Windsor Nursing And Rehabilitation Center Of Morga
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Corpus Christi, Texas.
- Location
- 2322 Morgan Ave, Corpus Christi, Texas 78405
- CMS Provider Number
- 455575
- Inspections on file
- 27
- Latest survey
- August 1, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 12
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Windsor Nursing And Rehabilitation Center Of Morga during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident experienced a significant medication error due to a failure in the medication administration process. The report does not provide further details about the circumstances or the resident's condition at the time.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions was moved to a different room without receiving the required written notice or explanation. The resident's representative was not informed of the reason for the move, and facility staff could not provide documentation or a clear rationale for the room change, despite policy requiring advance notification.
A resident with end stage renal disease and a dialysis fistula did not receive required assessments for thrill and bruit each shift, as mandated by physician orders and facility policy. Nursing staff admitted to not performing these checks, and the resident confirmed the assessments were not done. Facility leadership acknowledged the deficiency in following established protocols.
Surveyors found that multiple medication and treatment carts contained expired medications, such as insulin Glargine, Promethazine, Tramadol, and Hemorrhoidal Pads, which were not properly labeled or removed as required. Additionally, a staff member's personal cup was found stored with resident medications and supplies, contrary to facility policy. Staff interviews confirmed that these practices did not align with established procedures for medication storage and labeling.
Two elevators used by residents, staff, and visitors consistently had strong foul odors, described as urine and feces, despite frequent cleaning and shampooing of the carpeted floors. Multiple staff, visitors, and residents confirmed the ongoing issue, attributing it to residents having accidents and the presence of carpet, which retained odors. The facility's housekeeping policies require maintaining a clean and odor-free environment, but the elevators remained malodorous.
Surveyors found that all resident rooms with two beds did not meet the required minimum of 80 square feet per resident, with measured room sizes ranging from 149 to 156.5 square feet. The ADM confirmed no changes had been made to the rooms and provided a waiver request for the deficiency.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and high fall risk was left unsupervised in the therapy gym due to miscommunication among therapy staff, resulting in a fall from her wheelchair and injuries including a hematoma and laceration. The care plan required supervision and frequent rounding, but these interventions were not followed, and the facility's fall prevention policy did not address supervision for high-risk residents.
A resident with a history of behavioral issues struck his cognitively impaired roommate on the forehead with a grabber after repeated interference with personal belongings. The incident, which was not witnessed by staff, resulted in a minor injury and was confirmed through resident and staff interviews as well as facility documentation. The aggressor had a known risk for physical aggression, and the event met the facility's definition of abuse.
The facility did not ensure timely reporting of alleged abuse and injuries of unknown source for two residents with cognitive impairment. In both cases, staff delayed notifying the administrator and appropriate authorities, despite facility policy and recent training on abuse, neglect, and exploitation reporting requirements.
Two residents' care plans were not updated by the interdisciplinary team after changes in their conditions. One resident with severe cognitive impairment had a history of giving money to others that was not reflected in the care plan, while another resident with multiple falls and complex medical needs did not have fall prevention interventions documented. Staff interviews confirmed these omissions were due to oversight and inconsistent care plan updates.
The facility failed to secure medication carts and maintain proper temperature logs for medication storage, leading to potential risks of medication contamination and ineffectiveness. Unlocked carts were found on the 200 and 300 floors, and temperature logs were incomplete in the 300 and 200-floor medication storage rooms. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and training on the importance of securing medications and maintaining accurate temperature records.
A resident with a stage 3 pressure ulcer did not receive proper wound care as the Wound Care nurse failed to pat dry the wound after cleansing, contrary to physician orders. The nurse admitted to missing this step due to nervousness, which could lead to complications like maceration. The resident, with a history of cerebral infarction and contractures, was unable to be interviewed. The DON confirmed the importance of following orders and noted that the nurse was usually compliant with wound care procedures.
The facility's kitchen operations were found deficient in maintaining sanitary conditions. Juice dispenser guns were unsanitary, with nozzles resting in sticky substances and not cleaned after use. Equipment and storage practices were inadequate, with scratched and stained dishes, open spice containers, and a worn frying pan still in use. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to sanitation practices, with concerns about cross-contamination and resident safety.
A facility failed to maintain a safe environment when a covered needle syringe was found in a resident's room, posing a risk of injury or infection. The resident, who requires enhanced barrier precautions, was unaware of the needle's presence. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to proper sharps disposal procedures, with the DON acknowledging deficiencies in staff rounding practices and uncertainty about recent in-service training.
