Rocky Mountain Care - The Lodge
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Heber City, Utah.
- Location
- 544 East 1200 South, Heber City, Utah 84032
- CMS Provider Number
- 465147
- Inspections on file
- 18
- Latest survey
- March 13, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Rocky Mountain Care - The Lodge during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with a recent surgical ankle repair did not receive wound care as ordered on two occasions, with documentation showing the resident was unavailable or could not be located. Required follow-up actions, such as passing the order to the next shift and notifying the physician, were not completed according to facility policy.
A resident with diabetes and hypertension did not receive multiple scheduled doses of antibiotics, antihypertensives, and insulin as ordered, with missed doses marked as unavailable or the resident being unavailable. Required follow-up actions, such as physician notification and obtaining alternative orders, were not completed according to facility policy.
Two residents with cognitive impairments eloped from the facility due to inadequate supervision and ineffective alarm systems. One resident, with a history of cerebral infarction and Wernicke's encephalopathy, was struck by a car after eloping, while another resident with severe cognitive impairment was found by emergency services after leaving the facility. Staff interviews revealed that alarms were not audible throughout the building, contributing to the residents' ability to elope unnoticed.
The facility failed to provide mandatory training on dementia management and abuse prevention for several CNAs and an LPN. Despite policy requirements, there was no documentation of training completion, and staff were assigned shifts without it. The CNA Coordinator was unaware of her responsibility for staff education due to a lack of communication following a staffing change.
A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and incontinence was found lying in bowel movement and urine, leading to a grievance filed by a family member. The facility failed to document steps taken to investigate the grievance or confirm the concern. The grievance was not fully investigated, and it was unclear if the resident received incontinence care, as revealed in interviews with facility staff.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and behavioral issues was involved in two incidents of physical abuse against other residents. In the first incident, the resident pulled another resident's arm, causing them to fall and sustain injuries. In the second incident, the resident slapped another resident twice after an argument. Both incidents highlight the facility's failure to adequately supervise and manage residents with known behavioral issues.
The facility failed to protect the personal health information (PHI) of two residents by displaying it on whiteboards in their rooms, visible to others. Staff, including a CNA Coordinator and the DON, confirmed this was a HIPAA violation. The residents' care plans did not indicate approval for such displays, and both residents had cognitive impairments.
The facility did not perform a criminal background check for a CNA before employment, violating its policy on abuse prevention. The policy requires screening for abuse history through background checks. The CNA was hired without this check, as confirmed by the Executive Director and DON, who stated the corporate office was responsible but did not complete it.
Missed Wound Care Orders and Lack of Follow-Up
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident who was admitted following surgical repair of a fractured ankle did not receive wound care as ordered by the physician. The resident had wound care orders specifying treatment to the right ankle and later to the right foot, with instructions on frequency and method. On two separate occasions, the wound care was not completed as scheduled. Documentation in the Medication Administration Record (MAR) indicated that on one occasion, the resident was marked as unavailable, and on another, the nurse noted being unable to locate the resident while they were not busy. The facility's Wound Treatment Management Policy requires that wound treatments be provided according to physician orders, including frequency and method, and that if a resident is unavailable, the order should be passed to the next shift and the physician notified. However, follow-up actions for the missed wound care orders were not carried out in accordance with this policy, as there was no evidence that the orders were passed on or that the physician was notified after the missed treatments.
Failure to Prevent Significant Medication Errors Due to Missed Doses
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident was free from significant medication errors, as evidenced by multiple missed doses of prescribed medications. The resident, who had diagnoses including type 1 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, was scheduled to receive several critical medications such as antihypertensives (Amlodipine and Losartan-Hydrochlorothiazide), an antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin), and insulins (Lispro and Lantus). Review of the Medication Administration Records (MAR) for October and November 2024 revealed that several doses of these medications were not administered as ordered. Specifically, the resident missed 4 of 13 doses of Ciprofloxacin, 3 of 30 doses of Amlodipine, 5 of 30 doses of once-daily Lispro, 4 of 30 doses of pre-meal and bedtime Lispro, 5 of 30 doses of Lantus, and 2 of 30 doses of Losartan-Hydrochlorothiazide. The missed doses were documented as due to medication unavailability or the resident being unavailable, but there was no evidence that staff followed the facility's policy requiring physician notification and obtaining alternative treatment orders when medications were not administered. Further, administrative staff were unable to provide an explanation for why these medications were repeatedly marked as unavailable, and acknowledged that such documentation should not occur without appropriate follow-up actions.
