assumed it had become normal or that prior notification was sufficient, and they did not reassess, document, or escalate the change in condition. The resident was ultimately sent to the hospital only after becoming lethargic and confused with hypotension and hypoxia, where she was found to have purulent, nearly black urine from the Foley and was diagnosed with severe sepsis and septic shock likely secondary to UTI.
A resident with multiple comorbidities and a chronic Foley catheter had documented blood-tinged and later dark orange/red urine, critical UA results, and a history of frequent UTIs, yet staff did not change the catheter, consistently assess urine characteristics, or document and report progressive dark brown/black, foul-smelling urine over several weeks. CNAs and LVNs observed abnormal urine color and odor but often assumed it was normal or did not follow up, and the catheter had not been changed for months despite PRN orders for change with signs of infection. Video evidence showed opaque black urine in the drainage bag on multiple nights, and hospital staff later found purulent, black urine and mold on the catheter balloon and tip on admission, where the resident was diagnosed with severe sepsis with septic shock likely from a UTI.
Surveyors found that multiple residents had access to medications and biologicals at their bedsides, including pain relief creams, eye drops, ointments, and oral capsules, despite facility policy and staff statements that all medications must be stored in locked compartments accessible only to authorized personnel. Staff interviews confirmed that medications should not be kept in resident rooms, but observations revealed otherwise. The residents involved had complex medical conditions, including dementia and Parkinson's disease.
A resident with multiple medical conditions was subjected to neglect when staff failed to intervene as her family, including a physician, inserted an unauthorized IV line and administered fluids without proper orders. Staff were aware of the family's intentions but did not prevent the procedure or promptly notify leadership, resulting in a delay in transferring the resident to the hospital. The incident involved miscommunication, delayed reporting, and failure to enforce facility policy prohibiting non-staff from performing medical procedures.
A resident with a history of dementia and substance dependence was found with empty hand sanitizer bottles and aspirin at her bedside, posing significant health risks. The facility failed to implement effective interventions to prevent access to these hazardous substances, resulting in an Immediate Jeopardy situation.
The facility failed to ensure the front door was monitored after the receptionist's shift, allowing unauthorized entry. Residents reported a security concern when a homeless individual entered a resident's room under false pretenses. Staff interviews revealed varying levels of concern about safety, with the administrator initially dismissing security as an issue. The facility's location and nearby homeless presence contributed to staff discomfort.
The facility failed to provide necessary nail care for two residents who required assistance with personal hygiene due to their medical conditions. Both residents, who had diabetes, had long and dirty fingernails, and expressed dissatisfaction with their nail care. Interviews revealed that CNAs and LVNs were responsible for nail care, but only nurses were allowed to provide it for diabetic residents. The DON acknowledged the risk of infection and skin breakdown due to inadequate nail care.
A resident with chronic respiratory issues was found with unlabeled and undated nasal cannula tubing, contrary to physician orders and standard protocols. The responsibility for changing and labeling the equipment was assigned to night shift nurses, but this was not adhered to, posing a risk of infection control lapses.
A facility failed to label an insulin pen with an open date on a medication cart, risking the use of expired insulin for a resident with diabetes. The LVN and DON acknowledged the oversight, which contradicts the facility's policy requiring routine checks for missing labels.
A resident with multiple health conditions received incontinence care from two CNAs who failed to perform hand hygiene between glove changes, violating the facility's infection control policy. Despite being trained, the CNAs did not adhere to the protocol, risking cross-contamination and infection.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and significant weight loss was not allowed to have their diet upgraded from pureed to mechanical soft, despite requests from the MPOA. The facility failed to implement the resident's dietary preferences, leading to confusion and lack of clarity in care. Staff interviews revealed inconsistencies in diet implementation and communication with the MPOA.
A resident with Alzheimer's and dysphagia experienced significant weight loss and dietary issues, with grievances filed by her MPOA going undocumented and unresolved. Despite the facility's policy requiring prompt grievance resolution, the social worker's departure left the grievance binder missing, and the Administrator and DON were unable to locate or confirm the resolution of the grievances.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and on hospice care experienced significant weight loss due to the facility's failure to provide the correct therapeutic diet and administer the prescribed appetite stimulant medication. The facility staff did not consistently assist or encourage the resident to eat, and there were communication issues regarding dietary needs and medication administration.
