Lawrenceville Health & Rehabilitation
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Lawrenceville, Virginia.
- Location
- 1722 Lawrenceville Plank Road, Lawrenceville, Virginia 23868
- CMS Provider Number
- 495192
- Inspections on file
- 12
- Latest survey
- April 24, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Lawrenceville Health & Rehabilitation during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Staff failed to properly dispose of refuse and maintain a clean dumpster area, resulting in food debris and trash being left exposed around and protruding from dumpsters. The facility's policy requiring waste to be kept in covered, leak-proof containers and deposited into sealed containers was not followed.
Staff did not update or revise care plans to reflect specialized diet orders, use of assistive devices during meals, or specific oxygen administration settings for several residents. Observations and record reviews showed that residents received food and care inconsistent with their physician orders, and staff interviews confirmed that care plans were not consistently updated to include these interventions.
Facility staff did not provide evidence of required physician visits at least every 60 days for five residents with complex medical needs. Documentation showed extended gaps between physician notes, and interviews revealed confusion among staff and the physician regarding visit tracking and documentation. The facility's own policy and federal regulations for physician visit frequency were not met, and no additional evidence was available to demonstrate compliance.
Several residents with dysphagia or special dietary needs were served food items that did not match their prescribed diet textures, such as being given regular rolls, cubed meats, and whole fruit slices instead of ground or chopped alternatives. Staff and dietary personnel confirmed that the meals did not conform to the required consistencies, and care plans lacked documentation of the altered diets, despite clear physician orders and facility policy.
Staff did not follow food safety protocols by storing an opened, undated bag of shredded cheese in the refrigerator and the dietary manager was observed with uncovered hair, both in violation of facility policy.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment who required assistance with eating was fed breakfast by a business office manager who stood over her, rather than sitting beside her and maintaining eye contact as per facility policy and staff practice. This action did not uphold the resident's dignity during mealtime.
Facility staff did not provide required physician documentation after a resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired and dependent for care, was transferred to the hospital following an incident involving hip pain. Although the transfer was communicated and carried out, there was no evidence of a post-hospital physician or NP note in the clinical record, contrary to facility policy.
Facility staff failed to accurately complete an MDS assessment for a resident, incorrectly coding the individual as physically restrained due to the use of a wheelchair seatbelt, even though the resident could independently release it and was not restricted. Observations and interviews confirmed the resident was not restrained, but the MDS correction process had not been completed as required by facility policy.
Three residents with physician-ordered modified diets for dysphagia were not provided with comprehensive care plans addressing their dietary needs. Staff served meals inconsistent with prescribed diets, and care plans lacked specific information about required dietary modifications. Interviews confirmed that care plans did not reflect these needs, despite facility policy requiring such documentation.
Facility staff did not clarify conflicting physician orders for oxygen administration for a resident with acute respiratory failure, COPD, and myocardial infarction. Both 2L and 4L oxygen rates were documented as administered on the MAR, despite the lack of clarification. An LPN confirmed that the professional standard would have been to clarify the order, but this was not done.
Staff did not clarify conflicting physician orders for oxygen therapy for a resident with acute respiratory failure and COPD, resulting in documentation that both 2L and 4L oxygen rates were administered. An LPN acknowledged the orders were conflicting and should have been clarified, but this was not done, contrary to facility policy.
A resident with a history of gout and a recent hip fracture received PRN pain medications without documented evidence that non-pharmacological interventions were attempted beforehand, as required by facility policy. Despite staff statements that such interventions should be tried and documented prior to medication administration, the eMAR and progress notes lacked this documentation for multiple instances.
The facility did not ensure that the DON refrained from serving as a charge nurse, as required. On one reviewed day, the DON was assigned as the nurse on a unit and confirmed working as a charge nurse and handling the medication cart, despite facility census and regulatory requirements.
The facility did not ensure that monthly medication regimen reviews were completed by a pharmacist for several residents, and failed to ensure that physicians responded to pharmacist recommendations for medication changes. For multiple residents, there was missing documentation of required reviews and unaddressed pharmacy recommendations for dose reductions of psychoactive and anticonvulsant medications, contrary to facility policy.
Facility staff did not ensure two residents' drug regimens were free from unnecessary medications by failing to act on pharmacist recommendations for dose reductions and not monitoring anticoagulant therapy as ordered. One resident's medication changes were not considered or documented by the physician, and another resident's required monitoring for anticoagulant side effects was not recorded on the MAR as per facility policy.
