Park Manor Of Westchase
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Houston, Texas.
- Location
- 11910 Richmond Ave, Houston, Texas 77082
- CMS Provider Number
- 676059
- Inspections on file
- 35
- Latest survey
- February 9, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 1 (1 serious)
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Park Manor Of Westchase during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with vascular dementia and moderate cognitive impairment, who required assistance with ADLs and had an order to go out on pass with medications, was not identified in the care plan as an elopement risk and was known by the DON to be noncompliant with sign-in/sign-out procedures. On an evening when the front desk was not staffed past the receptionist’s 5 p.m. departure, the resident was last seen in his room around the early evening and received medications around 7 p.m., but staff later found his room empty and could not locate him in the building. There was no record of him signing out, and the DON reported there was no policy on rounding frequency while also acknowledging that residents could leave during pass hours and that the facility was responsible for accounting for them. Around the same time, a separate resident emergency prompted a 911 response and the front door being held open, during which the DON’s root cause analysis concluded the resident likely exited unnoticed; he was later found several miles away in a parking lot with injuries requiring hospital care.
A resident admitted with a pressure ulcer and complex medical conditions did not have a baseline care plan developed within 48 hours to address the wound, despite documentation and staff awareness of its presence. The initial care plan instead focused on a resolved UTI, and confusion among staff regarding care plan responsibilities led to the omission of wound care interventions in the resident's plan.
A resident with significant medical conditions left the facility on pass and did not return, leading to an Immediate Jeopardy deficiency. The facility failed to monitor the resident's return or take appropriate action when he did not come back, exposing residents to potential harm. Staff interviews revealed a lack of follow-up and inadequate implementation of policies for residents going out on pass.
The facility failed to transmit completed Discharge MDS assessments for two residents within the required 14-day period after completion. The residents involved had conditions such as heart failure and epilepsy. Interviews with staff revealed that the assessments were missed despite the facility's policy to transmit them weekly, resulting in non-compliance with regulations.
The facility failed to label and date opened medications in accordance with professional principles, as observed in several medication carts. Opened medications such as eyedrops, ointments, nasal sprays, and inhalation powders were not labeled with the resident's name or dated, potentially risking adverse reactions. Interviews revealed a lack of awareness among staff, and the facility's policy did not address this requirement.
The facility failed to maintain proper infection control practices, as CNAs did not follow hand hygiene protocols and PPE usage during resident care. A CNA did not wash hands between glove changes for a resident with a Foley catheter, while another CNA failed to secure a catheter properly and did not perform hand hygiene. Additionally, a CNA did not wear a protective gown for a resident in enhanced barrier precautions. These actions were recognized as infection control issues by the facility's staff.
A resident with chronic conditions and moderately impaired cognition did not receive necessary assistance with personal hygiene, specifically shaving facial hair, as outlined in her care plan. Despite expressing her desire to be shaved, staff failed to provide this care consistently, leading to a deficiency in the facility's adherence to ADL assistance protocols.
A resident with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and heart failure received inadequate incontinence and Foley care, leading to a risk of urinary tract infections. A CNA placed the Foley bag on the bed, risking urine backflow, and failed to properly clean the resident, leaving bowel movement residue. Interviews confirmed the CNA did not follow proper procedures, despite having received training.
A resident with a PEG tube was at risk of complications when a CNA failed to pause the G-tube feeding before providing care, leaving the bed flat during the process. The resident, with severe cognitive impairment, required the head of the bed to be elevated during feeding to prevent aspiration. Despite training, the CNA forgot to inform the nurse to pause the feeding, contrary to facility protocol.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple health issues was not provided oxygen therapy according to physician orders, with the concentrator set at 3.5L instead of the prescribed 3L. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and communication about the correct oxygen settings, and the facility's policy on oxygen administration was not provided upon request.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment was wheeled into the dining room with an exposed catheter bag, compromising their dignity and privacy. The resident, wearing shorts, had no privacy cover for the catheter bag, which was against the facility's policy. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of the dignity issue, but an oversight occurred due to a distraction with another resident.