The facility failed to ensure accurate documentation of pain medication administration for four residents, as discrepancies were found between the Narcotic Administration Record and the Medication Administration Record. Interviews revealed that residents were aware of their pain management needs, but the documentation did not reflect the actual administration of medications. The DON acknowledged the expectation for immediate documentation, and the facility's policy required signing the MAR after administration.
A facility failed to provide accurate pharmaceutical services for a resident, as medications were left at the bedside and not administered as required. Staff interviews and policy reviews confirmed that medications should not be left unattended, and residents should be observed taking their medications.
A facility failed to securely store and administer medications, leaving a resident's morning medications unattended on a bedside table. The resident's care plan did not reflect medication self-administration, and staff confirmed that medications should not be left unattended. This failure was against the facility's policy, placing residents at risk.
Failure to Notify Physician of Worsening Hematuria and Catheter-Related Changes
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to immediately consult with a physician when a resident experienced a significant change in condition related to an indwelling urinary catheter. The resident was an elderly female with Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, neurogenic bladder, anemia, functional quadriplegia, an ostomy, a feeding tube, and severe cognitive impairment. Her care plan identified her as dependent for all ADLs, at risk for anemia-related complications, and at risk for UTIs due to the presence of a catheter, with specific interventions directing staff to monitor, document, and report abnormal urine characteristics and signs and symptoms of UTI to the physician. Physician orders directed that the Foley catheter be changed PRN for signs and symptoms of infection, obstruction, or compromise of the closed system. Progress notes showed that on one date an LVN documented blood-tinged urine draining from the Foley catheter, low blood pressure, and that the physician was notified, resulting in orders for a urinalysis and IV fluids. A subsequent NP note documented dark orange/red urine, a contaminated UA with mixed microbial growth, the resident’s refusal of IV fluids, and plans for repeat labs. However, from that point through several days later, there was no documentation in the electronic health record of urine color, characteristics, or other changes in condition, and the last documented catheter change had occurred weeks earlier. Despite multiple staff observing that the urine had become dark brown to black, foul-smelling, and remained that way for weeks, there was no evidence that the physician or NP was notified of this worsening change in urine appearance. Video footage provided by the family showed CNAs draining a catheter bag on multiple nights, with the urine in the drainage bag and container appearing dark/black and opaque. Hospital staff later described the catheter from the facility as having mold on the balloon, strings of pus on the tip, purulent urine, and a very dark, almost black appearance with a strong odor, and hospital records documented septic shock likely from a UTI with the indwelling catheter draining purulent urine. Facility staff interviews revealed that CNAs and LVNs had noticed the urine as dark, brown, or black and malodorous for weeks, and some believed it had become “normal” for the resident or assumed prior notification had been sufficient. Several nurses acknowledged they did not consistently assess or document urine characteristics, did not follow up on the worsening urine color, and did not notify the physician again despite recognizing that such changes could indicate infection or kidney issues. The ADON, DON, NP, and Administrator all stated that the dark or black urine color seen in the videos was not normal for the resident and that they would have expected immediate notification and follow-up, but this did not occur until the resident became lethargic and confused with low blood pressure and low oxygen saturation, at which point the physician was notified and the resident was sent to the hospital and diagnosed with severe sepsis and septic shock likely due to UTI.
Removal Plan
- Performed a 100% audit (by DON, ADON, Wound Care Nurse, RN) of residents with catheters to verify catheter placement/securement, urine characteristics, signs/symptoms of UTI, EMAR documentation accuracy, and catheter change documentation.
- Replaced urinary catheters by a licensed nurse for any resident with abnormal catheter-related findings; notified the physician, obtained and implemented new orders, notified the resident’s responsible party, and increased monitoring every shift.
- Provided a 1:1 in-service to the LVN who failed to document catheter change and notify the physician regarding change in condition/urine appearance/consistency, emphasizing reporting to physician/NP and responsible party and documenting in the EMAR; advised further infractions may result in discipline up to termination.
- Provided in-service training for all licensed nurses on catheter care/maintenance, UTI prevention, change-in-condition notification to physician/NP and responsible party, and documentation requirements; staff were not permitted to return to resident care until in-services were completed.
