Radford Health And Rehab Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Radford, Virginia.
- Location
- 700 Randolph Street, Radford, Virginia 24141
- CMS Provider Number
- 495355
- Inspections on file
- 13
- Latest survey
- February 10, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Radford Health And Rehab Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility staff failed to maintain accurate clinical records for several residents, leading to multiple deficiencies. A resident's medication administration was inaccurately recorded, another's meal and fluid intake documentation was incomplete, and a third resident's insulin administration was inconsistently documented. Additionally, a resident's use of a TLSO brace was inaccurately recorded. These issues highlight a systemic problem with maintaining accurate medical records.
A resident with chronic kidney disease and other conditions was not provided a Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (SNF ABN) as required for their October discharge. The Regional Director of Social Work confirmed the oversight, attributing it to the social worker's responsibility at the time. Despite the lapse, the resident reported no concerns.
The facility failed to implement its abuse prevention policy by not conducting reference checks for two new hires, an LPN and an SLP. Despite policies requiring reference checks, the facility could not provide documentation for these checks, leading to a deficiency.
A facility failed to notify the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman of an emergency transfer of a resident to the hospital. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had multiple medical conditions, was transferred for evaluation by a nurse practitioner. Despite facility policy requiring notification, the staff did not send a copy of the transfer notice to the ombudsman, as confirmed by the facility administration.
The facility staff failed to ensure accurate MDS assessments for three residents, leading to deficiencies in care documentation. A resident was incorrectly documented as experiencing dehydration, another was inaccurately indicated to have a stage 3 pressure ulcer, and a third resident's significant weight loss was not reflected in their MDS. These errors were acknowledged by the MDS Coordinator and discussed with facility leadership.
A facility failed to develop a baseline care plan for a hospice patient admitted for respite care. Despite the resident being oriented and having specific needs, the clinical documentation lacked a care plan addressing their hospice status. The deficiency was confirmed in a meeting with facility leadership.
A resident with acute cystitis and dementia was observed with a foley catheter, but it was not included in their care plan. The DON acknowledged the oversight, stating the catheter was discontinued and later reinstated, but the care plan was not updated accordingly. Facility policy requires care plans to be fluid and updated as needed, which was not followed.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses did not receive hypertension medications as ordered because they were often asleep during administration times. Despite this recurring issue, the facility staff failed to notify or consult the medical provider to adjust the medication schedule, leading to a deficiency identified by surveyors.
A resident with bilateral cataracts did not receive assistance from facility staff to schedule a cataract surgery consultation, despite medical orders from an optometrist. The resident, who was cognitively intact, had worsening vision and expressed concerns during a survey. The facility's administration was unaware of the need for an appointment until the resident directly requested it, leading to a delay in scheduling the necessary consultation.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions was not provided the correct tube feeding formula as ordered by their medical provider. The resident was observed receiving Osmolite 1.5 instead of the prescribed Isosource 1.5, which contains fiber. The facility's policy to administer tube feeding per physician orders was not followed.
A resident with a history of stroke and significant weight loss was receiving tube feeding, but the facility staff failed to label the enteral feeding formula and water with the necessary information, such as the name of the formula, date, and time initiated. This oversight was observed during a survey, despite the facility's policy requiring proper labeling of feeding equipment.
A resident with multiple health conditions was observed receiving oxygen at a rate higher than ordered by the medical provider. Despite the facility's policy requiring specific orders for oxygen adjustments, the resident's oxygen was set at 2.5 l/m instead of the ordered 2 l/m, without documented justification.
The facility failed to administer intravenous antibiotics to a resident as ordered and did not ensure the availability of Humira for another resident. The first resident's medication was delayed due to unavailability, while the second resident's medication was not administered due to issues with obtaining it from the family. These deficiencies were discussed with the facility's administration, but no further information was provided before the exit conference.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple health conditions was administered Loratadine without a current medical order. The medication had been discontinued weeks prior, yet it was still prepackaged for administration. The facility's policy requiring verification of medication against the MAR was not followed, leading to the deficiency.
The facility staff failed to ensure medications were consumed under direct observation for two residents. One resident, who was cognitively intact, was left with a pill unconsumed, while another severely cognitively impaired resident was left with Nystatin Oral Suspension unsupervised. The LPNs involved did not adhere to proper medication administration protocols, as confirmed by the DON.
Facility staff failed to obtain ordered lab tests for a resident with multiple health conditions, including MS and chronic kidney disease. Despite being cognitively intact, the resident's records lacked results for a UA and BMP, as ordered by the provider. The issue was reviewed with facility leadership, but no additional information was provided to the survey team.
