Guggenheimer Health And Rehab Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Lynchburg, Virginia.
- Location
- 1902 Grace Street, Lynchburg, Virginia 24504
- CMS Provider Number
- 495112
- Inspections on file
- 17
- Latest survey
- January 7, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 3
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Guggenheimer Health And Rehab Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Staff failed to maintain effective pest control on two nursing units, as multiple residents reported seeing mice in their rooms over an extended period despite the presence of bait boxes and regular pest control visits. An LPN acknowledged prior sightings and reports of mice, and review of pest logs showed numerous entries for mice, roaches, and ants on these units, while another unit had no such reports. Pest control records documented repeated treatments and identified structural and environmental issues, including building openings and exterior conditions that allowed pest access, yet pests continued to be reported on the affected units.
Facility staff failed to provide and document required written notice of a room change for a cognitively impaired resident with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with agitation/behaviors, diabetes, anxiety, and prior stroke. The resident’s record showed a room move, but there was no written notice to the representative, no documented reason for the move, and no nursing notes describing the circumstances. The DON acknowledged there was no documentation of notification or written notice, despite facility policy requiring advance notice, explanation of the reason for the change, and documentation of room changes in the medical record.
A resident with quadriplegia, multiple chronic conditions, and intact cognition was dependent on staff for ADLs and management of personal items. Facility policy required that personal belongings and clothing be inventoried at admission and as items were replenished, but no inventory for this resident could be found in the EMR or on paper. The resident later reported several missing clothing items, and the discharge instructions documented these losses without any recorded follow-up or evidence that an inventory had ever been completed. Staff interviews described general procedures for handling missing items and prior issues with laundry handling, but confirmed there was no documented personal property list for this resident, resulting in untracked and unreconciled missing clothing.
Two residents in an LTC facility did not receive medications as ordered, and staff failed to notify medical providers of critical blood sugar levels. One resident missed doses of gabapentin, Wellbutrin, and midodrine due to pharmacy issues, while another had dangerously high and low blood sugar levels without physician notification. Additionally, a scheduled renal panel test was not conducted. Interviews revealed gaps in communication and documentation, contributing to these deficiencies.
The facility staff failed to properly store insulin on three out of five medication carts. Unopened insulin pens were stored at room temperature, and opened pens were kept beyond the 28-day limit. Interviews with LPNs and the DON confirmed that insulin should be refrigerated until opened and discarded after 28 days. The facility's policy requires proper storage of medications, but these guidelines were not followed.
Facility staff failed to knock on resident doors before entering, violating residents' rights to dignity. A CNA was observed entering multiple rooms without knocking while serving lunch trays, despite being aware of the requirement. The issue was reported to the administrator and corporate staff.
The facility staff failed to update care plans for two residents after discontinuing orders for enhanced barrier precautions, an air mattress, and oxygen. The care plans still included these interventions despite their discontinuation, and staff were unaware of the changes. The facility's policy requires regular review and updates of care plans, which was not followed in these cases.
Facility staff failed to follow professional standards of care in medication administration when a medication cup was left at a resident's bedside. An LPN confirmed the presence of medication but was unsure of its type. The resident stated the cream was used for their skin condition. Facility documentation required safe and effective medication administration, which was not adhered to in this case.
A resident dependent on staff for bathing received only one shower over nearly three weeks, despite a schedule for twice-weekly showers. The resident expressed discomfort due to infrequent showers. Staff interviews confirmed the schedule, but documentation showed only one shower, with several bed baths instead. The DON acknowledged the preference for showers unless refused by the resident.
A resident with dysphagia was not provided with the physician-ordered pureed diet, receiving food with ground chunks instead. CNAs misunderstood the diet requirements, and the DON confirmed the inconsistency, initiating immediate education on proper diet texture.
The facility staff failed to administer oxygen at the physician-ordered rate for two residents and improperly stored respiratory equipment, risking contamination. One resident's oxygen concentrator was set at 1.5 liters per minute instead of the ordered 2 liters, and a CPAP mask was left in a bed bath basin. Another resident's oxygen was set between 2.5-3 liters per minute, contrary to the 2 liters ordered. The facility's policies on oxygen administration and infection control were not followed.
Two residents in the facility did not receive their prescribed medications due to unavailability. One resident missed doses of Wellbutrin and midodrine, while another missed doses of hydrocortisone. Nursing notes indicated that the medications were on order but not in stock, and the staff were unable to provide a clear reason for the unavailability. The director of nursing explained the protocol for such situations, but no alternative orders were obtained, and the medications remained unavailable.
A resident missed a radiology appointment due to the facility's failure to arrange transportation. The resident was prepped for the procedure, but the transport driver was unavailable, and no alternative was arranged. The DON confirmed the lack of documentation and rescheduling, violating the resident's rights to be informed and participate in their treatment.
The facility staff failed to follow the meal preferences of two residents, resulting in deficiencies. One resident did not receive the salad and soup specified on his meal ticket, while another did not receive the beverages of choice. Both residents expressed dissatisfaction, and staff acknowledged the discrepancies, indicating a failure to adhere to the facility's policy on specialized diets.
A resident's clinical record was incomplete due to missing documentation of a dental appointment and the administration of glucagon during a hypoglycemic event. The resident attended a dental appointment, but no record of the visit or recommendations was documented. Additionally, the administration of glucagon for a critical low blood glucose level was not entered into the electronic health record, despite standing orders requiring such documentation.
A CNA in the facility failed to follow infection control standards by transporting dirty linen against her body while wearing gloves and then serving lunch trays without performing hand hygiene. Despite being educated on proper procedures earlier, the CNA did not adhere to the facility's documented infection control policies.
The facility failed to provide adequate pressure ulcer care for two residents, resulting in a stage III ulcer for one and improper heel offloading for another. Despite known risks and care plans, interventions like air mattresses and heel booties were not effectively used, leading to skin breakdown.
The facility staff failed to update care plans for several residents, leading to deficiencies in care. A resident's hernia and scheduled surgery were not documented, another's communication method was outdated, and a third's laceration treatment was missing from the care plan. Additionally, a resident's pressure ulcer and hospice discharge were not updated, and another's significant weight loss and dietary changes were not reflected. These issues indicate a lack of communication and coordination among staff.
Three residents in a facility experienced deficiencies in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care due to staffing shortages. One resident did not receive regular showers, another was not assisted out of bed daily, and a third was only assisted out of bed four times a week. Documentation inconsistencies and staff admissions confirmed these deficiencies, with management being informed but no corrective actions detailed.
The facility staff failed to follow physician orders for several residents, leading to deficiencies in care. A resident did not have weights obtained as ordered, while another missed multiple medication doses due to untimely reordering. Another resident's surgery was postponed due to a failure to hold Coumadin, and they were also given medication without a physician's order. Additionally, insulin and blood thinners were not administered as ordered for other residents, with no communication to the physician.
The facility failed to ensure medication availability for three residents, leading to deficiencies in care. A resident experienced delayed treatment for ear wax impaction due to unavailable medication, while another with a seizure disorder missed doses of Lamotrigine. A third resident did not receive calcitonin nasal spray as it was not reordered timely. Staff interviews revealed communication issues and inadequate policy guidance on handling unavailable medications.
The facility staff failed to properly store insulins on medication carts, with unopened insulins found at room temperature and opened insulins lacking date labels. Interviews with nursing staff revealed a lack of adherence to storage protocols, and the facility's policy on medication storage was not followed.
The facility staff failed to properly label and date open food products in the main kitchen, as required by professional standards. During a kitchen tour, open bags of food in the dry storage room and items in the walk-in refrigerator were found without necessary open or use by dates. The dietary manager confirmed the expectation for labeling, and the facility's policy mandates that all refrigerated or frozen foods be covered, labeled, and dated.
The facility failed to follow infection control practices during a COVID-19 outbreak, with inadequate quarantine and testing measures, lack of communication, and failure to notify health authorities. Additionally, there was no consistent infection surveillance program, and staff did not adhere to PPE protocols for a resident on contact isolation, indicating significant lapses in infection control procedures.
The facility failed to provide credible evidence of an antibiotic stewardship program, affecting residents across all units. A resident was prescribed Ciprofloxacin for a UTI, but the order was discontinued after a negative urinalysis. The infection preventionist could not provide documentation supporting the use of McGreer criteria, and a review revealed inconsistencies in documentation and adherence to criteria. The facility's policy outlined the need for an interdisciplinary team to review antimicrobial regimens, but documentation was incomplete, and there was no evidence of regular reviews.
The facility failed to provide education and offer pneumonia immunizations to several residents. One resident reported asking daily for vaccines without receiving them. The infection preventionist confirmed the lack of documentation, and the unit manager admitted to delays due to a flu clinic and staff changes. The DON explained the intended process, which was not followed.
The facility failed to educate and offer COVID-19 vaccinations to three residents, despite their eligibility and interest. One resident expressed frustration about not receiving the booster vaccine despite signing the consent form. The infection preventionist confirmed the lack of documentation, and the unit manager admitted to delays in addressing immunizations. The director of nursing explained the expected process, which was not followed, leading to the deficiency.
The facility experienced a call bell system failure on two floors, leaving residents without a means to communicate with staff for assistance over the weekend. Despite staff making frequent rounds, the facility did not implement its policy of distributing hand bells to residents. The outage began after a storm, and key staff were unaware of the issue until the following Monday. The administrator admitted to fabricating documentation regarding call bell rounds.
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, leading to a persistent mouse problem in two resident care units. Multiple residents reported ongoing issues with mice, and the maintenance staff confirmed receiving numerous reports. Despite having a contract with an outside pest control vendor, the facility's efforts were inadequate, with the use of potentially hazardous wooden snap traps in resident rooms. The pest control vendor's reports lacked recommendations, and maintenance work orders showed repeated entries related to mice sightings, indicating a lack of effective resolution.
A resident's privacy was compromised when facility staff repeatedly entered the room without knocking or seeking permission. Despite the resident's moderately impaired cognitive skills, staff failed to acknowledge or address him, leading to feelings of disrespect. Interviews with facility management confirmed that staff were expected to knock and announce themselves, which was not followed in this instance.
The facility failed to issue Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notices (SNF ABNs) for two residents before the end of their skilled care services. This oversight denied the residents the opportunity to have Medicare decide on coverage or to continue services at their own expense. The Social Service Director acknowledged the lapse, noting that SNF ABNs were not completed prior to her arrival. Clinical records lacked evidence of ABNs, and the issue was reported to facility leadership.
Facility staff failed to maintain residents' mail privacy and timely delivery. Residents reported receiving opened mail, particularly bills, and not receiving mail on Saturdays. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and coordination in mail handling, with mail addressed to the facility sometimes opened to identify recipients. Mail delivered on Saturdays is not distributed until Monday due to staffing issues.
The facility failed to maintain a homelike environment for two residents. One resident's room had a persistent ceiling leak with standing water, despite multiple maintenance work orders. Another resident's closet door was broken and left unrepaired for months. The maintenance staff was either unaware or delayed in addressing these issues, leading to deficiencies in the residents' living conditions.
A facility failed to accurately complete a PASARR for a resident with multiple mental health diagnoses, leading to the omission of a necessary level II evaluation. The admissions coordinator, lacking formal training, incorrectly assessed the resident's mental health status based on their ability to live independently, rather than documented diagnoses. This oversight was identified during a clinical record review, revealing a gap in the facility's implementation of its PASARR policy.