Inadequate Supervision and Alarm System Failures Lead to Resident Elopements
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate supervision to prevent accidents related to elopement for two residents. Resident #59, who had a history of cerebral infarction, aphasia, dysphagia, and Wernicke's encephalopathy, was admitted to the facility and was identified as an elopement risk. Despite having a departure alert system in place, Resident #59 managed to elope from the facility multiple times. On one occasion, the resident pushed through the front door, exited the building, and was struck by a car while pushing a wheelchair. The facility's alarms were reportedly not audible throughout the building, and staff were not always aware of the resident's whereabouts, leading to the resident's elopement and subsequent accident. Resident #38, who had severe cognitive impairment and a history of wandering, also eloped from the facility. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including metabolic encephalopathy and generalized anxiety disorder. Despite being equipped with a wander/elopement alarm, Resident #38 managed to leave the facility unnoticed. The resident was later found by emergency services with minor injuries. The facility's alarm system was again noted to be ineffective, as staff did not hear the alarms, and the resident was able to exit the building without detection. Interviews with staff revealed inconsistencies in the effectiveness of the alarm systems and the staff's ability to hear them. Some staff members reported that the alarms were faint and could not be heard from certain areas of the facility. Additionally, there were reports of inadequate training and communication regarding elopement risks and the use of the alarm systems. These deficiencies in supervision and alarm system effectiveness contributed to the residents' ability to elope and the subsequent accidents.
Failure to Provide Mandatory Training for Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide mandatory training related to dementia management and resident abuse prevention for four out of six sampled employees, including CNAs and an LPN. The facility's policy required that training be completed before staff independently provided services to residents, annually, and as necessary based on the facility assessment. However, a review of personnel files revealed no documentation of such training for the employees in question. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Executive Director (ED) confirmed that the orientation checklists were not completed for these staff members, and they were assigned to work shifts without the required training. The deficiency was further compounded by a lack of clarity regarding responsibility for ensuring staff education. The CNA Coordinator, who was supposed to ensure the training was provided, stated that she was not informed of her new responsibilities after the departure of a human resources staff member previously responsible for new employee education. Additionally, the CNA Coordinator did not have access to employee education records, leaving her unaware of whether the training had been completed. This lack of communication and oversight resulted in the failure to provide essential training to staff members before they worked independently.
Facility Fails to Investigate Grievance of Resident Found in Soiled Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adequately address a grievance filed by a family member of a resident who was found lying in bowel movement and urine. The grievance was filed on the morning of October 16, 2023, but the facility was unable to provide documentation of the steps taken to investigate the concern or information regarding whether the facility was able to confirm the concern. The facility's policy requires the Grievance Official to oversee the grievance process, including receiving and tracking grievances, leading investigations, and issuing written grievance decisions. The resident involved was admitted to the facility on September 7, 2023, with diagnoses including type two diabetes mellitus, unspecified dementia, muscle weakness, unspecified lack of coordination, and a need for assistance with personal care. The resident had a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 9, indicating moderate cognitive impairment, and was dependent on staff for toileting hygiene, being always incontinent of urine and bowel movement. The resident's care plan directed staff to keep the call light in reach, assist with toileting, and provide incontinence care after each episode of incontinence. The facility's Concern Log noted the grievance was filed by the Social Services Director (SSD) and marked as resolved. However, the Concern Form did not reflect any steps taken to investigate the concern or indicate if the concern was confirmed. Interviews with the Executive Director (ED), SSD, and Director of Nursing (DON) revealed that the grievance was not fully investigated, and it was unclear if the resident had been provided incontinence care. The ED acknowledged that the grievance should have been better investigated, and the DON stated that the nursing department should have been made aware to investigate the concern.