A resident with multiple medical conditions did not receive proper incontinent care, as a CNA failed to follow infection control protocols by not wearing a gown and not sanitizing hands between glove changes. The DON confirmed that these actions could lead to infections, highlighting a deficiency in the facility's adherence to its infection control policies.
A CNA and an LVN at an LTC facility failed to adhere to infection control protocols, including not sanitizing hands between glove changes and not properly donning and doffing PPE. These actions occurred during care for residents with severe cognitive impairments and multiple medical conditions, placing them at risk for infections.
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, and sanitary environment for two residents. One resident's restroom had feces on the wall and in the commode, while another resident's room had dried urine beneath the bed. Both residents require assistance for toileting and other activities of daily living. The facility's policies for cleaning were not followed, leading to unsanitary conditions.
Elopement of Cognitively Impaired Resident During Unmonitored Exit Opportunity
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide adequate supervision to prevent an elopement for one cognitively impaired resident. The resident was an older male with vascular dementia and a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 9/15, indicating moderate cognitive impairment. His MDS indicated no documented wandering or behavioral issues and a need for partial/moderate assistance with transfers and ADLs. His comprehensive care plan, initiated several days before the incident, did not identify him as an elopement risk. A physician order allowed him to go out on pass with medications, and the DON stated that residents and responsible parties were educated on admission that residents were to sign out when leaving on a pass, but the DON also acknowledged that this resident was not compliant with signing in and out. On the evening of the incident, the resident was last clearly observed by staff between approximately 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. CNA E reported assisting him to the dining room for breakfast and lunch and later seeing him seated in a chair in his room around 6:30–7:00 p.m. while providing care to his roommate. CMA A documented administering his evening medications at approximately 7:18 p.m. and then continued her medication pass and responded to other residents’ needs. At some point after this, CNA E returned to the room and found that the resident was no longer present, and she notified other staff. Nurse A, who was familiar with the resident but not his primary nurse, recalled seeing him sometime after dinner between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and stated that an elopement code was implemented around 8:00 p.m. after staff notified her that the resident was missing. The receptionist, whose shift that day ended at 5:00 p.m., stated that front door coverage was expected until 8:00 p.m. and that the front desk was not to be left unattended, but she was not present at the time the resident went missing. The DON and other records indicated that the resident did not sign out and there was no entry for him on the facility’s entrance and exit log on the date of the incident. The DON stated that there was no policy specifying how frequently staff should round on residents and that residents had the right to leave during identified pass hours, while the facility remained responsible for their safety and accounting for their whereabouts. The DON also reported that staff were aware the resident was not compliant with sign-in/sign-out procedures. Around the time the resident was discovered missing, another resident-related emergency occurred that required a 911 call and the presence of first responders, during which the facility’s front door was held open as another resident was prepared for transport. Based on the facility’s root cause analysis, the DON stated it was likely that the missing resident exited the building during this emergency response. The resident was later found approximately seven miles from the facility in the parking lot of a local emergency care center with a laceration to his right eye and minor injuries to his hands, and he required hospitalization for evaluation and treatment. Hospital records documented that the resident was brought to the emergency department by a local unhoused person who found him in the parking lot. On arrival, he was cold, bleeding from his right scalp, and had minor lacerations to both hands. A CT of the head showed right periorbital soft tissue swelling consistent with trauma from a fall, and he was found to be dehydrated, requiring hypotonic saline. The ED physician obtained history from the nursing facility and the resident’s family, noting that he had been placed in the facility due to difficulties with ambulation but was able to ambulate with a walker at admission. Facility documentation and interviews confirmed that staff did not witness his exit, that he was not accounted for through the sign-out process, and that he was ultimately reported missing to police later that evening, after which he was located offsite and transferred to the hospital.