A resident with broken and ill-fitting dentures did not have their dental needs addressed in their care plan, despite a triggered CAA for dental care. The resident had not picked up new dentures, and there was no documentation of a dental consult. Facility staff interviews confirmed the care plan should reflect required care, but it failed to incorporate the resident's dental issues.
The facility staff failed to follow professional standards in medication administration and fall assessment for three residents. A resident's Advair diskus was left at the bedside, another resident's fall was not timely assessed or documented, and a third resident's Lactulose medication was left unsupervised. These actions were against the facility's policies, which require secure medication storage, immediate fall evaluation, and observation of medication ingestion.
A resident's eyeglasses, broken by staff, were not replaced for two months, affecting his ability to read. Despite a high-priority email sent by the social worker director, the DON did not open it, leading to a delay in addressing the issue. The glasses were eventually replaced by the activities director.
A resident did not receive the therapeutic diet ordered by the physician, as observed during meal times. The resident's meal ticket indicated large entree portions, but he received regular serving sizes. A CNA confirmed the resident did not receive double portions, and the resident expressed dissatisfaction with the serving size. The care plan required large protein portions, but this was not followed, and the facility's administration was informed of the issue.
The facility staff failed to maintain a nebulizer mask for a resident in a sanitary manner, with observations showing it was undated, left open to air, and found on the floor. Additionally, staff did not follow physician orders for oxygen administration for two residents, with incorrect oxygen settings observed. Interviews confirmed discrepancies and lack of adherence to facility protocols.
A resident missed a radiology appointment due to the facility's failure to arrange transportation. The resident was prepped for the procedure but did not attend due to confusion over appointment times and a lack of available transport. The facility did not document the missed appointment or reschedule it, failing to uphold the resident's rights to be informed and participate in their treatment.
A resident in a LTC facility failed to receive routine dental services after his dentures broke. Despite a referral for adjustment due to improperly fitting dentures, there was no documentation of a follow-up dental consult. The resident missed a dental appointment due to a communication error, and impressions taken in June were not followed up with a scheduled pick-up. The facility's administration was informed of these findings.
The facility staff failed to provide meals according to the documented preferences of two residents. One resident did not receive the salad and soup specified on his meal ticket, while another did not receive the beverages of choice, including hot coffee, fruit punch, and milk. Staff acknowledged the discrepancies and indicated they would address the issues with the kitchen.
The facility failed to maintain accurate documentation for residents, including a resident's ADL care regarding showers, missing dermatology records for another resident, and an undocumented fall for a resident with dementia. These deficiencies were identified through observations, interviews, and record reviews, highlighting lapses in maintaining complete and accurate clinical records.
A resident's bed was non-functional for three days, leaving them uncomfortable in an upright position. The issue arose after a power outage, affecting multiple beds. Despite being on call, the maintenance team was not fully informed, leading to delays in addressing the problem.
Ongoing Ineffective Pest Control on Two Nursing Units
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide effective pest control on two of three nursing units, as evidenced by ongoing resident reports and pest log documentation of mice, roaches, and ants. One resident reported seeing mice in his room at night for months, despite the presence of bait boxes, and stated that while housekeeping kept the room clean and there were no droppings, mice continued to be seen. Two other residents on the same unit also reported seeing mice in their rooms within the last several weeks to month, with one stating that reporting the issue to maintenance did not help and another noting that a bait box in the room had not caught anything. A unit manager LPN reported seeing a mouse in a janitor’s closet previously and hearing additional reports of mice from residents. Review of unit pest logs showed ongoing reports of mice, roaches, and ants on two units over an extended period, including thirty-three reports of mice and twenty reports of roaches and/or ants, while the third unit had no pest reports. Pest control service records documented multiple visits with use of sprays, bait stations, rodent traps, and gel, and identified numerous structural and environmental issues contributing to pest access, such as doors needing repair, a hole in an exterior wall near the loading dock, vine landscaping, dumpsters placed too close to the building, burrowing holes near the loading dock, and a crawl space door needing repair. Despite these documented conditions and repeated pest sightings and reports, the facility’s pest control measures, including bait stations and traps, were not effective in eliminating the pests on the affected units.
Failure to Provide and Document Required Written Notice of Room Change
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide required written notice of a room change for one resident. The resident had diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, non-traumatic brain dysfunction, dementia with agitation/behaviors, diabetes, anxiety, and a history of stroke, and was assessed on the MDS as having severely impaired cognitive skills. The resident’s closed clinical record showed a room change occurred on 10/2/24, but there was no written notice to the resident’s representative prior to the move, and no documentation of the reason for the room change. Nursing notes contained no mention of the room change or any circumstances leading to it. During an interview, the DON confirmed there was no documentation of notification to the resident’s representative and no written notice explaining the reason for the room move, although she believed the move was related to the resident’s behaviors and thought verbal notification had been given. The facility’s policy on Room Change/Roommate Assignment required advance notice to residents and their representatives prior to room or roommate changes, including the reason for the change, and required documentation of the room change in the medical record. The lack of written notice and absence of documentation in the clinical record and nursing notes were inconsistent with this policy.
Failure to Inventory and Track Resident Personal Property Resulting in Missing Clothing
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to honor a resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment by not tracking the resident's personal property as required by facility policy. The facility's "Personal Property" policy dated 10/01/2021 stated that residents' personal belongings and clothing shall be inventoried and documented upon admission and as such items are replenished. For Resident #4, the Director of Nursing and Administrator were unable to locate any record of a personal property inventory in either the electronic medical record (Point Click Care) or in paper form, and no admission inventory or subsequent updates could be found. Resident #4 was admitted with multiple diagnoses including muscle weakness, quadriplegia, urinary incontinence, Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complication, pressure ulcer of the sacral region, deep tissue damage, irritant contact dermatitis, bacteriuria, GERD without esophagitis, constipation, insomnia, lactose intolerance, moderate protein-calorie malnutrition, unsteady gait, abnormal posture, and limitation of activities due to disability. The MDS showed a BIMS score of 15, indicating the resident was cognitively intact, but functionally dependent for ADLs and required staff assistance. During the resident’s stay, there was no documented inventory of personal belongings despite the resident’s dependence on staff for daily care and management of personal items. On review of the resident’s discharge instructions, there was a documented note that the resident reported missing clothing items, including a grey hoodie, a pair of Levi’s, two pairs of grey sweatpants, and a grey shirt. There was no further documentation of follow-up regarding these missing items and no record of a personal inventory at admission or any time during the stay. Interviews with staff, including the Social Services Director, Environmental Director, housekeeping, and a CNA, described general processes for searching for and addressing missing items and acknowledged past issues with clothing being placed in incorrect laundry bags, but did not identify any existing inventory record for this resident. The DON confirmed that no personal property records for this resident could be located, and the Administrator acknowledged the absence of a system that ensured the resident’s personal belongings were inventoried and tracked as required by policy.
Medication and Communication Deficiencies in Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to administer medications as ordered by the physician for two residents, leading to deficiencies in care. Resident #105 was not given prescribed doses of gabapentin, Wellbutrin, and midodrine on multiple occasions. The nursing notes indicated that these medications were unavailable due to pharmacy ordering issues, and the Omnicell backup supply was not utilized effectively. Interviews with the registered nurse unit manager and the director of nursing revealed uncertainty about the reasons for the medication unavailability and administration failures. For Resident #111, the facility staff did not follow the physician's order to notify the medical provider when the resident's blood sugar levels were outside the specified range. The resident experienced multiple instances of blood sugar levels exceeding 400, and there was no documentation of the doctor being informed. Additionally, an incident occurred where the resident's blood sugar dropped to 24, requiring emergency intervention, yet there was no evidence of physician notification. Interviews with the registered nurse unit manager and the director of nursing confirmed the lack of documentation and communication with the medical provider. Furthermore, the facility staff failed to obtain a renal panel lab test for Resident #111 as ordered by the physician. The lab was scheduled to be conducted every two weeks, but there was no evidence of the test being performed on one of the scheduled dates. The facility's policy on medication and treatment orders did not address the requirement for lab orders or notifications, contributing to the oversight. These deficiencies were discussed with the facility administrator and corporate staff, but no additional information was provided to address the issues.
Improper Storage of Insulin on Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to properly store insulin on three out of five medication carts inspected. On the second-floor medication cart, an unopened insulin pen was stored at room temperature, and a vial of insulin was stored without a date opened indicated on the label. On the third-floor unit, two medication carts contained opened insulin pens stored beyond the 28-day limit and unopened insulin pens stored at room temperature. These findings were observed during an inspection of the medication carts, accompanied by an LPN. Interviews with the LPNs and the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed that the unopened insulin was supposed to be kept in the refrigerator until opened, and the opened insulin pens should have been discarded after 28 days. The facility's policy on the storage of medications, revised in August 2020, requires medications and biologicals to be stored safely, securely, and properly, following manufacturer's recommendations or those of the supplier. The policy also specifies that medications requiring refrigeration should be kept at temperatures between 36°F and 46°F. These findings were reviewed with the administrator and regional consultants.
Failure to Knock on Resident Doors Before Entry
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to honor residents' rights to a dignified existence by not knocking on room doors before entering. During an observation on unit one, a CNA was seen entering approximately six resident rooms without knocking while serving lunch trays. The CNA acknowledged that she only knocked on closed doors and was aware of the requirement to knock before entering, as reeducated by the director of nursing. Despite this, the CNA continued to enter rooms without knocking. A review of the facility's documentation confirmed that residents have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. The issue was brought to the attention of the administrator and corporate staff during an end-of-day meeting.
Failure to Update Care Plans for Discontinued Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to review and revise the care plans for two residents, leading to discrepancies between the care plans and the actual care being provided. For one resident, the care plan still included interventions for enhanced barrier precautions and an air mattress, even though these were discontinued on November 14 and November 7, respectively. The unit manager and a former unit manager were unaware of the discontinuation dates, and the care plan was not updated accordingly. The facility's policy requires the Care Planning/Interdisciplinary Team to review and update care plans, but this was not adhered to in this case. Another resident's care plan included an order for oxygen via nasal cannula, despite the order being discontinued on November 13. Observations confirmed that no oxygen was in use for this resident. The Director of Nursing stated that clinical meetings are held daily to review and update care plans, but acknowledged that the discontinued order should not have remained on the care plan. These deficiencies were discussed with the facility administrator and corporate staff during an end-of-day meeting.
Medication Administration Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to adhere to professional standards of care regarding medication administration for one resident. During a tour of the nursing facility's unit, a surveyor observed a medication cup left on a bedside table with the resident's name and room number. The charge nurse, an LPN, confirmed the presence of medication in the cup but was unsure of its type. The LPN removed the medication cup and apologized to the resident for leaving it at the bedside. The resident mentioned that the cream in the cup was used on their skin and had been effective in healing their condition. Facility documentation indicated that medications should be administered safely and effectively, which was not followed in this instance. An end-of-day meeting was held with the administrator and corporate staff to discuss the concerns, but no additional information was provided before the exit conference.
Failure to Provide Routine Showers to Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide routine showers to a resident who was dependent on staff for bathing and showering. A clinical record review revealed that the resident received only one shower over a period of nearly three weeks. The resident expressed dissatisfaction with the infrequency of showers, stating that they only received them once a month and that it caused discomfort, such as an itchy scalp. Interviews with facility staff, including a CNA and the DON, confirmed that showers were scheduled twice a week and documented in the electronic health record. However, the documentation showed only one shower during the specified period, with several bed baths recorded instead. The DON acknowledged that while bed baths were given, showers were preferable unless refused by the resident. The facility administrator and corporate staff were informed of these findings during an end-of-day meeting.