Failure to Prevent Resident-to-Resident Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect residents from physical abuse by another resident, specifically involving Resident #228, who had a history of severe cognitive impairment and behavioral issues. Resident #228 was involved in two separate incidents of physical abuse against other residents. The first incident involved Resident #48, who also had severe cognitive impairment and behavioral issues. During this incident, Resident #228 pulled Resident #48's arm, causing them to fall out of their wheelchair and sustain skin tears. The incident was witnessed by a former employee, RA/Receptionist #30, who attempted to intervene but was also involved in the altercation. In the second incident, Resident #228 was involved in a physical altercation with Resident #42, who had moderate cognitive impairment. Resident #228 slapped Resident #42 in the face twice after an argument ensued when Resident #42 denied Resident #228's request to enter their room. This incident was witnessed by ADON #2 and the CNA Coordinator, who intervened and separated the residents. Both incidents highlight the facility's failure to adequately supervise and manage residents with known behavioral issues, leading to physical abuse. The facility's policy on abuse prevention, investigation, and reporting was not effectively implemented, as evidenced by the repeated incidents involving Resident #228. Despite having care plans in place for residents with behavioral issues, the facility did not prevent these altercations, indicating a lack of adequate supervision and intervention strategies. The facility's inability to retrieve video footage of the incidents further complicates the investigation and highlights deficiencies in monitoring and documentation processes.
Failure to Protect Resident PHI
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect the personal health information (PHI) of residents, specifically Resident #46 and Resident #55, as observed during a survey. For Resident #46, a whiteboard in the resident's room displayed PHI, including instructions for care and hospice information, which was visible from the hallway due to the open door. This was confirmed by multiple staff members, including a CNA Coordinator, an RN, and the Director of Nursing (DON), who acknowledged that the display of such information was a violation of HIPAA regulations. The resident's care plan did not indicate approval for the display of PHI in the room. Similarly, for Resident #55, a whiteboard in the resident's room contained PHI, including hospice staff names, which could be seen by visitors entering the room. The CNA Coordinator and Hospice CNA confirmed that PHI should not be visible, and the DON stated that if a resident wanted their information posted, it should be documented in their care plan. The Executive Director also expected no PHI to be visible unless desired by the resident or family. Both residents had cognitive impairments, and there was no indication that they or their representatives had approved the display of their PHI.
Failure to Conduct Criminal Background Check for CNA
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to conduct a criminal background check for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) prior to employment, which is a violation of their policy on abuse prevention, investigating, and reporting. The policy, last revised in July 2019, mandates that all potential employees and direct care volunteers undergo a criminal background check to screen for any history of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. The facility's employee list indicated that the CNA was hired in December 2023, but a review of the personnel records showed no evidence of a criminal background check being performed. Interviews with the Executive Director and the Director of Nursing revealed that the corporate office was responsible for completing these checks, but they failed to do so for this particular CNA.
Latest citations in Utah
A resident with Parkinson’s Disease was being transferred from bed to a chair using a mechanical (Hoyer) lift operated by two CNAs when a sling strap snapped, causing the resident to fall and strike the back of the head. The resident sustained an abrasion, a 1 cm scalp laceration with bleeding, and severe back pain rated 9/10, and was sent to the hospital for evaluation. Manufacturer instructions required staff to inspect slings and straps for wear before each use, but there was no evidence the specific sling used in this transfer had been inspected for integrity, and the Administrator acknowledged that the strap breakage led to the resident’s fall and injury.
The facility failed to timely report alleged abuse to SSA and APS after staff twice observed a resident with dementia and acute systolic CHF receiving zealous, open-mouthed kisses on the mouth from her brother. On two separate occasions, a CNA and an LPN witnessed or were informed of these unusual kissing interactions, which they later described as awkward and not typical of a sibling relationship. Despite this, the nursing staff did not immediately report the incidents as potential abuse to the Administrator, and the allegation was not brought forward until a staff meeting days later, resulting in the required notifications to external authorities not being made within the mandated 2-hour timeframe.
A resident with muscle weakness, gait abnormalities, atrial fibrillation, and on a blood thinner sustained an unwitnessed bathroom fall, reported hitting her head, and developed rapidly worsening right facial swelling and a swollen‑shut eye that prevented pupillary assessment. Initial vitals and neuro checks were performed, oxygen was applied, and x‑rays were ordered, but despite the significant change in condition and the resident’s anticoagulation status, the provider was not notified of the worsening condition at the time it occurred and the resident was not sent to the hospital until the next day when an NP assessed her and ordered transfer. In the ED, the physician documented that no evaluation for the injuries had occurred the prior evening and CT imaging showed traumatic subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages and a large facial hematoma, demonstrating that the facility failed to provide timely, standard‑of‑care treatment and hospital transfer after the fall and subsequent change in condition.
