Treviso Transitional Care
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Longview, Texas.
- Location
- 1154 East Hawkins Parkway, Longview, Texas 75605
- CMS Provider Number
- 676368
- Inspections on file
- 43
- Latest survey
- August 26, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 18
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Treviso Transitional Care during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with a history of falls did not have a functioning call light system, leading to a delayed response when the resident fell out of bed. The call light system in the room was malfunctioning, failing to alert staff at the nurse's station. Despite previous reports of the issue, the problem persisted, and staff were unaware of the malfunction's extent.
The facility failed to address resident grievances in a timely manner, with issues such as unmade beds, lack of snacks, and toilet paper shortages being raised by the Resident Council over several months without prompt resolution. Staff interviews revealed delays in communication and action, contrary to the facility's grievance policy requiring responses within five days.
The facility failed to transmit MDS assessments to CMS within the required 14 days for four residents, potentially affecting payments. Residents with various medical conditions had their assessments completed and transmitted late, with CMS issuing warnings for the delays. Staff interviews revealed challenges in managing the workload, contributing to the deficiency.
The facility failed to meet professional standards for food storage and sanitation. Cardboard boxes were improperly stored on the pantry floor, and there was a lack of cleanliness around kitchen equipment. Additionally, food items in the cooler and freezer were not properly labeled or dated, which could lead to unsanitary conditions and risks for residents. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and Administrator highlighted expectations for cleanliness and proper labeling, but these were not met, potentially risking foodborne illness.
The facility failed to complete quarterly MDS assessments on time for three residents, including those with severe cognitive impairment and multiple health issues. The delay was due to the high volume of assessments and care plans managed by the MDS Coordinator, who was supported by regional staff. The DON and ADM were aware of the issue, which affected both revenue and resident care.
A facility failed to accurately document a resident's fall history in the quarterly MDS assessment. The resident, an 82-year-old female with Parkinson's Disease, dysphagia, and depression, experienced a fall that was not recorded in the MDS. The MDS Coordinator admitted the oversight, highlighting the importance of accurate assessments for care planning. Interviews with staff revealed that the MDS is constructed from various sources and triggers necessary care plan items. The Administrator noted that inaccuracies could have financial implications and affect resident autonomy.
The facility failed to develop comprehensive care plans for two residents, one with Parkinson's Disease and another with significant weight loss. The care plans lacked necessary interventions and updates, potentially affecting resident care. Staffing changes and inadequate meetings contributed to these deficiencies.
The facility failed to update comprehensive care plans for two residents, leading to inaccuracies in their documented care needs. One resident's care plan did not reflect a change in diet, while another's care plan did not account for resolved medical conditions and discontinued treatments. Staff interviews revealed a lack of follow-through in updating care plans after interdisciplinary team meetings.
A resident in an LTC facility received duplicate doses of several medications, including metoprolol and venlafaxine, due to a failure in the facility's medication review process. The issue was identified by a CMA but was not escalated beyond the Unit Manager, leading to continued administration of the duplicate medications. The resident did not show immediate adverse effects, but the potential for harm was recognized by the DON.
A medication cart in the 400/500 hall was left unlocked and unattended by an LVN while administering medication to a resident. The cart contained various medications, including insulin pens and scheduled drugs. Interviews with staff confirmed that medication carts should always be locked when not in use to prevent unauthorized access.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses required oxygen therapy, but the facility failed to change her oxygen tubing weekly as ordered. Observations showed the nasal cannula had not been replaced since a specified date, and interviews confirmed that night nurses were responsible for this task. The facility's failure to follow care plans and physician's orders could place residents at risk of respiratory infections.
A facility failed to maintain accurate records of a resident's controlled medication, Hydrocodone, prescribed for pain management. Discrepancies in medication counts were discovered, leading to an investigation involving the DON and pharmacy consultant. A CMA was suspected of administering medication without documentation, resulting in her suspension. The facility conducted drug tests on staff, which were negative, and implemented new processes to ensure accurate narcotic counts.
