Veranda Rehabilitation And Healthcare
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Harlingen, Texas.
- Location
- 4301 S Expressway 83, Harlingen, Texas 78550
- CMS Provider Number
- 455925
- Inspections on file
- 26
- Latest survey
- February 18, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 11
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Veranda Rehabilitation And Healthcare during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with osteomyelitis, cellulitis, a stage 4 sacral pressure ulcer, paraplegia, and a PICC line was observed receiving IV vancomycin from a bag that lacked a proper label, showing only a date and RN initials. The bag did not include the resident’s name, medication dose, frequency, or route, despite an active order for vancomycin 1 g IV every 8 hours. The RN reported he had just hung the bag, discarded the original label, and knew the bag should have been labeled with full medication information. The DON confirmed the expectation that nurses ensure IV medication containers are correctly labeled and consistent with facility policy requiring verification of the container’s label against the prescriber’s order.
A resident with Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and a mood disorder had a bedtime alprazolam order. On one evening, an LVN documented on the MAR that the alprazolam dose was administered, but the controlled drug record and narcotic count showed it was not given because the resident was asleep. The LVN reported she signed the MAR before checking the resident, did not remove the medication from packaging, and recorded on the controlled drug record that no dose was provided, but failed to correct the MAR entry. The DON confirmed the discrepancy and that facility policy requires documenting on the electronic MAR at the time medications are actually administered.
A medication cart was found unlocked and unattended in front of the nurse's station, with an RN responsible for the cart present nearby but not securing it. The RN stated he had unlocked the cart for an auditor and was unaware it remained unlocked. The DON confirmed that staff are expected to lock medication carts when unattended, in accordance with facility policy.
The facility did not maintain an effective pest control program, as roaches were observed coming out of a floor drain in the kitchen following nearby construction. Staff reported the issue to management, and records showed regular fumigation, but the pest problem persisted despite these efforts.
Two residents did not have comprehensive, person-centered care plans that addressed their identified needs. One resident with severe cognitive impairment and physical limitations was not care planned for required feeding assistance, and the care plan incorrectly listed a feeding tube. Another resident with nicotine dependence and COPD was not care planned for smoking, despite being on the facility's smoking list and self-reporting as a smoker. Staff interviews revealed confusion and lack of communication regarding both residents' care needs.
A resident receiving IV therapy for cellulitis was found to have a peripheral IV dressing on her right hand that was not labeled with the date and initials, as required by facility policy and professional standards. While the left wrist IV dressing was properly labeled, the right hand dressing was not, and staff interviews confirmed the omission. Facility policies and competency checklists require all IV dressings to be labeled to ensure proper monitoring and timely changes.
A resident with multiple chronic conditions and intact cognition experienced misappropriation of funds when a former ABOM accessed the resident's bank account and withdrew money without consent on multiple occasions. The unauthorized transactions went undetected by the facility until the resident noticed missing funds and reported the issue, leading to a police investigation and the staff member's admission of theft.
Two residents with behavioral health needs did not receive ordered psychiatric evaluations and treatment after incidents involving aggression and psychosocial concerns. Despite physician orders and care plan interventions, there was no documentation of psychiatric consultations or follow-up, as the responsible social worker failed to carry out the referrals.
A resident with dementia and recent cataract surgery did not receive prescribed prednisolone eye drops to the left eye at the ordered frequency, due to discrepancies between the physician's prescription and the facility's medication orders. Nursing staff and the DON reported confusion over the correct dosage and frequency, and the resident was described as resistant to providing post-visit orders, leading to the medication being administered incorrectly.
A facility failed to maintain accurate and complete medical records for a resident's DNR status. Despite the resident's clear communication and documentation of her DNR wishes, the required OOH-DNR form was missing from her medical record. Staff interviews revealed confusion and lack of responsibility in handling DNR forms, leading to the oversight.
The facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program, leading to deficiencies such as improper disinfection of equipment, failure to wear appropriate PPE, and incorrect PICC line dressing changes. These actions could lead to cross-contamination and infections.
A female resident with dementia and mobility issues, identified as high risk for elopement, exited the facility unnoticed and was found near a highway. The investigation revealed that she exited through a door in hall 300, despite staff attempts to redirect her. The Environmental Manager noted that the door alarm was not very loud, and landscapers working nearby might have inadvertently allowed her to leave.
The facility failed to ensure a resident had access to a call light within reach, despite the resident's need for assistance due to hemiplegia and hemiparesis. Staff interviews confirmed the importance of accessible call lights, and the facility's policy was not followed, leading to the deficiency.
Unlabeled IV Vancomycin Bag Hung for a Resident Receiving PICC Infusion
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the administration of IV medications when a resident receiving IV vancomycin via a PICC line had an unlabeled IV medication bag in use. The resident was an adult with osteomyelitis of the vertebra, sacral and sacrococcygeal regions, cellulitis of the lower limb, a stage 4 sacral pressure ulcer, muscle weakness, paraplegia, and a need for assistance with personal care. The care plan included administration of antibiotics per physician orders, and the physician had ordered vancomycin 1 gram IV every 8 hours for sacral wound infection, sacrococcygeal osteomyelitis, and cellulitis. During observation, the IV bag actively infusing into the resident’s PICC line was found to have only a date and nurse’s initials written in black marker, with no resident name, medication dose, frequency, or route indicated. In an interview, the RN who hung the IV bag acknowledged that he had just hung the bag, had thrown away the original label, and was aware that the bag was missing the required medication label information. He stated he knew the bag was supposed to include the resident’s name, dosage, frequency, and route, and acknowledged that failure to label the medication properly could lead to administering the wrong medication to the wrong resident or cause an infection. The DON confirmed that the RN knew he was required to label the IV medication bag and stated that she expected all nurses to label medications appropriately prior to administration, and that it was the administering nurse’s responsibility to verify that everything was labeled correctly. The facility’s policy on administration of IV medications and fluids required verification that the container’s label coincides with the prescriber’s order, including content, dose, prescribed rate, and expiration date of the solution.