A resident with multiple medical conditions did not receive a prescribed nasal spray due to its unavailability in the medication cart. Despite this, several nurses documented that the medication was administered. Interviews and observations confirmed the medication was not given, leading to false documentation. The facility's policy requires accurate documentation and notification if medications are unavailable, which was not followed in this case.
The facility did not meet the required 80 square feet per resident in 46 multiple resident rooms, with room sizes ranging from 120 to 132.3 square feet for two residents. This was identified through observation and record review, despite an existing room size waiver from a previous survey.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment was transferred without a written 30-day notice, proper documentation, or timely notification to the Ombudsman. The transfer was deemed necessary due to the resident's high risk of elopement and the facility's inability to provide extended one-to-one care.
Significant Medication Error Occurred
Penalty
Summary
Residents were not ensured to be free from significant medication errors. The report identifies that there was at least one instance where a resident experienced a significant medication error, indicating a failure in the medication administration process. Specific details regarding the actions or inactions that led to the error, as well as information about the resident's medical history or condition at the time, are not provided in the report.
Failure to Provide Required Written Notice Prior to Resident Room Change
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a resident with written notice, including the reason for a room change, prior to relocating the resident to a different room. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and multiple complex medical diagnoses including Multiple Sclerosis, quadriplegia, Alzheimer's disease, and major depressive disorder, was dependent on staff for all activities of daily living and preferred to spend time in his room. Despite facility policy requiring a 30-day written notice to the resident or their representative before any room change, there was no documentation or notification provided to the resident's representative regarding the reason for the move. Interviews with the resident's family member and facility staff confirmed that no written or verbal explanation was given prior to the room change, and the family member only learned of the move after it occurred. The family member reported that the resident was comfortable with his previous roommate and struggled with the new room environment, which was too cold for him. Facility staff, including the Social Worker and DON, were unable to provide documentation or a clear reason for the room change, and acknowledged that the required notification process was not followed in this instance.
Failure to Perform Required Dialysis Fistula Assessments
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident requiring dialysis received care in accordance with professional standards of practice. Specifically, nursing staff did not consistently assess the resident's dialysis fistula for thrill and bruit every shift, as required by physician orders and facility policy. Observation revealed that a nurse placed a stethoscope over the fistula to listen for bruit but did not properly assess for thrill. Interviews with nursing staff confirmed that the required assessments were often not performed, with one nurse stating that she either forgot or was too busy, and believed that the checks were unnecessary since the resident's fistula was assessed at the dialysis center. The resident involved was an adult male with diagnoses including alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver with ascites, congestive heart failure, and end stage renal disease requiring dialysis. The resident had intact cognition and confirmed that his fistula was not being checked by facility nurses. Facility leadership acknowledged that the assessments should have been performed each shift and that the failure to do so was not in line with established orders and policy. The facility's policy required checking for thrill and bruit each shift and monitoring for bleeding upon return from dialysis.
Failure to Properly Label, Store, and Dispose of Medications and Personal Items in Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to ensure all drugs and biologicals were properly labeled and stored according to professional standards on multiple medication and treatment carts. Specifically, a vial of insulin Glargine on the 2nd Floor Nurse-Med-Cart-A was found to be expired, discontinued, and not labeled with an open or expiration date. Additionally, a container of Hemorrhoidal Pads on the 2nd Floor Treatment Cart and cards of Promethazine and Tramadol on the 3rd Floor Nurse-Med-Cart-B were found to be expired but not removed from the carts. These expired medications and supplies were accessible and had not been disposed of as required by facility policy. Further, the 3rd Floor Treatment Cart was found to contain a large personal aluminum cup with a straw, which belonged to a staff member, in the bottom drawer alongside resident medications and supplies. Staff interviews confirmed awareness that personal items should not be stored with medications due to the risk of cross-contamination. Facility policy required medication carts to be kept clean, organized, and free of expired medications, but these procedures were not consistently followed, as evidenced by the presence of expired medications and personal items in the carts.
