The Reserve At Richardson
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Richardson, Texas.
- Location
- 1610 Richardson Dr, Richardson, Texas 75080
- CMS Provider Number
- 676448
- Inspections on file
- 28
- Latest survey
- December 2, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 6
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at The Reserve At Richardson during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident's confidential medical information, including diagnosis and medication details, was left exposed and unattended on the nurse's station countertop by an ADON. The document was visible to anyone passing by, in violation of facility policy and HIPAA regulations. Facility leadership confirmed that such information should be protected and not accessible to unauthorized individuals.
A nurse medication cart containing drugs and biologicals was left unlocked and unattended in a hallway, with a resident nearby. Staff interviews confirmed the cart should have been locked when not in use, and the responsible LVN admitted to leaving it unsecured while stepping away. Facility policy requires all medication storage compartments to be locked when unattended.
Three residents with severe cognitive impairment and high dependence on staff were found to have call lights that were not accessible, with devices either out of reach or on the floor. Staff interviews confirmed the expectation that call lights should always be within reach, and care plans for these residents included this intervention due to their fall risk and need for assistance. Facility policy also required call lights to be accessible, but this was not followed, resulting in a deficiency.
A resident with asthma and severe cognitive impairment did not have her nebulizer breathing mask properly stored in a bag when not in use, as required by facility policy and professional standards. Staff interviews confirmed the expectation for bagging the mask to prevent infection, but the mask was observed left unbagged after treatment.
Two residents were found with medications in their rooms, including nasal spray, eye drops, and antifungal powder, without physician orders or assessments for self-administration. Staff confirmed these medications should not have been accessible to residents and were not stored in locked compartments as required.
During incontinent care for a resident with diarrhea and ADL deficits, two CNAs failed to change gloves and perform hand hygiene after cleaning soiled areas and before handling a clean brief, contrary to facility infection control policy. Both staff and administration acknowledged the lapse in proper infection prevention procedures.
The facility failed to create comprehensive care plans for three residents, including one with emphysema using oxygen therapy, another with a catheter and on hospice care, and a third unable to use a call light due to physical and cognitive limitations. These omissions in care planning could lead to inconsistent care delivery and unmet needs.
The facility failed to provide appropriate respiratory care for several residents, leading to deficiencies in their care. A resident with emphysema used oxygen therapy without a physician's order, while another with sleep apnea had a CPAP mask improperly stored. Additionally, a resident with a PRN order for oxygen had unbagged tubing, and another lacked a physician's order for a CPAP machine, with the mask also unbagged. These issues reflect non-compliance with professional standards and facility policies.
The facility's kitchen failed to meet professional standards for food safety, with an ice scoop stored improperly, uncovered trash and tea dispenser, and unclean equipment. These deficiencies were observed during a survey, and staff acknowledged the risk of cross-contamination.
A resident with a moderate cognitive impairment and an indwelling catheter was observed in the dining area with a visible catheter bag, despite having a privacy bag that was not fully pulled down. The facility's policy requires catheter bags to be covered to maintain dignity, but the CNA responsible for transferring the resident did not ensure this. The ADON and DON acknowledged the oversight and confirmed the expectation for staff to properly use privacy bags.
A facility failed to update a comprehensive care plan timely for a resident with obstructive sleep apnea and severe cognitive impairment. The last care plan update was in June 2024, despite a physician's order for CPAP use in October 2023. Staff interviews revealed a lack of adherence to the policy requiring quarterly updates, leading to potential confusion in care provision.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and a history of falls was found with bolster pads on her bed without physician orders. The DON confirmed the absence of orders, which is against the facility's policy requiring physician approval for such equipment.
A facility failed to have a physician's order for a resident's external catheter, used to aid in the healing of a pressure ulcer. The resident, who was cognitively intact, had been using the catheter since January without a documented order. Staff, including the LVN, ADON, and DON, acknowledged the oversight, which could lead to staff being unaware of necessary care interventions.
The facility failed to store probiotics for two residents according to the manufacturer's instructions, which required refrigeration after opening. Both a medication aide and an LVN administered probiotics that were improperly stored in a medication cart drawer instead of being refrigerated, as observed during a survey. The ADON and DON confirmed the oversight, which could affect the potency of the probiotics.