A resident with cognitive impairment, neurological conditions, and substance-related diagnoses was assessed as being at risk for elopement and documented as having poor safety awareness, poor judgment, and wandering behavior requiring frequent redirection. Nursing staff observed the resident wandering in the hall and behind the nurse’s station and communicated during shift report that a WanderGuard was recommended, but no device was applied because staff did not know where to obtain one. The resident later left the building through the front door, was not immediately detected as missing, and was ultimately found by a medication technician about a mile away walking on a sidewalk near a restaurant, demonstrating a failure to provide adequate supervision and timely elopement interventions.
A nurse failed to follow professional standards for medication administration by not properly identifying a resident before giving medications, resulting in the administration of Lorazepam and Carvedilol that were intended for another resident. The error was discovered and documented, with monitoring showing the resident remained stable and without distress, and the hospice nurse, NP, and family were notified. Leadership, including the DON and administrators, acknowledged that the failure to correctly verify the resident’s identity led to the wrong medications being administered.
A resident with multiple comorbidities and an above-knee amputation requested that staff heat prepackaged ramen soup in a microwave at the nutrition station; staff followed package directions and returned the hot soup, which the resident, who used a motorized wheelchair and insisted on carrying items independently, then spilled while turning, causing a third-degree burn to the palmar side of the left wrist. Staff interviews showed that, before this incident, CNAs and an LPN heated food based on package instructions and judged safety by touch without thermometers, and the DON confirmed that no thermometers were available and that staff relied on touch to determine if food was safe to serve.
The facility failed to provide sufficient nursing staff with appropriate skills to respond promptly to call lights and assist residents with toileting, resulting in multiple residents experiencing incontinence and being left unattended on the toilet. Several residents with significant mobility and medical issues reported waiting long periods, including up to 30–45 minutes or more, for call lights to be answered, particularly during evenings, nights, shift changes, and weekends. Surveyors directly observed call lights sounding for 8–13 minutes before staff responded. Staff reported that CNA hours had been cut after a change in ownership, many staff had quit, and they were unable to complete all care tasks due to understaffing. Grievances and resident council notes over several months documented repeated complaints about slow call light response times, residents being left on the toilet for extended periods, and delays in getting to meals, while leadership acknowledged staffing was based on census rather than acuity despite the written facility assessment describing an acuity-based approach.
Multiple residents and a family member reported that meals were bland, unappetizing, sometimes raw or over-roasted, difficult to chew, and often cold by the time they reached residents’ rooms, with no consistent offer of alternatives when food was disliked. Resident council minutes and grievances documented concerns about cold meals, limited variety, lack of fruit, and meals perceived as too high in carbohydrates. A test tray showed hot items, including chicken tenders and tater tots, were served at low temperatures, with mushy, cold textures and dry, tough meat, and there was no plate warmer used while CNAs, rather than dietary staff, passed trays on the halls after a change in kitchen operations.
A resident with a right humerus fracture, chronic right arm pain, dementia (BIMS 9), and impaired use of one upper extremity required setup/clean-up assistance with eating, including cut food and opened containers, as reflected in the MDS and care plan. Despite this, surveyors observed multiple meals where the resident’s food was not consistently cut into bite-sized pieces and containers (such as lidded bowls, syrup packets, and juice boxes) were left unopened, leading family members to cut food on at least one occasion. The diet order and meal card lacked instructions for cut-up food or setup assistance, and interviews with CNAs, the DM, the MDS coordinator, and an RN confirmed that the resident needed this help but that it was not incorporated into formal orders or consistently implemented.
Two residents on modified diets for dementia and chewing/swallowing concerns were given snacks that did not match their ordered textures. One resident on a pureed diet, ordered after staff observed food being held in the mouth and poor chewing, was repeatedly provided ham sandwiches, potato chips, and an ice cream cone. Another resident on a minced & moist Level 5 diet with cut‑up foods was served a peanut cluster and later offered a crunchy “bird’s nest” snack with chow mein noodles and candy. Staff interviews revealed that activities staff supplied their own snacks without verifying diet orders, that the ST had not been consulted for a swallow evaluation in at least one case, and that nursing and dietary staff expected physician diet orders to be followed.