Inaccurate MAR Documentation for Controlled Psychotropic Medication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain complete and accurate medical records for a resident receiving psychotropic medication. The resident, an elderly female with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorder, and a mood disorder with manic features, had a care plan addressing psychotropic medication use and an order for alprazolam 1 mg at bedtime. On a January date, the controlled drug record showed that the alprazolam dose was not provided, while the January 2026 MAR documented that the same dose was administered at 8:00 PM by an LVN. The resident’s significant change MDS showed a BIMS score of 01, indicating severe cognitive impairment. During interview, the LVN stated she signed the MAR first for the alprazolam dose, then went to check on the resident and did not administer the medication because the resident was already asleep. She reported that she did not remove the alprazolam from its packaging and documented on the controlled drug record that none was given. The LVN acknowledged that the correct process was to check the resident, retrieve the medication, sign the controlled drug record, administer the medication, and then sign the MAR as administered, and that she should have corrected the MAR entry but did not. The DON confirmed that the LVN was responsible for the medication administration and documentation on that date, that the MAR showed the medication as given while the controlled drug record and narcotic count showed it was not, and that facility policy required documenting on the electronic MAR as medications are administered, not before or after.
Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
A medication cart assigned to the 1 and 2 hallways was observed left unlocked and unattended in front of the nurse's station. The cart was under the responsibility of an RN, who was present at the nurse's station but not attending to the cart. Upon being informed by the surveyor, the RN immediately locked the cart. The RN acknowledged responsibility for securing the cart and stated that he was expected to lock it whenever he walked away. He explained that he had unlocked the cart for an auditor, who left it unlocked, and he was unaware that it had not been secured. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that multiple staff, including herself and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), were responsible for ensuring medication carts were locked. The DON stated that staff were expected to lock the cart when leaving it unattended. Facility policy reviewed indicated that all medications must be stored securely, with access limited to authorized personnel, and that medication carts must be locked or attended at all times.
Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in the presence of roaches in the kitchen. Observations during a tour of the kitchen revealed roaches coming out of the floor drain under the 2-compartment sink. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the roach problem began when construction of a new parking lot started, and that roaches had been seen in the kitchen since then. Staff reported the issue to the Dietary Manager (DM), who in turn notified the Maintenance Director and the Administrator. The facility had been fumigated the previous week, but roaches continued to be observed in the kitchen. A review of the facility's pest control log showed that the facility had been fumigated monthly from January to May and twice in June for various pests, including roaches. The facility's Infection Control Policy/Procedures required an environment free of pests, with additional pest control visits when problems are detected and prompt reporting to the administrator. Despite these policies, the presence of roaches in the kitchen persisted, indicating that the pest control measures in place were not effective in keeping the kitchen free of pests.
Failure to Develop and Implement Comprehensive Person-Centered Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement person-centered care plans with measurable objectives and timeframes for two residents, as identified through observation, interview, and record review. For one resident with dementia, muscle weakness, dysphagia, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, the care plan inaccurately documented the presence of a feeding tube and did not address the resident's need for substantial or maximal assistance with eating. Observations showed the resident was unable to feed himself, with his spoon out of reach and food spilled, requiring a CNA to feed him. Staff interviews revealed confusion about the resident's actual needs and the care plan's accuracy, with some staff believing he only needed set-up assistance and others acknowledging he required direct feeding assistance at times. The care plan for this resident was not updated to reflect his fluctuating ability to eat independently and his behavioral issues, such as spitting and refusing assistance. Staff interviews indicated that although CNAs often provided feeding assistance, the care plan did not specify this need, and there was a lack of clarity and communication among staff regarding the resident's actual requirements. The documentation error regarding a feeding tube further contributed to the lack of appropriate interventions in the care plan. For another resident with nicotine dependence and COPD, the care plan did not include any interventions related to smoking, despite the resident being on the facility's smoking list and self-reporting as a smoker. Staff interviews confirmed that the omission was due to a lack of communication and oversight, and the care plan was not updated to address the resident's smoking needs. Facility policy required that such needs be care planned, but this was not done, resulting in the resident's smoking status and related care needs not being addressed in the care plan.
Failure to Label IV Dressing According to Infection Control Standards
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with multiple diagnoses, including cellulitis, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis, was observed to have a peripheral intravenous (IV) line dressing on her right hand that was not labeled with the date and initials as required by facility policy and professional standards. The resident was receiving IV medications and hydration for cellulitis and had orders for both IV fluids and antibiotics. The care plan and physician orders specified monitoring and care of the IV site, including daily checks and dressing changes as needed. During observation, it was noted that while the resident's left wrist IV dressing was properly labeled, the right hand IV dressing lacked both the date and initials. Interviews with the charge nurse, ADON, and DON confirmed that the dressing should have been labeled to track when it was inserted and to ensure timely dressing changes. The charge nurse acknowledged missing the labeling and stated she would remove the unlabeled IV because the duration it had been in place was unknown. Both the ADON and DON reiterated the importance of labeling to prevent infection and ensure compliance with the facility's protocols. Review of facility policies and competency checklists confirmed that labeling IV dressings with the date and initials is a standard requirement, and that IV sites are to be rotated every 72 hours. The failure to label the IV dressing was contrary to both facility policy and professional standards, as documented in the facility's infection prevention and control program and IV administration policies.
Misappropriation of Resident Funds by Former Staff Member
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a former Assistant Business Office Manager (ABOM) accessed a resident's bank account information and withdrew funds without the resident's knowledge or consent on 18 separate occasions, resulting in a total loss of $4,671.22. The resident, a male with diagnoses including COPD, muscle weakness, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation, had intact cognitive function as indicated by a BIMS score of 14. The unauthorized transactions took place over several months, and the resident only became aware of the missing funds after noticing discrepancies in his account and seeking assistance from the Business Office Manager (BOM). The facility did not detect the misappropriation until the resident reported the issue, at which point it was discovered that the former ABOM had linked the resident's bank account to her personal Cash App and transferred funds without permission. The ABOM had access to residents' financial information as part of her duties, including assisting with Medicaid applications. The police were involved, and the former ABOM admitted to the theft and was subsequently arrested. The facility's policy states that residents have the right to be free from misappropriation and exploitation, but this was not upheld in this instance.
Failure to Provide Ordered Behavioral Health Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary behavioral health services to two residents who were identified as needing psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Both residents had physician orders for psychiatric consultation following incidents involving behavioral or psychosocial concerns. Despite these orders, there was no evidence in the residents' records of any psychiatric consultation being scheduled, completed, or followed up on. One resident, a male with diagnoses including dementia, cognitive communication deficit, and metabolic encephalopathy, exhibited combative and aggressive behaviors, including an incident where he was physically aggressive toward another resident and a nurse. His care plan included an intervention for psychiatric evaluation and treatment as ordered by the physician. However, the order for psychiatric services was not acted upon, and no documentation of a psychiatric evaluation was found in his record. The second resident, also a male with Alzheimer's disease and cognitive communication deficit, was involved in an altercation where he was kicked by another resident. His care plan addressed potential psychosocial well-being problems and included an order for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Similar to the first case, there was no documentation of a psychiatric consultation or follow-up. Interviews with facility staff, including the DON and Administrator, confirmed that the social worker responsible for making the referrals did not follow through with the orders, and no psychiatric services were provided as required.
