Windsor Nursing And Rehabilitation Center Of Raymo
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Raymondville, Texas.
- Location
- 1700 S Expressway 77, Raymondville, Texas 78580
- CMS Provider Number
- 675475
- Inspections on file
- 31
- Latest survey
- February 26, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 14
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Windsor Nursing And Rehabilitation Center Of Raymo during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with dementia, urinary incontinence, and an indwelling/foley catheter was placed under enhanced barrier precautions (EBP), as evidenced by door signage and availability of gowns and gloves, but the quarterly care plan did not include EBP despite the catheter-related need. Record review showed no physician order for EBP, and interviews with an RN and the DON confirmed that facility protocol required both an order and care plan entry for EBP, which were absent. This omission occurred even though the resident’s MDS documented the indwelling catheter and the facility’s comprehensive care plan policy required services to be described to meet identified medical and nursing needs.
A resident with dementia, urinary incontinence, and an indwelling/foley catheter was placed under Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP), as evidenced by EBP signage and PPE outside the room, but the clinical record lacked both an EBP order and documentation in the care plan. An RN/MDS nurse confirmed that facility protocol required an order when a resident was under EBP and that no such order was present in the EMR. The DON also stated that an order was required so staff would know what precautions to take and acknowledged there was no facility policy related to physician orders, resulting in an incomplete and inaccurate clinical record for the resident.
A resident with dementia, bladder-neck obstruction, urinary incontinence, and an indwelling Foley catheter was on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) with signage and PPE available at the room entrance. A CNA performed peri-care, a high-contact activity identified in the facility’s EBP policy as requiring gown and gloves, but only wore gloves and did not don a gown, later stating she was in a hurry and forgot. Observation confirmed the absence of a used gown in the room’s PPE disposal area, and both an RN and the DON verified that EBP, including gown and glove use, was required for this resident during peri-care under the facility’s infection control policy.
The facility did not promptly report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft, nor did it communicate the results of its investigation to the proper authorities as required.
A LTC facility failed to maintain an effective Infection Prevention and Control Program, leading to several deficiencies. Issues included the absence of Enhanced Barrier Precaution (EBP) signs and PPE for a resident with a multidrug-resistant organism infection, improper hand hygiene during medical procedures, and failure to implement EBP for a resident with a gastrostomy tube. Staff interviews revealed confusion and lack of awareness regarding infection control responsibilities, posing a risk of cross-contamination and infection spread.
The facility failed to maintain resident dignity during mealtime as a CNA was observed standing while feeding two residents who required assistance. Both residents, diagnosed with conditions like Alzheimer's and Dementia, were observed looking up at the CNA, indicating a lack of respect and dignity. Interviews confirmed that standing while feeding is against facility policy, which requires staff to be seated to enhance resident quality of life.
The facility failed to ensure safe hot water temperatures in a resident's bathroom, with temperatures recorded at 114 degrees Fahrenheit, exceeding the recommended range of 100-110 degrees. Two residents, both severely cognitively impaired, were affected. The Maintenance Director acknowledged the issue, noting daily checks and adjustments to the water heater. No injuries or grievances were reported in the facility's logs.
A facility failed to develop a baseline care plan within 48 hours for a newly admitted resident with multiple health conditions, including ESBL-related urinary tract infection and cognitive impairment. The oversight occurred due to the admission over a holiday weekend, and the baseline care plan did not address necessary enhanced barrier precautions. Interviews with the ADON and DON highlighted the importance of the care plan for guiding resident care, but it was not completed as required by facility policy.
A facility failed to properly store medications, allowing unauthorized access to a medicated cream found in a resident's room. The resident, with specific orders for other treatments, did not have an order for the zinc oxide cream discovered. Staff interviews revealed confusion over who left the cream, and the facility's policy mandates that only nurses administer medications. This incident highlights a breach in medication management protocols.