- Implemented DON/designee review of resident changes in condition via SBAR and documentation, and initiated interventions during clinical meetings; addressed issues immediately with physician/NP notification and review with licensed nurses and/or IDT; adopted as standard IDT review process for residents with catheters.
- Conducted a QAPI meeting with the Medical Director to notify of potential noncompliance and obtain approval of the action plan.
- Reported findings to the QI process and QA committee, with immediate follow-up on any concerns or recommendations.
Failure to Assess and Manage Abnormal Catheter Urine Leading to Septic Shock
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter received appropriate assessment, intervention, and catheter management in response to persistent abnormal urine characteristics and signs of possible infection. The resident was an elderly female with Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, neurogenic bladder, anemia, functional quadriplegia, an indwelling catheter, colostomy, and feeding tube, and was dependent on staff for all ADLs. Her care plan identified her as having a catheter, being at risk for UTIs, and having frequent UTIs, with specific interventions to monitor urine for color, sediment, odor, amount, and to report abnormalities such as blood-tinged urine, cloudiness, no output, deepening of urine color, and other signs of UTI to the physician. Physician orders directed that the Foley catheter and drainage bag be changed PRN for signs of infection, obstruction, or compromise of the closed system. On one date, an LVN documented that the resident’s catheter was draining blood-tinged urine, that her blood pressure was low, and that the physician was notified, resulting in orders for a UA and IV fluids. The resident later refused IV fluids, and a UA collected showed blood, protein, mucus, and WBC clumps, with blood and protein flagged as critical, but there were no documented follow-up orders or interventions after these results. The NP documented dark orange/red urine and noted a contaminated UA with mixed microbial growth, ordering a repeat UA and labs, and recorded that the resident had refused IV fluids. The NP stated that dark orange urine could be normal if related to minor bleeding from catheter movement but that dark brown/black urine would not be normal and should be reported; she also stated that whenever a UA was ordered, staff were supposed to change the catheter. The electronic record showed the resident’s indwelling catheter was last changed several months earlier, with no documentation of catheter changes, urine color/characteristics, or change in condition from that date through the days immediately preceding the resident’s transfer to the hospital. Multiple staff interviews and video evidence showed that the resident’s urine had been dark brown to black and foul-smelling for weeks without appropriate assessment, documentation, or escalation. CNAs and LVNs reported that the urine appeared reddish, like iced tea, brown/blackish, and had a bad odor for approximately a month or a few weeks, and that they assumed it was normal after it remained that way; several nurses acknowledged they did not assess the catheter or urine every shift and did not consistently document or notify the physician about the worsening color. Video footage provided by the responsible party showed dark/black, opaque urine in the drainage bag on multiple nights, and hospital staff described the catheter on admission as draining purulent, very dark/black urine with foul odor, pus in the tubing, and mold on the catheter balloon and tip, suggesting it had not been changed for a long time. The facility’s own catheter policy required timely and appropriate assessments, ongoing monitoring for catheter-associated UTI, recognition and reporting of complications, and catheter and drainage bag changes based on clinical indications such as infection or obstruction. Despite these requirements and the resident’s known history of frequent UTIs and chronic catheter use, the facility did not assess, intervene, or change the catheter while the resident’s urine remained abnormal over an extended period, culminating in her transfer to the hospital where she was diagnosed with severe sepsis with septic shock likely from a UTI.
Removal Plan
- Performed a 100% audit (DON, ADON, Wound Care Nurse) of residents with catheters to verify catheter placement/securement, urine characteristics, signs/symptoms of UTI, EMR documentation accuracy, and catheter change dates.
- Replaced any urinary catheter immediately (by a licensed nurse) for residents with abnormal findings; notified physician immediately, implemented new orders promptly, and increased monitoring every shift.
- Provided a 1:1 in-service to the LVN who failed to document catheter change on the importance of documenting all care provided (including catheter changes), with progressive discipline up to termination for further infractions.
- Completed an in-service for all licensed nurses and CNAs on catheter care/maintenance, UTI prevention, change-in-condition notification, documentation requirements, and when to notify the physician; staff were not permitted to return to resident care until in-services were completed.
- Implemented DON/designee review of resident changes in condition via SBAR, documentation, and initiated interventions during clinical meetings; addressed issues immediately with the licensed nurse and/or IDT, resident/RP, and physician as necessary; adopted as standard IDT review process for residents with catheters.