Failure to Develop Timely Baseline Care Plan for Pressure Ulcer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a baseline care plan within 48 hours of admission for a resident who was admitted with multiple complex medical conditions, including a pressure ulcer. Despite documentation from hospital records and physician notes indicating the presence of a pressure ulcer on the left lateral thigh or buttock at the time of admission, the resident's initial care plan did not address this wound. Instead, the care plan focused on a urinary tract infection (UTI), which, according to staff interviews and the Director of Nursing, had already resolved prior to admission. Multiple staff interviews revealed confusion and lack of clarity regarding responsibility for care plan development. The MDS nurse, wound care nurse, and other nursing staff each believed that another team member was responsible for including wound care in the resident's care plan. The wound care nurse stated that interventions for the pressure ulcer were implemented and that education was provided to the resident, but these interventions were not reflected in the baseline care plan. The MDS assessment did document the presence of a pressure ulcer, but this information was not translated into the care plan within the required timeframe. Facility policy required a comprehensive, person-centered care plan to be developed and implemented for each resident, including measurable objectives and timeframes to address identified problems. However, the resident's care plan did not include any mention of the pressure ulcer or related interventions, despite clear evidence from medical records and staff interviews that the wound was present and required ongoing care. This failure to develop and implement an appropriate care plan within 48 hours of admission resulted in a deficiency, as the resident's immediate needs were not formally addressed according to professional standards of care.
Resident Left Facility Unsupervised and Did Not Return
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the resident environment was free from accident hazards and that residents received adequate supervision, as evidenced by the case of a resident who left the facility on pass and did not return. The resident, who had a history of cerebral infarction, traumatic subdural hemorrhage, and other significant medical conditions, was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15. Despite his medical history, the facility did not make attempts to locate him after he left, and he was later admitted to the hospital with a stroke. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the resident frequently left the facility on pass and was expected to return. However, on the day in question, staff did not adequately monitor his return or take immediate action when he did not come back. The facility's policy required residents to sign out and in, but there was a lack of follow-up when the resident did not return, and the facility did not notify law enforcement or emergency services promptly. The deficiency was identified as an Immediate Jeopardy due to the potential harm to residents from inadequate supervision. The facility's failure to monitor the resident's return and to follow up appropriately when he did not return exposed residents to potential harm, injury, or death. The facility's policies and procedures for residents going out on pass were not effectively implemented, leading to this serious oversight.
Failure to Transmit Discharge MDS Assessments Timely
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to transmit completed Discharge Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for two residents within the required 14-day period after completion. This deficiency was identified during a record review and interviews with facility staff. The residents involved were a male with acute on chronic systolic heart failure and gait abnormalities, and another male with a traumatic subdural hemorrhage and epilepsy. Both residents had their discharge MDS assessments completed but not transmitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as required. Interviews with the MDS Coordinator and the Administrator revealed that the facility uses the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual for guidance and that the assessments should have been transmitted within the stipulated timeframe. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged the oversight and mentioned that the facility transmits assessments weekly, but these particular assessments were missed. The Administrator confirmed that the failure to transmit the assessments was against the facility's policy and resulted in non-compliance with regulations.
Failure to Label and Date Opened Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that drugs and biologicals were labeled in accordance with professional principles, including the appropriate accessory and cautionary instructions and expiration dates. During observations, it was found that several medication carts contained opened medications such as eyedrops, ointments, nasal sprays, and inhalation powders that were not labeled with the resident's name or dated. This was observed in the medication carts shared between halls 100 and 400, and halls 200 and 300. Interviews with the LVNs and MA involved revealed a lack of awareness regarding the importance of dating medications upon opening to ensure their effectiveness and safety. The Director of Nursing (DON) was interviewed and expressed uncertainty about the requirement to label and date opened medications, despite a recent visit from the facility's pharmacist who reportedly found everything in order. The facility's policy on medication storage, last revised in April 2007, did not address the labeling and dating of medications when opened. This oversight could potentially place residents at risk of adverse medication reactions and infections, as the medications may not be effective if used beyond their recommended period after opening.