Failure to Provide Physician-Ordered Pureed Diet
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide a physician-ordered therapeutic diet for a resident on a pureed diet. During an observation, it was noted that the resident's lunch tray contained food with ground chunks instead of the required pureed texture. The CNAs responsible for passing meal trays reported that this was the usual appearance of pureed foods, indicating a misunderstanding of the diet requirements. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the food was not of the correct consistency and began educating the CNAs on the proper texture for pureed diets. The resident involved had a diagnosis of dysphagia, both unspecified and pharyngeal phase, and was on a pureed diet with nectar thick liquids as per physician orders. The resident's care plan highlighted the need for a mechanically altered diet due to decreased chewing ability and a diagnosis of failure to thrive. The facility's policy on specialized diets mandates that meals be prepared and served according to the prescribed diet, which was not adhered to in this instance. The facility administration was informed of these findings during an end-of-day meeting.
Oxygen Administration and Equipment Storage Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to administer oxygen at the physician-ordered rate for two residents, R115 and R117. For R117, the oxygen concentrator was observed to be set between 2.5-3 liters per minute, despite the physician's order specifying 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula. The resident was unaware of the correct oxygen rate, and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) confirmed the discrepancy. The facility's policy on oxygen administration requires verification of physician orders, which was not adhered to in this case. For R115, the oxygen concentrator was set at 1.5 liters per minute, contrary to the physician's order of 2 liters per minute. Additionally, the CPAP mask was improperly stored in a bed bath basin instead of a bag, risking contamination. The resident reported using oxygen only at night and not during the day, with a normal oxygen saturation reading of 93% or higher. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the missing frequency in the oxygen order and the need for clarification. The facility's Infection Control Program mandates proper storage of respiratory equipment to prevent infections, which was not followed in this instance.
Medication Unavailability for Two Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure the availability of medications for two residents, leading to missed doses. Resident #105, who has a history of heart failure, stroke, coronary artery disease, COPD, hypotension, neuropathy, and depression, did not receive their prescribed doses of Wellbutrin and midodrine on specific dates. The Wellbutrin was not administered on 11/28/24, and the midodrine was not given on 12/3/24 due to the medications being unavailable. The nursing notes indicated that the medications were on order but not in stock, and the registered nurse unit manager and the director of nursing were unable to provide a clear reason for the unavailability. Similarly, Resident #111 did not receive their hydrocortisone tablet on 12/3/24 and 12/4/24, as the medication was not available. The nursing progress notes documented that the pharmacy had been notified, but the medication was still not delivered in time. The director of nursing explained that staff are supposed to check the emergency backup supply and notify the doctor for alternative treatment options when medications are unavailable. However, no alternative orders were obtained, and the medication remained unavailable. These findings were discussed with the facility administrator and corporate staff, but no additional information was provided before the end of the survey.
Failure to Arrange Transportation for Radiology Appointment
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to assist Resident #121 with transportation arrangements to a radiology appointment, resulting in the resident missing the scheduled procedure. The resident had been prepped for the appointment by being kept NPO the night before. However, due to a lack of communication and documentation, the transport driver was unavailable, and no alternative transportation was arranged. Interviews with the facility's scheduler and transport driver revealed confusion about the appointment details and a lack of documentation regarding the missed appointment. The Director of Nursing confirmed the absence of documentation in the resident's clinical record about the missed appointment and the failure to reschedule it. The facility's documentation review highlighted the resident's rights to be informed and participate in their treatment, which were not upheld in this instance. Despite attempts to verify the appointment with the radiology department, the facility staff could not provide evidence of rescheduling or notifying the responsible parties, leading to a deficiency in the resident's care.
Failure to Follow Resident Meal Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to adhere to the meal preferences of two residents, leading to deficiencies in the provision of food that accommodates resident preferences. On December 9, 2024, during a lunchtime observation, Resident #103 did not receive the salad and soup that were specified on his meal ticket. The resident confirmed that he was supposed to receive these items with two meals every day, but often did not receive them. A licensed practical nurse acknowledged the discrepancy and indicated she would address the issue with the kitchen. Similarly, Resident #106 did not receive the beverages of choice listed on his meal ticket, which included hot coffee, fruit punch, and milk. The resident expressed dissatisfaction, noting that he often did not receive any drinks on his meal trays. A certified nursing assistant confirmed the absence of these items and stated she would attempt to rectify the situation. The facility's policy on specialized diets emphasizes the importance of adhering to residents' dietary preferences, which was not followed in these instances.
Incomplete Clinical Documentation for Resident's Dental and Emergency Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain a complete and accurate clinical record for a resident who attended a dental appointment outside the facility. The resident, who is non-verbal but can nod in response, had a physician order for a dental appointment, but there was no documentation in the clinical record to confirm attendance or any recommendations from the visit. The unit manager confirmed the resident attended the appointment and returned with a cost estimate for dental work, but this information was not documented in the resident's clinical chart. The director of nursing acknowledged the importance of documenting such appointments for emergency purposes, but no additional information was provided to the surveyor. In another instance, the facility staff failed to document the administration of glucagon for the same resident who experienced a critical low blood glucose level. The resident was found unresponsive with a blood glucose reading of 24, and the nurse administered glucagon twice. However, these actions were not entered into the electronic health record, rendering the record incomplete. The standing orders for diabetic management were not followed as they were not entered into the system, despite the nurse's acknowledgment of the requirement to do so. The director of nursing confirmed that standing orders must be entered into the electronic record when executed, but this was not done in the case of the glucagon administration. The surveyor was unable to find a copy of the standing orders in the provider communication book, and the facility administration was requested to provide a copy. The facility's standing orders for diabetic management were eventually provided, but the failure to document the glucagon administration remained unaddressed by the conclusion of the survey.
Infection Control Deficiency in Glove Use and Linen Handling
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to adhere to infection control standards on one of the three units, specifically regarding glove use, hand hygiene, and the transportation of soiled linen. During a tour of the facility, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) was observed transporting dirty linen in the hallway while holding it against her body and wearing gloves. After removing the gloves, the CNA proceeded to serve lunch trays without performing hand hygiene. This action was contrary to the facility's documented infection control policies, which require all laundry to be handled, stored, processed, and transported in a safe and sanitary manner. In an interview, the CNA admitted to not knowing the proper procedures for handling dirty linen and glove use in the hallway, and acknowledged forgetting to wash her hands. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the CNA had been educated on these procedures earlier that day, but did not adhere to the instructions. The facility's documentation on infection prevention and control outlines the development and implementation of written policies and procedures to prevent and control infections among residents and personnel, which were not followed in this instance.
Failure in Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide adequate pressure ulcer care and prevention for two residents, leading to significant deficiencies. For one resident, a stage III pressure ulcer was not identified until it had reached an advanced stage, despite the resident being at high risk due to immobility, incontinence, and cognitive impairment. The resident's care plan included interventions such as the use of a low air loss mattress and regular skin monitoring, but these were not effectively implemented. The resident's air mattress was malfunctioning, and the resident was placed on a regular mattress for several days, during which time the pressure ulcer developed. Staff interviews revealed that the mattress issues were known, but no additional interventions were implemented to prevent skin breakdown. Additionally, the facility staff failed to implement preventative measures to float the resident's heels, resulting in boggy heels indicating skin breakdown. Observations showed that the device intended to offload pressure from the heels was not in use, and the resident's feet were resting directly on the bed. Despite the care plan's directive to float the heels, this intervention was not consistently applied, leading to further skin integrity issues. For another resident, the facility staff did not adhere to the treatment plan for pressure ulcer care, which required heel offloading with booties. The resident, who had a history of chronic pressure ulcers and was cognitively intact, reported that the booties were not applied the previous night, and the heels were not elevated. The resident's clinical record confirmed the presence of an unstageable pressure ulcer on the left heel, and the treatment plan included heel offloading to prevent further breakdown. The failure to implement these interventions was acknowledged by the staff, who confirmed that the booties were part of the treatment plan.
Care Plan Deficiencies in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to review and revise the care plans for five residents, leading to deficiencies in the care provided. For Resident #78, the care plan was not updated to reflect the presence of a hernia and the scheduled surgery, despite the nurse practitioner and unit manager being aware of the upcoming procedure. The care plan coordinator was unaware of the surgery, indicating a lack of communication and coordination among staff. Resident #70's care plan was outdated, as it still indicated the use of a whiteboard for communication, even though the resident had been using a laptop for several months. This discrepancy was noted by the care plan coordinator, who had not updated the care plan to reflect the current method of communication. Similarly, Resident #83's care plan did not include information about a laceration that required treatment and antibiotics, despite the wound care specialist's documentation and the resident's report of ongoing treatment. Resident #15's care plan was not revised to include a new stage III pressure ulcer or the discontinuation of hospice services, which had occurred nearly a year prior. Additionally, Resident #106's care plan did not reflect significant weight loss and the dietary interventions implemented to address it. The registered dietitian and MDS coordinator both acknowledged the oversight, with each believing the other was responsible for updating the care plan. These failures highlight a systemic issue in the facility's care planning process, where changes in residents' conditions were not promptly or accurately documented.
Deficiencies in ADL Care Due to Staffing Shortages
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide adequate Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care for three residents, leading to deficiencies in their care. One resident, admitted with a periprosthetic fracture and requiring maximal assistance, did not receive regular showers. Despite the facility's policy of providing showers twice weekly, the resident reported only receiving one bath since admission and no showers. Documentation inconsistencies were noted, with staff admitting to incorrect entries, indicating the resident had not been showered for 29 days. Another resident, with spinal stenosis and muscle weakness, was not assisted out of bed daily as required. The resident, dependent on staff for ADL care, remained in bed for 23 days in September due to staffing shortages. The social service director and activities director were aware of the resident's desire to participate in activities, but staff shortages often prevented this. Documentation confirmed the resident's prolonged bed rest, with staff marking 'NA' for days the resident was not assisted out of bed. A third resident, with age-related physical debility and muscle weakness, also faced similar issues. Despite expressing a preference to get out of bed daily, the resident was only assisted out of bed four times a week due to insufficient staffing. The resident remained in bed for 17 days in September, as documented by staff. The facility's management, including the Administrator and Director of Nursing, were informed of these deficiencies, but no further information on corrective actions was provided.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders and Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to follow physician orders for several residents, leading to deficiencies in care. For Resident #24, the staff did not obtain weights as ordered by the physician, with only one weight documented over a period where multiple weights were required. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) unit manager acknowledged the oversight, stating that weights were supposed to be obtained as ordered and that the order was standard for new admissions. Resident #76 did not receive several medications as prescribed, including enoxaparin sodium, metoprolol, hydrocodone-acetaminophen, and calcitonin nasal spray. The LPN unit manager indicated that some of these medications were available in the Omnicell back-up supply and should have been accessed by the nurse. The calcitonin spray was not reordered timely from the pharmacy, and the LPN was unaware of the missed medications. The facility's policy required timely reordering of medications to ensure availability, which was not adhered to in this case. Resident #78 experienced multiple issues, including the failure to hold Coumadin as ordered, leading to a postponed surgery. Additionally, the resident was administered medication for constipation without a physician's order, and an enema was not given timely. The facility staff also failed to administer Clobetasol for a skin condition due to a pharmacy order not being entered. These oversights were not communicated to the provider, and the nurse practitioner was unaware of the missed medications and treatments. Other residents, such as Resident #70 and Resident #27, also experienced failures in medication administration, with insulin and blood thinners not being given as ordered, and the facility staff did not communicate these issues to the physician.