Failure to Administer Eye Drops as Prescribed Following Cataract Surgery
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pharmaceutical services that ensured the accurate administration of medications as prescribed for a resident following cataract surgery. Specifically, a male resident with a history of dementia, cystoid macular degeneration, and recent cataract surgeries was prescribed prednisolone eye drops for both eyes. The physician's prescription ordered one drop in the right eye twice daily and one drop in the left eye three times daily. However, the facility's physician order and subsequent medication administration records reflected that the resident received the drops in both eyes only twice daily, not adhering to the prescribed frequency for the left eye. Interviews with nursing staff and the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed confusion regarding the correct dosage and frequency of the eye drops. Staff indicated that they could not administer medications without a clear and complete physician's order and would seek clarification if orders were unclear. The DON acknowledged discrepancies between the written prescription and the order entered into the facility's system, noting uncertainty about whether multiple or conflicting orders had been received from different clinics. The resident was also described as resistant to providing post-visit orders, which contributed to the confusion. A review of the facility's medication administration policy confirmed that orders must be accurately implemented as written. Despite the error, the ophthalmic assistant from the prescribing clinic stated that the deviation in administration likely had minimal to no effect on the resident, as there was no evidence of inflammation or negative outcome documented. The deficiency was identified through record review and staff interviews, which confirmed that the resident did not receive the medication as prescribed during the specified period.
Failure to Maintain Accurate DNR Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain complete, accurate, and readily accessible medical records for a resident regarding their Advance Directives. Specifically, the medical record indicated that the resident had a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status, but the Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate (OOH-DNR) form was missing from the resident's medical record. This discrepancy was discovered during a review of the resident's records and interviews with various staff members, including the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), Social Worker (SW), and Medical Records Clerk, who all confirmed the absence of the necessary documentation. The resident in question was a 90-year-old female with multiple diagnoses, including essential hypertension, myocardial infarction, dementia, and chronic kidney disease. Despite the resident's clear communication and understanding of her DNR status, as confirmed by her family member and documented in her care plan and physician's orders, the facility failed to have the required OOH-DNR form in the resident's electronic medical record. This oversight was identified when the family member was asked to sign a new DNR form, revealing that the original form from the hospital was not valid for the facility. Interviews with staff members highlighted a lack of clarity and responsibility regarding the completion and verification of DNR forms. The SW, BOM Assistant, and Medical Records Clerk each had different understandings of their roles in the process, leading to the failure to ensure the DNR form was properly completed and filed. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the error and mentioned that the form might have been deleted from the system by mistake. Eventually, the missing DNR form was found in old medical records, but the initial failure to maintain accurate and complete records posed a significant risk to the resident's expressed wishes regarding resuscitation.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program, leading to several deficiencies. One incident involved a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) who did not properly disinfect equipment after providing wound care for a resident. The LVN used alcohol preps instead of disinfectant wipes to clean the bandage scissors, which could lead to cross-contamination and infection. Interviews with the LVN, Director of Nursing (DON), and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) confirmed that the correct procedure was not followed, and the facility's infection control policy was not adhered to. Another incident involved the same LVN failing to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while providing care for a resident with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line. The LVN did not wear a gown as required by the Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) and did not follow the proper procedure for changing the PICC line dressing. The LVN also failed to use a bio patch, clean the skin around the insertion site, or change the stat lock and saline/heparin locks as required. Interviews with the DON, Clinical Resource Nurse (CRN), and ADON revealed inconsistencies in the understanding and implementation of the facility's policies regarding PICC line care and EBP. The facility's policies and procedures for infection control, including the use of disinfectant wipes, proper PPE, and specific steps for PICC line dressing changes, were not followed. This lack of adherence to established protocols could lead to cross-contamination, infections, and other health complications for the residents. The facility's infection prevention and control program, as outlined in their documentation, was not effectively implemented, resulting in these deficiencies.
Inadequate Supervision Leads to Resident Elopement
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure adequate supervision for Resident #1, a [AGE] year-old female with diagnoses including unspecified Dementia, Muscle weakness, Abnormalities of gait and mobility, and Cognitive communication deficit. Despite being identified as high risk for elopement, Resident #1 managed to leave the facility unnoticed on 12/06/23 and was found approximately 0.2 miles away near a highway by a driver. The facility's investigation revealed that Resident #1 exited through a door in hall 300, despite attempts to redirect her by staff members. The Environmental Manager mentioned that the door alarm was not very loud, and there was a possibility that the landscapers working in the fenced area might have inadvertently allowed Resident #1 to leave.
Failure to Provide Accessible Call Light for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents had the right to reside and receive services with reasonable accommodation of their needs and preferences. Specifically, the facility staff did not provide Resident #2 with a call light that was within reach. Resident #2, a [AGE] year-old female with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction, was observed in bed with her call light placed under her pillow and out of reach. Despite her attempts to reach the call light with her left hand, she was unable to do so. This failure could place residents who utilize call lights at risk for not having their needs met. Interviews with facility staff, including a CNA, an LVN, and the DON, confirmed that call lights should be accessible to all residents who can use them. The staff acknowledged that if the call light was not accessible, the resident could not receive the necessary assistance, potentially causing stress and anxiety. The facility's policy on call lights also emphasized the importance of placing the call device within the resident's reach before leaving the room. However, this policy was not followed in the case of Resident #2, leading to the identified deficiency.