A facility failed to maintain an effective infection control program when a CNA did not change gloves after touching a resident's Foley catheter tubing during care. The resident, who had an indwelling catheter due to uropathy, was cognitively intact. The CNA initially followed proper hygiene protocols but failed to change gloves after handling the potentially contaminated tubing, contrary to facility policy. This oversight was acknowledged by the CNA and confirmed by the DON and ADON.
A resident with dementia and a history of falls eloped through an unsecured door in the dining area, leading to a fall down a stairwell and multiple serious injuries. The resident's care plan included frequent monitoring and fall precautions, but the door was not identified as a hazard, and the alarm was not responded to in time. Staff were aware of the resident's needs, but the facility failed to secure the door, resulting in the incident.
The facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food safety. A container of Beef Bullion paste past its expiration date was found in the refrigerated storage area, which could have exposed residents to foodborne illnesses. The facility's policy and FDA guidelines were not followed.
Resident Medical Information Left Unattended and Exposed at Nurse's Station
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the confidentiality of a resident's personal and medical records when the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) left a piece of paper containing sensitive medical information exposed and unattended on top of the nurse's station countertop. The document included the resident's name, medical record number, physician's name, proposed course of therapy, medication name, and the condition being treated, which was psychotic behavior. The paper was left facing the hallway with no staff present at the nurse's station, making the information visible to anyone passing by. The resident involved was an elderly female diagnosed with depression and unable to complete a cognitive assessment interview. Her care plan included medication management for depression, and her physician's order specified the use of Quetiapine Fumarate. The ADON acknowledged leaving the document exposed and recognized that this action constituted a violation of confidentiality and HIPAA regulations. Both the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator confirmed that resident health information should not be exposed or accessible to unauthorized individuals, as per facility policy.
Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
A nurse medication cart was observed parked outside the nurse's station, unlocked and unattended, with drawers containing medications accessible and facing the hallway. A resident in a wheelchair was sitting approximately ten steps from the open cart. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the cart should have been locked when not in use, and that it was not clear who was responsible for the cart at the time it was left unattended. The facility's policy requires all drugs and biologicals to be stored in locked compartments when not in use, and for carts to not be left unattended if open or accessible. Further interviews revealed that the LVN responsible for the cart left it unlocked while going to the restroom, acknowledging that the cart should have been secured before leaving it unattended. Staff, including the ADON, DON, and Administrator, all stated that the expectation is for all medication carts to be locked when not in use to prevent unauthorized access. The facility's policy, dated December 2024, reiterates the requirement for all compartments containing drugs and biologicals to be locked when not in use.
Failure to Ensure Call Light Accessibility for Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the call light systems in the rooms of three residents were accessible, as required by their care plans and facility policy. Observations on the specified date revealed that one resident's call light was hanging on the bed railing and not within reach, another resident's call light was found on the floor and out of reach, and a third resident's call light was also on the floor behind a side table. All three residents had severe cognitive impairments and required significant assistance with daily activities, including personal hygiene, transfers, and mobility. Their care plans specifically included interventions to keep call lights within reach due to their risk for falls and dependence on staff for assistance. Interviews with staff, including a CNA, LVN, and two ADONs, confirmed that call lights should always be within reach of residents, especially those who are dependent or have limited mobility. Staff acknowledged that they had not noticed the call lights were inaccessible during their rounds and recognized the importance of ensuring accessibility to address residents' needs and prevent incidents such as falls. The facility's policy also required that call lights be within easy reach of residents who are in bed or confined to a chair. Record reviews for each resident showed that their care plans included the intervention to keep call lights within reach, and there was no documentation indicating any refusal by the residents to have their call lights accessible. The deficiency was identified through direct observation, interviews, and review of care plans and facility policy, demonstrating a failure to reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of the residents as required.
Improper Storage of Nebulizer Mask for Resident Requiring Respiratory Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with asthma and severe cognitive impairment, who required respiratory care including nebulizer treatments, was not provided with safe and appropriate storage of her respiratory equipment. During observation, the resident's nebulizer breathing mask was found connected to the machine and not stored in a bag when not in use, contrary to professional standards and the facility's own infection prevention policy. The resident was unable to state where the mask was kept after treatments, indicating a lack of awareness or involvement in the storage process. Interviews with nursing staff and facility leadership confirmed that the expectation was for the breathing mask to be bagged after each use to prevent infection and cross-contamination, regardless of whether the treatment was administered daily or as needed. The facility's policy specifically required respiratory therapy equipment, such as nebulizer circuits, to be stored in a plastic bag when not in use. The failure to follow this protocol was observed and acknowledged by staff, resulting in a deficiency related to the safe and appropriate provision of respiratory care.