The facility failed to maintain proper infection control practices, as observed in the treatment of a resident with severe cognitive impairment and a Stage 4 Sacral Pressure Ulcer. Staff did not perform hand hygiene between treatment stages, and soiled items were placed on the floor. Additionally, an LPN touched an oral medication tablet with bare hands before administration, violating facility policy.
Inaccurate Documentation of Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain accurate clinical records for several residents, leading to multiple deficiencies. For Resident #13, the clinical documentation inaccurately recorded the administration of Ozempic injections, which were never sent to the facility. The resident's medication administration records (MARs) incorrectly indicated that both Ozempic and Trulicity were administered, despite the pharmacy confirming only Trulicity was sent. This discrepancy was confirmed by the Director of Nursing and highlighted a failure to adhere to the facility's policy on accurate medical record documentation. Resident #79's records showed a lack of documentation for meal and fluid intake on several occasions. The resident, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes, required supervision with meals. However, documentation was missing for specific dates, and fluid intake was not consistently recorded for each shift. This omission was acknowledged by a Certified Nursing Assistant, who confirmed that fluid intake should be documented for every shift, as per facility policy. For Resident #81, the facility staff failed to document fluid intake, meal intake, bladder continence, and bowel movements consistently. The resident's clinical record for August 2023 revealed multiple documentation omissions, which were discussed with the Clinical Service Specialist and the Director of Nursing. Additionally, Resident #46's insulin administration was inaccurately documented, with discrepancies between the MAR and the resident's statements about insulin refusal. Lastly, Resident #67's records inaccurately documented the use of a TLSO brace, which was never provided to the resident. These deficiencies indicate a systemic issue with maintaining accurate and complete medical records in the facility.
Failure to Provide SNF ABN to Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide a Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (SNF ABN) to a resident, identified as R49, who was sampled for ABN review. R49 had diagnoses including chronic kidney disease stage IV, vascular dementia, iron deficiency anemia, peripheral vascular disease, and unsteadiness on feet. The resident's Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment indicated intact cognition with a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 13 out of 15. During the SNF Beneficiary Protection Notification Review, it was found that a SNF ABN should have been issued for R49's October 2024 discharge from SNF services, but it was not provided. The Regional Director of Social Work confirmed that the SNF ABN was not issued as required, stating that it was the responsibility of the social worker at the time. The facility's policy, which aligns with Medicare requirements, mandates that SNFs issue the SNF ABN to Original Medicare beneficiaries before providing care that Medicare may not cover. Despite the oversight, R49 expressed no concerns during an interview. The issue was discussed with the facility's administration and social work team, but no further information was provided to the survey team before the exit conference.
Failure to Implement Abuse Prevention Policy for New Hires
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to implement their abuse prevention policy regarding the screening of new hires, specifically for two out of 25 new hires. New hire #3, an LPN, was initially hired on 9/1/20, terminated on 1/23/23, and rehired on 2/13/23. The facility did not provide evidence of reference checks for either hire date in the employee file. New hire #13, an SLP, was hired on 1/23/25, and similarly, no evidence of reference checks was provided. The administrator acknowledged that reference checks for new hire #3 could not be located, as they were done on paper in 2020. Additionally, the therapy contract company, Quality Care Rehab, did not require sharing reference checks with the facility, which contributed to the lack of documentation for new hire #13. The surveyor discussed these concerns with the facility's administration and staff during meetings on 2/5/25 and 2/6/25. The facility's policies, including the Abuse Prevention policy and the Hiring Process Policy, were reviewed. These policies required at least one reference check for potential employees and specified that rehired employees within one month did not need to complete new hire requirements. Despite these policies, the facility failed to provide the necessary documentation for the reference checks, leading to the identified deficiency.
Failure to Notify Ombudsman of Emergency Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide a copy of the notification of reasons for transfer or discharge to the representative of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman for one of the sampled residents. This deficiency was identified for a resident who was transferred to the hospital for an emergency evaluation. The resident, who was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 14 out of 15, had multiple diagnoses including a non-displaced fracture of the right tibial tuberosity, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease-stage 3, repeated falls, insomnia, and atrial fibrillation. The incident occurred when the resident was seen by a nurse practitioner and subsequently sent to the emergency department for evaluation. Despite the facility's policy requiring that copies of notices for emergency transfers be sent to the ombudsman, the facility staff did not provide such notification. This oversight was confirmed during a surveyor's review of the clinical record and discussions with the facility's administration, who acknowledged the absence of evidence that the ombudsman had been notified of the transfer.