- Implemented DON/designee verification of catheter orders and documentation of catheter care and assessments; adopted as standard IDT review process for residents with catheters.
- Conducted visual checks by DON/designee to ensure catheter care is maintained and without abnormalities until 100% compliance is achieved; communicated potential issues to the IDT, resident/RP, and physician.
- Implemented a questionnaire process to validate effectiveness of the urinary catheter care process with licensed nurses, CNAs, and nurse managers; provided immediate re-education if staff could not answer appropriately.
- Ran a physician orders report to check and verify accuracy of any new catheter orders; immediately corrected issues; adopted as standard IDT review process for residents with catheters.
- Clarified and corrected incomplete/incorrect/conflicting catheter orders/documentation immediately when identified by DON/designee; adopted as standard IDT review process for residents with catheters.
- Conducted an impromptu QAPI meeting with the Medical Director to obtain approval of the action plan.
- Reported findings to the QI process and QA committee monthly (Administrator and DON/designee) and addressed any concerns/recommendations immediately.
Failure to Secure Medications and Biologicals in Locked Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store all drugs and biologicals in locked compartments and did not ensure that only authorized personnel had access to the keys, as required by policy and professional standards. During observations and interviews, it was found that three residents had medications and biologicals at their bedsides, including pain relief creams, eye drops, ointments, anti-itch creams, antifungal creams, simethicone capsules, and skin protectants. Staff interviews confirmed that residents were not permitted to keep medications in their rooms and that all medications should be stored on the medication cart, at the nursing station, or in the medication room. However, these procedures were not followed, as evidenced by the presence of various medications and biologicals in the residents' rooms. The residents involved had significant medical histories, including dementia, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain syndrome, and cancer. At the time of the deficiency, one resident was observed using a pain relief cream at her bedside, while another was unaware of the medications and creams present in her room. Staff, including LVNs and the DON, acknowledged during interviews that medications should not be accessible to residents in their rooms and that such access could lead to misuse. The facility's written policy also required all drugs and biologicals to be stored in locked compartments under proper temperature controls, which was not adhered to in these instances.
Failure to Prevent Family from Performing Unauthorized Medical Procedure
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when facility staff failed to protect a resident from neglectful treatment by not intervening when family members performed unauthorized medical procedures. The resident, a female with a history of seizures, stroke, legal blindness, and malnutrition, was dependent on staff for activities of daily living and had impaired communication and vision. Despite being on hospice care, her family members, including a physician, brought in supplies and inserted an intravenous (IV) line into her right neck without orders from her primary doctor or hospice. Staff observed IV fluids hanging from an IV pole but did not witness the administration of fluids. The family member who inserted the IV was later trespassed from the facility by the administrator and police. Prior to this incident, another family member impersonated a hospice director and attempted to give medication orders for the resident, which were not accepted after staff verified her credentials. On the day of the IV incident, staff were made aware by hospice that a family member might attempt to start an IV. The unit manager spoke with the family member, who insisted on starting the IV despite being told that IV therapy would require hospital transfer. The family proceeded to insert the IV after the unit manager left the room. Staff became aware of the IV placement after the fact, and there was a delay in notifying the director of nursing (DON) and in sending the resident to the hospital. During this time, the family kept staff out of the room, and the IV was removed before emergency services arrived. Documentation and interviews revealed inconsistencies in staff reporting and delays in escalating the situation to facility leadership. The resident was eventually transferred to the hospital for evaluation, but the delay in intervention and failure to prevent the unauthorized medical procedure constituted neglect. The facility's policy required protections against abuse and neglect, but staff did not act promptly to prevent or stop the family from performing the procedure or to ensure the resident's immediate safety.
