Windsor Nursing And Rehabilitation Center Of Duval
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Austin, Texas.
- Location
- 5301 W Duval Rd, Austin, Texas 78727
- CMS Provider Number
- 675956
- Inspections on file
- 38
- Latest survey
- June 27, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 1
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Windsor Nursing And Rehabilitation Center Of Duval during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Two residents were involved in a physical altercation in which one threw cold coffee and the other responded by hitting, resulting in a facial bruise and arm scratch. Staff recognized the event as abuse and reported it internally, but the administrator did not report the incident to the state survey agency as required, citing lack of distress and minor injury. This failure to report the incident within the mandated timeframe constituted a deficiency in abuse reporting procedures.
Staff failed to knock before entering the rooms of three residents with varying cognitive and physical impairments, despite being trained on the policy and its importance for resident privacy and dignity. One resident with intact cognition reported being upset by this practice. Both the CNA and LVN involved acknowledged the requirement to knock and attributed their failure to forgetfulness, while management confirmed ongoing monitoring of this policy.
The facility did not ensure that meals served matched posted menus or that menu substitutions were properly documented and approved by the dietitian. During two observed meal services, food items served differed from those listed on the menus, and only one substitution was recorded. Staff interviews confirmed that menu changes were made without updating posted menus or consistently following the facility's substitution policy.
Multiple residents with complex medical needs received meals that were cold, unappetizing, and poorly prepared, with repeated complaints about food quality, temperature, and menu substitutions. Staff did not consistently check food temperatures, and food often sat out before being served, leading to dissatisfaction and ongoing grievances about meal service.
Surveyors found multiple deficiencies in food service sanitation, including improper food storage, unclean kitchen and equipment, malfunctioning shelving, and a dishwasher not reaching the required temperature. Staff were observed eating in the kitchen area, and interviews revealed gaps in knowledge and adherence to cleaning protocols. Facility policy requiring cleanliness and equipment maintenance was not followed.
Three residents with significant care needs did not have accessible call lights in their rooms, as required by facility policy. Observations showed call lights were out of reach or improperly placed, and interviews with staff confirmed awareness of the policy but could not explain the inaccessibility. Residents were unable to call for assistance when needed.
A resident with dementia and mobility issues was using bed rails as an assistive device, but the care plan was not updated to reflect this use. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of the bed rails, but documentation and assessment were missing from the care plan, despite facility policy and recent audits.
A resident with Parkinson's disease and dementia experienced a malfunctioning oxygen concentrator that emitted a loud beeping and displayed a red warning light for about 45 minutes. Staff did not respond to the alarm until notified by a surveyor, and the device was found wrapped in plastic, causing it to overheat and deliver less oxygen than ordered. Interviews confirmed that staff failed to notice or address the alarm despite being present in the hallway.
A nurse failed to change gloves and perform hand hygiene during wound care for a resident, and EBP signage was not posted for two residents with wounds or indwelling devices. Additionally, a nurse provided suprapubic catheter care without wearing the required gown. Staff interviews and facility policy confirmed these actions did not follow infection control protocols.
The facility failed to act on a pharmacist's reports regarding missing medication consents for two residents. One resident received Trazodone without a signed consent, while another had an incomplete consent for Lorazepam. Interviews revealed staff expectations for signed consents, but the facility did not ensure these were completed and documented.
A resident with complex medical needs was physically assaulted by a hospitality aide, resulting in a red mark on her thigh. The incident was reported by a scheduler CNA who intervened and informed the abuse coordinator. The resident's care plan noted her resistance to care, and assessments found no distress post-incident. The facility's policy required staff training on abuse prevention, but the aide's file lacked training records, leading to her suspension and termination.
The facility failed to report an abuse allegation involving two residents to the State Agency within the required timeframe. One resident reported being hit by another in the dining room, resulting in skin tears and bleeding. Despite multiple witnesses and the resident's desire to report the incident, the Administrator did not follow through with the reporting.