Failure to Secure Medications in Resident Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments, as required, for two residents. Both residents were found to have medications in their rooms without proper authorization or assessment for self-administration. Specifically, one resident had a nasal spray and a cup with powder on her side table, and the other had Systane eye drops and antifungal powder at her bedside. Neither resident had a physician's order or care plan indicating they were permitted to self-administer these medications, nor was there an assessment documenting their ability to do so. Record reviews showed that both residents were cognitively intact, with BIMS scores of 15, and had various medical diagnoses including asthma, bipolar disorder, allergic rhinitis, and depression. However, their care plans did not include interventions or permissions for self-administration of medications. Additionally, there were no physician orders for the nasal spray or eye drops found in the residents' rooms, and no assessments had been completed to determine their capability for self-administration. During interviews, staff members acknowledged that medications should not be left in residents' rooms due to the risk of accidental overdose or misuse. Staff also confirmed that the medications observed should have been administered by nursing staff and not left accessible to the residents. The facility's policy requires all drugs and biologicals to be stored securely and separately from other substances, which was not followed in these instances.
Failure to Follow Hand Hygiene and Glove Change Protocol During Incontinent Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper infection prevention and control practices during incontinent care for one resident diagnosed with diarrhea and requiring assistance for toileting due to an ADL self-care performance deficit. During the observed care, two CNAs initially performed hand hygiene and donned gloves. However, when one CNA needed new gloves, the other CNA removed her gloves, retrieved new gloves from a box without sanitizing her hands, and then continued care. After cleaning the resident's bottom, the CNA did not change her gloves or perform hand hygiene before handling a clean brief and placing it under the resident. Both CNAs acknowledged during interviews that gloves should have been changed and hand hygiene performed after contact with soiled areas and before touching clean items. The ADON and Administrator confirmed that the staff did not follow facility policy, which requires hand hygiene before donning gloves and after removing them, as well as changing gloves when moving from dirty to clean tasks. The failure to follow these procedures was directly observed and confirmed through staff interviews and record review.
Failure to Develop Comprehensive Care Plans for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement comprehensive person-centered care plans for three residents, which could potentially place them at risk of not receiving necessary care. Resident #2, a cognitively intact female with emphysema and respiratory failure, was observed using oxygen therapy without a corresponding care plan or physician order. Despite her regular use of oxygen, her care plan did not reflect this need, indicating a lack of documentation and planning for her respiratory support. Resident #74, a cognitively intact male with an unstageable pressure ulcer and AIDS, was using a condom catheter and receiving hospice care, yet his care plan did not include these critical aspects of his care. Observations confirmed the presence of a catheter, and interviews with staff revealed an oversight in care planning, as the resident's catheter use and hospice admission were not documented in his care plan. This lack of documentation could lead to inconsistencies in care delivery. Resident #182, a male with Alzheimer's disease, quadriplegia, and contractures, was unable to use the call light due to his physical and cognitive limitations. However, his care plan did not address this inability, which could result in staff not conducting more frequent checks. The DON acknowledged the oversight, noting that the resident's inability to use the call light should have been care planned to ensure staff awareness and timely response to his needs.
Deficiencies in Respiratory Care and Equipment Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate respiratory care for several residents, leading to deficiencies in their care. Resident #2, diagnosed with emphysema and respiratory failure, was using oxygen therapy without a physician's order. Despite the resident's regular use of oxygen, there was no care plan or physician order documented for this therapy, which was observed during an interview and record review. Resident #19, who suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, had a CPAP mask that was not stored properly. The mask was found unbagged on a table, contrary to the facility's policy that requires such equipment to be bagged when not in use to prevent contamination. This oversight was noted during an observation and confirmed through interviews with staff, who acknowledged the risk of respiratory infection due to improper storage. Resident #39, who had a PRN order for oxygen due to shortness of breath, had oxygen tubing left unbagged in his room. The tubing was not stored in a plastic bag as required when not in use, posing a risk of infection. Similarly, Resident #67, who required a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, did not have a physician's order for the machine, and the CPAP mask was found unbagged. These deficiencies highlight a lack of adherence to professional standards and facility policies regarding respiratory care and equipment management.