Inadequate Infection Control Practices in Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by multiple instances of improper hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) during resident care. For Resident #31, CNA C did not follow proper hand hygiene protocols during Foley and incontinent care, changing gloves multiple times without washing or sanitizing hands, and placing a trash bag on a clean field, leading to potential cross-contamination. This was acknowledged by CNA C, the Infection Preventionist (IP), the Director of Nursing (DON), and the Administrator, all of whom recognized the actions as infection control issues. Resident #41 also experienced inadequate infection control practices. CNA AA failed to perform appropriate hand hygiene during Foley catheter and incontinent care, using the same gloves for multiple tasks and not cleaning the catheter in a circular motion. Additionally, the catheter was not secured properly, posing a risk of obstruction. CNA AA admitted to being nervous and forgetting to change gloves, which could lead to cross-contamination. The DON confirmed the necessity of proper hand hygiene between glove changes to prevent infection. For Resident #76, CNA F did not wear a protective gown while providing incontinent care in an enhanced barrier precaution room, which was necessary to prevent cross-contamination due to the resident's G-tube and wound. This oversight was observed by LVN S, who intervened by providing a gown to CNA F. Both the DON and the Administrator acknowledged the importance of wearing PPE in such situations to prevent the spread of infections.
Failure to Provide Necessary ADL Assistance for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) for a resident with moderately impaired cognition, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and heart failure. The resident required extensive assistance with personal hygiene, including shaving facial hair, which was not provided as needed. Despite the resident expressing a desire to have her facial hair shaved and informing the aides, the staff did not fulfill this request. Observations confirmed the presence of facial hair on the resident's chin, and interviews with staff revealed a lack of adherence to the resident's care plan, which included shaving on shower days and as needed. Interviews with the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) indicated that the aides were responsible for shaving the resident, but this was not consistently done. The Director of Nursing (DON) and Infection Preventionist (IP) acknowledged that the resident should not have to request shaving as it is part of her ADL care. There was no documentation of the resident refusing to be shaved or preferring her daughter to perform this task. The facility's policy on shaving, intended to promote cleanliness and skin care, was not followed, leading to the deficiency in care for the resident.
Inadequate Incontinence and Foley Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate care for a resident who was incontinent of bladder and had an indwelling catheter, leading to a risk of urinary tract infections. The resident, a female with chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and heart failure, required extensive assistance with activities of daily living and had moderately impaired cognition. During an observation, a CNA placed the resident's Foley catheter bag on the bed, which was at the same level as the bladder, instead of below it, potentially causing urine backflow and increasing the risk of infection. The CNA also failed to properly clean the resident during incontinence and Foley care. The CNA did not separate the labia or buttocks while cleaning, resulting in residual bowel movement being left on the resident's skin. When instructed to clean the area again, the CNA found bowel movement residue on the wipes, indicating inadequate initial cleaning. The improper cleaning technique, including wiping towards the body instead of away, further increased the risk of infection. Interviews with the CNA, IP, LVN, DON, and Administrator confirmed that the CNA did not follow proper procedures for Foley and incontinence care. The facility's policy required the Foley bag to be positioned below the bladder and the perineal area to be cleaned thoroughly to prevent infection and skin irritation. The CNA acknowledged the training received but did not adhere to the protocols, leading to the deficiency in care for the resident.
Failure to Pause G-Tube Feeding During Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate care for a resident with a gastrostomy tube (G-tube), leading to a potential risk of complications. A certified nursing assistant (CNA) did not inform the nurse to pause the G-tube feeding before providing incontinent care to a resident. During the care, the CNA lowered the head of the resident's bed to a flat position while the G-tube feeding continued, contrary to the care plan and physician's orders, which required the head of the bed to be elevated between 30 to 45 degrees during feeding to prevent aspiration. The resident involved was an elderly female with severe cognitive impairment, requiring extensive assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) and had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube due to dysphagia. The facility's protocol mandated that the feeding be paused during ADL care to prevent aspiration risks. Despite having received training on handling residents with PEG tubes, the CNA forgot to pause the feeding and was unaware of the potential consequences of not doing so. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the feeding should have been paused to prevent vomiting and abdominal pain.