The facility failed to ensure all food items in the kitchen were labeled and dated, as observed during a survey. Unlabeled and undated items were found in the refrigerators and dry storage, despite staff training and established policies. The Dietary Manager and staff acknowledged their responsibility for labeling and dating food items, but the practice was not consistently followed.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and a history of falls sustained a head injury from an unwitnessed fall, which was not reported to the State Survey Agency within the required timeframe. The facility's staff were either unaware or did not recall the incident, and the care plan lacked documentation of the fall or preventive measures. The facility's policy mandates immediate reporting of such incidents, which was not followed.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment was transferred to a hospital after a fall, but the facility failed to provide a written notice of the bed-hold policy to the resident's representative. The Business Office Manager only obtained verbal consent, contrary to the facility's policy requiring a signed notice. Despite the availability of rooms, the facility did not adhere to its policy of providing written notice within 24 hours of an emergency transfer.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment experienced an unwitnessed fall resulting in a significant laceration requiring stitches. The LTC facility failed to report the incident to the State Survey Agency within the required 24-hour timeframe, potentially increasing risk for all residents. Interviews revealed that the DON and Administrator were responsible for reporting, but the report was delayed.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and high fall risk sustained a head injury requiring sutures after a fall. The LTC facility failed to report the incident to the State Survey Agency within the required 2-hour timeframe for serious injuries. Staff discovered the resident on the floor with a head laceration, and emergency services were activated. The facility delayed reporting until hospital confirmation of the injury's severity, contrary to immediate reporting regulations.
A resident with a new colostomy was admitted to a facility without physician orders for colostomy care, treatment, or monitoring. Despite a care plan indicating the need for colostomy management, no orders were documented. Nursing staff were unclear about the responsibility for obtaining and documenting these orders, leading to the oversight. The DON confirmed the absence of orders but stated that the resident was receiving care from experienced staff. The facility lacked a specific policy for inputting physician orders for colostomy care.
A resident with a surgical incision was not properly documented in their skin assessments, despite facility policy requiring comprehensive documentation of all skin-related issues. The LVN responsible for the assessments admitted to the oversight, which was confirmed by the DON. This failure to document could impact the resident's care and treatment.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and a stage 4 pressure ulcer had incomplete documentation in her Treatment Administration Records for wound care. Nursing staff admitted to performing the care but failing to document it, contrary to facility policy. The Director of Nursing confirmed the lapses and noted that the facility had not been reviewing charts for missed documentation at the time.
Failure to Care Plan and Obtain Order for Enhanced Barrier Precautions for Catheterized Resident
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a failure to develop and implement a comprehensive, person-centered care plan that included measurable objectives and timeframes for a resident requiring enhanced barrier precautions (EBP). The resident was an older male with dementia, bladder-neck obstruction, urinary incontinence, and a cognitive communication deficit, admitted with an indwelling/foley catheter. His quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 09, indicating moderately impaired cognition, and documented the presence of the indwelling catheter. However, review of his quarterly care plan dated 12/26/25 showed that the need for EBP related to his indwelling/foley catheter was not included, despite facility policy requiring comprehensive care plans to address identified medical, nursing, and psychosocial needs. During observation, the resident’s room displayed EBP signage, and gowns and gloves were available outside the room with a trash can inside near the exit, and the resident was seen in bed with an indwelling/foley catheter and a privacy cover on the drainage bag. In interviews, the MDS RN confirmed that the resident’s catheter required EBP and acknowledged that EBP was neither care planned nor supported by a physician’s order in the electronic medical record. The DON stated that facility protocol required an order for EBP and that EBP must be included in the care plan so staff would know what precautions to take during high-contact care. The DON also reported that the facility did not have a policy related to physician’s orders, and the existing Comprehensive Care Plans policy required services to be described to meet the resident’s highest practicable well-being, which was not done in this case for EBP.
Failure to Maintain Complete Clinical Record and EBP Order for Catheterized Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain complete and accurate clinical records in accordance with accepted professional standards and practices for one resident who required Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP). The resident was an older male with dementia, bladder-neck obstruction, urinary incontinence, and a cognitive communication deficit, and he had an indwelling/foley catheter. His quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 9, indicating moderately impaired cognition. Review of his quarterly care plan dated 12/26/25 did not include that he required EBP due to his indwelling/foley catheter, and review of his electronic medical record revealed there was no provider order for EBP, despite facility protocol requiring such an order when a resident is under EBP. During observation, the resident’s room displayed EBP signage on the door, with gloves and gowns available outside the room and a trash can inside near the exit, and the resident was in bed with an indwelling/foley catheter and a privacy cover on the drainage bag. In interviews, the RN/MDS nurse confirmed that the resident had an indwelling/foley catheter that required him to be under EBP and acknowledged that an order was required but not present in the record. The DON stated that the facility’s protocol required an order for EBP so staff would know what precautions to take during high-contact care and confirmed there was no facility policy related to physician’s orders. This lack of an EBP order and omission from the care plan constituted incomplete and inaccurate clinical documentation for the resident.
Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During Peri-Care
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to implement its infection prevention and control program, specifically its Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) policy, for a resident requiring EBP during high-contact care. The resident was an older male with dementia, bladder-neck obstruction, urinary incontinence, and an indwelling Foley catheter, and his care plan included catheter-related interventions. EBP signage, gowns, and gloves were present outside his room, and a trash can for discarding PPE was positioned inside the room near the exit. On observation, a CNA exited the resident’s room carrying a clear plastic bag containing a soiled brief and gloves, while the trash can inside the room was empty and there was no used gown in either the bag or the trash can, indicating that a gown had not been used. In an interview immediately following the observation, the CNA stated she had transferred the resident from the living room to his room and performed peri-care, and admitted she did not don a gown, wearing only gloves because she was in a hurry and forgot to gown up. She acknowledged that not gowning could result in cross-contamination and reported she had been regularly in-serviced on infection control, including EBP. The RN covering the floor and the DON both confirmed that the resident was under EBP due to having an indwelling/foley catheter and that EBP guidelines, including use of gown and gloves, should be followed during high-contact activities such as peri-care. The facility’s EBP policy defined EBP as targeted gown and glove use during high-contact resident care activities and listed changing briefs or assisting with toileting as such activities, establishing that the CNA’s failure to wear a gown during peri-care was not in accordance with facility policy.
Failure to Timely Report Suspected Abuse, Neglect, or Theft
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and did not report the results of the investigation to the proper authorities. This deficiency was identified based on the facility's lack of prompt action in notifying the appropriate agencies when an incident of suspected abuse, neglect, or theft occurred. The report indicates that the required notifications and investigation results were not communicated as mandated.
Infection Control Deficiencies in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective Infection Prevention and Control Program, resulting in several deficiencies related to infection control practices. One significant issue was the failure to post Enhanced Barrier Precaution (EBP) signs and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) gowns in or near the room of a resident with a multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection. Interviews with staff revealed confusion and lack of awareness regarding responsibilities for posting EBP signs, with the admitting nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), and floor nurses all cited as responsible. The absence of EBP signage and PPE could lead to the spread of infection among residents and staff. Another deficiency involved improper hand hygiene practices during medical procedures. For instance, a registered nurse (RN) failed to sanitize hands after touching a privacy curtain and before donning gloves, subsequently contaminating a resident's gastrostomy tube during medication administration. Similarly, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) did not wash hands or use hand sanitizer between glove changes during wound care for another resident. These lapses in hand hygiene were acknowledged by the staff involved, who cited nervousness and oversight as reasons for their actions. The lack of adherence to proper hand hygiene protocols poses a risk of cross-contamination and infection spread. Additionally, the facility did not implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions for a resident with a gastrostomy tube, as required by the facility's policy. The absence of EBP signage and PPE use was observed, and staff interviews indicated a lack of understanding of when and how to apply these precautions. The Director of Nursing (DON) and ADON acknowledged the importance of EBP in preventing infections but did not ensure consistent implementation. These deficiencies highlight significant gaps in the facility's infection control practices, potentially compromising resident safety.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Mealtime
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to treat residents with respect and dignity during mealtime, as observed with two residents who required assistance with eating. CNA D was observed standing while feeding both residents during lunch, which is against the facility's policy that requires staff to be seated to maintain resident dignity. Resident #5, diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease, required assistance with eating due to an ADL self-care performance deficit. Similarly, Resident #12, diagnosed with Dementia and Cerebral Infarction, also required assistance with eating. Both residents were observed looking up at CNA D while being fed, indicating a lack of dignity and respect in the feeding process. Interviews with CNA D, the ADON, and the DON confirmed that standing while feeding residents is not respectful and violates the residents' dignity. CNA D admitted to standing due to back pain, despite being aware of the requirement to sit while feeding residents. The facility's policy, implemented on 1/13/23, emphasizes treating each resident with respect and dignity, and requires staff to be seated while feeding residents to maintain or enhance their quality of life. The failure to adhere to this policy was identified as a deficiency in the care provided to the residents.