Persistent Foul Odors in Elevators Due to Inadequate Environmental Maintenance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment in two of three elevators, as both Elevator 1 and Elevator 2 were found to have persistent foul odors, described as smelling of urine and feces. Multiple observations by the surveyor over two consecutive days confirmed the presence of strong, offensive odors in both elevators. Interviews with staff, visitors, and residents corroborated these findings, with several individuals reporting ongoing complaints about the smell. The MDS Coordinator, WCN, HS, RD, ADM, MS, and SW all acknowledged the issue, attributing the odors primarily to the carpet installed in the elevators and to residents having accidents in them. Despite frequent cleaning, including daily and as-needed shampooing and vacuuming, the odors persisted. The facility's General Housekeeping Policies require maintaining the environment free from offensive odors through proper housekeeping practices, not by masking odors with deodorizers. However, the report indicates that the elevators continued to have foul odors despite adherence to cleaning routines. Housekeeping staff did not keep a log of cleaning activities but indicated an intention to start one. The issue was further compounded by the presence of carpet in the elevators, which was identified as a contributing factor to the persistent odor problem.
Resident Room Size Requirements Not Met
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the required minimum of 80 square feet per resident in multiple occupancy rooms and 100 square feet for single occupancy rooms, as mandated by regulations. During a recertification survey, all 89 resident rooms were measured using a laser measuring device, and it was found that rooms with two beds measured between 149 and 156.5 square feet, which does not meet the minimum requirement of 80 square feet per resident. The deficiency was observed in all 89 rooms listed in the report, each containing two beds. Record review of the Health and Human Services Form 3740 Bed Classifications confirmed the room configurations, and the administrator provided a letter requesting a room size waiver for the affected rooms. The administrator also stated that there had been no changes to the rooms. The report notes that this failure could restrict the amount of resident care equipment and personal effects that could be accommodated in these rooms and limit residents' ability to move about, but does not provide specific details about individual residents' medical histories or conditions at the time of the deficiency.
Failure to Provide Adequate Supervision Resulting in Resident Fall
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with severe cognitive impairment, high fall risk, and a history of multiple falls was left unsupervised in the therapy gym, resulting in a fall from her wheelchair. The resident, who required substantial assistance for activities of daily living and had a BIMS score of 0, was dependent on staff for mobility and safety. On the day of the incident, the resident was brought to the therapy room by a CNA and left in the care of a therapist. The therapist subsequently left the area, believing another staff member would supervise the resident, but there was a miscommunication and no one was directly supervising her. The resident was found on the floor with a hematoma and laceration above her left eyebrow. Documentation and staff interviews confirmed that the resident was left unattended due to a lack of clear hand-off communication between therapy staff. The care plan for the resident included interventions such as frequent rounding, supervision in the therapy room, and staff anticipation of needs, but these were not followed at the time of the incident. The facility's fall prevention policy did not specifically address supervision of high fall risk residents. Multiple staff statements indicated that the failure to ensure direct supervision and a proper hand-off process led to the resident being left alone, which allowed the fall to occur. The event was unwitnessed, and the resident required hospital evaluation for her injuries. The deficiency was attributed to inadequate supervision and a breakdown in staff communication regarding responsibility for the resident's safety.
Resident-to-Resident Physical Abuse Due to Inadequate Supervision
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident was not protected from abuse by another resident. One resident, who had a history of potential physical aggression and required supervision for all activities of daily living, struck his roommate on the forehead with a grabber after the roommate repeatedly touched his personal belongings. The incident resulted in a small, reddened area on the victim's forehead, which resolved within minutes. The aggressor admitted to hitting his roommate because he would not stop touching his grabber, and the event was confirmed by staff and documented in the facility's records. The resident who was struck had moderate cognitive impairment, required substantial assistance with daily activities, and was dependent on a wheelchair. At the time of the incident, he did not display behavioral issues and was taking multiple psychotropic medications. The altercation was not witnessed by staff, but was reported by another resident who heard arguing and shouting. Upon investigation, staff found the aggressor cursing at the victim, who was able to indicate where he had been hit but could not verbally describe the event. Facility records indicated that the aggressor had a known history of behavioral issues, including grumpiness and resistance to care, and had previously experienced roommate conflicts. Despite these known risks, the altercation occurred, resulting in physical contact and a minor injury. The facility's policy defines abuse as the willful infliction of injury, and the incident met this definition based on the deliberate action taken by the aggressor.
Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse and Injuries of Unknown Source
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment, including injuries of unknown source, were reported within the required timeframes to the administrator and appropriate authorities. Specifically, two residents were involved in incidents where reporting did not occur as mandated by facility policy and federal regulations. In one case, an allegation of abuse concerning a male resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple comorbidities was not reported to the administrator until four days after the incident, despite policy requiring immediate notification. In another instance, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) observed bruising on a male resident with moderate cognitive impairment and a history of falls but did not report the injury of unknown source to the administrator until two days later. The CNA assumed the injury had already been reported and did not act immediately, even though the bruising was significant and the resident was unable to communicate discomfort. The wound care nurse and DON both confirmed that the bruising should have been reported immediately, and the wound care nurse was not informed until two days after the initial observation. Interviews with staff indicated that they were aware of the types of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and had received recent training on reporting requirements. However, despite this training, the required immediate reporting did not occur in these two cases. Facility policy clearly outlined the need for prompt reporting of such incidents, but the actions taken did not align with these procedures, resulting in a deficiency.
Failure to Revise Care Plans After Resident Status Changes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that comprehensive care plans were reviewed and revised by the interdisciplinary team after each assessment for two residents. For one resident with Alzheimer's disease and severe cognitive impairment, the care plan was not updated to reflect a history of attempting to give money to other residents and staff. Interviews with the DON, ADON, and MDS Coordinator confirmed that this behavior should have been care planned to inform staff and provide individualized care, but it was overlooked. Another resident with multiple diagnoses, including stroke, dementia, and severe cognitive impairment, had a history of multiple falls. Although the resident required significant assistance with daily activities and had interventions such as a helmet, fall mat, and frequent rounding discussed by staff, these interventions were not documented in the care plan. The DON acknowledged that these fall prevention measures were not entered into the care plan, and the care plan lacked updates regarding the resident's high fall risk and other relevant diagnoses, such as PTSD. Facility policy required that the MDS Coordinator and interdisciplinary team discuss resident condition changes and update care plans accordingly. However, interviews revealed that care plan updates were inconsistently performed, with responsibilities shared among the MDS Coordinator, ADONs, nurses, and the DON. The lack of timely and accurate care plan revisions for both residents was attributed to oversight and failure to follow established procedures.
Medication Storage and Security Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments and under proper temperature controls. On the 200-floor, a treatment/medication cart was observed unlocked by the nurse's station, with its drawers facing outward, making medications easily accessible. LVN A, who was on duty, stated that she was not aware the cart was unlocked and had not been in-serviced on the importance of keeping it locked. Similarly, on the 300-floor, another medication cart was found unlocked and unattended, with LVN D acknowledging that it had been left unsecured while assisting a resident. In addition to the unsecured medication carts, the facility also failed to maintain proper temperature logs for medication storage refrigerators. On the 400-floor, the temperature log for the medication refrigerator was incomplete, with missing entries for specific dates, and a brown sticky substance was found on the bottom shelf, indicating a lack of cleanliness. LVN E and other staff members acknowledged the potential for contamination and the importance of maintaining accurate temperature logs to ensure medication efficacy. The 300 and 200-floor medication storage rooms also had incomplete temperature logs, with missing entries for certain dates. Interviews with the DON and ADON highlighted the responsibility of nurses on both shifts to check and log temperatures, as well as to maintain cleanliness in the medication storage areas. The failure to record temperatures and clean spills could lead to medications becoming ineffective or contaminated, posing a risk to resident health.
Failure to Follow Wound Care Protocol for Pressure Ulcer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care for a resident, identified as Resident #46, who had a stage 3 pressure injury on the left posterior ischium. The physician's orders required the wound to be cleansed with a wound cleanser, patted dry, and then have a barrier cream applied daily. During an observation of wound care, the Wound Care nurse cleansed the wound and applied the barrier cream without patting the area dry, as was ordered. The nurse admitted to missing this step due to nervousness and acknowledged the importance of following the physician's orders to prevent potential complications such as maceration, which could delay healing. Resident #46, a male with a history of cerebral infarction, contractures, and muscle atrophy, was unable to be interviewed. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed the importance of adhering to physician orders and noted that an in-service training on following doctor's orders and infection control was conducted following the incident. The DON also mentioned that the Wound Care nurse was usually observed to perform wound care correctly and that the wound care doctor had not previously noted any issues with the nurse's performance.