Failure to Inspect Mechanical Lift Sling Results in Resident Fall and Injury
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involved the facility’s failure to ensure a resident’s environment was free from accident hazards and that equipment used for transfers was in safe, functional condition. A resident with Parkinson’s Disease was being transferred from bed to a chair using a mechanical (Hoyer) lift operated by two CNAs. One CNA reported that when she arrived to assist, the resident was already positioned in the sling, and as the lift was raised, a sling strap snapped, causing the resident to fall and strike the back of the head. Review of the manufacturer’s instructions for the lift and slings showed that staff were required to inspect slings and lifting straps for signs of wear, fraying, or weakness prior to every use. Record review showed that the resident sustained an abrasion to the back of the head, a 1 cm scalp laceration, and reported pain in the shoulders and neck following the fall, and was transferred to the hospital for evaluation. Subsequent NP documentation confirmed the 1 cm scalp laceration was bleeding and that the resident rated back pain as 9/10 on a numeric pain scale. Although maintenance records reflected a general audit of equipment had been conducted several weeks before the incident, there was no evidence that the specific sling used for this transfer had been inspected for integrity prior to use. During interview, the Administrator acknowledged that the equipment failure and strap breakage resulted in the resident’s fall and injury.
Failure to Timely Report Alleged Sexual Abuse to SSA and APS
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all alleged violations involving abuse and neglect were reported immediately, but no later than two hours after the allegation was made, to the State Survey Agency (SSA) and Adult Protective Services (APS). Resident 3, who was admitted with unspecified dementia and acute systolic congestive heart failure, was involved in two separate incidents in which her brother was observed kissing her on the mouth in a manner staff described as zealous, enthusiastic, sloppy, and not typical of a brother-sister interaction. On 12/28/25, CNA 1 observed a well-dressed man enter Resident 3's room, hug her, and give her a zealous kiss on the mouth. CNA 1 assumed the man was the resident's husband and reported this to LPN 1, who knew the visitor was the resident's brother. LPN 1 looked into the room and did not see anything out of the ordinary, and neither CNA 1 nor LPN 1 reported this incident as a potential allegation of abuse to the Administrator at that time. On 1/4/26, LPN 1 and CNA 1 entered Resident 3's room to address the resident's pain and request for catheter removal and to assist with a brief and linen change. Resident 3 had two visitors present, including her brother. When asked to step out for privacy, the female visitor left, but the brother hesitated and then gave Resident 3 a sloppy, open-mouthed kiss on the mouth lasting about three seconds, again in the presence of staff. The brother stated that Resident 3 was his older sister and that she had taken care of him since they were very small. LPN 1 did not report either the 12/28/25 or 1/4/26 kissing incidents to the Administrator. The Administrator later stated that the alleged abuse was first mentioned during a meeting on 1/6/26, at which time staff described the kiss as a weird, awkward kiss and not a typical brother-sister kiss, and acknowledged that nursing staff had not reported the suspicious activity in a timely manner, resulting in failure to notify SSA and APS within two hours of the allegation.
Delayed Hospital Transfer After Fall With Head Trauma and Anticoagulation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that a resident who experienced a fall with head trauma and was on anticoagulation received timely treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice. The resident had diagnoses including generalized muscle weakness, gait and mobility abnormalities, and unspecified atrial fibrillation, and was on a blood thinner. On the evening of the fall, nursing documentation showed that the resident was found on the bathroom floor after her roommate called out. The resident reported hitting her head, had facial pain rated 5/10, and initial vital signs showed an O2 saturation of 88–90% with other vitals within normal limits. A neurological assessment was initiated, oxygen was applied, and the on‑call provider was notified, who ordered x‑rays of the resident’s head and left hand. As the evening progressed, the resident’s condition changed. The nurse documented that the resident’s right eye became increasingly swollen to the point that by 9:15 PM it was swollen shut and pupillary reactivity could no longer be assessed, while the left eye remained equal and reactive to light. The neurological exam form recorded that the provider was notified of the fall at 8:00 PM, but did not indicate that the provider was notified when the right eye became swollen shut at 9:15 PM. The DON later stated that this change in the resident’s condition occurred at 9:15 PM and that the medical provider was not notified of this change until the provider came to the facility the following day. The DON also stated that if a resident on a blood thinner experienced a fall with head strike, she expected staff to send the resident to the hospital, and that she was not sure why this resident was not immediately sent. The resident remained in the facility overnight while x‑rays were obtained around 1:00–1:30 AM, with results reportedly available sometime between early morning hours and mid‑morning. The next morning, the NP assessed the resident due to the fall and