Failure to Administer Oxygen Therapy as Ordered
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate respiratory care for a resident, specifically in the administration of oxygen therapy. The resident, a female with a history of cerebral infarction, hypertension, heart failure, and aphasia, was admitted with severely impaired cognition and required continuous oxygen therapy at 3 liters per minute via nasal cannula, as per physician orders. However, during an observation, it was noted that the oxygen concentrator was set at 3.5 liters per minute, which was not in accordance with the physician's orders. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and communication regarding the correct oxygen settings for the resident. A CNA and an LVN both confirmed the incorrect setting, and the LVN admitted to not knowing the prescribed oxygen level. The DON stated that the facility follows physician orders and that exceeding the prescribed oxygen could lead to increased CO2 levels and confusion in the resident. Despite the facility's policy requiring nurses to monitor and set oxygen levels correctly, the policy was not provided upon request, indicating a potential gap in policy adherence and documentation.
Resident Dignity Compromised by Exposed Catheter Bag
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to uphold the dignity and privacy of a resident, identified as Resident #44, by allowing the resident's catheter bag to be exposed in a public area. Resident #44, a male with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions including Alzheimer's Disease, was observed being wheeled into the dining room with his catheter bag visibly strapped to his leg. The resident was wearing shorts, which did not cover the catheter bag, and there was no privacy cover in place. This incident was noted during an observation on February 18, 2025. Interviews with facility staff, including the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the Recreational Therapist (RT A), confirmed that the exposure of the catheter bag was a breach of the resident's dignity and privacy. The ADON acknowledged the issue and stated that the resident should have been covered or dressed in long pants. RT A admitted to being aware of the need for privacy and dignity but was distracted by another resident's potential fall, leading to the oversight. The facility's policy on urinary leg drainage bags, which mandates maintaining privacy under resident clothing, was not adhered to in this instance.
Inadequate Incontinent Care and Infection Control
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate incontinent care for a resident, leading to a deficiency in infection control protocols. The resident, who was always incontinent and required extensive assistance, did not receive proper care to prevent urinary tract infections. During an observation, a CNA was seen providing care without following infection control protocols, such as not wearing a gown and failing to sanitize hands between glove changes. The resident, who had multiple medical conditions including metabolic encephalopathy, dysphagia, and acute kidney failure, was observed to have bowel movements that were not adequately cleaned. The CNA wiped the resident multiple times without sanitizing hands between glove changes, which is against the facility's infection control policies. The CNA admitted to forgetting to wear PPE and not sanitizing hands due to the absence of sanitizer in the room. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the staff is expected to don PPE and sanitize hands to prevent the spread of germs. The DON acknowledged that the failure to follow these protocols could lead to infections. The facility's policies on infection control and hand hygiene were not adhered to, as evidenced by the CNA's actions during the care of the resident.
Infection Control Deficiencies in Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by several observed deficiencies in the care provided to residents. A CNA did not use an alcohol-based sanitizer between changing gloves while providing incontinent care to a resident, which is a critical step in preventing the spread of infections. This resident, who has multiple medical conditions including metabolic encephalopathy and dysphagia, requires extensive assistance with activities and is always incontinent. The CNA's failure to sanitize hands between glove changes was attributed to the absence of sanitizer in the room. Additionally, an LVN did not clean the peri-wound area before applying a dressing during wound care for another resident. This resident has severe cognitive impairment and is dependent on staff for toileting hygiene. The LVN also failed to remove his gown and gloves after leaving the resident's room, re-entering and continuing care with the same contaminated PPE. This practice was repeated with another resident, who also has severe cognitive impairment and is at risk for pressure ulcers. The LVN acknowledged the importance of cleaning the peri-wound to prevent bacteria from entering the wound and admitted to not following proper PPE protocols. Interviews with the DON and ICP revealed that staff were expected to follow specific infection control procedures, including donning and doffing PPE correctly and sanitizing hands between glove changes. The facility's policies on wound care and infection control emphasize the importance of these practices to prevent infections. However, the observed actions of the CNA and LVN indicate a lapse in adherence to these protocols, placing residents at risk of developing infections.