Medication Availability Deficiencies in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure the availability of medications for three residents, leading to deficiencies in their care. Resident #27 experienced a delay in the treatment of bilateral impacted cerumen due to the unavailability of Debrox Solution, which was ordered but not delivered in a timely manner. The medication was only administered once during the seven days it was prescribed, and there was no evidence that the nursing staff contacted the pharmacy or informed the physician about the delay. Resident #83, who has a history of seizure disorder, did not receive the prescribed 25 mg afternoon doses of Lamotrigine on multiple occasions due to the medication being unavailable. Interviews with nursing staff revealed a lack of communication with the pharmacy and the physician regarding the unavailability of the medication. The facility's director of nursing and other staff acknowledged the issue, noting that the pharmacy delivers twice daily and that there is an emergency supply available, but not all nurses have access to it. Resident #76's calcitonin nasal spray was not administered on two occasions because it was not available and was not reordered in a timely manner. The LPN unit manager indicated that there was a lack of awareness and communication regarding the medication's unavailability. The facility's policy on medication orders did not adequately address the procedures for handling unavailable medications, contributing to the deficiencies observed during the survey.
Improper Insulin Storage on Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to properly store insulins on four out of five medication carts inspected. Unopened insulins were found stored at room temperature on the 1st and 3rd floor medication carts, despite pharmacy labels indicating that refrigeration was required until opened. Additionally, insulin vials and pens on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floor medication carts were not labeled with the date they were opened. An insulin pen on a 3rd floor medication cart was stored and available for use beyond the recommended 28 days after opening. Interviews with nursing staff revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to proper insulin storage protocols. LPNs and RNs acknowledged that insulins were supposed to be labeled with the date opened and that unopened insulins should be refrigerated. The facility's policy on medication storage was not followed, as it required medications needing refrigeration to be stored in a refrigerator located in a secured location. These findings were reviewed with the facility's administration and nursing leadership, but no further information was provided before the end of the survey.
Food Storage Deficiency in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to store food in accordance with professional standards for food safety in the main kitchen. During an initial tour of the kitchen, multiple open food products were found without labels indicating an open date or use by date, making them accessible for distribution. Specifically, in the dry storage room, open bags of vanilla wafers, cake mix, pasta noodles, and corn bread mix were found without the required dates. In the walk-in refrigerator, an opened container of olives had an open date but no use by date, a partial ham loaf had an open date but no use by date, and a bag of opened parmesan cheese lacked both an open date and a use by date. The dietary manager confirmed that all opened food products should have an open date, and refrigerated items should also have a use by date, with a policy stating they should be discarded after three days. The facility's policy on food storage requires all foods in the refrigerator or freezer to be covered, labeled, and dated with a use by date.
Inadequate Infection Control and PPE Use in LTC Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to follow infection control practices, particularly in response to a COVID-19 outbreak. The infection preventionist (IP) and the director of nursing (DON) did not implement quarantine and testing measures in accordance with CDC recommendations. A certified nursing assistant (CNA) tested positive for COVID-19 but no contact tracing or additional testing was conducted. The DON admitted to not notifying the local health district and was unsure of what constituted a COVID outbreak. Additionally, a registered nurse (RN) also tested positive for COVID-19, but this was not communicated to the IP, indicating a lack of coordination and communication within the facility. The facility also failed to maintain an infection surveillance and monitoring program. The infection preventionist, who had only been in the role since early September, was unable to provide evidence of infection surveillance for the months of May through August 2024. Although there was some evidence of infection surveillance for September, the lack of a consistent program indicates a failure to monitor infectious disease trends effectively, as required by the facility's own policy. Furthermore, the facility staff did not adhere to personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols for a resident on contact isolation due to a wound infection. A certified nurse's aide (CNA) was observed entering the resident's room without the required gown and gloves, despite the room being clearly marked with a contact precautions poster. The CNA acknowledged the mistake, and the licensed practical nurse (LPN) confirmed that the CNA should have donned PPE before entering the room. This oversight highlights a failure to follow established infection control procedures, putting residents at risk of infection.
Deficiency in Antibiotic Stewardship Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide credible evidence of an antibiotic stewardship program, which had the potential to affect residents across all units. During an interview, a resident reported being on an antibiotic without knowing the reason. A review of the resident's medical chart revealed an order for Ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection, which was discontinued after four doses when a urinalysis returned negative results. The nurse practitioner's progress note indicated the antibiotic was prescribed empirically due to reported symptoms, but the urinalysis results led to its discontinuation. The facility's infection preventionist, who had recently assumed the role, was unable to provide documentation supporting the use of McGreer criteria for the resident's antibiotic treatment. The infection preventionist explained the purpose of antibiotic stewardship and the process followed, but the necessary documentation was missing. A review of the facility's infection control program from May to September revealed inconsistencies in documentation and adherence to the McGreer criteria, with multiple instances where criteria were not met or forms were inaccurate. The facility's policy on antibiotic stewardship outlined the need for an interdisciplinary team to review antimicrobial regimens and ensure appropriate use. However, the documentation provided was incomplete, and there was no evidence of regular meetings or reviews of antibiotic use. The director of nursing, who previously filled the infection preventionist role, stated that new antibiotics were discussed in clinical meetings, but the documentation did not support a structured program. The facility administrator and corporate staff were informed of these findings, but no additional information was provided.
Failure to Provide Pneumonia Immunizations and Education
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide education and offer pneumonia immunizations to four out of five residents sampled for immunizations. During the initial tour, one resident expressed that she had been asking daily for vaccines but had not received any. Upon review, it was found that there was no documentation in the clinical records of these residents indicating that they had been educated or offered the pneumonia vaccine, despite being eligible. The infection preventionist confirmed the lack of documentation and explained the process for immunizations, which involved obtaining consent from families and updating records accordingly. Interviews with the unit manager revealed that the immunization process was delayed due to the preparation for a flu clinic and the transition to a new infection preventionist. The unit manager admitted to not having asked one resident about immunizations and acknowledged that another resident's immunization consent was on her to-do list. Additionally, there was confusion regarding the consent forms, as one resident reported wanting the vaccines, contrary to the unit manager's recollection. The director of nursing explained that immunizations should be discussed upon admission and involve multiple staff members, but the process had not been followed as intended.
Failure to Educate and Offer COVID-19 Vaccinations
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide education and offer COVID-19 immunizations to three residents, despite their eligibility and expressed interest in receiving the vaccine. During the initial tour, one resident expressed frustration to the surveyor about not receiving the COVID booster vaccine despite having signed the consent form and repeatedly asking for it. A review of the clinical records for five residents revealed that three of them had no documentation of being educated or offered the COVID vaccine, even though they were eligible. Interviews with the facility's infection preventionist (IP) and the unit manager revealed inconsistencies in the immunization process. The IP confirmed the lack of documentation and explained the process, which involves unit managers obtaining consent and the IP administering the vaccine. However, the unit manager admitted to not having asked one resident about immunizations and was planning to address it later. Another resident was on the unit manager's to-do list for the day, and the third resident had expressed a desire for the vaccine but was not documented as such. The director of nursing (DON) explained that immunizations should be discussed upon admission and involve multiple staff members. However, the process was not followed, as evidenced by the lack of timely education and offering of vaccines to the residents. The facility's policies on vaccination were not adhered to, resulting in the deficiency. The facility administrator, DON, and corporate staff were informed of these findings during an end-of-day meeting.
Call Bell System Failure and Lack of Alternative Communication
Penalty
Summary
The facility experienced a significant deficiency when the call bell system was found to be non-functional on the entire second floor and in various areas on the third floor. This outage persisted throughout the weekend, leaving residents without a means to communicate with staff for assistance. Multiple residents confirmed that their call bells had not been operational, and attempts to engage the call bells resulted in no visual or auditory notifications. Staff interviews revealed that the outage began following a storm on Friday afternoon, and no alternative communication methods were implemented for the residents. The facility's staff, including CNAs and the unit manager, confirmed the call bell system's failure and reported that frequent rounds were being made as a temporary measure. However, the facility's policy for call light outages, which required the distribution of hand bells to residents, was not followed. The regional maintenance director and the facility administrator were unaware of the call bell system's failure until the following Monday, despite the ongoing issues over the weekend. The administrator admitted to fabricating documentation regarding call bell rounds in response to the survey team's inquiries. Interviews with the weekend supervisor and residents further highlighted the lack of communication mechanisms during the outage. The facility's maintenance director, who was on vacation, was not informed about the call bell system's failure. The deficiency was compounded by the facility's failure to adhere to its own policy, which mandated the use of hand bells and increased resident checks during call system outages.
Persistent Mouse Problem in Resident Care Units
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in a persistent mouse problem affecting two of the three resident care units. Multiple residents on the 2nd and 3rd floors reported ongoing issues with mice, with some residents even taking measures into their own hands by setting traps. The maintenance staff, including a newly hired assistant, confirmed receiving numerous reports about mice and had exhausted their supply of glue traps. Despite having a contract with an outside pest control vendor, the facility's pest control efforts were inadequate, as evidenced by the continued presence of mice and the use of potentially hazardous wooden snap traps in resident rooms. Interviews with residents and staff revealed that the mouse problem had been ongoing for several months, particularly since renovations were made to add a dialysis unit. The maintenance assistant and regional maintenance director acknowledged the issue, with the latter unaware of the use of wooden snap traps, which posed a safety hazard. The pest control vendor's reports lacked recommendations for addressing the problem, and the facility's maintenance work orders showed repeated entries related to mice sightings and trap placements, indicating a lack of effective resolution. The facility's policy on pest control stated an ongoing program to keep the building free of pests, yet the evidence showed otherwise. The maintenance director claimed that the vendor and facility staff were addressing the issue as best as they could, but the persistent reports and observations of mice contradicted this assertion. The survey team noted the absence of recommendations from the pest control vendor and the use of inappropriate traps, highlighting deficiencies in the facility's pest control measures.
Failure to Respect Resident Privacy
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to respect the privacy of a resident, identified as Resident #44, by entering his room without knocking or requesting permission. This deficiency was observed during a survey when a staff member entered the resident's room without any prior announcement, went to the roommate's side, and did not acknowledge Resident #44. The resident expressed that this was a frequent occurrence and felt it was disrespectful, as staff often entered without knocking or asking for permission. Further observations confirmed this behavior when a registered nurse entered the room without knocking or addressing the resident, both during the interview and later when attending to the resident's bed rail. Interviews with the licensed practical nurse unit manager and the director of nursing revealed that staff were expected to knock and announce themselves before entering a resident's room, which was not adhered to in this case. The deficiency was discussed with the facility's administration, but no additional information was provided before the survey concluded.