Failure to Timely Report Resident-to-Resident Abuse Incident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment, including injuries of unknown source and misappropriation of resident property, were reported immediately, but not later than two hours after the allegation was made, as required by regulation. Specifically, an incident occurred involving two residents in which one resident threw cold coffee at another, and the second resident responded by hitting the first, resulting in a bruise beneath the eye and a scratch on the arm of the first resident. Despite staff recognizing the incident as a resident-to-resident altercation and a form of abuse, the event was not reported to the state survey agency as required. The first resident involved had a history of Parkinson's Disease, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder, but was assessed as having no cognitive impairment. The second resident had severe cognitive impairment due to dementia and a history of physical aggression. After the altercation, staff immediately separated the residents, assessed them for injuries, and initiated neuro checks for the resident who sustained a facial bruise. Both residents were interviewed and assessed for pain and psychological distress, with the first resident reporting ongoing pain in the face but no distress at the time of assessment. Multiple staff members, including RNs and LVNs, acknowledged in interviews that the incident constituted abuse and that it was their practice to report such events to the administrator. However, the administrator did not report the incident to the state survey agency, stating that he did not consider the event to be abuse or neglect because the injury did not require first aid and the resident did not appear distressed. This failure to report the incident as required by state law and facility policy constituted a deficiency in the facility's abuse reporting procedures.
Failure to Knock Before Entering Resident Rooms Compromises Resident Dignity
Penalty
Summary
Staff at the facility failed to consistently honor residents' rights to privacy and dignity by not knocking before entering residents' rooms. Specifically, a CNA was observed entering a male resident's room without knocking, and an LVN was observed entering the rooms of two female residents without knocking. These actions were directly witnessed by surveyors during their rounds in the facility. The residents involved had varying degrees of cognitive and physical impairment. One male resident had moderate cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions, including pneumonia, diabetes, and end-stage renal disease. One female resident had intact cognitive function and several chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart failure, and anxiety. The other female resident had severe cognitive impairment and diagnoses including chronic pain, diabetes, and epilepsy. One of the residents interviewed expressed that staff do not knock on her door and that this upsets her, as she would prefer staff to always knock before entering. Interviews with staff, including the CNA, LVN, DON, and Administrator, confirmed that all had been trained on the policy requiring staff to knock, introduce themselves, and wait for a response before entering a resident's room, except in emergencies. Staff acknowledged the importance of this practice for resident privacy and dignity, and stated that management monitors compliance through observation. Despite this, staff admitted to forgetting to knock, even when the door was open, and were unaware at the time that they had failed to follow the policy.
Failure to Follow Posted Menus and Document Substitutions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that meals served to residents matched the posted menus and met the nutritional needs of residents according to established national guidelines. During two observed meal services, the food items served did not correspond with the posted menus. For lunch, residents were served two fried chicken patties instead of chicken piccata, and for dinner, plain ham and white potatoes with cheese were served instead of maple glazed ham and sweet potatoes. Only one substitution was documented, despite multiple menu changes, and the posted menus were not updated to reflect these changes. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Food Service Supervisor (FSS) frequently made changes to the corporate menu to accommodate resident preferences but did not update the posted menus or consistently document substitutions. The FSS stated that residents did not complain about the changes and that he attended resident council meetings to gauge preferences, but did not keep formal records beyond tray tickets. The DON and ADM both confirmed that posted menus should accurately reflect what is served and that all changes should be approved by the dietitian, as per facility policy. Review of the substitution policy indicated that documentation and dietitian approval are required for all menu changes, which was not consistently followed.
Failure to Provide Palatable, Attractive, and Properly Tempered Food
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food and drink provided to residents was palatable, attractive, and served at a safe and appetizing temperature. Multiple meal test trays observed on three separate days were found to be at inappropriate temperatures, with food that was unappetizing in appearance, lacked seasoning, and was overcooked or otherwise poorly prepared. Observations included food items that were hard, bland, or had flavors that transferred between items, and pureed meals where foods ran together, making them unappealing and difficult to eat. Residents consistently reported dissatisfaction with the quality, temperature, and taste of the food, and noted that menu items often did not match what was actually served. Several residents with complex medical histories, including severe cognitive impairment, intellectual disabilities, and chronic health conditions, were affected by these deficiencies. Interviews with these residents revealed ongoing complaints about cold food, lack of preferred alternatives, and poor meal quality. Resident council notes and grievance records from the previous three months documented repeated complaints about the food, including issues with menu substitutions, dietary restrictions not being honored, and a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. Residents also reported that meals were often served late, and that food sometimes sat in the hallways for extended periods before being delivered, contributing to the temperature and quality issues. Staff interviews confirmed that food was not routinely checked with a thermometer for appropriate temperature, but rather assessed by touch. The Food Service Supervisor acknowledged awareness of the complaints and stated that grievances were reviewed but did not result in changes to the corporate-set menu. Nursing and dietary staff described processes for offering alternatives and encouraging residents to eat, but also indicated that food quality and menu adherence were ongoing concerns. Facility policies required timely meal service and cooperation between nursing and dietary departments, but observations and interviews indicated these procedures were not consistently followed, resulting in residents receiving food that was not palatable, attractive, or at the proper temperature.