Failure to Maintain Safe Hot Water Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe and comfortable environment by not ensuring that the hot water temperatures in the bathroom sinks of two residents' rooms were below 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Specifically, the hot water temperature in the bathroom sink of a room occupied by two residents was recorded at 114 degrees Fahrenheit. This was observed during a survey conducted with the Maintenance Director, who acknowledged that the water temperature should be between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The Maintenance Director stated that he conducts daily rounds, checking at least one room in each hall, and had adjusted the water heater temperature earlier that day. The residents involved were both severely cognitively impaired, with one having a BIMS score of 05 and the other a score of 00. Their medical conditions included dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic health issues. The facility's logbook showed a recorded temperature of 119 degrees Fahrenheit for the same room earlier, with previous temperatures ranging from 106 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite these findings, there were no recorded injuries or grievances related to hot water temperatures in the facility's logs for the preceding months.
Failure to Develop Timely Baseline Care Plan for New Admission
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a baseline care plan within 48 hours of admission for a resident, which is required to provide effective and person-centered care. Specifically, the facility did not complete a baseline care plan addressing enhanced barrier precautions for a resident diagnosed with multiple conditions, including a urinary tract infection caused by ESBL, metabolic encephalopathy, type 2 diabetes mellitus, transient cerebral ischemic attack, chronic kidney disease stage 4, and cystitis. The resident, who had moderately cognitive impairment, was admitted over a holiday weekend, which contributed to the oversight. Interviews with the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed that the baseline care plan was not completed due to the admission occurring over a weekend. The ADON acknowledged the importance of the care plan as a guide for nurses to provide adequate care, while the DON admitted that the quick assessment during the baseline care plan process did not include consideration of the resident's ESBL and E. coli information. The facility's policy mandates the development of a baseline care plan within 48 hours of admission, but this was not adhered to in this case.
Improper Medication Storage and Access in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store all drugs and biologicals in a locked compartment under proper temperature controls and allowed unauthorized personnel access to medication keys, specifically affecting one resident. During an observation, a surveyor found an unidentified medicated cream in a small plastic cup on the nightstand of a resident who was cognitively intact but had some forgetfulness. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including acute kidney failure, hypertension, and skin cancer, and had specific physician orders for Betadine and Venelex for wound care, but not for zinc oxide. Interviews with the facility staff, including LVNs and the ADON, revealed that the zinc oxide cream found in the resident's room was not ordered for the resident and was not supposed to be left in the room. The wound treatment nurse and other staff members denied leaving the cream in the room, and the ADON suggested it might have been left by a weekend treatment nurse. The ADON and DON confirmed that the zinc oxide was not frequently used and was only kept in the treatment cart, with access limited to nurses. However, the zinc oxide was found in the resident's room without proper authorization or documentation. The facility's Medication Administration policy requires medications to be administered by licensed nurses or authorized staff, and any unauthorized medications found at the bedside should be reported and returned. Despite these policies, the zinc oxide cream was left in the resident's room, and the staff could not determine who was responsible. The DON emphasized that only nurses should apply zinc oxide, as it is a medication, and there should be a physician's order for its use. The incident highlights a lapse in medication management and storage protocols within the facility.
Failure to Label and Date Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food storage, preparation, distribution, and service, as observed during a survey of the kitchen. Specifically, the facility did not ensure that all food items in the refrigerators and dry storage were labeled and dated. During an initial tour of the facility's refrigerators, an opened gallon container of Dijon honey mustard salad dressing was found with two different dates on the lid, and a container of Sriracha hot chili sauce was found without a date. Additionally, six loaves of bread in the dry storage were not dated. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and staff revealed that all staff were responsible for receiving, labeling, and dating food items, and they had been trained to do so. However, the practice was not consistently followed, as evidenced by the unlabeled and undated food items found during the survey. The Consultant Dietician confirmed that monthly in-services and sanitation reviews were conducted, covering areas such as hand hygiene, safe food handling, and temperature control. Despite these measures, the staff did not consistently label and date food items, which is crucial to prevent food expiration, spoilage, or contamination. The facility's policy on food storage, revised in June 2019, mandates the use of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) rotation method and requires all refrigerated foods to be dated, labeled, and tightly sealed. The Administrator acknowledged that the Dietary Manager oversees the kitchen staff and that staff should be following the established policies.