Failure to Maintain Clean and Sanitary Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, and sanitary environment for two residents. Resident #2's restroom was observed to have two small brown spots that appeared to be feces near the grab bar on the wall, a commode full of cloudy water with feces remnants, and dried feces particles covering the bowl. Additionally, a trash bag of soiled briefs was found on top of the trash can, and a bed pan was hanging in a clear plastic drawstring bag. Resident #2, who has moderate cognitive impairment and requires assistance for toileting, confirmed that the toilet was backed up and that staff had previously instructed her to use a bed pan to remove water when the toilet backed up. The Central Supply Coordinator confirmed that housekeeping had not yet cleaned the rooms on the 300 hall and that all staff were responsible for reporting maintenance issues. The Administrator and DON were not initially aware of the cleanliness concerns but acknowledged the need for immediate attention to the situation. Resident #4's room was observed to have a large area of dried dark urine beneath the resident's bed. Resident #4, who has severe cognitive impairment and requires maximum assistance for toileting and other activities of daily living, was found in his restroom with the door closed. The Central Supply Coordinator confirmed the substance on the floor was urine and stated she would notify housekeeping for immediate attention. The Administrator and DON were not initially aware of the cleanliness concerns but acknowledged the need for immediate attention to the situation. The facility's policies for bathroom and daily patient room cleaning, revised in 2017, emphasize the importance of proper cleaning to prevent the spread of infection. However, the observations and interviews revealed that the facility failed to adhere to these policies, resulting in unsanitary conditions in the residents' rooms. The DON highlighted the potential risks of infection and falls due to the presence of feces and urine in the residents' rooms. The Administrator and DON acknowledged the need for more diligent reporting and addressing of cleanliness issues in resident rooms.
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.
Two residents experienced significant medication administration and documentation failures involving pain management and insulin therapy. One resident with Parkinson’s disease and chronic hip pain did not receive ordered 4% lidocaine patches on multiple occasions despite MAR entries indicating administration, and received inconsistent Tramadol dosing, including unscheduled double doses and missing signatures on the controlled substance log. Another resident with diabetes, hemiplegia, and a G-tube received long-acting Rezvoglar insulin doses well outside the ordered bedtime schedule on several occasions, as confirmed by MAR review and video monitoring, while blood glucose readings fluctuated widely throughout the month. Staff interviews revealed inaccurate documentation, late administration outside the facility’s one-hour medication window, and lack of recognition of timing and dosing errors, contrary to facility policy requiring timely, accurate administration per prescriber orders.
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.
Staff failed to follow infection control practices by placing personal water bottles on medication carts on two halls and by not performing appropriate hand hygiene before resident care. Personal water bottles belonging to a med tech and an LVN were observed on top of separate med carts, despite staff and leadership acknowledging that personal items were not allowed there due to contamination concerns. In a separate incident, a med tech sanitized her hands, picked up keys from the floor, then did not re-sanitize before donning clean gloves and entering a resident’s room to administer medication, even though the resident had a dialysis access and was care-planned for Enhanced Barrier Precautions and staff recognized that hand hygiene was required between dirty and clean tasks.