Failure to Ensure Functioning Call Light System
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident had a functioning call light, which is a critical component for residents to request assistance. This deficiency was identified for a resident who had a history of falls and required substantial assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). The resident's care plan specifically included the intervention to ensure the call light was within reach and to encourage its use for assistance. However, the call light system in the resident's room was not functioning properly, as it did not make an audible noise at the nurse's station, leading to a delay in response when the resident fell out of bed. On the morning of the incident, the resident fell from his bed and was unable to get back up. Another resident in the room attempted to call for help by pressing the call light button, but no staff responded because the call light system was malfunctioning. The family member of the resident was informed of the fall by another resident and arrived at the facility to find the resident on the floor. The family member reported that the nurses were unaware of the activated call light due to the malfunction, which had been an ongoing issue. Interviews with staff revealed that the malfunctioning call light system had been reported previously, but the issue persisted. The maintenance director had attempted to fix the system by replacing a component in the bathroom, but the problem with the bedroom call light remained unresolved. Staff members were unaware of the malfunction's extent, and the lack of an audible alert at the nurse's station contributed to the delayed response to the resident's fall.
Delayed Response to Resident Grievances
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to address and document the grievances and recommendations of the resident group in a timely manner, as required by regulations. Over a period of three months, from February to April 2024, the Resident Council raised concerns about various issues, including medicine being left at the bedside, unmade beds, unchanged linens on shower days, lack of snacks, and frequent shortages of toilet paper. Despite these grievances being documented during Resident Council meetings, the facility did not respond or document their responses until May 2024, well beyond the expected timeframe. Interviews with residents and staff revealed ongoing issues with the facility's response to grievances. Residents expressed that their concerns were repeatedly raised during council meetings without receiving timely feedback or resolution. Staff members, including the Housekeeping Supervisor and the Dietary Manager, acknowledged the issues but indicated that resolutions were either delayed or not effectively communicated to the residents. The new DON and ADM, who were not in their positions during the initial grievances, recognized the lack of timely responses and the potential negative impact on residents. The facility's grievance policy, which mandates a response within five working days, was not adhered to, leading to resident dissatisfaction and a sense of being ignored. The Social Service Director, responsible for investigating grievances, did not ensure timely communication of resolutions to the residents. The lack of prompt action and documentation of responses to the grievances contributed to the deficiency identified by the surveyors.
Delayed MDS Transmissions in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that each Minimum Data Set (MDS) was electronically completed and transmitted to the CMS System within 14 days after completion for four residents. This deficiency was identified during interviews and record reviews, which revealed that the MDS assessments for Residents #149, #24, #16, and #5 were not transmitted within the required timeframe. The delay in transmission could potentially affect the timeliness of payments to the facility. Resident #149, an elderly female with diagnoses including stroke and heart failure, had her MDS assessment signed by the MDS Nurse but was not transmitted until three days later. Similarly, Resident #24, who had severe cognitive impairment and required assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), had her MDS transmitted late. Resident #16, with moderately impaired cognition, and Resident #5, also with moderately impaired cognition, both had their assessments completed and transmitted well beyond the 14-day requirement, with warnings issued by CMS for late submission. Interviews with facility staff, including the MDS Coordinator and the Director of Nursing (DON), highlighted challenges in keeping up with the volume of MDS assessments due to staffing limitations. The MDS Coordinator was responsible for numerous tasks, including reviewing clinical records, completing various MDS types, and coordinating with insurance companies. The DON, who was new to the facility, was unaware of the late submissions but acknowledged the heavy workload of the MDS nurse. The facility's policy indicated that MDS assessments should be transmitted no later than 31 days after completion, but this was not adhered to in these cases.
Deficiencies in Food Storage and Sanitation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food storage, preparation, distribution, and service, as observed in their kitchen. Cardboard boxes containing frying oil were found on the pantry floor, contrary to the facility's policy that requires items to be stored at least six inches above the floor. Additionally, the outside of a microwave and the wall next to a beverage table were observed to have brown buildup and dry brown splashes, respectively, indicating a lack of cleanliness and sanitation. Furthermore, food items in the walk-in cooler and freezer were not properly labeled or dated, with some items being completely unlabeled, which goes against the facility's policy and the FDA's FIFO procedures. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and the Administrator revealed that there was an expectation for all equipment to be clean and for food items to be properly labeled and dated. The Dietary Manager, who was new to the facility, acknowledged that she was working on a cleaning schedule and that the kitchen staff were responsible for maintaining cleanliness and labeling food items. The Administrator confirmed that improper storage and cleanliness could lead to unsanitary conditions and that unlabeled food items could pose a risk of serving expired food or incorrect diets. Despite these expectations, the deficiencies observed during the survey indicate a failure to meet these standards, potentially placing residents at risk of foodborne illness and food contamination.