Failure to Prevent Resident Access to Hazardous Substances
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe environment for a resident, leading to the consumption of hand sanitizer and the possession of aspirin at the bedside. The resident, who had a history of dementia, chronic pain syndrome, major depressive disorder, and opioid dependence, was found with empty bottles of hand sanitizer in her room. Despite the facility's awareness of the resident's condition and the potential for hazardous behavior, interventions to prevent access to such substances were not effectively implemented. Additionally, the resident was found with a bottle of aspirin at her bedside, which she admitted to purchasing during a facility trip to a store. The resident, who was on a blood thinner, had consumed an unsafe amount of aspirin, as determined by the missing pills from the bottle. This oversight in monitoring and controlling the resident's access to medications posed a significant risk to her health and safety. The facility's failure to monitor and restrict access to potentially harmful substances and medications resulted in an Immediate Jeopardy situation. The resident's actions, including the consumption of hand sanitizer and aspirin, were not adequately addressed through preventive measures, leading to a serious deficiency in the care provided by the facility.
Security Lapse at Facility Entrance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment by not ensuring the front door was monitored between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm after the receptionist left for the day. This oversight allowed unauthorized individuals to enter the facility without the staff's knowledge. During a confidential group meeting, residents expressed concerns about security, revealing an incident where an unknown person, claiming to be from Maintenance, entered a resident's room under false pretenses. This individual was later identified as a homeless person, highlighting the security lapse. Interviews with staff members, including the receptionist, administrator, LVN, med aide, and housekeeper, revealed varying levels of concern about safety. The receptionist confirmed the front door was left unlocked until 6:55 pm daily, and no other staff monitored the entrance outside her working hours. The administrator did not initially consider security an issue and speculated that the unknown person might have been a vendor, although no records confirmed this. Staff members expressed discomfort due to the facility's location and the presence of homeless individuals nearby, further emphasizing the need for improved security measures.
Failure to Provide Adequate Nail Care for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary services for residents who were unable to perform activities of daily living, specifically in maintaining good grooming and personal hygiene. This deficiency was observed in two residents, both of whom required assistance with personal hygiene due to their medical conditions. Resident #138, a male with diabetes mellitus, bilateral above-knee amputation, and anxiety, had long and dirty fingernails with a greenish matter on the nail beds. He expressed a desire for his nails to be trimmed and cleaned, which had not been done for a long time. Resident #19, a female with contracture of the left hand, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes mellitus, also had long and discolored fingernails with dark brown residue underneath. She did not recall when her nails were last trimmed and expressed dissatisfaction with their length. Interviews with facility staff revealed that CNAs and LVNs were responsible for nail care, but only nurses were allowed to provide nail care for diabetic residents. Both residents were diabetic, and the LVN interviewed was not aware of the need for nail care for these residents. The Director of Nursing (DON) stated that nail care should be provided as needed, especially during shower time, and acknowledged that long and dirty fingernails could pose an infection control issue and risk of skin breakdown. The facility's policy on activities of daily living emphasized the provision of care and services for grooming and personal hygiene, which was not adhered to in these cases.
Failure to Label and Date Nasal Cannula Tubing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate respiratory care for a resident, specifically by not labeling or dating the nasal cannula tubing used for oxygen therapy. This oversight was observed during a survey when the resident was found sleeping with unlabeled and undated nasal cannula tubing. The resident, a male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, hypertension, dysphagia, and cognitive communication deficit, had a physician's order for oxygen therapy at 2 L/min via nasal cannula as needed. The care plan also noted the resident's history of disruptive behaviors, including refusing to wear oxygen at times. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the responsibility for changing, labeling, and dating the oxygen equipment fell on the night shift nurses every Sunday. However, during the observation, the nasal cannula tubing was not labeled or dated, indicating a lapse in following the established protocol. The Director of Nursing confirmed that there was no specific facility policy for changing and dating the nasal cannula tubing, but it was expected to follow standard nursing protocols and physician orders. The failure to label and date the nasal cannula tubing could lead to lapses in infection control, as it was unknown how long the resident had been using the same tubing.
Failure to Label Insulin Pen with Open Date
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to label drugs and biologicals in accordance with currently accepted professional principles, specifically on the 600 hall nurses' medication cart. During an observation, it was noted that an insulin pen for a resident with type 2 diabetes mellitus was not labeled with an opened date. This insulin pen, which is crucial for managing the resident's condition, was supposed to be discarded after 28 days of being opened. The absence of an opened date on the insulin pen could lead to the use of expired insulin, which may be ineffective. Interviews with the LVN and the DON revealed that the insulin pen lacked an open date, which is essential for tracking its expiration. The LVN admitted to not checking the pen for an expiration date since she did not use it, while the DON confirmed that insulin pens need to be dated upon opening due to their limited shelf life. The facility's policy mandates routine inspections by the consultant pharmacist to identify and destroy medications with missing labels, but this protocol was not followed in this instance.