documented significant right facial swelling, focal tenderness over the zygoma, difficulty visualizing the right eye, and concern for occult injury and possible orbital blowout fracture in the context of anticoagulation. The NP ordered transfer to the emergency department for CT imaging of the head and face. In the emergency department, the physician documented that no evaluation for the resident’s injuries had occurred the previous evening and that the facility had reported the resident seemed slightly altered the prior night and had worsening swelling by the time EMS was called. CT imaging revealed traumatic small subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages without mass effect and a large facial hematoma. Interviews with nursing staff showed that the RN on duty was very concerned about the resident’s rapidly increasing facial swelling and difficulty administering medications due to lip swelling, but was waiting for a physician order to send the resident to the hospital and was unaware at the time that she could initiate a hospital transfer without such an order. These actions and inactions resulted in a delay in sending the resident to the hospital after a significant change in condition following a fall with head trauma while on a blood thinner. The facility’s Change of Condition/SBAR Evaluation Policy outlined expectations for describing changes in condition, documenting vital signs, identifying changes from baseline (including neurological status changes), and notifying the provider and responsible party, as well as documenting immediate actions and outcomes such as transfer to the hospital. Despite this policy, the neurological exam form did not reflect timely provider notification when the resident’s right eye became swollen shut, and the resident was not transferred until the following day after the NP’s in‑person assessment. The DON confirmed that the change in condition at 9:15 PM was not communicated to the provider until the next day. The surveyors determined that, for this resident, the facility did not ensure timely hospital transfer and did not provide treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice after a fall with head injury and subsequent change in condition.
Failure to Implement Elopement Precautions and Supervision for High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide adequate supervision and implement elopement precautions for a cognitively impaired resident who was identified as being at risk for elopement. The resident was admitted with multiple neurological and substance-related diagnoses, including cerebral infarction, ataxia, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, alcohol and opioid dependence, and traumatic subdural hemorrhage. On admission, the resident’s elopement risk screening showed a score of 12, indicating elopement risk, and nursing documentation described poor safety awareness, poor judgment, and a need for continuous cues with self-care and ADLs. The resident was also noted to require 1:1 supervision during meals due to quick eating behavior. In the hours leading up to the elopement, nursing staff observed the resident wandering in the hallway and behind the nurse’s station and reported that he required constant redirection. The night shift RN informed the day shift LPN during report that the resident had been wandering since early morning and that a WanderGuard was recommended. Despite this, no WanderGuard was applied before the resident left the building. The LPN later stated that she did not know where to obtain a WanderGuard, and the DON confirmed that both the RN and LPN had not placed a WanderGuard because they did not know its location. On the day of the incident, the resident went to the kitchen and requested water, and kitchen staff noticed a fall risk bracelet on his wrist. After this interaction, staff discovered that the resident was no longer in the building. Facility investigation determined that the resident exited through the front door at approximately 9:37 AM and was later found off premises, about one mile away, walking on a sidewalk near a restaurant. A medication technician, who had previously seen the resident wandering in only a gown and had informed the nurse, located the resident and returned him to the facility. These events demonstrate that, despite known elopement risk and observed wandering behavior, the facility did not implement timely elopement precautions or ensure adequate supervision to prevent the resident from eloping.
Medication Administration Error Due to Failure to Verify Resident Identity
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a failure to provide necessary care and services in accordance with professional standards of practice during medication administration. For one resident reviewed for medication administration, a nurse did not follow the Five Rights of medication administration, specifically failing to properly identify the resident before giving medications. As a result, the nurse administered 0.25 mL of Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety medication, and 25 mg of Carvedilol, a beta-blocker used for blood pressure, that were intended for a different resident to Resident #1. Following the administration error, Resident #1’s vital signs were monitored throughout the night, and documentation indicated the resident remained stable, alert, and without signs of distress during the shift. The hospice nurse, nurse practitioner, and family were notified of the error. During interviews, the Administrator and DON acknowledged the medication error, and the DON confirmed that the nurse’s failure to correctly identify the resident prior to administering the medications was the cause of the wrong medications being given.