Failure to Issue SNF ABNs for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to complete a Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice (SNF ABN) for two residents, resulting in a deficiency. Resident #317 and Resident #318 did not receive the SNF ABN notice prior to the end of their skilled care services. Consequently, these residents were not given the opportunity to continue skilled care services and have Medicare decide on the coverage, nor were they informed of the option to continue services at their own financial responsibility. Additionally, Resident #316 was issued a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) after the service had already ended, indicating a delay in notification. The deficiency was identified through staff interviews, facility documentation review, and clinical record review. The Social Service Director acknowledged that SNF ABNs were not being completed before her tenure and only became aware of the requirement upon receiving an email with the new ABN form. The clinical records reviewed showed no evidence of ABNs being issued, and progress notes lacked references to ABNs. The facility's failure to provide timely and appropriate beneficiary notifications was brought to the attention of the facility Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Corporate staff during an end-of-day meeting.
Mail Privacy and Delivery Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to uphold the residents' right to privacy concerning their mail and did not provide timely mail delivery across all three units. During a resident council meeting, six residents expressed concerns about receiving opened mail, particularly bills, and not receiving mail on Saturdays. Additionally, there were complaints about packages not being delivered promptly, with one resident noting a delay in receiving a package that had been tracked and confirmed delivered. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and coordination regarding mail handling. The activity director was unaware of the issue with opened mail and confirmed that mail delivery does not occur on Saturdays. The business office manager and receptionist both indicated that mail addressed to the facility might be opened to determine the recipient, but they were not aware of any mail addressed to residents being opened. The receptionist also noted that mail delivered on Saturdays is not distributed until Monday, as there is no receptionist on weekends.
Failure to Maintain Homelike Environment for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain a homelike environment for two residents, leading to deficiencies in their living conditions. For one resident, the ceiling in her room was leaking, and despite multiple maintenance work orders being entered and marked as completed, the issue persisted for months. The resident, who is non-verbal, communicated the problem by pointing to a trashcan placed on the air conditioning unit to catch the water. The trashcan contained standing water with a black substance floating on top, and towels with plaster chips were observed in the room. The maintenance director was unaware of the issue and stated that the problem was due to rain direction and was awaiting a renovation discussion. Another resident experienced a deficiency in their living environment due to a broken closet door that had been off its hinges for about two months. Despite a work order being entered and marked as completed, the door remained leaning against the wall. The maintenance assistant, who was new to the facility, was unaware of the issue until shown by the surveyor. The facility's policy on maintenance work orders was reviewed, indicating a process for prioritizing and completing work orders, but the issues in both residents' rooms were not resolved in a timely manner.
Failure to Complete Accurate PASARR for Resident with Mental Illness
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to accurately complete a pre-admission screening and resident review (PASARR) for a resident with multiple mental health diagnoses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, unspecified psychosis, paranoid schizophrenia, paranoid personality disorder, and unspecified schizophrenia. The level I PASARR, completed by an admissions coordinator, incorrectly marked that the resident did not have a current serious mental illness, which led to the omission of a necessary level II evaluation. The admissions coordinator, who had not received formal training on PASARR completion, based her decision on the resident's ability to live independently and manage daily activities, rather than the documented mental health diagnoses. The deficiency was identified during a clinical record review, which revealed that the resident's diagnoses were not considered in the PASARR assessment. The admissions coordinator acknowledged the oversight and admitted to not being aware of the resident's updated diagnoses. The facility's director of nursing confirmed the presence of these diagnoses in the clinical record, which were supported by past medical documentation and medication reports. The facility's policy on PASARR screenings emphasizes the importance of identifying individuals with mental illness to ensure appropriate care, but this policy was not effectively implemented in this case.
Failure to Address Dental Needs in Resident Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to develop a comprehensive care plan for a resident who was edentulous due to broken and ill-fitting dentures. Despite the resident's dentures being broken and uncomfortable, and a nurse practitioner's progress note indicating a referral to adjust the fitting of the dentures, there was no documentation that the resident had gone for a dental consult. The resident had reported that he had dentures made but did not pick them up and assumed he would need new ones made. The facility's care plan did not address the resident's dental status, even though the Care Area Assessment (CAA) for dental care was triggered during the annual/comprehensive assessment. Interviews with facility staff, including the unit manager and care plan coordinator, revealed that the care plan is intended to reflect the care required and received by the resident. However, the care plan for this resident did not incorporate the identified dental issues, which were supposed to be addressed according to the facility's policy and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidelines. The deficiency was brought to the attention of the facility administrator, director of nursing, and corporate staff during an end-of-day meeting.
Medication Administration and Fall Assessment Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to adhere to professional standards of care in the administration and storage of medications for three residents. For Resident #166, the medication Advair diskus was left at the bedside after administration, despite the resident not being assessed for self-administration. The medication was observed on the over-bed table the following morning, indicating it had been left there since the previous evening. The facility's policy requires medications to be stored securely, which was not followed in this instance. Resident #53 experienced a fall that was not timely assessed or documented. The resident, who has severe cognitive impairment, reportedly fell on a holiday, but the incident was not recorded in the medical chart. A nurse practitioner was notified days later, and subsequent assessments revealed a clavicle fracture. The facility's policy mandates immediate evaluation and documentation of falls, which was not adhered to in this case. For Resident #68, the facility staff did not follow proper medication administration procedures. Lactulose medication was left at the resident's bedside without supervision, and the resident had not been assessed for self-administration. The facility's guidelines require staff to observe residents ingesting medication, which was not done. These deficiencies were discussed with the facility's administration, but no additional information was provided before the survey's conclusion.
Failure to Timely Replace Resident's Eyeglasses
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure timely replacement of eyeglasses for a resident, leading to a deficiency in maintaining the resident's vision abilities. The resident, who could see far away but not up close, reported that his glasses were broken by a staff member and had not been replaced for two months. Despite the resident's communication with the staff about the issue, the glasses remained unreplaced, affecting his ability to read. The social worker director had sent a high-priority email to the director of nursing and other relevant staff on 9/6/24, requesting the replacement of the resident's glasses. However, the director of nursing did not open the email and was unaware of the issue. The resident chose not to file a formal grievance, believing that discussing the matter with the team would suffice. The glasses were eventually replaced by the activities director on 10/2/24, but the delay in addressing the issue resulted in a deficiency noted by surveyors.
Failure to Provide Therapeutic Diet as Ordered
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide a therapeutic diet as ordered by the physician for a resident, identified as Resident #56 (R56), from a survey sample of 29 residents. The deficiency was observed during meal times on multiple occasions. On September 30, 2024, during lunch, R56's meal ticket indicated large entree portions, but he received only the regular serving size of 3 ounces of Italian chicken. A certified nursing assistant (CNA#2) confirmed that R56 did not receive double portions of the entree as sometimes provided. R56 expressed that the serving size was too small. Further observations on October 1, 2024, revealed that R56's breakfast tray contained the regular size entree, with two waffles, similar to other residents' trays. CNA#2 confirmed that R56 did not receive a large portion of waffles. A clinical record review showed that R56's care plan, updated on August 27, 2024, required a diet per order, with an intervention for large protein portions with all meals put in place by a registered dietician on March 19, 2024. The facility's documentation on therapeutic diets indicated that diets are ordered by a physician or dietitian as part of treatment. The facility's administration was made aware of the concern, but no further information was provided.
Deficiencies in Respiratory Care and Oxygen Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain the nebulizer mask for Resident #90 (R90) in a manner that prevents contamination and infection. Observations revealed that R90's nebulizer mask was not dated to indicate when it was last changed, was left open to air without a storage bag, and was found on the floor at the bedside. Interviews with LPN #4 and RN #6 indicated a lack of adherence to the facility's protocol for storing and changing respiratory equipment. The clinical record review showed no documentation of when the nebulizer tubing and masks were changed, despite an active physician order requiring weekly changes and proper storage. Additionally, the facility staff failed to follow physician orders for oxygen administration for two residents, R20 and R56. R20's oxygen was set at 3 liters per minute instead of the ordered 2 liters, and R56's oxygen was set at 4 liters per minute instead of the ordered 2 liters. Interviews with LPNs confirmed the discrepancies in oxygen settings, which were not in accordance with the physician's orders. The facility's policy on oxygen administration was reviewed, but the staff did not adhere to the guidelines, resulting in incorrect oxygen administration for these residents.
Failure to Arrange Transportation for Radiology Appointment
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to assist Resident #121 with transportation arrangements to a radiology appointment, resulting in the resident missing the scheduled procedure. The resident had been prepped for the appointment by being kept NPO the night before, but due to a lack of communication and documentation, the appointment was not attended. The facility's scheduler, OS5, acknowledged confusion regarding the appointment times and the absence of a transport driver, but no alternative arrangements were made, and there was no documentation in the resident's clinical record about the missed appointment. Interviews with the transport driver and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed the missed appointment and the lack of rescheduling or documentation. The DON stated that the protocol for missed appointments includes notifying the provider and responsible party, rescheduling, and documenting the incident, none of which were done in this case. The facility's documentation review highlighted the resident's rights to be informed and participate in their treatment, which were not upheld. The regional nurse consultant's investigation further confirmed the absence of documentation regarding the missed appointment.
Failure to Arrange Routine Dental Services for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to arrange for routine dental services for a resident, identified as R5, who appeared edentulous during a survey. R5 reported that his dentures had broken after biting into something, and although he had new dentures made, he did not pick them up. A clinical record review revealed a progress note from a nurse practitioner dated May 23, 2024, indicating that R5 had complaints about improperly fitting dentures and was referred to Affordable Dentures for adjustment. However, there was no documentation of R5 attending a dental consult following this referral. Interviews with the nurse practitioner and the unit manager revealed that R5 had received new dentures the previous year but was dissatisfied with them and continued using his old ones, which eventually broke. The unit manager confirmed that R5 missed a dental appointment in July due to a communication error between units. R5 was last seen at the dentist in June, where impressions were taken, but he missed the follow-up appointment to pick up the dentures. The facility administrator, director of nursing, and corporate staff were informed of these findings during an end-of-day meeting, but no additional information was provided.
Failure to Follow Resident Meal Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to adhere to the meal preferences of two residents, leading to deficiencies in the provision of meals according to their documented preferences. Resident #103 was supposed to receive salad and soup with his lunch meal as per his meal ticket, but neither item was present on his tray. During an interview, Resident #103 confirmed that he was supposed to receive these items with two meals every day, but often did not receive them. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) acknowledged the discrepancy and indicated she would check with the kitchen to rectify the issue. Similarly, Resident #106 did not receive the beverages of choice as indicated on his meal ticket, which included hot coffee, fruit punch, and milk. None of these beverages were present on his lunch tray. Resident #106 expressed his preference for hot coffee and noted that he frequently did not receive any drinks with his meals. A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) confirmed the absence of the specified beverages and stated she would attempt to obtain them from the kitchen. The facility's policy on specialized diets emphasizes the importance of adhering to residents' dietary preferences, which was not followed in these instances.
Documentation Failures in Resident Care and Incident Reporting
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain accurate documentation of a resident's activities of daily living (ADL) care, specifically regarding showers. A resident was observed with oily hair and dry skin, and during an interview, she stated that she had only received one bath since her admission and had not been showered by the staff. The ADL documentation inaccurately recorded that showers were given on specific dates, but a certified nursing assistant (CNA) confirmed that these entries were incorrect, as she had never showered the resident. This discrepancy was brought to the attention of the facility's administration and nursing staff. Another deficiency involved the incomplete clinical record for a resident who was being treated by a dermatologist for skin lesions. The clinical record lacked dermatology notes, despite progress notes indicating that the resident had been seen by dermatology and had new orders in place. The facility's medical records employee confirmed that all records had been scanned, yet the dermatology notes were missing. The facility later provided the missing notes, acknowledging that they should have been part of the clinical record. The facility also failed to document a fall for a resident with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. A progress note indicated that the resident had a fall on a specific date, but there was no documentation of the incident in the medical record. Interviews with staff revealed that the fall was reported to an agency nurse, but it was not documented or assessed. The facility's policy on documenting falls was not followed, as the incident was not recorded in the resident's medical record, and the director of nursing was unaware of the fall until it was brought to their attention.