Facility staff did not ensure timely physician review and response to pharmacy recommendations for gradual dose reductions of psychotropic medications for two residents. Pharmacist suggestions to reduce or reassess antianxiety and anticonvulsant medications were not addressed or documented, and required monthly medication regimen reviews were missing from the clinical records.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and nutritional risks was not provided with a divided plate during meals as ordered by the physician. Despite facility policy and a documented recommendation from a speech language pathologist, staff did not consistently supply the required assistive device, and the care plan lacked documentation of its use.
Improper Disposal and Maintenance of Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to properly dispose of refuse and maintain a clean dumpster area, as observed during a kitchen task. During an observation outside the main kitchen, one dumpster had an open seam at the bottom with tin foil containing food debris and a trash bag protruding from it, while food waste such as a half sandwich and citrus peel were found in front of the dumpster. Another dumpster had its bifold lid fully open on one side. Staff interviews confirmed that the area had not been cleaned after trash pickup and that responsibility for the dumpster area was shared between maintenance and dietary staff. The facility's Waste Disposal policy requires all waste to be kept in leak-proof, covered containers and deposited into sealed containers outside, which was not followed in this instance.
Failure to Revise Care Plans for Specialized Diets, Assistive Devices, and Oxygen Administration
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to review and revise comprehensive care plans for several residents, resulting in deficiencies related to specialized diet orders, use of assistive devices during meals, and oxygen administration. For multiple residents with physician orders for dysphagia-advanced diets, care plans did not include information about the altered diet, despite meal tickets and prescriber orders specifying the need for modified food textures. Observations confirmed that residents were served food inconsistent with their prescribed diets, and staff interviews revealed a lack of consistent care plan updates to reflect these dietary needs. In another instance, a resident with a physician order for a divided/sectional plate at all meals did not have this intervention documented in the care plan. Observations showed inconsistent use of the divided plate, and staff interviews confirmed that the care plan did not reflect the assistive device order. The speech language pathologist had recommended the divided plate to decrease spillage and increase oral intake, but this was not incorporated into the care plan until after the deficiency was identified. Additionally, a resident with orders for oxygen therapy had conflicting orders for different oxygen flow rates, and the care plan did not specify the correct oxygen setting. Medication administration records showed both rates being documented as administered, and staff acknowledged that the care plan should have been reviewed and revised to clarify the correct oxygen administration. Facility policy required care plans to incorporate all identified problems and interventions, but this was not consistently followed for the residents involved.
Failure to Document Timely Physician Visits
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide evidence that physician visits occurred at least every 60 days for five residents, as required by federal and facility policy. Documentation review revealed significant gaps between physician notes for these residents, with intervals ranging from 80 to 112 days between visits. The facility's own policy mandates that the attending physician or designee must visit each resident at least every 30 days for the first 90 days after admission, and at least every 60 days thereafter, but this standard was not met for the identified residents. The affected residents had complex medical histories, including diagnoses such as acute respiratory failure, COPD, CHF, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, encephalopathy, dysphagia, CVA, hemiplegia, and Alzheimer's disease. Their care plans reflected the need for ongoing monitoring and interventions related to their conditions, such as supervision for activities of daily living, observation for cardiac complications, and monitoring for adverse reactions to medications. Despite these needs, the clinical records did not contain timely physician progress notes to demonstrate that required face-to-face visits were occurring. Interviews with staff and the physician indicated a lack of clarity and consistency in the process for tracking and documenting physician visits. The physician reported visiting the facility multiple times per month but cited a lack of remote access to the documentation system for several months, which contributed to the absence of timely notes. Nursing staff were unsure about the timing of physician documentation, and administrative staff confirmed that no additional evidence could be provided to support compliance with visit frequency requirements.