Deficiencies in Kitchen Sanitation and Food Safety Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food service safety in its only kitchen, as observed during a survey. The ice scoop was improperly stored inside the ice machine, and it had brownish stains, indicating it was not cleaned. Additionally, a large trash can in the kitchen area was left uncovered, and a tea dispenser was not covered, exposing its contents to potential airborne contaminants. These observations suggest a lack of proper sanitation practices in the kitchen. Further inspection revealed that kitchen equipment was not adequately cleaned. A microwave had brownish stains along its inner walls, and a deep fryer had thick, dried-up grease on its inner walls. Interviews with the Dietary Manager in Training and the Dietician confirmed awareness of these issues, and they acknowledged the risk of cross-contamination due to these deficiencies. The facility's policy on Food Safety and Sanitation mandates compliance with local, state, and federal standards, which were not met in this instance.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity by Not Covering Catheter Bag
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the dignity of a resident by not ensuring that the privacy bag on the resident's catheter was properly positioned to cover the catheter bag and its contents. During lunchtime, the resident was observed in the dining area with the catheter bag visibly hanging from the back of the wheelchair, despite having a privacy bag that was not fully pulled down. This oversight was noted by the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), who acknowledged the issue and indicated that the staff responsible for transferring the resident should have ensured the catheter bag was fully covered. The resident involved was a male with a moderate cognitive impairment and an indwelling catheter due to obstructive and reflux uropathy. The facility's policy on dignity and quality of life mandates that urinary catheter bags be covered to maintain resident dignity. Interviews with the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) who transferred the resident and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the catheter bag should not have been visible, and the expectation was for staff to ensure privacy bags are properly used when residents are outside their rooms.
Failure to Update Comprehensive Care Plan Timely
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the timeliness of a comprehensive care plan for a resident diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, who required significant assistance and support in daily life due to severe cognitive impairment. The resident's last quarterly care plan was completed on 06/12/2024, and no updates were made until 03/11/2025, despite the resident's ongoing need for a CPAP machine as indicated by a physician's order dated 10/26/2023. This oversight in updating the care plan was acknowledged by the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the MDS Nurse, who admitted that the care plans were supposed to be reviewed quarterly to ensure residents' needs were met. Interviews with facility staff, including the ADON, MDS Nurse, Director of Nursing (DON), and the Administrator, revealed a lack of adherence to the facility's policy requiring quarterly updates to comprehensive care plans. The staff recognized that without timely care plans, there could be confusion regarding the care provided to residents, as the care plans guide staff on the latest goals and interventions. The deficiency was attributed to an oversight, and the staff responsible for auditing care plans acknowledged the need for improvement in ensuring that care plans are completed and updated as required.
Lack of Physician Orders for Fall Prevention Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's environment was free from accident hazards by not obtaining physician orders for bolster pads used for fall prevention. The resident in question, a female with severe cognitive impairment and a history of falls, was observed with bolster pads on her bed. However, a review of her records revealed no physician orders for these pads, which were intended as an intervention for her fall risk. During an interview, the Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the absence of physician orders for the bolster pads, despite initially believing they were in place. The facility's policy on restraints specifies that such equipment should only be used for the safety and wellbeing of residents and requires physician orders. The lack of orders for the bolster pads could potentially result in injury if the resident attempted to get out of bed.
Lack of Physician Order for External Catheter
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident who was incontinent of bladder received appropriate treatment and services to prevent urinary tract infections and to restore continence. Specifically, the facility did not have a physician's order for the use of an external catheter (condom catheter) for a resident diagnosed with an unstageable pressure ulcer to the sacrum. The resident, who was cognitively intact, had been using the catheter since January, but there was no documented order for its use as of March. Observations and interviews revealed that the resident had a catheter bag hanging at the side of the bed, and staff members, including the LVN, ADON, and DON, acknowledged the absence of a physician's order for the catheter. The facility's policy requires that all treatments, including catheter use, have a written order from a licensed prescriber. The lack of an order could lead to staff being unaware of the necessary interventions for the resident's care, potentially compromising the resident's health and safety.