Staff failed to consistently follow infection control practices, including enhanced barrier precautions and hand hygiene, during incontinent care and handling of medical devices for three residents. In one case, staff performed high-contact care and a gait-belt transfer for a resident with a pressure ulcer, G-tube, and PICC line while wearing gloves but no gowns, despite posted enhanced barrier precautions. In another case, a CNA changed a resident’s soiled brief and cleansed the perineal area, then changed gloves without performing hand hygiene before applying a clean brief. In a third case, a CNA and the Staffing Coordinator placed a clean brief under a resident before completing cleansing, applied barrier cream with soiled gloves, and the Staffing Coordinator picked an oxygen cannula up from the floor and placed it back on the resident, with both staff leaving the room without performing hand hygiene.
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.
Medication Administration Errors and Documentation Irregularities for Pain Management and Insulin Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide accurate pharmaceutical services, including acquiring, receiving, dispensing, and administering medications as ordered, for two residents. One resident with Parkinson’s disease, chronic right hip pain, and severe cognitive impairment had physician orders for Tramadol 50 mg by mouth three times daily, Tramadol 100 mg by mouth three times daily until a specified date, and a 4% lidocaine patch to the right hip once daily for pain. Surveyors observed this resident twice on the same day lying in bed, rubbing her right hip/thigh in a circular motion, shaking her legs, and stating she was “sore,” with no lidocaine patch present on either hip or thigh or in the bedding. The MAR showed that a medication aide documented administration of the lidocaine patch that morning, but in interview the aide admitted she did not have the patches on her cart at the scheduled time, signed that she had given the patch intending to retrieve and apply it later, and then forgot to do so. On the following day, the MAR showed that an RN documented administration of the lidocaine patch, but in interview that RN stated she had not administered any medications to this resident and was not assigned to her; she reported that another nurse had borrowed her computer earlier in the day. Record review of the same resident’s controlled substance log showed multiple irregularities in Tramadol administration over several days. Entries reflected doses of two 50 mg Tramadol tablets being given at various times without signatures identifying the administering staff, missing third daily doses, and inconsistent dosing patterns. On one date, the ADON documented administering two 50 mg tablets at an unknown time, followed by single 50 mg doses at noon and in the evening by other staff. On another date, a medication aide documented administering two 50 mg tablets in the morning and early afternoon, and another aide documented two 50 mg tablets mid-afternoon, resulting in a total of 200 mg of Tramadol within a short time frame. Additional entries showed two 50 mg tablets given in the morning and again at midday on a subsequent date. The DON acknowledged on interview that she had reviewed the controlled substance log and noted incorrect dosages but had not recognized that some administration times were too close together. The second resident involved was an older adult with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, severe cognitive impairment, and a gastrostomy tube in place. This resident had an order for Rezvoglar KwikPen (a long-acting basal insulin) 32 units subcutaneously at bedtime, scheduled at 8:00 p.m. Review of the MAR for March showed that the insulin was repeatedly administered outside the ordered time parameters on six different days, with documented administration times after midnight and late evening rather than at the scheduled hour. Blood sugar logs for the month showed wide fluctuations, with values ranging from 66 mg/dL to 332 mg/dL. Video monitoring from the resident’s room confirmed that on one date the night-shift LVN administered the scheduled 8:00 p.m. insulin dose after midnight. In interview, this LVN stated that bedtime medications, including insulin, were usually given between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., that the acceptable window was one hour before or after the scheduled time, and that she believed she had not been late administering the insulin, despite documentation and video evidence to the contrary. The facility’s medication administration policy required medications to be administered safely, timely, and in accordance with prescriber orders, including within one hour of the prescribed time, and required staff to question inappropriate or excessive dosages.
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.