Failure to Provide Diet-Appropriate Food Consistencies for Residents with Dysphagia
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide food in the prescribed texture and consistency for five residents with dysphagia or other dietary needs. Multiple observations revealed that residents on mechanical soft or advanced dysphagia diets were served regular rolls, peach cobbler with crust, cubed chicken, and whole pineapple slices, instead of the required ground or chopped meats, pureed bread, and appropriately prepared fruits and desserts. In one instance, a resident with a mechanical soft, nectar thick liquid order was observed consuming an unthickened beverage with a straw, contrary to physician orders and dietary guidelines. Meal tickets for these residents clearly indicated the required diet modifications, such as mechanical soft or advanced dysphagia textures, and specified items like ground chicken nuggets, pureed bread, and chopped fruit. However, the food served did not match these specifications. Staff interviews confirmed that the food items provided did not conform to the required consistencies, and the dietary manager acknowledged that the kitchen failed to check and prepare certain items as needed. Additionally, the care plans for these residents did not contain information about their altered diets, despite existing prescriber orders. Staff, including CNAs and dietary personnel, described their roles in ensuring that food served matches the meal ticket and diet orders. Despite these protocols, the observed discrepancies indicate that the process for preparing and verifying diet-appropriate meals was not consistently followed. The facility's policy requires individualized diet modifications based on interdisciplinary input and written orders, but these were not implemented as required for the affected residents.
Failure to Maintain Kitchen Sanitation Standards
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain the kitchen in a sanitary manner as evidenced by an opened five-pound bag of shredded sharp cheese found in the refrigerator without a date label, contrary to facility policy requiring opened food items to be marked with the open date. Additionally, the dietary manager was observed in the kitchen with the back of her hair not covered by a hair net, despite facility policy mandating that hair restraints cover all hair on the head. These deficiencies were confirmed through staff interviews and review of the facility's Food Safety and Sanitation policy.
Failure to Provide Dignified Feeding Assistance
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to treat a resident with dignity during feeding assistance at breakfast. A resident with severe cognitive impairment, as indicated by a BIMS score of 3 out of 15 and requiring supervision or touching assistance for eating, was observed being fed by the business office manager, who stood beside and over the resident while feeding her. This method of feeding did not align with the facility's policy, which requires that residents who cannot feed themselves be assisted with attention to safety, comfort, and dignity. A CNA interviewed stated that proper feeding assistance involves sitting beside the resident and maintaining eye contact, rather than standing over them. The incident was brought to the attention of facility leadership, and no additional information was provided prior to the survey exit.
Lack of Required Physician Documentation After Resident Hospital Transfer
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide required physician documentation following the transfer of a resident to the hospital. The resident, who had diagnoses including transient ischemic attack (TIA), dysphagia, and cognitive communication deficit, was moderately cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for most activities of daily living. After an incident where the resident complained of right hip pain and a bulge was observed, the resident was assessed and subsequently transferred to the hospital. Although the physician was contacted and the transfer was carried out, there was no evidence of a post-hospital physician or nurse practitioner transfer note in the clinical record. Interviews with staff revealed uncertainty about when physicians document after a resident is transferred, and the physician confirmed that documentation was done in the electronic medical record system but did not specify the timing. Review of the facility's policy indicated that physician progress notes must be timely, accurate, and maintained for each resident, but in this case, the required documentation was not present following the resident's hospital transfer.
Inaccurate MDS Assessment Due to Misclassification of Physical Restraint
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to complete an accurate Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment for one resident. On the resident's most recent annual MDS, the assessment reference date indicated that the resident was coded as having no cognitive impairment and as being physically restrained when in a chair or out of bed. However, multiple observations of the resident revealed that he was not physically restrained at any time. The resident himself stated that he had never been physically restrained and always had free and independent movement in bed and in a chair. The LPN responsible for MDS coordination reported that she had initially coded the resident as physically restrained due to the use of a seatbelt in the wheelchair. She later learned that the seatbelt did not qualify as a restraint because the resident could release it independently and it did not restrict his movement. Despite this realization, the correction process for the MDS had not been completed or submitted at the time of the survey. Facility policy requires that errors in MDS records be corrected within 14 days of discovery, but this had not occurred.
Failure to Develop Comprehensive Care Plans for Residents with Modified Diets
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to develop comprehensive care plans addressing the dietary needs of three residents with physician-ordered modified diets for dysphagia. Observations revealed that these residents were served meals inconsistent with their prescribed diets, such as regular rolls and peach cobbler instead of mechanical soft or pureed options, and cubed chicken instead of ground or pureed meat. Meal tickets and prescriber orders clearly specified the required dietary modifications, including mechanical soft textures, nectar thick liquids, and restrictions such as no straws, but these were not reflected in the residents' care plans. Interviews with staff, including LPNs and the MDS coordinator, confirmed that care plans did not include specific information about the residents' altered diets. The MDS coordinator stated that she typically documents "Diet as ordered" rather than specifying the type of diet, and acknowledged that she had not been able to locate dietary information in any of the care plans. She also noted that floor nurses have the ability to update care plans but generally do not do so. The lack of dietary information in the care plans was recognized as an issue by the staff during the survey. Facility policy requires that person-centered comprehensive care plans include measurable objectives and timetables to meet each resident's medical, nursing, mental, and psychosocial needs, and that all services and interventions required by the resident be described. Despite this policy, the care plans for the three residents did not address their dietary modifications, and no additional information was provided by the facility prior to the survey exit.