Infection Control Deficiency Due to Improper Hand Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective Infection Prevention and Control Program, as evidenced by the actions of two CNAs during incontinence care for a resident. The resident, a female with a history of stroke, diabetes mellitus, hemiplegia, and aphasia, required extensive assistance with personal hygiene. During an observation, CNA A and CNA B did not perform hand hygiene between glove changes while providing care, which is a critical step in preventing infection and cross-contamination. Interviews with the CNAs revealed that they were aware of the hand hygiene protocol but failed to adhere to it during the care process. CNA A admitted to forgetting the procedure and noted the absence of hand sanitizers in the room, while CNA B was unaware of missing steps. The ADON and DON confirmed the facility's hand hygiene policy and the importance of following it to prevent infections. Both CNAs had previously received training on hand hygiene, as indicated by their participation in a competency validation session.
Failure to Implement Resident's Dietary Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to allow the Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) the right to participate in the development and implementation of a resident's person-centered plan of care. This included the right to request revisions to the plan of care, particularly concerning the resident's diet. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and was on hospice care, experienced significant weight loss. Despite the MPOA's request to upgrade the resident's diet from pureed to mechanical soft to prevent further decline, the facility did not implement this change as a goal for eating. The resident's care plan and physician's orders reflected a pureed diet with the ability to tolerate mechanical soft pleasure feeds. However, the facility did not consistently offer mechanical soft meals, and the resident was observed to eat very little of the pureed meals provided. The MPOA expressed concerns about the resident's rapid weight loss and the lack of clarity regarding the diet orders. Despite the MPOA's requests and the resident's ability to eat mechanical soft foods brought by the family, the facility maintained the pureed diet, citing safety concerns and the need for a waiver to upgrade the diet. Interviews with facility staff revealed inconsistencies in the implementation of the resident's diet orders and a lack of clear communication with the MPOA. The Director of Nursing (DON) and other staff members were unable to provide a clear rationale for the dietary decisions made, and there was confusion about the process for upgrading the resident's diet. The facility's policy on nutritional management emphasized the resident's right to choose and decline interventions, but this was not effectively communicated or implemented in the resident's care.
Failure to Document and Resolve Grievances
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain evidence demonstrating the resolution of grievances for a period of no less than three years, specifically in the case of a resident who had multiple grievances filed by her medical power of attorney (MPOA). The resident, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, major depressive disorder, and dysphagia, among other conditions, experienced significant weight loss and had issues with her diet and assistance with eating. Despite the MPOA's repeated attempts to address these concerns through emails and grievances, the facility did not have any documentation of grievance resolutions related to these issues. The resident's care plan indicated she was at risk for nutritional concerns and required setup assistance when eating. Despite this, the resident experienced a notable weight loss over a 12-month period, dropping from 169.4 pounds to 132 pounds. The MPOA expressed concerns about the resident's diet and weight loss in emails to the facility's Director of Nursing (DON) and other staff members, but the facility failed to document or resolve these grievances adequately. The facility's grievance policy required that grievances be recorded, investigated, and resolved promptly, but this process was not followed in the resident's case. Interviews with the facility's Administrator and DON revealed that grievances had been filed for the resident, but the facility's social worker had recently left, and the grievance binder could not be located. The Administrator acknowledged that grievances were typically filed with the social worker and signed off by her once resolved, but she could not find the documentation. The DON also mentioned that a grievance was likely written for the emails from the MPOA, but she was unsure of their current status. This lack of documentation and resolution of grievances could place residents at risk of unresolved grievances and unmet care needs.