Failure to Maintain Operational Beds
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain operational beds for a resident, identified as R78, whose bed was not functional for three days. This left the resident in an upright position, causing discomfort. The issue was first observed on September 30, 2024, when R78 reported the problem to a surveyor. Certified nursing assistant #9 confirmed that the bed had been non-operational throughout the weekend, and there were issues with several beds following a power outage. Registered nurse #6, the unit manager, acknowledged the problem but was unaware of why the bed had not been replaced sooner. The maintenance director, who was on vacation, confirmed that his assistant repaired one bed over the weekend but was not informed of other non-working beds. The maintenance director also noted that the facility had been purchasing new beds due to the age of the current ones. The maintenance assistant corroborated that he was not informed of any additional bed issues during his visit.
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Staff failed to consistently provide and/or document required ADL care, including incontinence care, turning/positioning, and bathing, for several dependent residents with bowel and bladder incontinence and significant cognitive impairment. One resident’s representative reported finding the resident in a wet brief on multiple weekend visits, while ADL records over several months showed numerous blank entries for incontinence care across all shifts despite care plans requiring continence care and facility policy mandating daily personal care and linen changes when soiled. Another resident, dependent for bathing, received only two showers over a two‑week period, contrary to policy requiring at least twice‑weekly showers, even though a CNA stated showers were given at least twice weekly and documented. Additional residents with incontinence and immobility had missing documentation of toileting hygiene and turning/positioning on specific dates and shifts, despite care plans directing staff to observe for moisture and provide care as indicated and CNAs describing a two‑hour rounding and documentation process in the electronic record.
Facility staff allowed unsafe smoking practices by permitting a resident, assessed as an independent smoker with no cognitive impairment, to smoke in a non-designated courtyard lacking ashtrays, fire-safe disposal containers, a fire extinguisher, or a fire blanket, and to extinguish and discard a cigarette into a trash can containing combustible materials during high winds. Staff acknowledged that residents sometimes smoked in this non-designated area and were only redirected when noticed, while the designated smoking courtyard, though equipped with a fireproof disposal can and smoking blanket, contained a fire extinguisher with no inspection tag or documented inspection. These actions and inactions conflicted with the facility’s smoking policy requiring designated outdoor areas and noncombustible ashtrays, leading surveyors to identify immediate jeopardy and substandard quality of care related to accident hazards and smoking safety.
A cognitively impaired resident with multiple medical conditions and severe behavioral disturbances repeatedly engaged in verbal and physical aggression toward other residents and staff, including yelling profanities, ramming a wheelchair, attempting to strike a resident using a walker, kicking another resident near an elevator, and kicking and punching a nurse. Behavior notes documented that these incidents occurred frequently and that simple separation and moving the resident to a quiet area were ineffective. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident’s behavior was unpredictable, triggered when his demands were not met immediately, and directed at various residents and staff. Although psychiatric documentation and the care plan called for identifying triggers, redirection, 1:1 staffing, and psychosocial interventions, staff responses remained largely reactive, and one documented altercation involving two residents was not investigated or summarized, resulting in a failure to protect residents from abuse.
Staff failed to follow a physician’s order requiring blood pressure checks before administering Nifedipine ER to a resident with hypertension and multiple comorbidities. Over a two-week period, there were 15 administrations of the medication without any documented pre-dose BP readings in the MAR or EHR. An LPN reported that BPs are only taken when specifically ordered and acknowledged that nurses are expected to read orders prior to giving medications. The DON later stated that blood pressure had been checked and the medication was eventually discontinued.
The facility failed to report and investigate an incident in which a cognitively impaired resident with multiple comorbidities yelled at another resident in the dining area, then rammed the wheelchair of one resident and attempted to strike another, prompting staff to separate the residents and complete skin assessments. Two other residents, one with heart failure, kidney disease, dysphagia, and a cognitive communication deficit, and another with cerebral palsy and psychiatric diagnoses, were upset following the altercation, and documentation later showed that one had been pushed. Despite the DON being informed and the facility’s abuse policy requiring prompt reporting of all alleged abuse, no incident synopsis or investigation was completed or reported to the state agency for the residents involved in this altercation, and the administrator later acknowledged that an investigation and incident summary should have been completed.
The facility failed to investigate a resident-to-resident abuse incident in which a cognitively impaired resident with multiple comorbidities yelled at another resident in the dining area, then rammed a wheelchair and attempted to strike two cognitively intact residents with significant medical and psychiatric histories. Staff separated the residents and performed skin assessments that showed no injuries, but the involved residents were upset. Despite documentation that one resident had been pushed and an abuse policy requiring immediate review and investigation of all allegations or observations of abuse, the DON did not initiate an incident synopsis or investigation because staff had intervened before further harm occurred, and the administrator later confirmed that no investigation or incident summary was completed for this event.
A resident with multiple diagnoses, including dementia and severe cognitive impairment, had a behavior care plan that listed an intervention of "1:1 supervision as indicated" without defining when it should start, whether it was continuous or behavior-based, what behaviors would trigger it, or how long it should last. During interview, the DON explained that staff initiate 1:1 supervision when the resident becomes aggressive toward another resident and continue it until the resident deescalates, and acknowledged the care plan lacked needed specificity. This incomplete and non-measurable care plan for behavior management led to the cited deficiency.
A cognitively impaired, fully ambulatory resident with Wernicke’s encephalopathy and severe deficits engaged in sexual acts with another resident and was later found partially unclothed in a female resident’s room, despite care plan directives for immediate separation and 1:1 monitoring that staff were unaware of and did not implement. The resident had a documented pattern of wandering, entering other residents’ rooms during personal care, exit seeking, and a prior elopement through a courtyard gate, yet an elopement assessment later incorrectly denied a history of elopement and minimized safety and privacy risks. A Wander-Guard was ordered but not consistently in place or care planned, the courtyard gate alarm was found turned off with no staff present while residents were in the courtyard, and required abuse and elopement incidents were not properly reported or investigated per federal, state, and facility policy, resulting in Immediate Jeopardy and substandard quality of care findings.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and Wernicke’s encephalopathy, who was fully ambulatory and known to wander and seek exits, repeatedly entered other residents’ rooms, attempted to leave through exit doors, and eloped from an enclosed courtyard through a gate whose alarm had been turned off and was not monitored by staff. Despite a provider order and care plan for a Wander-Guard and elopement precautions, the device was removed and not replaced, and care plan interventions were not implemented or documented. The same resident was later found performing oral sex on another resident and, on a separate occasion, partially undressed on a female resident’s bed, despite lacking capacity to consent; required 1:1 supervision was care planned but not communicated to or followed by staff. Incidents of elopement and sexual contact were not accurately assessed or reported to the state agency, and documentation of elopement risk and abuse investigations was incomplete, leading surveyors to cite Immediate Jeopardy for accidents, hazards, abuse, and neglect.
Staff failed to ensure residents knew where to find contact information for the State Survey Agency and the State LTC Ombudsman. Required lists of names, mailing/email addresses, and phone numbers were posted behind the concierge desk in an area not accessible to residents, and no other signage was present on the unit. During a Resident Council meeting, all residents present were unable to identify the location of this information and were unaware of their right to file complaints with the State or Ombudsman. Later, two residents taken to see the posting stated they had not known it was there, while the concierge reported residents must ask for the information and that none had done so during her tenure.
Failure to Provide and Document Required Incontinence Care and Bathing for Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide required ADL care, specifically incontinence care and bathing, to multiple dependent residents as documented in clinical records, interviews, and facility documents. One resident with severe cognitive impairment, always incontinent of bowel and bladder and dependent on staff for toileting hygiene, had extensive gaps in ADL documentation over several months. ADL records from January through March showed multiple dates and shifts where incontinence care entries were left blank, despite a care plan stating the resident’s bowel and bladder continence needs were to be met and a facility policy requiring daily personal care and clean clothing and linens each time they were soiled. The resident’s representative reported visiting on weekends and finding the resident’s brief appearing wet for hours. CNAs interviewed stated that incontinence care was provided every two hours and documented as evidence of care, but the records did not reflect consistent documentation. Another resident, moderately cognitively impaired and dependent for showering and bathing, did not receive showers at the frequency required by facility policy and the resident’s care plan. Clinical documentation over a two‑week period showed that the resident received only two showers, even though the policy required tub/shower baths not less than twice weekly and the care plan specified assistance with bathing and hygiene as required. The resident’s authorized representative expressed concern that the resident was not being showered regularly. A CNA reported that showers were given at least twice a week and documented in the electronic system, and that refusals were verified by the nurse, but the documentation reviewed did not show showers being provided at the required frequency. Additional residents with bowel and bladder incontinence and dependence on staff for toileting, hygiene, and positioning also had missing documentation of incontinence care and turning/positioning on specific dates and shifts. One resident, frequently incontinent and dependent on staff for toileting, had no documented toileting hygiene on two night shifts in June, despite a care plan directing staff to observe for moisture and provide care as indicated. Two other residents, both severely cognitively impaired, dependent for locomotion, transfer, dressing, toileting, and hygiene, and care‑planned for bladder and bowel incontinence and risk for pressure ulcer development, had ADL records with missing evidence of incontinence care and turning/positioning on multiple day and night shifts across several months. CNA interviews described a process of rounding at the beginning of the shift and then every two hours, with all care documented in the electronic record and the understanding that if it is not documented there is no evidence it was done, yet the reviewed records contained numerous blank entries for required care.
Unsafe Smoking Practices and Inadequate Fire Safety Controls
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure the environment remained free of accident hazards and did not provide adequate supervision and safety measures related to resident smoking. Staff permitted residents to smoke in a non-designated courtyard that lacked required fire safety controls, including ashtrays or fire-safe disposal containers, a fire extinguisher, or a fire blanket. The trash receptacle in this area contained combustible materials such as paper, cardboard, and plastic liners, and there were high winds at the time of observation, all of which were documented as increasing the fire ignition risk. On one observed occasion, a resident admitted for post-surgical rehabilitation, with an MDS BIMS score of 15 indicating no cognitive impairment and assessed as an independent smoker, was seen smoking in the non-designated courtyard. The resident extinguished a cigarette on the ground and discarded it into the trash receptacle containing combustible waste. No appropriate smoking safety equipment or supervision was present in that courtyard at the time. Staff interviews confirmed that the courtyard where the resident was observed smoking was not a designated smoking area, although residents sometimes smoked there and staff only attempted to redirect them when noticed. The designated smoking courtyard, located in a different area, was reported to have a fireproof metal can for cigarette disposal, a fire extinguisher, and a smoking blanket; however, the fire extinguisher in that designated area had no inspection tag or date and appeared to be a store-bought unit with no evidence of inspection. The facility’s smoking policy required the Administrator to designate outdoor smoking areas and mandated access to noncombustible ashtrays in those areas, but these requirements were not consistently implemented or enforced, contributing to the identified deficiency and immediate jeopardy related to accident hazards and smoking safety.
Removal Plan
- Resident #10 was placed on 1:1 observation for safety reasons due to smoking in an unauthorized area.