Burn Injury from Hot Soup Due to Inadequate Supervision and Temperature Monitoring
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure adequate supervision and accident prevention for a resident who sustained a burn injury from hot food. One resident with end stage renal disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, pericardial effusion, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and an above-knee amputation of the left leg requested that staff heat a prepackaged ramen soup. Facility staff heated the soup in a microwave located in the nutrition station behind the nurse’s station according to the package directions and then returned the hot soup to the resident. After receiving the heated soup, the resident, who used a motorized wheelchair and was described as very independent, turned in his power wheelchair, causing the ramen to spill and the hot liquid to burn the palmar side of his left wrist. A progress note documented that the resident received a burn to his left wrist after spilling the hot soup, that the wound was assessed, wound care was provided, and new orders were placed following consultation with a wound provider. The resident reportedly tolerated treatment well and denied pain or other concerns at that time. Subsequent documentation by a wound provider classified the burn on the resident’s left wrist as a third-degree burn. Staff interviews revealed that, prior to this incident, staff heated residents’ food according to package directions and determined whether it was safe to return based on touch, without using thermometers to verify temperature. A CNA reported that the resident often asked CNAs to heat food and insisted on carrying it himself, and that staff declined to heat his food when he refused to allow them to carry it due to safety concerns. An LPN and the DON both confirmed that thermometers were not available for use before the burn occurred and that staff relied on touch to judge food temperature.
Insufficient Nursing Staff and Delayed Call Light Response Leading to Incontinence and Unattended Toileting
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide sufficient nursing staff with appropriate competencies and skills to meet residents’ needs, particularly in timely response to call lights and assistance with toileting, which resulted in incontinent episodes and residents being left unattended. Multiple residents reported long call light wait times, especially during evening and night shifts and on weekends, when there were as few as three CNAs for the entire building. Residents with significant physical limitations, including recent hip fractures, hemiplegia, and other serious conditions, described being unable to get to the bathroom without staff assistance and experiencing incontinence because staff did not respond promptly to their call lights. One resident with a periprosthetic hip fracture, hemiplegia, an artificial hip joint, major depressive disorder, and anxiety reported that from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM there were only three CNAs for three hallways, resulting in long waits for call light responses. This resident stated she had incontinent bladder episodes when she first arrived because she could not hold her urine while waiting for help, including one instance where she waited 35 minutes for a response. Another resident with a left femur fracture, chronic pain, lupus, and epilepsy reported waiting an hour for her call light to be answered, leading to urinating in her brief because staff did not arrive in time to take her to the bathroom. A third resident with metabolic encephalopathy, acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, pneumonia, UTI, and end-stage renal disease on dialysis stated she had been left on the toilet and had to get herself off and back to bed due to lack of staff. CNA documentation showed multiple incontinent episodes for these residents despite staff describing them as continent of bowel and bladder. Additional residents and a family member reported frequent long call light wait times, including waits of 30–45 minutes, particularly during shift changes and on weekends. The Resident Council President reported that since a change in ownership, residents complained that call lights took 30–40 minutes to be answered and that there were not enough CNAs on the night shift to handle residents’ needs during evening and bedtime hours. Direct observations by surveyors documented call lights sounding for 8 to 13 minutes before being answered on multiple occasions. Staff interviews confirmed that CNA hours had been cut after the ownership change, that many staff had quit, and that staff were asked to work a lot of overtime and were sometimes unable to complete showers due to understaffing. One staff member reported a resident had an incontinent episode after waiting about 45 minutes for a call light response. Grievance records and resident council notes showed a repeated pattern of complaints over several months about slow call light response times, residents being left on the toilet for extended periods, and delays in getting to meals due to insufficient staff. Grievances included reports of residents waiting over an hour to be taken to breakfast, feeling ignored when requests were not fulfilled, and being left on the toilet for almost three hours, causing discomfort. Resident council notes repeatedly documented concerns about call lights taking a long time to be answered, not enough CNAs in the dining room at mealtimes, and residents being left on the toilet or not getting to breakfast on time. Although the facility’s written facility assessment and staffing plan referenced using acuity and tools such as the MDS and RAI to determine staffing, the DON stated that in practice staffing coverage was based on census rather than acuity and acknowledged there had been many issues with call lights since staffing was cut after the change in ownership.