Sanitation Deficiencies in Kitchen Operations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain sanitary conditions in the kitchen, as observed during a survey. The juice dispenser guns were found unsanitary, with one gun's nozzle resting in a sticky red substance on a cardboard box and the other touching a cabinet. Both guns had a buildup of red and black substances, indicating they were not cleaned after each use as required. Additionally, there were personal items, such as open soda bottles, in the prep area and refrigerator, which is against facility policy. The kitchen equipment and storage practices were also found lacking. Many coffee cups, juice glasses, and plastic bowls were scratched and stained, yet they were on the clean rack and ready for use. The sugar bin and several spice containers were left open, exposing contents to air, which could lead to contamination. A worn non-stick frying pan was still in use, despite the risk of the surface flaking into food. The facility's cleaning schedule appeared complete, but the actual cleanliness of the kitchen did not reflect this. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to proper sanitation practices. The Food Service Manager (FSM) acknowledged the issues but was unaware of some conditions, such as the underside of the holding table shelf being dirty. Staff expressed concerns about the potential for cross-contamination and the risk of making residents sick, but there was a fear of repercussions for speaking up. The facility's policies on cleaning and personal items were not provided upon request, indicating a possible gap in training and enforcement.
Failure to Maintain Safe Environment Due to Improper Sharps Disposal
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe and sanitary environment for Resident #273, as well as other residents, staff, and the public. During an observation, a surveyor found an empty covered needle syringe on the dresser in Resident #273's room. The resident, who has intact cognition and requires enhanced barrier precautions due to an open wound and wound vacuum, was unaware of the needle's presence and denied receiving any injections. The presence of the needle posed a risk of injury or infection to anyone who might come into contact with it. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to proper disposal procedures for sharps. LVN B, who was on duty at the time, was unaware of the needle's presence and admitted to not being recently in-serviced on sharps disposal. The DON speculated that the needle might have been left by the previous night nurse, LVN C, during wound care activities. The DON acknowledged that the presence of the needle was a safety risk and highlighted deficiencies in staff rounding practices, as well as uncertainty about when the last in-service training on rounding was conducted.
Medication Administration Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skill sets were available to provide nursing and related services, specifically in the administration of medication to a resident. This deficiency was identified during a review of medication administration for a resident who had multiple medical conditions, including orthopedic aftercare following surgical amputation, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. The resident had an order for Alkalol Saline Nasal Solution to be administered daily, but the medication was not available in the medication cart or storage room, and it was not administered as ordered. The medication administration records (MAR) indicated that the nasal spray was documented as administered on several occasions by different nurses, but observations and interviews revealed that the medication was not actually given. The WCN, who was the charge nurse on the day of observation, confirmed that the nasal spray was not in the medication cart and was advised by the nurse practitioner to obtain it from the pharmacy. However, the pharmacy indicated that the nasal spray was an over-the-counter medication and should be obtained by central supply. Interviews with the resident's family member and the resident himself confirmed that the nasal spray had not been administered since the resident's admission to the facility. The facility's Medication Administration Policy and Procedure outlined the proper steps for medication administration and documentation, including the requirement for nurses to document medications as they are given and to notify appropriate personnel if a medication is not available. Despite these guidelines, the nurses involved documented the administration of the nasal spray without actually administering it, leading to false documentation. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the issue and indicated that the nurses involved would be disciplined and retrained on medication administration and documentation.
Deficiency in Resident Room Size
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the required 80 square feet per resident in 46 multiple resident rooms out of a total of 90 resident rooms. The rooms in question measured between 120 and 132.3 square feet, which is insufficient for accommodating two residents per room as required. This deficiency was identified through observation and record review, specifically referencing the facility's Bed Classification Form 3740 dated 06/18/24. An existing room size waiver from a recertification survey exit dated 01/14/22 was noted during offsite facility reviews, but the current room sizes still did not meet the necessary standards for resident space.
Failure to Provide Proper Notice and Documentation for Resident Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the notice of transfer or discharge was made at least 30 days before the resident was transferred or discharged. Specifically, Resident #1, who had severe cognitive impairment and was at risk for elopement, was transferred without a written 30-day notice. The facility did not document the discharge appropriately and failed to contact the Ombudsman in a timely manner. The resident's progress notes indicated that the transfer occurred on 3/18/2024, but the Ombudsman was only informed on 3/19/2024. Additionally, the reasons for the transfer were not recorded in the resident's medical record as required by the facility's policy. Interviews with the Social Worker and Nurse Practitioner revealed that the transfer was deemed necessary due to the resident's high risk of elopement and the facility's inability to provide 30 days of one-to-one care. The Social Worker informed the resident's family member about the transfer, who initially disagreed but later accepted after being told they had five days to find an alternative placement. The Administrator justified the immediate transfer by citing the resident's urgent medical needs and the risk posed to other residents. However, the facility's Transfer and Discharge policy requires documentation of the necessity for the transfer and notification to the resident, their representative, and the Ombudsman as soon as practicable, which was not adequately 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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