- Resident #10 was re-educated on the smoking policy and procedure, including smoking location and cigarette disposal.
- Locks were ordered to be installed on the courtyard doors to prevent unauthorized smoking.
- Lock installation on the non-designated courtyard began.
- The Facility Administrator will conduct a town hall meeting with residents that smoke to review the facility smoking policy (locations, cigarette disposal, and consequences for non-compliance up to suspension of smoking privileges or potential discharge).
- All residents that smoke will have a new smoking policy acknowledgement obtained.
- The Interdisciplinary Team will be educated by the President of Operations on the smoking policy and designated smoking areas.
- Facility staff will be educated by the Director of Nursing or designee on the smoking policy and designated smoking areas; no employee will be allowed to work until educated.
- The Administrator or designee will conduct weekly environmental safety rounds three times a week for 4 weeks, then monthly audits for 2 months to ensure no resident is smoking in a non-designated smoking area.
- The Administrator made the Medical Director aware of the Immediate Jeopardy via telephone.
Failure to Protect Residents From Ongoing Aggression and Abuse by a Cognitively Impaired Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to protect multiple residents from physical and verbal abuse by another resident with known aggressive behaviors. One resident with severe cognitive impairment and diagnoses including heart failure, diabetes, dementia, hemiplegia, and seizure disorder repeatedly exhibited aggression toward other residents and staff. Behavior notes documented frequent verbal outbursts with expletives, yelling, and threatening behavior, as well as physical aggression such as ramming another resident’s wheelchair, attempting to strike a resident using a walker, and kicking and punching a nurse. These behaviors were noted to occur multiple times per week or daily, and staff documented that separating the resident from others and moving him to a quiet location were not effective interventions. The aggressive resident’s behaviors were directed toward several specific residents. On one occasion, when another resident came downstairs to visit friends, the aggressive resident yelled profanities and ordered him to leave. On another date in the dining room, the aggressive resident stared and ground his teeth, yelled loudly, frightened two female residents, rammed one resident’s wheelchair as she tried to leave, and lunged toward another resident with a walker, swinging his arms in an attempt to hit her before a male nurse intervened. During the same incident, the aggressive resident kicked and punched a nurse, causing bruising and a knot on the shin and bruising on the chest. On a later date at the elevator, when the aggressive resident encountered another resident he disliked, he began screaming profanities, kicked the other resident, and swung at him, causing the other resident to back into the wall and yell. Additional behavior notes described the aggressive resident yelling repetitively, grinding his teeth, shaking with anger, and attempting to attack a female resident after she asked him to stop yelling, with staff intervening to block him. Staff interviews confirmed that this resident’s behaviors were sporadic, unpredictable, and could be directed at anyone, and that he became aggressive when his wants were not met immediately. Staff reported that another resident was a known trigger and had been moved to another unit, but the aggressive behaviors toward other residents and staff continued. Psychiatric documentation indicated that the aggressive behavior was possibly related to vascular dementia and a mood disorder, and the treatment plan called for identifying triggers, redirection, one-to-one staffing, and psychosocial interventions; however, staff described their responses as largely reactive, focused on separation and occasional one-to-one, and behavior notes repeatedly documented that these interventions were ineffective. The facility also failed to produce an incident summary or investigation for the incident involving two residents in the dining room, despite documentation that they were involved and upset at the time. Interviews with the affected residents showed that they experienced the aggressive resident as loud, hateful, rude, and a bully. One resident reported that the aggressive resident had been physically aggressive toward him in the elevator but that he did not sustain injuries. Two female roommates reported that the aggressive resident had not physically contacted them but had come toward one of them aggressively and was stopped, and they described him as hateful, loud, and believing he should get everything he wants. Another resident stated that the aggressive resident had been aggressive toward her and that she tried to stay to herself. Staff, including CNAs, LPNs, the unit manager, social services, and the facility NP, consistently described the aggressive resident as unpredictable, easily escalated when his demands were not met, and requiring separation when angry. Despite ongoing, documented aggressive behaviors toward multiple residents and staff over an extended period, the facility did not implement and sustain effective interventions to prevent further abuse, and did not consistently investigate all incidents, resulting in a failure to ensure residents’ right to be free from abuse.
Removal Plan
- Resident #1 was placed on 1 to 1 supervision and will remain on 1 to 1 supervision while out of bed until discharge or a significant change in condition limits the resident's physical ability to encounter another resident; while in bed the resident is not considered a risk because the resident cannot transfer independently.
- Residents #2, #3, #4, and #5 will receive follow-up psychosocial support from facility staff.
- The facility will continue attempts to find alternative placement for Resident #1.
- All residents in the facility will be screened for evidence of abuse and neglect (interviewable residents with BIMS ≥ 8 interviewed using an abuse questionnaire; non-verbal residents and residents with BIMS ≤ 7 assessed head-to-toe to validate absence of signs of physical abuse).
- Any identified concerns from the screening will be addressed according to the facility Abuse Policy.
- All residents will be assessed/reviewed for similar behaviors as exhibited by Resident #1 by reviewing all Facility Reportable Incidents (FRIs), and care plans will be reviewed and revised with interventions for any identified residents.
- All facility and agency staff will be reeducated on the facility Abuse Policy, including abuse prevention, types of abuse, and abuse reporting.
- Staff not present will be required to complete mandatory abuse-policy education prior to the start of their next shift.
- No staff member will be allowed to return to work until the mandatory abuse-policy education has been completed.
- New hire orientation will include abuse-policy training as part of the new hire process.
- All agency staff will be required to complete abuse-policy education prior to starting work in the facility.
- Facility leadership will be reeducated by the Regional Director of Clinical Operations and Regional Director of Operations on assessing triggers, root causes, and escalation patterns and developing an effective and sustained supervision and separation intervention for residents with behavioral disturbances.
- The Medical Director was notified of the situation.
- The facility conducted an Ad Hoc QAPI committee meeting to accept the IJ Removal Plan.
Failure to Obtain Ordered Blood Pressure Readings Before Antihypertensive Administration
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure a resident was free from significant medication errors by not following a physician’s order requiring blood pressure assessment prior to administering an antihypertensive medication. The resident had diagnoses including quadriplegia, primary progressive multiple sclerosis, aphasia, anemia, cognitive communication deficit, and essential primary hypertension, and was assessed as cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15 but dependent on staff for all ADLs, requiring a mechanical lift for transfers and an electric wheelchair for ambulation. The physician’s order for Nifedipine ER 30 mg once daily for hypertension, dated 6/2/25, directed staff to hold the medication if the systolic blood pressure was less than 120. Review of the MAR from 3/31/26 through 4/14/26 showed no recorded blood pressures prior to administration of Nifedipine on 15 occasions. During interview, an LPN stated that blood pressures are not automatically taken when administering blood pressure medications and that if there is an order to obtain blood pressure prior to administration, it would be recorded on the MAR, and blood pressures are documented in the EHR. The LPN was unable to locate any blood pressure readings prior to Nifedipine administration in the EHR and acknowledged that nurses should read orders before giving medications and that not checking blood pressure before administration could result in the resident’s blood pressure “bottoming out.” The DON later stated that blood pressure had been checked and the medication was discontinued because the resident no longer needed it.
Failure to Report and Investigate Resident-to-Resident Abuse Incident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to report and investigate resident-to-resident abuse incidents involving three residents. One resident with heart failure, diabetes, dementia, hemiplegia, seizure disorder, and a severely impaired cognitive score of 5 was involved in an altercation in the dining area with two other residents. One of the other residents had heart failure, kidney disease, dysphagia, a cognitive communication deficit, and a mildly impaired cognitive score of 12, while the third resident had cerebral palsy, anxiety, bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder, and was cognitively intact with a score of 15. Progress notes showed that during the dining incident, the cognitively impaired resident began yelling "No" to another resident nearby, after which one of the female residents told the resident to stop. The cognitively impaired resident then rammed the wheelchair of one of the female residents and started swinging and trying to attack the other female resident, requiring staff to separate all residents. Staff interviews and record review confirmed that the residents were separated and skin assessments were completed, with no injuries identified, although the two female residents were upset at the time. The RN who documented the behavior reported that the DON was informed of the involvement of the two female residents. When surveyors requested all investigations and incident summaries related to the aggressive resident’s behavior toward others, the facility produced documentation only for a separate altercation involving a different resident, and there was no evidence of an investigation or incident synopsis for the dining room altercation involving the two female residents. The DON stated that no incident synopsis or report was completed because there was no actual physical abuse due to staff separating the residents. Later review of a progress note showed that one of the female residents had been pushed by the aggressive resident, and the administrator acknowledged that no investigation or incident summary was found and that one should have been reported. This failure occurred despite the facility’s abuse policy requiring all alleged violations involving abuse to be reported immediately, but no later than two hours after the allegation is made.
Failure to Investigate Resident-to-Resident Abuse Incident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to investigate an incident of resident-to-resident abuse involving three residents. One resident with diagnoses including heart failure, diabetes, dementia, hemiplegia, and seizure disorder, and a severely impaired cognitive score of 5 on the most recent MDS, was involved in an altercation in the dining area with two cognitively intact residents whose diagnoses included heart failure, kidney disease, dysphagia, cognitive communication deficit, cerebral palsy, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorder. Progress notes documented that during the incident, the cognitively impaired resident began yelling "No" to another resident near the dining area, after which one of the female residents told this resident to stop. The cognitively impaired resident then rammed one resident’s wheelchair and started swinging and trying to attack the other resident, and staff separated all residents involved. During interviews, the RN who wrote the behavior note confirmed that the residents were separated, the DON was informed, and skin assessments were completed on the two cognitively intact residents, which showed no injuries, though both were upset at the time. When surveyors requested all investigations and incident summaries related to the aggressive resident’s behavior toward others, the facility produced documentation only for a separate altercation involving a different resident, and there was no evidence of an investigation or incident summary for the dining room altercation involving the two cognitively intact residents. The DON stated there was no incident synopsis or investigation because there was no actual physical abuse due to staff separating the residents. Later review of a progress note indicating that one resident had been pushed did not yield any additional documentation, and the administrator acknowledged that an investigation and incident summary should have been completed. The facility’s abuse policy required designated staff to immediately review and investigate all allegations or observations of abuse and to communicate results to the administrator and appropriate officials within five working days, but no such investigation was completed for this incident.
Failure to Specify Parameters for 1:1 Supervision in Behavior Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to develop and implement a comprehensive, measurable behavior care plan for one resident requiring 1:1 supervision. The resident had diagnoses including heart failure, diabetes, dementia, hemiplegia, and seizure disorder, and a recent MDS with a cognitive score of 5 indicating severe cognitive impairment. Review of the resident’s behavior care plan showed an intervention initiated on 12/30/25 that stated "1:1 supervision as indicated" without specifying parameters such as timeframe, whether the supervision was continuous or behavior-based, what specific behaviors would trigger its use, or the duration of the intervention. During an interview on 3/19/26 at 12:15 p.m., the DON stated that the resident is placed on 1:1 when he becomes aggressive toward another resident and remains on 1:1 until he deescalates, and acknowledged that the care plan should be more specific regarding 1:1 supervision. This lack of detailed parameters and measurable actions in the written care plan for 1:1 supervision constituted the deficiency identified by surveyors for failure to develop and implement a complete care plan that met all of the resident’s needs with clear timetables and measurable interventions.