Latest citations in Texas
A resident with severe dementia, mobility deficits, and dependence for transfers was provided bed rails without a documented entrapment risk assessment, physician order, or inclusion of bed rail use in the care plan, despite a facility policy requiring alternatives, IDT review, informed consent, and proper installation. Maintenance installed 1/3 bed rails on verbal request from nursing, believing the clinical steps had been completed, and the resident later was found partially out of bed with her head pinned between the rail and a low air loss mattress, unresponsive, and subsequently pronounced deceased. The medical examiner noted neck abrasions, bruising, and muscle hemorrhage consistent with entrapment between the mattress and bed rail and indicated the likely cause of death as strangulation on the rails or asphyxiation on the mattress, and the deficiency was cited as past Immediate Jeopardy.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple pressure injuries received twice-daily wound care without a corresponding pain care plan or documented pain assessments, despite having a PRN acetaminophen order. During an observed wound care attempt, the resident winced, cried out, and showed facial expressions consistent with pain when repositioned, while staff were unsure of her primary language, whether she had been assessed or medicated for pain, or even what pain medications were ordered. CNAs and the treatment nurse noted foul odor and colored drainage from the wounds and that the resident felt warm, but the LVN initially reported no indication of pain or need for vital signs and only checked a temperature after surveyor prompting, without performing a clear pain assessment. The wound care NP later reported the resident had increased necrotic tissue, odor, and frequent combative behavior during prior treatments that had not been considered as possible pain responses, and the resident’s representative stated they were unaware of wound odor, infection concerns, or antibiotic orders and believed the resident was receiving pain medication while video showed wound care being attempted without it.
Surveyors found three mechanical lifts repeatedly parked unlocked and unsecured in a hallway adjacent to the 300 Hall, where they were stored and charged when not in use. An RN and a CNA assigned to the hall both stated they were unaware the lifts were unsecured, despite prior in‑service training on lift safety and storage, and each could not recall when that training last occurred. The DON confirmed that all lifts were expected to be locked when not in use, acknowledged unawareness of the unsecured lifts over several days, and stated that while staff had been educated on lift safety, there was no facility policy addressing accidents and hazards related to mechanical lift safety and storage, and the existing mechanical lift policy lacked such content.
Surveyors found multiple food safety and storage deficiencies in the kitchen, including an unsealed bag of meat, sauce containers with dried drippings on the handle and rim, a container of overripe bananas with black peels, and uncovered whole eggs in an unlabeled, undated bowl. Temperature logs for reach-in refrigerators and a freezer were missing required PM shift temperature checks and staff signatures. In interviews, dietary staff, the Dietary Manager, and the Administrator confirmed that these conditions did not follow facility policies requiring open food to be securely covered, labeled, dated, properly cleaned, and monitored with completed temperature logs.
A resident with lymphedema and multiple comorbidities had physician orders for bilateral lower extremity ace wraps each morning with removal in the evening, along with edema checks every shift. On the survey day, the resident was observed in a wheelchair without leg wraps, while the MAR showed the morning treatment as completed. The resident reported his legs were supposed to be wrapped daily and that they had not been wrapped for about a week, and he described inconsistent staff response to his call light. The charge nurse admitted it was not normal practice to document treatment before completion and stated the resident usually received wraps after a shower, which had not yet occurred. CNAs gave conflicting accounts about how consistently the wraps were applied, and leadership confirmed expectations that treatments be performed per orders and documented only after completion, in line with the facility’s documentation policy prohibiting false entries.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to provide pressure ulcer care consistent with professional standards for three residents. One resident with hemiplegia and vascular dementia had a sacral wound that was omitted from the care plan and repeatedly left off weekly skin assessments, while heel wounds were documented without consistent measurements or staging and ordered treatments were not always recorded as given. A second resident with multiple comorbidities developed a sacral wound that progressed from MASD to an unstageable and then Stage 4 pressure injury with surgical debridement, yet the care plan was not updated to reflect the active pressure ulcer and specific interventions, and weekly skin assessments often lacked complete staging and measurements. A third resident with dementia and incontinence had an unstageable sacral ulcer and MASD, but weekly skin assessments were inconsistent, some ordered wound treatments and topical medications were not documented on the TAR, and nursing notes did not show that care was provided on those dates. Staff interviews revealed that the treatment nurse handled nearly all weekly skin assessments and wound care documentation, relied on the DON or wound physician for staging and measurements, and that facility policies requiring complete wound assessment and documentation were not consistently followed.
The facility failed to ensure call lights were accessible for four residents who were identified as fall risks and required assistance with ADLs or had significant mobility or cognitive impairments. Observations found residents lying in bed with call lights placed at the head of the bed, on the floor, on a roommate’s bed, or on a nightstand, all out of reach, despite care plan interventions requiring call lights to be kept within reach. A CNA, an LVN, and the DON each confirmed that all staff are responsible for keeping call bells within residents’ reach and acknowledged that inaccessible call bells could lead to accidents, falls, avoidable injuries, delayed care, and unmet needs, contrary to the facility’s written call light policy.
Surveyors found that multiple resident rooms and two halls were not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Bathrooms in several rooms had brown or gray stains in corners and around toilets, and some showers and room floors had dark or built-up dirt along edges, near closets, and by beds and walls. Air conditioning vents and filters in several rooms were observed with black grime or thick dust. Handrails on two halls had debris, including tissue with a red-brown substance, candy wrappers, gum, plastic, and paper wedged between the rails. Sharps containers in several rooms had used gloves and trash placed on top. The Administrator and housekeeping staff confirmed that housekeeping was responsible for cleaning rooms, bathrooms, floors, handrails, and air conditioning units, and staff acknowledged that the observed conditions were a health hazard and could cause infection.
The facility failed to follow its own infection control practices and physician orders for three residents requiring respiratory care. A resident with COPD had a nasal cannula and nebulizer mask connected to equipment that were not bagged or dated when not in use, despite orders for weekly changes. Another resident with asthma had an unbagged, undated nasal cannula and an oxygen humidifier bottle that was partially full, cracked, and dated from a prior week. A third resident with COPD had both nasal cannula and nebulizer mask unbagged and undated, despite orders for weekly equipment changes and monitoring of pulse, O2 sat, treatment time, and lung sounds. Staff, including a CNA, an LVN, and the DON, acknowledged that equipment should always be bagged, dated, and changed per schedule to prevent infection, consistent with the facility’s infection prevention and control policy.
Surveyors found that staff failed to administer multiple residents’ scheduled medications within the facility’s one-hour administration window, despite active orders for numerous drugs treating conditions such as DM, HTN, CHF, dementia, seizures, and hypothyroidism. During a morning med pass, a med tech had not completed 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. medications by late morning, and staff interviews confirmed that medications were required to be given within a defined time range. In addition, staff did not consistently check BP before dispensing medications with BP parameters, did not keep a milk-based Med Pass nutritional supplement refrigerated or on ice as required by manufacturer directions and facility protocol, and failed to date most insulin vials when opened, contrary to facility policy. These actions and inactions showed that pharmaceutical services, including accurate dispensing, administration, and storage of medications and biologicals, were not provided as required for the residents reviewed.