Delayed MDS Assessments in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments within the required time frame for three residents. Resident 24, an elderly female with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses including acute kidney failure and Parkinson's disease, did not have her quarterly MDS submitted until after the due date. Similarly, Resident 16, who has moderately impaired cognition due to a stroke, and Resident 5, who suffers from metabolic encephalopathy and dementia, also had their assessments completed and transmitted late. The delay in completing these assessments was acknowledged by LVN E, who was providing regional support to the facility's MDS Coordinator. LVN E admitted that several MDS assessments were late and attributed this to the challenge of managing the volume of assessments and care plans due each month. The MDS Coordinator, who was responsible for a wide range of duties including completing all MDS assessments and care plans, confirmed that there were delays and that support was being provided to address the backlog. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator (ADM) revealed that they were aware of the issue, with the DON having recently started in her role and the ADM being informed by LVN E. Both acknowledged the importance of timely MDS completion for revenue and resident care. The facility's adherence to RAI and CMS guidelines was noted, but the late submissions were recognized as a deficiency in meeting these standards.
Inaccurate MDS Assessment of Resident's Fall History
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment for a resident accurately reflected the resident's history of falls. The resident, an 82-year-old female with diagnoses of Parkinson's Disease, dysphagia, and depression, had a documented fall in her room while attempting to go to the restroom. This incident was not recorded in the MDS assessment, which indicated no falls had occurred since the last assessment. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged the oversight, stating that the fall should have been included in the MDS, as it is crucial for accurate care planning. Interviews with the MDS Coordinator and the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed that the MDS assessment is constructed using various sources, including hospital records and discussions with the resident. The MDS triggers items on the Care Area Assessment (CAA) that are necessary for the care plan. The Administrator expressed that accurate MDS assessments are expected to provide a clear picture of the resident, and inaccuracies could affect the facility financially and impact the resident's autonomy. The facility's policy emphasizes the importance of accurate assessments to maintain or improve residents' medical status and functional abilities.
Deficiencies in Comprehensive Care Planning for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement comprehensive person-centered care plans for two residents, which could potentially impact their quality of care and life. Resident #13, an 82-year-old female with Parkinson's Disease, dysphagia, and depression, did not have a care plan addressing her Parkinson's Disease diagnosis and treatment. Despite having a moderate cognitive impairment and requiring assistance with activities of daily living, her care plan lacked specific interventions related to her condition, even though she was prescribed carbidopa-levodopa. Resident #44, a female with diabetes, dementia, and fibromyalgia, experienced significant weight loss of over 15% in 180 days, yet her care plan did not address this issue. Despite being dependent on staff for daily activities and having severe cognitive impairment, her care plan lacked interventions or goals related to her weight loss. The resident was unaware of her weight loss and expressed a desire to reduce her weight to alleviate caregiver burden. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the MDS Coordinator was responsible for creating and updating care plans but had not done so due to recent staffing changes and a lack of regular meetings. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the MDS Coordinator's workload and had arranged for additional nursing support to assist with care plans. The facility's policy emphasized the importance of updating care plans based on comprehensive assessments, but this was not adhered to, leading to deficiencies in resident care.
Failure to Update Comprehensive Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that each resident's person-centered comprehensive care plan was reviewed and revised by the interdisciplinary team after each assessment. This deficiency was identified for two residents. Resident #13's care plan was not updated to reflect a change in her diet from puree with nectar thickened liquids to puree with honey thickened liquids, despite a physician's order indicating this change. The care plan dated 06/13/2024 still reflected the old diet order, which could lead to inappropriate dietary interventions. Resident #44's care plan was not revised to reflect multiple changes in her medical condition and treatment. Her care plan, dated 05/16/2024, inaccurately indicated that she had an indwelling catheter, was receiving hypnotic medication daily, had a pelvic abscess, used tobacco daily, had a pressure ulcer to her left heel, had a UTI, was on antibiotic therapy, was on anticoagulation therapy, and was on IV therapy. However, records showed that these conditions and treatments had been resolved or discontinued by various dates in 2024. Observations confirmed that Resident #44 no longer had a catheter, pelvic abscess, or pressure ulcer, and was not receiving IV therapy. Interviews with facility staff, including the MDS Coordinator and the DON, revealed that care plans were supposed to be reviewed and revised during care plan meetings with the interdisciplinary team. However, the MDS Coordinator admitted that she did not ensure changes were made to residents' care plans after these meetings. The DON confirmed that the MDS Coordinator was responsible for updating care plans and that they should accurately reflect the resident's current condition to guide care. The facility had a consultant and an assistant to help with care plan updates, but these resources were not effectively utilized to prevent the deficiencies identified.