Failure to Maintain Nutritional Parameters for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain acceptable nutritional parameters for a resident, leading to significant weight loss and potential malnutrition. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and was on hospice care, was not provided with the correct therapeutic diet as ordered by the physician. The facility did not administer the prescribed appetite stimulant medication, Mirtazapine, in the correct dosage, and there were multiple instances where the medication was not available or administered. Additionally, the dietary orders were unclear, leading to confusion about when to provide a mechanical soft diet versus a pureed diet. The resident's care plan included interventions to ensure adequate nutrition and weight stabilization, but these were not effectively implemented. The facility staff failed to offer the resident the correct meals, including ice cream or pudding, which were part of the interventions to prevent weight loss. Observations revealed that the resident was not consistently assisted or encouraged to eat, and no alternate meals were provided when the resident did not consume the pureed meals. The resident's weight had decreased significantly over several months, indicating a failure to address her nutritional needs adequately. Interviews with facility staff and the resident's medical power of attorney (MPOA) highlighted communication issues and misunderstandings regarding the resident's dietary needs and medication administration. The facility's Director of Nursing (DON) and other staff members were unable to provide clear explanations for the dietary decisions made, and there was a lack of consistent monitoring and documentation of the resident's nutritional status. The hospice service's involvement further complicated the situation, as there were discrepancies in medication coverage and dietary recommendations.
Incomplete Documentation of Pain Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medical records were complete and accurate for four residents, specifically regarding the administration of pain medications. The Medication Administration Records (MAR) for these residents did not accurately reflect the administration of pain medications from June 1 to June 18, 2024. This discrepancy was identified through a comparison of the Narcotic Administration Record (NAR) and the MAR, which showed that medications were removed but not documented as administered. Interviews with the residents revealed that they were aware of their pain management needs and had their pain well controlled, yet the documentation did not reflect the actual administration of medications. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged that the expectation was for nurses to document medication administration in the MAR immediately after giving the medication. The failure to do so could lead to residents receiving additional dosages and provide an inaccurate picture of the resident's health to the physician. The facility's Medication Administration policy required signing the MAR after administration and, if the medication was a controlled substance, signing the narcotic book. The lack of documentation could result in the physician making decisions based on incomplete information, such as discontinuing or changing the medication.
Failure to Administer Medications Accurately
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident, specifically for one resident reviewed for medication administration. The medication aide (MA A) did not administer medications accurately, as medications were observed in a medication cup at the resident's bedside, despite MA A signing the Medication Administration Record (MAR) as if they had been administered. This failure was observed during a survey, where the resident confirmed that nursing staff often left medications in his room for him to take at his convenience, which he then consumed in the presence of the surveyor. Interviews with staff, including an LVN and the Director of Nursing (DON), revealed that medications should not be left unattended or for residents to self-administer without proper assessment and authorization. The LVN and DON both stated that staff are required to witness residents taking their medications to ensure they are consumed as prescribed. MA A, however, denied leaving the medications at the bedside and claimed to have witnessed the resident taking them, suggesting the resident might have spit them back into the cup after she left. The facility's policy on administering medications, which was reviewed, mandates that medications be administered safely and timely, with staff required to observe residents taking their medications. The policy also specifies that residents may only self-administer medications if assessed and authorized by the interdisciplinary care planning team. The administrator confirmed that staff are expected to follow this policy to prevent risks associated with unattended medications.
Failure to Securely Store and Administer Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure all drugs and biologicals were stored in accordance with State and Federal laws, specifically by not storing medications in locked compartments and not ensuring proper temperature controls. During an observation, Resident #1's morning medications were found in a medication cup on his bedside table, which he stated was left there by MA A. This practice was confirmed by Resident #1, who mentioned that nursing staff often left his medications in his room for him to take at his convenience. This was corroborated by LVN B, who stated that staff needed to watch all residents take their medications and that medications should never be left unattended. Resident #1's medical history includes unspecified dementia without behavioral disturbance, bipolar disorder, peripheral vascular disease, type 2 diabetes with hyperglycemia and diabetic neuropathy, anemia, and hyperlipidemia. His care plan did not reflect medication self-administration, indicating that staff should administer and monitor his medications. Despite this, MA A left Resident #1's medications unattended, which he later consumed without supervision. This was against the facility's policy, which requires medications to be stored in locked compartments and administered under supervision. Interviews with the DON and the Administrator confirmed that medications should not be left in residents' rooms and that staff are expected to observe residents taking their medications to ensure they receive the correct dosages. The facility's policy on medication storage, revised in November 2020, mandates that all drugs and biologicals be stored in locked compartments and that only authorized personnel have access to these medications. The failure to adhere to these policies placed residents at risk of consuming unsafe medications.
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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