Failure to Assess, Order, and Care Plan Bed Rail Use Resulting in Fatal Entrapment
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its own policy and regulatory requirements for the assessment, ordering, care planning, and safe use of bed rails for a cognitively impaired resident. The resident was an elderly female with severe dementia, repeated falls, a fractured neck of the left femur, cognitive communication deficit, and a need for assistance with personal care. Her admission MDS showed a BIMS score of 03, indicating severe cognitive impairment, and documented that she required substantial staff assistance with bed mobility and was completely dependent on staff for transfers from bed to chair. Despite these needs, her care plan addressed ADL self-care performance deficits related to dementia and included interventions for bed mobility requiring one staff member to assist with repositioning, but it did not mention bed rails or any risk of entrapment. The facility obtained a bed rail consent form signed by the resident’s family member, which listed multiple potential dangers of bed rail use, including suffocation and various forms of entrapment that could cause injury or death. However, from the time of admission through the date of the incident, there was no documented bed rail safety or entrapment risk assessment for this resident, no physician order for bed rails, and no inclusion of bed rail use in the resident’s care plan. Maintenance staff reported that a charge nurse verbally requested installation of bed rails on the resident’s bed, and he believed the usual clinical steps—assessment, IDT review, consent, and physician order—had already been completed, but he had no documentation of when the rails were installed. The DON later confirmed that, for this resident, the required risk of entrapment assessment, physician order, and care plan focus for bed rails were not completed, and alternatives to bed rails were not attempted prior to installation, contrary to facility policy. On the night of the incident, a CNA observed the resident resting calmly around 2:00 a.m. During a subsequent round close to 5:00 a.m., the CNA found the resident partially out of bed with her head pinned between the assist bar/bed rail and the mattress, and notified the LVN. The LVN’s written statement described finding the resident seated on the floor on the right side of the bed, off the mattress, with her head resting between the side rail and the mattress, unresponsive. CPR was initiated and EMS was called, but the resident was later pronounced deceased. The county medical examiner reported that the resident had bruising and abrasions around the neck and jawline and hemorrhaging in the neck muscles, injuries consistent with being trapped between the mattress and bed rails, and indicated that the likely cause of death would be strangulation on the bed rails or asphyxiation on the mattress. Subsequent observation of the bed showed 1/3 bed rails of the same make and model as the bed frame and a low air loss mattress; while the rails were not loose and there was little space when the mattress was fully inflated, the air mattress could be compressed enough to create significant space between the mattress and rails. The facility’s failure to conduct a bed rail entrapment risk assessment, obtain a physician order, and incorporate bed rail use into the care plan prior to installation led to the resident’s entrapment and death, and constituted noncompliance identified as past Immediate Jeopardy. The facility’s written bed rail policy required that appropriate alternatives be attempted before installing bed rails, that the IDT assess each resident for entrapment risk, that risks and benefits be reviewed with the resident or representative, that informed consent be obtained prior to installation, and that manufacturer instructions and compatibility of bed, mattress, and rails be verified. It also required updating the care plan to reflect the need or choice for bed rails. In this case, staff interviews and record review showed that these steps were not followed for the resident involved. The DON acknowledged that the process did not occur as required, that the IDT did not meet to assess the resident for entrapment risk, and that the bed rails were installed based on the responsible party’s request without the mandated clinical review and documentation. This sequence of omissions and deviations from policy directly preceded the resident’s fatal entrapment between the bed rail and mattress.
Removal Plan
- Notify Medical Director
- Notify Ombudsman
- Conduct ad hoc QAPI
- DON to provide education to trainers regarding abuse and neglect
- Review admissions processes regarding bed rails and complete in-service with DON, ED, and IDT
- Provide in-service to all nurses involved with admissions process regarding bed rails
- Audit bed rails currently in use
- Inspect bed rails currently in use
- Verify consent on file for all bed rails in use
- Verify order and care plan for all bed rails
- Complete bed rail safety evaluation for all residents with bed rails
- Audit low air loss mattresses currently in use
- Verify order and care plan for all low air loss mattresses in use
- Complete fall risk assessment for all residents with low air loss mattress
- Provide staff education regarding use of enabler/bed rail
- Provide staff education regarding false safety
- Provide staff education regarding low air loss mattress
- Audit admissions for completion
- Audit low air loss mattresses and bedside rails
- Conduct ongoing monitoring for improvement to be reviewed at QAPI
Failure to Assess and Manage Pain During Wound Care for a Nonverbal Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide safe, appropriate pain management consistent with professional standards of practice and the resident’s needs during wound care. A female resident with severe cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 00) was admitted with multiple pressure-related skin conditions, including a left heel deep tissue injury (DTI), right heel DTI, an unstageable sacral pressure injury, a left heel ulcer, a right bunion DTI, and other bruising/discoloration. Her MDS Care Area Assessment did not trigger for pain and no care planning decision for pain was documented. The resident’s care plan contained detailed entries for her multiple wounds but did not include any care plan for pain, despite the presence of significant pressure injuries and ongoing wound care orders. Record review showed the resident had an active PRN order for acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed for pain and an order for Doxycycline for the sacral wound, as well as twice-daily wound care orders for the unstageable sacral pressure injury. The MAR for the month showed that no acetaminophen had been administered since early in the month, even though wound care was being performed twice daily. During an observed attempt to perform wound care, the resident was dependent for mobility and required staff to roll and reposition her. When staff attempted to roll her for treatment, she winced, cried out "Oh my God" in Spanish, and displayed furrowed eyebrows and facial expressions consistent with pain. CNAs assisting with care noted that she appeared to be lying on the wound, that her wounds often drained, and that there was a foul odor and visible brownish-green drainage on her brief and positioning towels. Despite these signs, the treatment nurse could not confirm whether the resident had been assessed for pain or medicated prior to the procedure and was unsure of the resident’s primary language. During this same encounter, the resident was noted by the surveyor and CNAs to feel warm to the touch, and her wounds and dressings showed green, brown, or red drainage. The treatment nurse and CNAs acknowledged the resident felt warm, but the charge nurse (LVN) initially stated there was no indication the resident was in pain or needed vital signs assessed and only checked the resident’s temperature after being prompted by the surveyor. The LVN reported a normal temperature using a contactless thermometer, was unsure if the resident had any pain medication orders, and did not initially perform a direct pain assessment. Subsequent interviews revealed that the wound care NP had observed increased necrotic tissue and odor in the sacral wound the prior week and that the resident had been frequently combative, refusing wound care by kicking and biting, but this behavior had not been considered as a possible reaction to pain. CNAs later described the resident’s facial expressions and reactions during repositioning as indicating pain, while the LVN reported feeling pressured and nervous during the surveyor’s questioning and could not clearly describe having assessed the resident for pain during her shift. The resident’s responsible party stated they had not been informed of wound odor, infection concerns, or antibiotic orders and believed the resident was receiving pain and fever medications, later expressing shock upon reviewing video that showed wound care being attempted without medication. The facility’s own pain assessment and management policy stated that residents should be assessed for pain at admission and ongoing, monitored for pain with changes in condition, and that procedures such as moving or wound care can cause pain. It also directed that pain management interventions be consistent with the resident’s goals and documented in the care plan, and that underlying causes of pain, including skin/wound conditions like pressure ulcers, be addressed. In this case, the resident with multiple pressure injuries and ongoing wound care had no pain care plan, no documented pain assessment using appropriate tools for severe dementia, and no administration of ordered PRN pain medication in the weeks preceding the observed event, despite clear non-verbal signs of pain during wound care attempts. These actions and omissions led surveyors to determine that the facility failed to ensure pain was assessed and treated prior to wound care, resulting in the resident crying out and exhibiting pain behaviors when touched or moved.