Duplicate Medication Administration in Resident's Drug Regimen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's drug regimen was free from unnecessary medications, resulting in the administration of duplicate medication therapy. The resident, an 85-year-old female with diagnoses including dementia, COPD, Type 2 diabetes, and vitamin deficiency, received duplicate doses of several medications, including metoprolol, venlafaxine, trazadone, pantoprazole, MiraLAX, and vitamin D3. This was discovered through observation, interview, and record review, revealing that the resident received multiple doses of the same medications over a period of time. The issue arose when a CMA noticed the duplicate orders on the MAR and reported it to the Unit Manager, who instructed her to continue administering the medications as listed. The CMA, trusting the Unit Manager's guidance, continued to administer the medications despite her reservations. The DON was unaware of the duplicate therapy until informed by the surveyor, and the facility's system for checking new orders failed to catch the duplication due to a change in personnel and the timing of the pharmacy consultant's review. Interviews with staff revealed that the duplicate medication administration was not reported beyond the Unit Manager, and the charge nurses were not aware of the issue unless informed by the CMA. The resident did not exhibit any immediate adverse effects from the duplicate therapy, as confirmed by a tele-med exam conducted by the MD. However, the potential for harm was acknowledged by the DON, who stated that duplicate drug therapy could lead to serious health consequences.
Medication Cart Security Breach
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments, as observed with one of the medication carts for the 400/500 hall. During an observation, LVN B left the medication cart unlocked while administering medication to a resident. The cart was left unattended and out of sight for several minutes, during which time three housekeepers were present in the hallway. LVN B acknowledged that the cart was not locked and admitted that someone could access the medications, which could lead to unauthorized use. Further observations revealed that the medication cart contained various medications, including over-the-counter drugs, insulin pens, and scheduled medications. Interviews with LVN C, the ADON, the ADM, and the DON confirmed that medication carts should always be locked when not in use to prevent unauthorized access. The facility's policy on medication storage, revised in April 2017, mandates that all drugs and biologicals be stored securely and that medication carts should not be left unattended if open.
Failure to Change Oxygen Tubing for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate respiratory care for a resident, specifically by not changing the oxygen tubing as required. Resident #24, a female with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses including acute kidney failure, Parkinson's disease, and anemia, was dependent on staff for assistance with activities of daily living and required oxygen therapy. The resident's care plan and physician's orders specified that the oxygen tubing should be changed weekly and labeled, but observations revealed that the nasal cannula had not been replaced since 6/17/24, despite the requirement to change it weekly. Interviews with the facility's administration and nursing staff confirmed that the responsibility for changing the nasal cannula lay with the night nurses. Both the administrator and the director of nursing acknowledged that the failure to change the oxygen tubing could place residents at risk of respiratory infections. The deficiency was identified through observations and interviews, highlighting a lapse in following the care plan and physician's orders for Resident #24's respiratory care.
Failure to Maintain Accurate Controlled Medication Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain accurate records of controlled medication for a resident, specifically Hydrocodone, which was prescribed for pain management. The resident, a male with a history of a displaced mid-cervical fracture of the left femur, cervical disc disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and low back pain, was prescribed Hydrocodone to manage his pain. The medication administration record indicated that the resident received two doses of Hydrocodone, but discrepancies were found in the medication count, leading to concerns about the accuracy of medication administration records. Interviews with facility staff revealed that there was an incident where a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) was off on her counts, and another CMA had to cover the shift. The CMA who was off on counts was suspected of administering medication without proper documentation, leading to her suspension. The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) confirmed that there was a discrepancy in the Hydrocodone count, and the facility had to conduct a thorough investigation with the pharmacy consultant to account for the discrepancies. The Director of Nursing (DON) and other staff members were involved in addressing the issue, including conducting drug tests on staff, which returned negative results. The DON implemented new processes to ensure accurate narcotic counts and documentation. Despite these efforts, the initial failure to maintain accurate records of controlled substances posed a risk to the residents' health and well-being, as it could lead to improper administration of medication.
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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