Deficiencies in Food Service Sanitation and Safety Practices
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple deficiencies in the facility's food service operations, including improper storage, preparation, distribution, and serving of food. Observations revealed unknown food items on the pantry floor, dust and dirt in the walk-in fridge, and a box labeled Butcher Box Pork with red liquid on top. The microwave was found with red splatters inside, and shelving units in the walk-in fridge were rusted and propped up with wood blocks. Food and cooking oil debris were present on the floor and behind kitchen equipment, and the dishwasher failed to reach the required hot water temperature, only reaching 112 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, a dietary aide was observed eating in the kitchen production area, contrary to facility policy. Interviews with staff indicated a lack of knowledge regarding proper dishwasher operation and uncertainty about when broken shelves would be replaced. The Food Service Supervisor (FSS) acknowledged that cleaning behind ovens was infrequent due to equipment constraints and that staff were expected to follow a cleaning schedule. The Director of Nursing and Administrator both stated that the FSS was responsible for ensuring compliance with food safety and sanitation regulations. Facility policy requires all kitchen areas and equipment to be kept clean and in good repair, but these standards were not met as evidenced by the observations and staff interviews.
Failure to Ensure Accessible Call Light System for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a working call system was available and within reach for residents in their bedside, toilet, and bathing areas, as required. Observations revealed that three residents did not have accessible call lights: one resident's call light was found on the floor at the foot of the bed, another's was on a roommate's bedside table and not within reach, and a third resident's call light was clipped to a light fixture approximately 40 feet above the bed, making it inaccessible. These findings were corroborated by interviews and direct observation. The affected residents had significant medical and functional needs. One resident had a history of stroke, vascular dementia, and required assistance with all activities of daily living, using a wheelchair for mobility. Another resident had diagnoses including muscle wasting, lack of coordination, severe intellectual disability, and was also dependent on staff for daily care. The third resident had Parkinson's disease, dementia, and was similarly dependent on staff. Care plans for all three residents specified that call lights should be within reach and that staff should encourage their use for assistance. Interviews with staff, including CNAs, an LVN, the DON, and the administrator, confirmed that they were trained on the policy requiring call lights to be within reach and acknowledged responsibility for ensuring this. Staff stated that call lights should be checked during rounds and placed on the resident's non-paralyzed side if applicable. Despite this, staff were unable to explain why the call lights were not accessible at the time of the survey, and residents reported being unable to call for help when needed.
Failure to Update Care Plan for Bed Rail Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to revise and update the care plan for one resident to reflect the use of bed rails as an assistive device. The resident, an older female with diagnoses including unspecified dementia without behavioral disturbances, muscle wasting and atrophy, unsteadiness on feet, and cognitive communication deficit, was observed using bed rails to assist with mobility in bed. Her most recent care plan did not mention the use of bed rails, and there was no documented bedrail assessment in her medical records. Interviews with the resident confirmed her use of the bed rails for assistance, and she demonstrated how she used them to adjust her position and get out of bed. Staff interviews revealed that the RN was aware of the resident's use of bed rails but did not realize it was not included in the care plan. The DON stated that bed rails should be care planned and that a bedrail assessment should be completed, with proper documentation and consent. The administrator also confirmed that bed rails should be included in the care plan if used as assistive devices. Despite an audit and training on physical device assessments, the resident's use of bed rails was not identified or documented in her care plan, contrary to facility policy.
Failure to Respond to Malfunctioning Oxygen Equipment
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with Parkinson's disease and dementia, who was followed by hospice and had a PRN order for oxygen, experienced a malfunction with his oxygen concentrator. The device was observed to be beeping loudly with a red warning light for approximately 45 minutes, indicating a malfunction. The concentrator was also found wrapped in plastic, which covered the vents and caused the device to overheat. Despite the noise, staff did not respond until alerted by a surveyor. Upon investigation, the LVN confirmed the malfunction, noted the oxygen concentration was lower than ordered, and identified the overheating due to the plastic wrap. Interviews revealed that staff on the hallway, including a medication aide, did not notice or respond to the beeping, and other residents reported the noise had persisted for a significant period while staff passed by. The ADON and DON both acknowledged that staff should promptly investigate such alarms, as they indicate equipment issues. The facility was unable to provide a specific policy addressing this situation, instead providing a general Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee policy, which was not applicable.