Removal Plan
- Amend treatment orders to require pain evaluation prior to treatments and medication if indicated upon re-admission.
- Provide additional 1:1 education to CNA A, CNA B, LVN A, and the facility treatment nurse specific to issues identified in the preliminary fact analysis.
- Nursing leadership (DON/designees) to conduct facility rounds on all residents to ensure no unreported or undocumented changes in pain levels; audit all wound care orders to ensure pain management orders are present as indicated.
- Complete house-wide pain assessments; communicate any reported pain to the charge nurse for medication administration if indicated and complete follow-up assessment to ensure effectiveness.
- Re-educate licensed nurses on change in condition, pain assessment and management, administering pain medications, and the pain-clinical protocol (including identifying situations where increased pain may be anticipated such as wound care, ambulation, repositioning, and reviewing the critical element pathway for pain recognition and management).
- Re-educate all non-licensed nursing staff on recognizing change in condition/status including changes in pain levels and proper reporting using STOP AND WATCH Alert in PCC/point-of-care documentation and/or direct communication to the charge nurse; re-educate staff not working prior to their next scheduled shift.
- Educate the Facility Administrator and DON by the Divisional President of Operations on standards of care, pain management, and quality oversight.
- Validate staff education via completion of a quiz and acknowledgement covering recognition of changes in condition, proper notification procedures, and pain assessment and management.
- Review and validate the pain assessment and management policy to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements (no changes required).
- Implement monitoring: change in condition/pain assessment audits (review 24-hour summary report and nurse progress notes; ensure changes are reported to the provider and documented; ensure pain assessments are completed prior to treatments); review audit results in IDT/QAPI meetings and address issues immediately, including provider communication.
Unsecured Mechanical Lifts Left Unlocked in Resident Hallway
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to keep the environment as free of accident hazards as possible in the hallway adjacent to the 300 Hall, specifically related to unsecured mechanical lifts. Surveyors repeatedly observed three mechanical lifts parked in this hallway that were unlocked and unsecured on multiple occasions over three consecutive days at various times. These observations showed that the lifts remained in an unsecured state while not in use, in an area used for storing and charging them. During interviews, an RN assigned to the 300 Hall stated she was unaware that the three mechanical lifts parked in the adjacent hallway were unlocked and unsecured, despite being stationed at the nearby nurses’ station. She reported having received in‑service training on mechanical lift safety and storage but could not recall when the training occurred. The RN acknowledged that mechanical lifts were supposed to be locked when not in use and confirmed that the three lifts observed were the only ones she used for residents and that they were stored in that hallway to be charged when not in use. She also stated that she typically did not check the parked lifts to verify they were locked and secured. A CNA assigned to the same hall similarly reported being unaware that the three mechanical lifts were unlocked and unsecured, despite also having received in‑service training on mechanical lift safety and storage and being unable to recall when that training last occurred. The DON stated she was unaware that the three lifts had been left unlocked and unsecured over the three days of observation and confirmed her expectation that all mechanical lifts be locked when not in use. The DON stated that all staff had been educated on proper mechanical lift usage and safety but could not recall when the last in‑service training occurred. The DON and Administrator both reported that the facility did not have a policy addressing accidents and hazards related to mechanical lift safety and storage, and the existing “Total Mechanical Lift” policy did not contain information on accidents and hazards related to lift safety and storage.
Food Storage, Labeling, and Temperature Monitoring Deficiencies in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s food storage and handling practices in the main kitchen. During an observation of the walk-in refrigerator, they found a zip-top bag containing meat slices that was not fully sealed and exposed to air. They also observed one gallon container of sauce with black drippings on the handle and one jar of sauce with yellow, dried drippings around the rim. A container held approximately ten overripe whole bananas with black peels, and three whole eggs were left uncovered and exposed to air in an unlabeled and undated bowl. Additionally, temperature logs for two reach-in refrigerators and one reach-in freezer were missing the PM shift temperature checks and signatures for a specific date. In interviews, dietary staff, the Dietary Manager, and the Administrator confirmed that these conditions were inconsistent with facility policies and expected practices. Dietary staff stated that temperature logs were to be completed at the start and end of each shift by cooks and dietary aides, and that the Dietary Manager was responsible for ensuring completion. They explained that eggs should be returned to their original container or stored sealed, labeled, and dated; overripe bananas should be discarded; zip-top bags should be fully sealed; and jars and gallon containers should be wiped down after each use. The Dietary Manager and Administrator reiterated that all open food must be securely covered, labeled, and dated, and that fruits and vegetables showing visible damage or rot should be discarded, consistent with written facility policies on food storage and dietary food service personnel responsibilities.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders for Lymphedema Leg Wraps and Accurate Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide treatment and care in accordance with physician orders and professional standards of practice for one resident with lymphedema. The resident was an adult male with multiple diagnoses including cardiac arrhythmia, musculoskeletal symptoms, osteitis deformans of multiple sites, eye and adnexa disorder, lymphedema, major depressive disorder, prostate disorder, chronic pain, hypokalemia, COPD, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, epilepsy with complex partial seizures, unsteadiness on feet, and other gait and mobility abnormalities. His Quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 15, indicating intact cognition, and he was dependent for toileting hygiene, showering/bathing, and personal hygiene. Physician orders on the March MAR included ace wraps to both lower extremities every morning and removal every evening, along with edema checks every shift. On the survey date, record review of the March MAR showed that the charge nurse had documented completion of the resident’s morning leg wrap treatment, but when the surveyor reviewed the resident at 11:21 a.m., he was observed sitting in his wheelchair with his legs not wrapped. At 11:50 a.m., the MAR still reflected that the treatment was completed, despite the wraps not being in place. The resident reported he had severe leg swelling due to lymphedema and stated his legs were supposed to be wrapped daily, but the last time they had been wrapped was about a week prior. He stated that whether his call light requests for treatment were answered depended on who responded, and that staff sometimes did not return to complete his care, which made him feel bad. In interviews, Charge Nurse A acknowledged that it was not normal nursing practice to document treatment before completion and stated that the resident normally received leg wraps after his shower, but that morning the resident had not yet had a shower. CNAs provided differing accounts: one CNA stated the wraps were always on during bed baths but did not bathe the resident that day; another CNA stated that sometimes the resident’s legs were wrapped and sometimes not, that his legs were not wrapped that day, and that she had given him a bed bath that morning; a third CNA stated she had never seen his legs unwrapped. The NP explained that the purpose of the wraps was to enhance circulation due to lymphedema. The DON confirmed the resident had bilateral leg wrap orders in the morning and removal in the evening, and that she was informed around midday that his legs were not wrapped. The Administrator stated she knew the resident’s legs were wrapped but did not know why, and both the DON and Administrator stated that documentation of treatment should occur after the treatment is performed, consistent with the facility’s documentation policy, which prohibits false information in the medical record.