Failure to Clarify Conflicting Oxygen Orders
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to meet professional standards of quality by not clarifying conflicting physician orders for oxygen administration for one resident. The resident, who had diagnoses including acute respiratory failure, COPD, and myocardial infarction, was assessed as not cognitively impaired but required maximal assistance for most activities of daily living. The care plan identified a risk for respiratory complications and required oxygen to be administered as ordered. However, a review of the physician's orders revealed two conflicting directives: one for oxygen at 4 liters via nasal cannula and another for 2 liters, both to be administered continuously. The medication administration record (MAR) showed that both oxygen rates were documented as administered. During staff interviews, an LPN acknowledged the presence of conflicting orders and stated that the professional standard would have been to clarify the physician's order rather than document that both rates were administered. The facility's policy required nursing staff to perform duties in accordance with professional standards, but this was not followed in this instance. The deficiency was identified through staff interview, clinical record review, and facility document review.
Failure to Clarify and Follow Physician Orders for Oxygen Administration
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide respiratory therapy services as ordered by the physician for one resident with a history of acute respiratory failure, COPD, and myocardial infarction. The resident required maximal assistance for mobility and was at risk for respiratory complications, with a care plan indicating a need for supplemental oxygen. Physician orders specified oxygen administration at both 2 liters and 4 liters via nasal cannula, but these orders were conflicting and not clarified by staff. Review of the medication administration record showed documentation that both oxygen rates were administered, despite the conflict. During an interview, an LPN acknowledged the presence of conflicting orders and stated that clarification should have been sought from the physician, rather than documenting that both rates were given. The facility's policy required verification and adherence to physician orders for oxygen administration, but this was not followed in this case.
Failure to Document and Implement Non-Pharmacological Pain Interventions Prior to PRN Medication
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide a complete pain management program for one resident, as they did not implement or document non-pharmacological interventions prior to administering as needed (PRN) pain medications on multiple occasions. The resident, who had a history of a gout flare-up and a recent hip fracture from a fall, was assessed as moderately impaired in decision-making and reported experiencing almost constant pain. The resident received both acetaminophen and oxycodone for pain, but the electronic medication administration records (eMAR) and progress notes did not show evidence that non-pharmacological interventions were attempted before medication administration, as required by facility policy. Interviews with the resident indicated uncertainty about the use of non-pharmacological interventions, and staff interviews revealed that such interventions were supposed to be attempted and documented prior to giving PRN pain medications unless refused. Despite this, documentation was lacking for several instances where pain medication was administered. The facility's pain management policy outlined various non-pharmacological strategies, but there was no evidence these were consistently implemented or recorded for the resident in question.
DON Served as Charge Nurse in Violation of Staffing Requirements
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the Director of Nursing (DON) did not serve as a charge nurse for one of the days reviewed. Specifically, on 3/1/25, staffing records showed that the DON was assigned as the nurse working on the west wing while the resident census was 72. During an interview, the DON confirmed that she worked as a charge nurse on the floor and managed the medication cart on that day. The executive director and the DON were informed of this concern, and no specific policy addressing this issue was provided by the facility. No additional information was presented prior to the survey exit. No details regarding individual residents, their medical history, or their condition at the time of the deficiency were included in the report.