Failure to Timely Report Resident Fall with Injury
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an incident involving a resident's unwitnessed fall with injury to the State Survey Agency within the required timeframe. The incident occurred on January 4, 2024, at 7:30 a.m., when the resident sustained a 4 cm laceration to the back of her head that would not stop bleeding, necessitating a transfer to the hospital. Despite the severity of the injury, the facility did not notify the State Survey Agency within the mandated two-hour window for incidents involving serious bodily injury. The resident involved was an elderly female with a complex medical history, including Alzheimer's Disease, type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, Bipolar Disorder, primary osteoarthritis, and a history of cerebral infarction. Her cognitive function was severely impaired, as indicated by a BIMS score of 01. The resident was known to be a frequent faller and had a high fall risk assessment score. Despite these known risks, the facility's care plan did not address the fall incident, and there was no documentation of interventions to prevent future falls. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of awareness and communication regarding the incident. Several staff members, including CNAs, nurses, and the ADON, were either unaware of the fall or did not recall the details. The ADON and Administrator acknowledged the failure to report the incident within the required timeframe, recognizing that such oversights could harm residents. The facility's policy on abuse, neglect, and exploitation mandates immediate reporting of serious incidents, which was not adhered to in this case.
Failure to Provide Written Bed-Hold Notice
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a resident and their representative with a written notice specifying the duration of the bed-hold policy at the time of the resident's transfer to a hospital. This deficiency was identified for a resident who was transferred to the hospital following a fall. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, was found on the floor with injuries and was subsequently transferred to the emergency room. The facility's Bed Hold Agreement did not include necessary information such as the duration of the bed hold or the daily rate beyond the allowable days covered by the state plan. Additionally, the agreement lacked the signature of the resident's responsible party, as only verbal authorization was obtained over the phone. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Business Office Manager (BOM) was responsible for initiating the bed hold agreement and had been obtaining only verbal consent from residents' representatives, unaware of the requirement for a written signature. The Director of Nursing (DON) and the BOM both indicated that there were no negative outcomes from the lack of a signed bed hold agreement due to the availability of rooms. However, the facility's policy required that written notice of the bed-hold policy be provided within 24 hours of an emergency transfer, and a signed copy of the notice be kept in the resident's file, which was not adhered to in this case.
Failure to Timely Report Resident Fall with Injury
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an unwitnessed fall involving a resident, who sustained a 6 cm laceration to the left side of her eyebrow requiring 12 stitches, to the State Survey Agency within the required 24-hour timeframe. The incident occurred on May 10, 2024, at 5:34 p.m., but the report was not emailed until May 13, 2024. This delay in reporting could potentially place all residents at increased risk due to unreported allegations of abuse and neglect. The resident involved was an elderly female with a history of dementia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, repeated falls, and unsteadiness on her feet. Her BIMS score indicated severe cognitive impairment, which would have made it difficult for her to explain the circumstances of her fall. The resident was found on the floor with a laceration on her forehead and a skin tear on her cheek, but no loss of consciousness was noted. She was wearing non-slip socks at the time of the fall and was sent to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator were responsible for reporting such incidents. The DON stated that she was notified of all falls and incidents, and the Administrator would decide whether they were reportable. However, in this case, the report was not filed within the required timeframe, indicating a lapse in the facility's adherence to its own policy on reporting alleged violations.