Failure to Accurately Assess, Care Plan, and Treat Pressure Ulcers for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide pressure ulcer care consistent with professional standards, including accurate assessment, staging, measurement, care planning, and implementation of ordered treatments for multiple residents with pressure injuries. For one resident with hemiplegia, vascular dementia, incontinence, low body weight, and an admission Braden score indicating risk, the facility did not consistently identify and document all existing wounds. Her care plan listed only a left heel pressure wound and omitted a sacral wound. Weekly skin assessments from late January through March repeatedly failed to document the sacral wound after its initial identification, and heel wounds were inconsistently documented without required measurements or staging. On several dates, the weekly skin assessment was left blank or lacked measurements, despite physician documentation that the left heel wound progressed from Stage 3 to Stage 4 with increasing size. The treatment administration record (TAR) also showed missing documentation of ordered wound treatments to the sacrum and left heel on multiple dates, with no corresponding nursing notes indicating that care was provided. A second resident with hemiplegia, vascular dementia, diabetes, malnutrition, peripheral vascular disease, incontinence, and significant weight loss was identified as at risk for pressure ulcers but initially had no documented pressure wounds. Her care plan, last updated the previous year, addressed only potential for pressure ulcer development and other skin integrity risks, and did not reflect a current sacral pressure wound. However, physician orders and TAR entries showed daily treatment to a sacral wound, and weekly skin assessments documented a sacral wound beginning in mid-February. These assessments frequently lacked staging and, at times, lacked complete measurements. Over several weeks, documentation showed the sacral wound increasing in size and evolving from MASD to an unstageable wound and then to a Stage 4 pressure injury requiring surgical debridement of devitalized tissue, including subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, and tendon. Despite this progression and ongoing wound physician involvement, the resident’s care plan was not updated to reflect the current pressure injury and specific wound care interventions. A third resident with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, muscle weakness, incontinence, and an initially non-risk Braden score that later declined to moderate risk had an unstageable sacral pressure ulcer present on admission and MASD. Her care plan included potential for pressure ulcer development, an unstageable sacral pressure ulcer related to immobility, and a wound infection requiring oral antibiotics. Physician orders directed weekly skin assessments and specific daily and evening wound treatments to the sacral area. However, the March TAR showed multiple dates where ordered sacral wound treatments and topical medication for left upper buttock redness were not documented as given, and nursing progress notes did not show that wound care was provided on those dates. Weekly skin assessments for this resident were inconsistent, with several assessments in early January documented as refused or limited, alternating between noting arm discoloration and no skin issues, and later assessments intermittently omitting the sacral wound or lacking measurements and staging. Wound physician notes documented an unstageable sacral pressure injury with rapid clinical decline and later a Stage 3 pressure injury that had increased in size, but these changes were not consistently mirrored in the facility’s weekly skin assessment documentation. Interviews with nursing staff and leadership further described systemic issues contributing to the deficiency. The treatment nurse stated she could not stage wounds and relied on the DON or wound physician for staging, and that she was responsible for updating care plans when new pressure injuries were identified, though she was unsure of the required timeframe. She also reported that she performed nearly all weekly skin assessments for approximately 96 residents Monday through Thursday, with no assessments scheduled on Fridays unless there was a new admission, and that wound measurements were typically taken only when the wound physician visited, after which she transferred his measurements into the weekly skin assessments. The DON and ADON indicated that the treatment nurse was responsible for all wound care planning, weekly skin assessments, and ensuring documentation, and acknowledged that missing or inconsistent wound measurements and documentation on weekly skin assessments would prevent the facility from determining whether wounds were improving or worsening. Facility policies required full assessment and documentation of pressure ulcers, including location, stage, length, width, depth, exudate, and necrotic tissue, as well as complete wound care documentation, but the records for these three residents showed repeated omissions and inconsistencies in assessment, staging, measurement, care planning, and documentation of ordered treatments.
Failure to Ensure Accessible Call Lights for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s failure to reasonably accommodate resident needs and preferences by not ensuring that call lights were accessible to four residents reviewed. For one male resident with a skull fracture, a baseline MDS showing he was a fall risk and unable to complete the BIMS interview, and a care plan indicating he required assistance with ADLs, observation showed he was lying in bed with his call light positioned at the head of the bed, out of his reach. A second male resident, with diagnoses including need for assistance with personal care, stroke, and dysphagia, and a quarterly MDS indicating he was unable to complete the BIMS interview, had a care plan intervention specifying that his call light should be within reach; however, observation found him lying in bed with his call light on the floor, out of reach. A third resident, a female with lack of coordination, unsteadiness on her feet, repeated falls, and severe cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 1), had a care plan intervention to ensure her call light was within reach, yet she was observed lying in bed with her call light placed on her roommate’s bed. A fourth male resident with right-sided paralysis, intact cognition (BIMS 14), and a care plan identifying him as a fall risk with an intervention to keep his call light within reach, was observed lying in bed with his call light on the nightstand, out of reach. During interviews, a CNA, an LVN, and the DON each stated that call bells should always be within residents’ reach and that all staff are responsible for ensuring this, and acknowledged that lack of accessible call bells could result in accidents, falls, avoidable injuries, delayed care, and unmet needs. The facility’s written policy on call lights required staff to place the call device within the resident’s reach before leaving the room.