Failure to Complete and Act Upon Monthly Pharmacy Medication Regimen Reviews
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a licensed pharmacist performed monthly medication regimen reviews for all residents as required, and did not ensure that physicians responded to pharmacist recommendations in a timely manner. For one resident, there was no evidence of monthly medication regimen reviews by the pharmacist in two separate months, and the attending physician did not respond to pharmacist recommendations regarding dose reductions for multiple medications across several months. The director of nursing reported that the pharmacist reviews residents deemed necessary and communicates urgent concerns, but there was no established process to ensure all required reviews were completed or that physician responses were documented and followed up. Another resident's clinical record also lacked evidence of monthly medication regimen reviews for two months. The director of nursing confirmed that there was no process in place to ensure completion of all required reviews. Additionally, for a third resident, the facility staff failed to act upon pharmacy recommendations for gradual dose reductions of antianxiety and anticonvulsant medications. The clinical record did not contain documentation of monthly pharmacy reviews for the past year, and recommendations made by the pharmacist were not addressed or documented by the physician, with some recommendations left blank and progress notes predating the recommendations. Facility policy requires the consultant pharmacist to perform monthly medication regimen reviews for every resident and to report irregularities to the attending physician, medical director, and director of nursing. The policy also requires that these reports be acted upon and that the physician document their review and any actions taken in the resident's medical record. However, the facility did not provide evidence that these requirements were consistently met for the residents reviewed during the survey.
Failure to Address Pharmacist Recommendations and Monitor Anticoagulant Therapy
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that two residents' drug regimens were free from unnecessary medications. For one resident, staff did not respond to a pharmacist's recommendations to reduce the doses of Protonix and Trileptal, despite these recommendations being made in May, September, and October. The clinical record showed no evidence that the physician considered or responded to these recommendations in a timely manner. The director of nursing acknowledged that there was no established process to ensure physician follow-up on pharmacist recommendations, and that recommendations were not regularly scanned into the electronic medical record. For another resident, staff failed to monitor anticoagulant therapy as ordered. The resident, who had diagnoses including acute respiratory failure, COPD, and myocardial infarction, was prescribed Eliquis for heart health. The care plan required monitoring for signs and symptoms of abnormal bleeding or bruising, with documentation on the medication administration record (MAR) every shift. However, there was no evidence of this monitoring on the MAR until the night shift, despite the order being in place earlier that day. Interviews with staff confirmed that monitoring for anticoagulant side effects should be documented on the MAR, but this was not done as required. Facility policies reviewed indicated that medication regimen reviews and anticoagulant orders should include appropriate monitoring and documentation, but these procedures were not followed in the cases identified.
Failure to Implement and Document Pharmacy Recommendations for Psychotropic Medication Reduction
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to implement appropriate interventions to prevent unnecessary administration of psychotropic medications for two residents. For one resident, staff did not respond to a pharmacist's recommendation to reduce the dose of Lorazepam, which was prescribed for anxiety. The pharmacist had recommended a dose reduction, but there was no evidence in the clinical record that the physician considered or responded to this recommendation in a timely manner. The director of nursing stated that while pharmacist recommendations were distributed to attending physicians, there was no established process to ensure physician follow-up or documentation of their responses in the electronic medical record. For another resident, staff did not respond to pharmacy recommendations regarding the use of antianxiety and anticonvulsant medications. The clinical record lacked documentation of monthly pharmacy medication regimen reviews for the past year. Pharmacy recommendations for gradual dose reductions of Depakote and Lorazepam were not addressed, and the associated physician responses were either missing or not documented. Psychiatric progress notes attached to the recommendations were dated prior to the recommendations and did not address the specific pharmacy suggestions. Facility policy required that medication regimen reviews be conducted to ensure residents receive only necessary medications, with recommendations provided to the attending physician, medical director, and director of nursing. The policy also required timely review and documentation of physician responses to pharmacist recommendations. However, the facility did not provide evidence that these procedures were followed for the two residents in question, resulting in a failure to prevent unnecessary psychotropic medication administration.
Failure to Provide Ordered Assistive Eating Device During Meals
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide a divided plate as ordered for a resident during meals. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired as indicated by a BIMS score of 3 out of 15, had a physician's order for a divided/sectional plate at all meals to decrease spillage and increase oral intake. Observations on two separate occasions showed the resident was served meals without the required divided plate, instead receiving food in separate bowls or on a regular plate. The care plan for the resident, which addressed nutritional risks related to chronic disease, cognitive impairment, and GERD, did not document the use of assistive devices during meals. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of awareness and recall regarding the use of the divided plate for the resident. The LPN supervising the resident during meals did not remember the resident using a divided plate, and the speech language pathologist who recommended the device had not worked with the resident since the previous year. Facility policy required that adaptive devices be provided for residents who need them and that assistance be given to ensure residents can use and benefit from such equipment. Despite these requirements and documented orders, the assistive device was not consistently provided.
Latest citations in Virginia
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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