Failure to Protect Cognitively Impaired Resident From Sexual Abuse and Elopement Due to Inadequate Supervision and Reporting
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to protect a cognitively impaired resident from sexual abuse and neglect, including inadequate supervision despite known risks. One resident with Wernicke’s encephalopathy and severe cognitive impairment, reflected by a BIMS score of 99, was fully ambulatory and had a documented history of wandering, exit seeking, and intrusive behaviors into other residents’ rooms. Another resident involved in a sexual incident had mild cognitive impairment with a BIMS score of 13 and self-propelled in a wheelchair. On one occasion, documentation showed the cognitively impaired resident was found in another male resident’s room on his knees performing oral sex; the residents were separated, and the cognitively impaired resident later had no recollection of the event. A subsequent progress note documented the same cognitively impaired resident sitting on the side of a female resident’s bed with his pants off while the other resident was fully clothed under the covers; staff could not later identify this third resident for surveyors. The facility’s care planning and supervision for the cognitively impaired resident were deficient. A comprehensive care plan entry dated 2/24/26 identified a psychosocial well-being problem related to sexual/physical contact with another resident and directed staff to immediately separate and remove the resident from such situations and notify the NP and responsible party/guardian. Another care plan entry dated 3/9/26 specified that the resident had obsessive compulsive behavior and required 1:1 monitoring at all times, medication administration as ordered, and redirection and cues as needed. However, multiple nursing staff and CNAs interviewed on 3/17/26 and 3/18/26 denied knowing that the resident was to be on 1:1 supervision, and supervision was not provided. The care plan interventions focused on reacting after sexual or physical contact was found, and there was no evidence of preventative measures being implemented to protect the resident from himself or to protect others from him. None of the care plan interventions for behaviors or elopement were documented as implemented, and no behaviors were documented on the MAR during the resident’s stay. The facility also failed to adequately supervise the resident’s known wandering and elopement risk and to secure exit doors. Nursing and physician notes documented multiple episodes of wandering and exit seeking, including the resident going into other residents’ rooms during their personal care, attempting to exit through doors, and an elopement through the courtyard gate on 12/15/25, when he pushed the gate and exited to the parking lot before being redirected back inside. An elopement evaluation completed later incorrectly indicated no history of elopement and minimized the impact of the resident’s wandering on safety and privacy, despite prior documentation of elopement and intrusion into other residents’ rooms. A Wander-Guard device had been ordered on 11/13/25, but on 3/17/26 no device was found on the resident, and he had previously removed it on 3/8/26 without replacement or care plan direction until the time of survey. During survey observations, the courtyard gate alarm was found in the off position, the gate could be opened without an alarm sounding, and no staff were present in the courtyard despite residents being there. The resident’s prior elopement and the incident of him unclothed in a female resident’s room were never reported to the state agency, and the facility’s abuse reporting and investigation documentation for the 2/23/26 sexual incident was incomplete, lacked the initial report, lacked staff witness statements, and had no confirmation that required reports were timely submitted to the state agency, contrary to federal, state, and facility policy requirements.
Removal Plan
- Resident #1 was placed on 1:1 continuous supervision 24 hours/day.
- The resident provider and resident representative were notified.
- Residents who have a BIMS score of 9 or greater have been interviewed to determine if they have experienced any unwanted sexual interaction with another resident, if they have concerns about other residents wandering into their rooms, and if they feel safe residing in the facility.
- Residents who have a BIMS score of less than 9 have had a body skin assessment completed by a licensed nurse to identify any changes in skin that may have resulted from abuse.
- Any newly identified areas from skin assessments will be reported to the residents' provider and the residents' representative.
- Other residents who have a moderate or higher risk for elopement have been reviewed to determine that appropriate interventions, including use of a Wander Guard, are in place and functional.
- A staff member has been assigned to continuously monitor the facility exit door to the courtyard until another alarm system can be installed.
- The courtyard gate alarm was activated and is being monitored every 30 minutes to ensure that it remains engaged.
- All current residents will be reviewed to ensure that elopement risk assessments have been completed and that appropriate interventions are being implemented per the resident care plan and provider orders.
- All staff will be re-educated on abuse, including unwanted or non-consensual sexual activity and the capacity to consent.
- Staff who are unable to participate in the initial abuse training will be educated prior to their next scheduled shift.
- All licensed nursing staff will be re-educated on completion of the elopement risk assessment, importance of implementing safe precautions and supervising residents who may be at risk of elopement, and documenting functionality and placement of the Wander Guard.
- Licensed nursing staff who are unable to participate in the initial elopement training will be educated prior to their next scheduled shift.
- The smoke attendant will be educated on safety precautions and their responsibility for supervising the exit door to the courtyard and supervising that the alarm on the courtyard gate is engaged each shift.
- All staff will be re-educated on the importance of supervising wandering residents and approaches to re-direct residents who wander into other resident rooms.
- Staff who are unable to participate in the initial wandering supervision training will be educated prior to their next scheduled shift.
- Residents who have expressed concern of other residents wandering their rooms will be offered interventions such as a room change, use of stop sign, or other alternative, to minimize other residents from wandering into their rooms.
Failure to Supervise High-Risk Wanderer and Prevent Non-Consensual Sexual Contact
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain an accident-hazard-free environment and provide adequate supervision for residents with known wandering, exit-seeking, and sexually disinhibited behaviors. One resident with Wernicke’s encephalopathy, severe cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 99), and full ambulatory ability was repeatedly documented as wandering into other residents’ rooms, disrupting care, and seeking exits. Nursing notes showed that this resident attempted to leave the enclosed courtyard by pushing open the gate, was observed going to numerous exit doors and setting off a door alarm, and wandered throughout multiple units. Despite a physician’s order for a Wander-Guard device and an elopement risk care plan focus, the resident removed the Wander-Guard and it was not replaced, and on the day of survey no Wander-Guard was found on the resident. The elopement event when the resident exited the courtyard gate was not reported to the state agency. Surveyors also identified environmental hazards and lack of supervision related to the courtyard exit. The courtyard gate, which opened to the parking lot, was equipped with an audible alarm and keyed lock, but surveyors found the alarm in the off position and were able to open the gate without any alarm sounding. No staff were present in the courtyard while four residents were there, and surveyors waited approximately five minutes at the open gate with no staff response. The Maintenance Director stated that the alarm had been shut off by someone, that multiple keys were “floating around,” and that he could not account for all of them. He also confirmed that the gate did not have a Wander-Guard alarm. These conditions demonstrated that exit doors and the courtyard gate were not secured or supervised adequately to prevent resident elopement. The facility also failed to protect the cognitively impaired resident from engaging in sexual activities he could not consent to and failed to protect other residents from his behaviors. Progress notes documented that this resident was found on his knees performing oral sex on another male resident who was lying on his bed, and later was found sitting on the side of a female resident’s bed with his pants off while she was fully clothed under the covers. The cognitively impaired resident had no recollection of the sexual event. A psychiatric evaluation documented dementia, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, and altered mental status. The care plan was updated to include a psychosocial problem related to sexual/physical contact with another resident and later to require 1:1 continuous monitoring for behaviors, but multiple nursing staff and CNAs reported they were unaware of the 1:1 requirement, and supervision was not provided. The sexual incident between the two male residents and the subsequent intrusion into the female resident’s room were not reported to the state agency. The surveyors concluded that withholding required supervision for a resident known to be a danger to himself and others constituted neglect and contributed to Immediate Jeopardy related to accidents, hazards, abuse, and neglect. In addition, documentation and assessment processes related to elopement and behavior were deficient. An elopement evaluation completed after the resident’s documented elopement incorrectly indicated no history of elopement and minimized the impact of his wandering on safety and privacy, despite prior notes of him entering other residents’ rooms during personal care and attempting to exit the building. Care plan interventions for behaviors and elopement were not documented as implemented, and no behaviors were recorded on the MAR throughout the resident’s stay. The facility’s incident and abuse investigation files contained only limited documentation related to the sexual incident between the two male residents, lacked the original initial report allegedly faxed to the state agency, and had no fax confirmation for either the initial or follow-up reports. These omissions and inaccuracies in assessment, care planning, implementation, and reporting contributed to the identified deficiency and Immediate Jeopardy. During the survey, additional observations confirmed ongoing failures in supervision and hazard control. On the initial tour, the cognitively impaired resident was observed walking alone from his unit to the main dining room without supervision. The courtyard gate alarm, when later tested, sounded briefly and then went silent without any staff response. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness of critical care plan elements, including the 1:1 supervision requirement for the resident with severe cognitive impairment and sexually disinhibited behavior. Collectively, these actions and inactions demonstrated that the facility did not ensure a safe environment free from accident hazards and did not provide adequate supervision to prevent accidents, elopement, and non-consensual sexual contact, resulting in Immediate Jeopardy and substandard quality of care.
Removal Plan
- Resident #1 was placed on 1:1 continuous supervision 24 hours/day.
- The resident provider and resident representative were notified.
- Residents who have a BIMS score of 9 or greater have been interviewed to determine if they have experienced any unwanted sexual interaction with another resident, if they have concerns about other residents wandering into their rooms, and if they feel safe residing in the facility.
- Residents who have a BIMS score of less than 9 have had a body skin assessment completed by a licensed nurse to identify any changes in skin that may have resulted from abuse.
- Any newly identified skin assessment areas will be reported to the residents' provider and the residents' representative.
- Other residents who have a moderate or higher risk for elopement have been reviewed to determine that appropriate interventions, including use of a Wander Guard, are in place and functional.
- A staff member has been assigned to continuously monitor the facility exit door to the courtyard until another alarm system can be installed.
- The courtyard gate alarm was activated and is being monitored every 30 minutes to ensure that it remains engaged.
- All current residents will be reviewed to ensure that elopement risk assessments have been completed and that appropriate interventions are being implemented per the resident care plan and provider orders.
- All staff will be re-educated on abuse, including unwanted or non-consensual sexual activity and the capacity to consent.
- All licensed nursing staff will be re-educated on completion of the elopement risk assessment, importance of implementing safe precautions and supervising residents who may be at risk of elopement, and documenting functionality and placement of the Wander Guard.
- The smoke attendant will be educated on safety precautions and their responsibility for supervising the exit door to the courtyard and supervising that the alarm on the courtyard gate is engaged each shift.
- All staff will be re-educated on the importance of supervising wandering residents and approaches to re-direct residents who wander into other resident rooms.
- Residents who have expressed concern of other residents wandering their rooms will be offered interventions such as a room change, use of stop sign, or other alternative, to minimize other residents from wandering into their rooms.
Failure to Inform Residents of Location of State and Ombudsman Contact Information
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that residents were informed of the location of contact information for the State Survey Agency and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. During an observation of the third floor, the required list of names, mailing and email addresses, and telephone numbers for the State licensure office and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman was found posted behind the concierge’s desk on the wall, in a location inaccessible to residents. No other signage with this required information was posted on the third floor. At a Resident Council meeting, all 10 residents present were unable to identify where the contact information for the State licensure office and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman was located and were unaware of their right to file a complaint with these entities. After the meeting, the Activities Director escorted two residents to view the Ombudsman information, and both stated they did not know it was posted there. Concierge staff reported that residents must ask for the information and phone numbers if they need them and that no resident had requested this information during the five years she had worked at the facility. The Activities Director reported there was another copy of the information outside her office on the second floor for assisted living residents. Leadership, including the DON, ADON, and Administrator, were later informed of these findings.
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