Failure to Maintain Clean Resident Rooms and Hallway Handrails
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s failure to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, as required by the facility’s Resident Rights policy. During observations on the 300 and 400 halls, surveyors noted that handrails contained debris, including a piece of tissue with a red and brownish substance on the 300 hall and candy wrappers, gum, clear plastic materials, and large pieces of paper wedged between the rails on the 400 hall. Multiple resident rooms on these halls were found with unclean and unsanitary conditions. Several bathrooms had brownish or grayish stains in the corners of the floors and around toilets, as well as dark stains along floor edges, in corners, and in showers. Room floors showed built-up dirt near closet doors, door frames, and along floor edges, with brownish or dark stains near beds and walls. Additional observations revealed that air conditioning unit vents and filters in several rooms had black grime or thick dust accumulation. In multiple rooms, sharps containers used for needle disposal had used, dirty or disposable gloves and pieces of trash placed on top of them. During interviews, the Administrator stated that housekeeping services were provided seven days a week, with cleaning in the morning and evening, and that housekeeping was expected to thoroughly clean resident rooms and facility areas. A housekeeper assigned to the 300 and 400 halls confirmed responsibility for cleaning entire rooms, bathrooms, floors, and wiping down handrails, stating that handrails were wiped at least once a week and acknowledging that the observed conditions were a health hazard. The Housekeeping Supervisor confirmed that housekeeping and floor technicians were responsible for cleaning hallways, floors, handrails, entire rooms, bathrooms, and air conditioning units, and acknowledged that not thoroughly cleaning rooms and handrails could cause an infection.
Improper Storage and Maintenance of Oxygen and Nebulizer Equipment
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to provide respiratory care consistent with professional standards, physician orders, and the infection prevention and control program for three residents receiving oxygen and nebulizer treatments. For a male resident with COPD, record review showed physician orders to change tubing, clean filters, and change the O2 water bottle and nebulizer kit weekly on night shift every Saturday. However, observation revealed that his nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator and his nebulizer mask connected to the nebulizer machine were not bagged or labeled with a date when not in use. For a female resident with asthma, physician orders directed weekly changes of tubing, filter cleaning, and O2 water bottle changes, but observation showed her nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator was not bagged or labeled, and an oxygen humidifier bottle left on the nightstand was only one-quarter full, cracked, and dated from an earlier date. A female resident with COPD had physician orders to change tubing, clean filters, and change the O2 water bottle and nebulizer kit weekly, as well as orders to obtain and record pulse, O2 saturation, treatment minutes, and lung sounds in relation to nebulizer treatments. Observation found that her nasal cannula connected to the oxygen concentrator and nebulizer mask connected to the nebulizer machine were not bagged or labeled with a date when not in use. Staff interviews with a CNA, an LVN, and the DON confirmed that facility practice and expectations were for oxygen tubing and nebulizer masks to be bagged and dated when not in use, with bags changed weekly or as needed, and for humidifier bottles to be changed regularly. The DON stated that failure to follow these practices could be an infection control issue leading to serious health consequences. The facility’s written Infection Prevention and Control Program policy emphasized decreasing infection risk, recognizing infection control practices during care, and ensuring compliance with infection control regulations, which was not followed in these observed instances.
Medication Administration, Monitoring, and Storage Failures During Med Pass
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide pharmaceutical services that ensured accurate acquiring, receiving, dispensing, and administering of medications and biologicals for all 10 residents reviewed for pharmacy services. Record reviews showed that multiple residents had active physician orders for medications to treat conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, dementia, end-stage renal disease, hypertension, heart failure, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, hypothyroidism, seizures, neuropathy, and pain. These medications included antihypertensives (such as amlodipine, hydralazine, metoprolol, benazepril, nifedipine), anticoagulants (Eliquis), antidiabetics (metformin, insulin), antipsychotics (olanzapine, quetiapine), anticonvulsants (levetiracetam), thyroid replacement (levothyroxine), heart failure medications (furosemide, carvedilol, isosorbide dinitrate), and others such as gabapentin, baclofen, galantamine, and lidocaine patches. During observation of a morning medication pass, surveyors noted that Med Tech F had not finished passing morning medications on two hallways between 10:15 a.m. and 11:14 a.m., even though those medications were scheduled for 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. This meant that residents’ medications were administered more than one hour after their scheduled administration times, contrary to the facility’s stated one-hour before or after administration window. Interviews with Med Tech F, LVN A, and the DON confirmed that facility practice and policy required medications to be given at the ordered times within that window to maintain effectiveness and comply with physician orders. The facility also failed to follow required procedures related to medication parameters and storage. Med Tech F and LVN A stated that medications with blood pressure check parameters required a blood pressure reading before dispensing the medication into a cup, but the report states the facility failed to check one resident’s blood pressure before dispensing medication. Additionally, observations and interviews revealed that the Med Pass liquid nutritional supplement, described as milk-based, was not kept refrigerated or on ice during medication administration, despite manufacturer directions and facility protocol requiring it to be refrigerated or kept on ice. Further, review of insulin storage on three halls showed that 12 of 14 insulin vials were not dated with the date of first use, even though LVN A, LVN B, and the DON stated that facility policy required insulin vials to be dated when opened and discarded after a specified period (generally 28–30 days). These failures placed residents at risk for receiving medications outside ordered time frames and using insulin vials without a known open date. Facility policy and procedure for medication administration (Policy Number 7C) required that medications be administered as prescribed by the resident’s physician, in accordance with written orders and the resident’s service plan, and that routine medications be administered per facility time ranges unless otherwise specified. The policy also required that medications be recorded on the MAR, that resident identification be verified prior to administration, and that medications be administered according to the dosage schedule on the MAR. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of these requirements, including the need to date insulin vials upon opening and to maintain proper storage conditions for nutritional supplements. Despite this, the observed late medication administration, failure to check blood pressure before dispensing certain medications, failure to keep Med Pass on ice or refrigerated, and failure to date insulin vials demonstrated noncompliance with the facility’s own medication administration and pharmaceutical services procedures for the residents reviewed.
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release May 27, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.