Failure to Timely Report Resident Injury
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an alleged violation involving neglect within the required timeframe to the State Survey Agency. A resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and was at high risk for falls, experienced a fall resulting in a serious bodily injury, specifically a laceration to the head requiring 22 sutures/staples. The incident occurred at approximately 5 AM, but the facility did not report it to the State Survey Agency within the mandated 2-hour window for incidents involving serious bodily injury. The resident's medical history included Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, osteoporosis, hypertension, insomnia, and vitamin deficiency. The resident required supervision for various activities and had a care plan in place due to her high risk for falls. Despite these precautions, the resident was found on the floor with a head injury, and the facility's staff did not immediately report the incident as required by regulations. Interviews with staff revealed that the resident was found by a CNA sitting on the floor with blood on her head. The LVN on duty assessed the resident and activated emergency services. The facility's administrator, who was responsible for reporting such incidents, delayed reporting to the state until after receiving confirmation from the hospital about the severity of the injury, which was not in compliance with the immediate reporting requirements for serious injuries.
Lack of Physician Orders for Colostomy Care at Admission
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to have physician orders for the immediate care of a resident with a colostomy at the time of admission. This deficiency was identified for one of the four residents reviewed for physician admission orders. The resident, a male with a history of surgical aftercare following digestive system surgery and a new colostomy, was admitted without specific physician orders for colostomy care, treatment, or monitoring. Despite the presence of a care plan indicating the need for colostomy management, no orders were documented in the resident's chart from the time of admission until the deficiency was identified. The resident's hospital discharge documents did not include specific instructions for colostomy care, and the initial nursing evaluation noted the presence of a colostomy. However, the facility's records showed no physician orders for colostomy care from the date of admission. Interviews with nursing staff revealed a lack of clarity and communication regarding the responsibility for obtaining and documenting these orders. The admitting nurse, LVN A, acknowledged the oversight and indicated that the task of inputting orders was divided among staff, leading to the omission. The Director of Nursing (DON), who was newly hired, confirmed the absence of colostomy care orders and attributed it to an oversight. Despite the lack of documented orders, the DON stated that the resident was receiving colostomy care, including bag changes and monitoring, by experienced nursing staff. However, the absence of formal orders could potentially impact the resident's care. The facility did not have a specific policy for inputting physician orders for colostomy care, which contributed to the deficiency.
Incomplete Documentation of Surgical Incision
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain clinical records in accordance with accepted professional standards and practices, specifically for a resident who had undergone surgery. The resident, a male with a history of surgical aftercare following digestive system surgery, was admitted with an abdominal incision. Despite the presence of a surgical incision, the facility's staff did not document this in the resident's skin assessment records. This omission was identified during a review of the resident's medical records and confirmed through interviews with the staff involved. The resident's care plan indicated the need for monitoring and documenting the surgical incision, yet the weekly skin evaluations completed by an LVN did not include this critical information. The LVN acknowledged the oversight, admitting that she had noted the incision in her personal journal but failed to include it in the official skin assessment documentation. The LVN recognized the importance of accurate documentation for monitoring potential changes, such as signs of infection, but did not adhere to the facility's policy requiring comprehensive documentation of all skin-related issues. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed the absence of documentation regarding the surgical incision and emphasized the importance of accurate skin assessments for tracking wound progress. The DON was not aware of the LVN's training history at the facility but noted that the LVN had received in-service training. The facility's policy mandates that documentation be accurate, relevant, and complete, yet this standard was not met in this instance, potentially impacting the resident's care and treatment.
Incomplete Documentation of Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain clinical records in accordance with accepted professional standards and practices, specifically for one resident who was reviewed for medical records accuracy. The resident, a female with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses including a stage 4 pressure ulcer, had incomplete documentation in her Treatment Administration Records (TAR) for April and May 2024. The records showed unsigned sections for physician-ordered wound care on specific dates, indicating a lack of documentation for the care provided. Interviews with the nursing staff responsible for the resident's care revealed that they had completed the wound care but failed to document it in the TAR. Both LVN A and RN B admitted to not signing off on the TAR despite having performed the wound care, citing reasons such as forgetting to document or getting carried away. They acknowledged that the facility's policy required documentation of treatment provided, and their failure to do so was against the policy. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed the lapses in documentation and stated that the facility had not been reviewing resident charts for missed documentation during the period in question. The facility's policy on documentation required that it be completed at the time of service or no later than the shift in which the care occurred. Despite having received training on documentation, the staff did not adhere to this policy, resulting in incomplete records for the resident's wound care. The DON noted that the facility had started using an online medical records system to flag incomplete documentation, but this was not in place during the time of the deficiency.
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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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