Failure to Implement and Maintain Infection Prevention and Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program for three residents reviewed for infection control. In one instance, a nurse did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene after cleansing a resident's left heel wound and before applying wound treatment and a clean dressing. The nurse acknowledged not following proper hand hygiene protocol and stated she had received training but could not recall when. The Director of Nursing (DON) and Administrator confirmed that facility policy requires hand hygiene and glove changes during wound care, and that failure to do so could result in the spread of microorganisms to residents. Additionally, the facility did not post Enhanced Barrier Protection (EBP) signage on the doors of two residents who were admitted with a wound and a suprapubic catheter, respectively. Observations confirmed the absence of EBP signage, which is required to inform staff of necessary infection control precautions. Interviews with staff, including the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and Infection Control Staff (ICS), confirmed that EBP signage should be posted immediately upon admission for residents with wounds or indwelling medical devices. Furthermore, a nurse was observed providing care for a resident's suprapubic catheter without wearing the required gown, and there was no EBP signage on the resident's door. The nurse admitted to not wearing the appropriate PPE and acknowledged the importance of following EBP requirements. Facility policy and staff interviews confirmed that gowns and gloves are required for high-contact care activities involving wounds or indwelling devices, and that failure to follow these protocols could expose residents to infection.
Failure to Obtain and Document Medication Consents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to act upon the pharmacist's drug regimen review irregularity reports for two residents, leading to deficiencies in obtaining and documenting medication consents. For Resident #1, the facility did not respond to the pharmacist's notification that the consent for Trazodone, an antidepressant and sedative medication, was missing. Despite having an unsigned written consent from the resident's responsible party (RP), the medication was administered without the necessary signed consent being obtained and uploaded into the resident's electronic health records. Similarly, for Resident #2, the facility did not address the pharmacist's notification regarding the missing consent for Lorazepam, a medication used to treat anxiety. The consent form was incomplete, with both the resident and the RP having printed their names but not signing the document. Although the medication order was completed, the facility failed to ensure the consent was properly signed and documented. Interviews with facility staff, including the Nurse Practitioner (NP) and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), revealed that there were clear expectations for obtaining signed consents for medications. The ADON emphasized the importance of having consents signed by the resident or their RP to authorize treatment. However, the facility's oversight in ensuring these consents were completed and documented led to the identified deficiencies.
Failure to Protect Resident from Abuse by Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident from abuse, specifically a physical assault by a hospitality aide. The incident involved a resident with a complex medical history, including schizoaffective disorder, profound intellectual disabilities, and other chronic conditions. The resident was found crying with a red mark on her thigh, which was reported by a scheduler CNA who heard the incident and intervened by removing the aide from the room and reporting the event to the abuse coordinator and charge nurse. The resident's care plan indicated she required extensive assistance with activities of daily living and was noncompliant with her medical regimen, often resisting care. On the day of the incident, the resident was reportedly agitated during incontinence care, likely due to being awakened. Despite encouragement from staff, she declined assistance. A subsequent assessment by the DON found no signs of distress, and the resident's demeanor was described as excited and usual. The facility's policy on abuse, neglect, and exploitation required ongoing staff training and oversight, but the personnel file of the involved aide lacked records of such training. The facility's in-service logs showed various training sessions on abuse and resident behavior, but the incident highlighted a lapse in preventing abuse, as the aide was suspended and later terminated following the investigation.
Failure to Report Abuse Allegation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an abuse allegation involving Resident #1 and Resident #2 to the State Agency within the required timeframe. Resident #1, who has diagnoses including unspecified dementia and bipolar disorder, reported being hit by Resident #2 in the dining room. The incident resulted in Resident #1 sustaining skin tears and bleeding on his right forearm and upper arm. Despite the severity of the incident, the facility did not report it to the State Agency as required by their policy and federal regulations. Resident #1's medical records indicated he was moderately impaired with decision-making and required assistance with eating. On the day of the incident, the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) documented that Resident #1 was upset and reported being assaulted by Resident #2. The ADON and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) A both noted the injuries and provided immediate care, including dressing the wounds and administering pain medication. However, there was no documentation or evidence that the incident was reported to the State Agency or other appropriate authorities. Interviews with other residents and staff revealed that multiple witnesses observed the incident, and Resident #1 expressed a desire to report the incident to the police and the State Agency. Despite this, the Administrator (ADM) did not follow through with the reporting. The facility's policy clearly states that all suspected violations and substantiated incidents of abuse must be reported immediately, but this protocol was not followed in this case.
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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