Improper Storage of Probiotics
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that probiotics for two residents were stored according to the manufacturer's instructions, which required refrigeration after opening. This deficiency was observed during medication administration for two residents, both of whom were receiving probiotics as part of their treatment plans. The probiotics were stored in a medication cart drawer instead of being refrigerated, as indicated on the product label. For the first resident, a female with a history of constipation and nausea, the medication aide did not notice the refrigeration requirement on the probiotic bottle. The aide admitted to not reading the instructions on the medication label, which led to the improper storage of the probiotics. Similarly, for the second resident, a male with severe cognitive impairment and diagnosed with diarrhea and flatulence, the LVN also failed to store the probiotics in the refrigerator as required. The LVN acknowledged the oversight after reading the label during the surveyor's observation. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the Director of Nursing (DON) were informed of the issue and confirmed that probiotics requiring refrigeration were not stored properly, which could affect their potency. The facility's policy on medication storage, which mandates refrigeration for medications requiring it, was not followed in these instances, leading to the deficiency.
Infection Control Deficiency Due to Improper Glove Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by an incident involving a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who did not change gloves after touching the drainage tubing of a resident's Foley catheter during incontinent care. This oversight was observed during care provided to a resident who had an indwelling catheter due to obstructive and reflux uropathy. The resident was cognitively intact and capable of normal cognition, as indicated by a BIMS score of 15. During the care process, the CNA initially followed proper hand hygiene and glove use protocols by washing hands, donning gloves, and sanitizing hands after removing gloves. However, after touching the catheter tubing, which is considered potentially contaminated, the CNA failed to change gloves before continuing with the care. This lapse in protocol was acknowledged by the CNA, who admitted that the tubing is presumed dirty and that gloves should have been changed to prevent cross-contamination. The facility's policy on infection control guidelines clearly states that gloves should be changed when moving from a dirty site to a clean one to prevent cross-contamination. The Director of Nursing (DON) and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) both confirmed the expectation for staff to change gloves and sanitize hands when transitioning from handling potentially contaminated materials to clean tasks. The failure to adhere to these guidelines during the care of the resident with a Foley catheter represents a deficiency in the facility's infection control practices.
Resident Elopement and Fall Due to Unsecured Door
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure adequate supervision and safety measures for a resident, leading to an elopement incident. The resident, who had a history of dementia, repeated falls, and cognitive impairment, was able to exit through an unsecured door in the dining area. This door led to a corridor and a fire exit door, which connected to a stairwell. The resident experienced an unwitnessed fall down the stairs, resulting in multiple serious injuries, including fractures to the wrist, face, and nasal area. The resident's care plan identified her as at risk for falls and wandering, with interventions such as frequent monitoring, re-direction, and fall precautions. However, on the day of the incident, the resident was able to leave the dining area unsupervised. Staff were aware of her care needs, but the door she exited through was not secured, and the alarm was not responded to in time to prevent the fall. Interviews with staff revealed that the resident was at her baseline behavior on the day of the incident, and no unusual behaviors were noted. The facility had not previously identified the door as a potential hazard, as no residents had attempted to exit through it before. The incident highlighted a lapse in the facility's safety protocols, as the resident was able to access an area that should have been secured to prevent such accidents.
Failure to Discard Expired Food Items
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food safety in the facility's only kitchen. During an observation and interview with the Dietician, a 16-ounce container of Beef Bullion paste was found in the refrigerated storage area with a date reading 11/07/23. The container had been opened on an unknown date, and the Dietician explained that the date on the container was the date the facility received the Beef Bullion paste. The Dietician immediately discarded the container in front of the investigator. The Dietician later revealed that if the Beef Bullion paste was past its expiration date and had gone bad, it could have exposed vulnerable residents to foodborne illnesses and potentially caused harm if residents became ill. In an interview with the DON, it was emphasized that it is important to discard any foods past their expiration date in the kitchen to prevent exposing residents to illness. The facility's policy on Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Storage, revised in November 2017, requires items stored in the refrigerator to be dated upon receipt unless they contain a manufacturer use-by, sell-by, or best-by date. The FDA Food Code also mandates that refrigerated, ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food must be clearly marked to indicate the date by which the food shall be consumed, sold, or discarded. The facility failed to adhere to these guidelines, leading to the deficiency noted in the report.
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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