Failure to Provide Palatable, Attractive Meals at Appropriate Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to consistently provide food and drink that were palatable, attractive, and served at safe and appetizing temperatures for multiple residents. Several residents reported that the food was bland, horrible, disgusting, or generally “not good,” and one resident stated that if she did not like what was served, staff did not offer an alternative and that she repeatedly received dark meat she did not like. A family member reported that a resident with a poor appetite received chicken that was dry and needed more moisture. Resident council minutes documented concerns that hamburgers were sometimes too raw, vegetables were roasted to the point of tasting burned, pork chops were difficult to cut or chew, and that food delivered to rooms was cold by the time it arrived when CNAs passed trays. Surveyors’ direct observation of a test tray showed that hot items were not maintained at appetizing temperatures and were of poor quality. After the last tray was plated and placed in the cart, CNAs—not dietary staff—were responsible for passing trays to residents, and there was no plate warmer between the plate and the plastic base. When the test tray was checked, the chicken tender and tater tots were below typical hot-holding temperatures, with the tater tots described as mushy and cold and the chicken tender as dry, tough to chew, and salty. The cold item, a carrot coin salad, was measured at a chilled temperature. Grievances documented that meals were served too cold and that residents were dissatisfied with the variety, fruit options, and perceived high carbohydrate content of the meals. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that dietary staff no longer delivered trays to residents after a change in ownership and attributed cold food to CNAs not passing trays quickly enough, while the Administrator acknowledged there had been complaints about food quality.
Failure to Provide Required Meal Setup and Cut Food Assistance for Resident With Upper Extremity Impairment
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide appropriate treatment and services to maintain or improve a resident’s ability to perform ADLs related to dining and eating, specifically cutting food into bite-sized pieces and opening containers as assessed and care planned. A resident with a right humerus fracture, chronic right arm pain, dementia with moderate cognitive impairment (BIMS 9), polyneuropathy, osteoarthritis, chronic pain syndrome, and a right artificial shoulder joint reported being unable to cut her own food and demonstrated that she had to guide her right arm with her left hand. Surveyors observed on multiple occasions that her meals were not consistently prepared or set up to match her assessed need for setup/clean-up assistance with eating. At one meal, her family reported they had to cut up her food and that this was not the first time. At another meal, her breakfast tray included whole sausage links, a lidded bowl, an unopened syrup packet, and a closed juice box with the straw still wrapped, despite her limited use of one arm. The resident’s MDS indicated impairment in one upper extremity and a need for setup or clean-up assistance with eating, and her care plan documented a focus on ADL self-care performance deficit related to dementia and impaired balance, with an intervention that she required setup or clean-up assistance to eat. However, her physician’s diet order specified only a regular diet with regular texture and consistency, with no instruction for cut-up food or meal setup assistance. The Dietary Manager confirmed there were no directions on the resident’s meal card to cut up her food and stated that food was sometimes cut into strips, including pork cutlets, based on the type of food. The MDS Coordinator and an RN both stated that the resident needed her food cut up and lids removed for meal setup and that it would be too difficult for her to manage with one arm, but acknowledged these needs were not reflected in physician orders. Staff also noted that the resident likely could not cut her own food due to right arm pain and limited function and that she would not usually ask for help even when needed, yet the kitchen and nursing staff did not consistently ensure her food was cut into bite-sized pieces or that containers were opened for her.
Failure to Provide Ordered Diet Textures During Nursing and Activities Snacks
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that residents received food in the texture ordered to meet their individual needs. One resident with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease had a physician’s order for a pureed diet after nursing, the DON, and the nurse practitioner observed that she was not eating well on a regular diet, was cheeking food, holding it in her mouth, and not chewing. Despite this pureed diet order, multiple nursing progress notes documented that she was given ham sandwiches and potato chips on several nights, and an activities note documented that she ate an ice cream cone. Staff interviews confirmed that she was on a pureed diet because she would let food sit in her mouth and that chips and sandwiches are not part of a pureed diet. The speech therapist stated he had not been asked to evaluate her swallowing, that he normally would want to screen residents whose diets were downgraded, and that non‑pureed foods for someone who holds food in their mouth would be a choking concern. Another resident with dementia and a severe cognitive impairment, as evidenced by a BIMS score of 3, had a physician’s order for a regular diet with minced and moist (Level 5) texture and cut‑up foods due to loose teeth. Nonetheless, an activities progress note documented that she ate a peanut cluster during a cooking social, and the Activities Director later reported that she was also given a “bird’s nest” snack made of crunchy chow mein noodles with candy on top, which she did not eat. Nursing staff stated that this resident did not have the mental capacity to chew, required extensive cueing, and that they would be concerned about choking if she were served non‑minced and moist foods. The Dietary Manager reported that the Activities Department provided its own snacks and did not ensure residents received the correct diet textures, and the DON stated that staff were expected to follow physician orders for diet textures despite limited availability of the speech therapist.
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