Improper Storage of Personal Items on Med Carts and Lapses in Hand Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, specifically related to improper storage of personal items on medication carts and inadequate hand hygiene practices. On the 200 hall, a medication technician was observed with a personal water bottle placed on top of the medication cart; she acknowledged it was her bottle, that she had brought it out to drink, and that she did not have time to put it away. She further stated that personal water bottles were not allowed on top of the medication cart because of infection control concerns. On the 100 hall, a separate medication cart was observed with another personal water bottle on top. The LVN assigned to pass medications on that hall confirmed the water bottle was hers, explained she was thirsty and needed a drink, and stated that staff were not allowed to have personal items on the medication cart due to infection control concerns. The Administrator, Corporate Nurse, and DON each confirmed that staff were not to have personal items on top of medication carts because of contamination and infection control issues. The report also details a hand hygiene failure involving a resident with identified infection risks. Resident #9 was an elderly male with dementia, severe cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 7), and an active diagnosis of dementia. His care plan documented that he was at risk of infection related to dialysis access and required Enhanced Barrier Precautions during close contact care. Physician orders specified that enhanced barrier precautions and PPE were required for high resident contact care activities, with dialysis access to be monitored every shift. During medication administration for this resident, the same medication technician was observed sanitizing her hands, then picking up her keys from the floor, and failing to sanitize her hands again before donning clean gloves and entering the resident’s room to administer medication. In subsequent interviews, the medication technician, the LVN, and the DON each stated that hand hygiene was required after touching dirty surfaces, between residents, between glove changes, and before donning and after removing gloves, and that failure to perform hand hygiene could spread bacteria or germs and make residents sick. Review of the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program policy showed that personnel were required to wash their hands after each direct resident contact as indicated by accepted professional practice, and that infection prevention practices were to be monitored by the infection preventionist through skills competency evaluations such as observation of hand hygiene.
Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions and Hand Hygiene During Incontinent Care and Device Handling
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain an effective Infection Prevention and Control Program, including proper use of enhanced barrier precautions and hand hygiene, for three residents observed for infection control practices. For one resident with a sacral pressure ulcer, dysphagia, a G-tube, and a PICC line, an enhanced barrier precautions sign was posted indicating the need for gown and gloves during high-contact care. During incontinent care and preparation for transfer to a wheelchair, a PTA, a CNA, and an RN all wore gloves but did not don gowns, despite performing high-contact activities such as changing briefs, disconnecting a feeding tube, and using a gait belt to transfer the resident. In interviews, these staff members acknowledged they had been trained on enhanced barrier precautions, recognized that residents with wounds or medically inserted devices required such precautions, and admitted they should have worn gowns during this high-contact care. For a second resident with diagnoses including type 2 diabetes mellitus, COPD, and overactive bladder, a CNA entered the room to provide incontinent care after performing hand hygiene and donning gloves. The CNA unfastened a wet brief, cleansed the resident’s perineal and buttocks areas, then changed gloves without performing hand hygiene before placing a clean brief under the resident and completing the brief change and repositioning. Hand hygiene was only performed after the gloves were removed at the end of care. In a subsequent interview, the CNA stated she was supposed to perform hand hygiene before and after incontinent care and further acknowledged she should have performed hand hygiene after cleaning the resident and changing gloves. For a third resident with dementia and COPD, a CNA and the Staffing Coordinator provided incontinent care while the resident’s oxygen concentrator was on and the oxygen cannula was observed lying on the floor. Both staff performed hand hygiene and donned gloves before care. The CNA unfastened the brief, placed a clean brief beside the resident, cleansed the perineal area, and, with assistance, removed the soiled brief and placed the clean brief under the resident before cleaning the buttocks, thereby placing a clean item under the resident prior to completing cleansing. Without changing gloves, the CNA then applied barrier cream using the same gloves that had been used for cleaning. After fastening the brief and repositioning the resident, the Staffing Coordinator picked up the oxygen cannula from the floor and placed it back on the resident’s nose. Both staff then removed their gloves, collected trash, left the room without performing hand hygiene, and only washed their hands later at a sink behind the nurse’s station. In interviews, both the CNA and the Staffing Coordinator acknowledged they had not followed required hand hygiene and glove-change practices and described the expected protocols as taught by the facility’s infection control policies.
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