Inaccurate MDS Assessments for Three Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure accurate Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for three residents, leading to deficiencies in their care documentation. Resident #52 was incorrectly documented as experiencing dehydration in their MDS assessment, despite clinical records lacking evidence to support this condition. The MDS Coordinator later acknowledged the error and modified the assessment to remove dehydration as a problem. Resident #61's MDS inaccurately indicated the presence of a stage 3 pressure ulcer upon admission, although the resident had no pressure ulcers. The clinical record only referenced a surgical wound, and the MDS Coordinator admitted the error, stating the MDS would be corrected. The incorrect coding was discussed with facility leadership, who were aware of the inaccuracy. For Resident #67, the facility staff failed to accurately complete Section K of the MDS to reflect an 8.37% weight loss. Despite documentation indicating significant weight loss and a diagnosis of protein-calorie malnutrition, the MDS was coded as if no weight loss had occurred. The error was identified during a review with a registered nurse, who confirmed the MDS should have included the weight loss. This concern was discussed with facility leadership during meetings with the survey team.
Failure to Implement Baseline Care Plan for Hospice Respite Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to develop and implement a baseline care plan for a resident admitted as a hospice patient for respite care. The resident, who was oriented to self, time, and place, and had adequate hearing but impaired vision, did not have a care plan addressing their specific needs as a hospice respite patient. The facility's policy requires the interdisciplinary team to identify immediate needs through assessments, interviews, and observations starting at admission. However, the clinical documentation lacked evidence of such a care plan. The deficiency was confirmed during a meeting with the facility's administration and nursing leadership, where the absence of a hospice care plan for the resident was acknowledged.
Failure to Include Foley Catheter in Resident's Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure that a foley catheter was included in the care plan for a resident with multiple diagnoses, including acute cystitis without hematuria, obstructive and reflux uropathy, and unspecified dementia. The resident was observed on two separate occasions with a foley catheter bag hanging on the bed frame, yet the comprehensive care plan did not mention the foley catheter. The resident's minimum data set (MDS) assessment indicated the presence of a foley catheter, but this was not reflected in the care plan. Upon review, the Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged that the foley catheter should have been included in the care plan. The DON initially stated that the catheter had been discontinued in January and the care plan was resolved, but later confirmed that the catheter was reinstated and updated in the care plan on the day of the surveyor's inquiry. The facility's policy on comprehensive care planning emphasizes the need for the care plan to be a fluid document, reviewed and updated as necessary, which was not adhered to in this case.
Failure to Administer Medications as Ordered Due to Resident's Sleep Pattern
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to administer medications as ordered for a resident diagnosed with multiple conditions, including Hemiplegia, Atrial Fibrillation, and Vascular Dementia. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired, had a care plan that required medications to be given as ordered by the physician. However, the resident's Medication Administration Records revealed that medications for hypertension were not administered on multiple occasions because the resident was asleep. Despite this recurring issue, there was no evidence that the medical provider was notified or consulted to adjust the medication administration times to accommodate the resident's sleep cycle. A nursing progress note indicated that the resident was often stuporous in the morning and would not wake up, even to painful stimulation, making it difficult to administer medications. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that the provider had not been notified about the missed medications due to the resident's sleeping pattern. This lack of communication and failure to adjust the medication schedule according to the resident's needs led to the deficiency identified by the surveyors.
Failure to Schedule Cataract Surgery Consultation
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to assist a resident in scheduling an appointment for cataract surgery, as ordered by the medical provider. The resident, who was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15 out of 15, had been diagnosed with bilateral cataracts, among other medical conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Despite the optometrist's orders on two separate occasions, in April and October of the previous year, to schedule a cataract surgery evaluation, the facility did not arrange the necessary consultation. The deficiency was identified during a survey when the resident expressed concerns about worsening vision due to cataracts. The survey team discussed the issue with the facility's administration, who were unaware of the need for an appointment until the resident directly requested it from the Unit Coordinator. The resident's clinical record later showed an appointment was finally scheduled for April of the following year, but this was after the survey team had already noted the deficiency.
Failure to Administer Correct Tube Feeding Formula
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure that a resident, who is fed by enteral means, received the appropriate tube feeding formula as ordered by the medical provider. The resident, identified as Resident #35, had a medical history that included hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a stage 4 sacral pressure ulcer. The resident was coded as severely impaired in cognitive skills and was receiving more than 51% of total calories through tube feeding. The medical provider's order specified Isosource 1.5 at 20 ml/hr, but the resident was observed receiving Osmolite 1.5, which does not contain fiber, unlike the ordered formula. During the survey, it was noted that the tube feeding formula bag was not labeled with the name of the formula or the date and time it was started. The surveyor observed two unopened containers of Osmolite 1.5 in the resident's room and confirmed with staff that the resident was receiving Osmolite 1.5. The facility's enteral feeding nutrition formulary indicated that the temporary replacement for Isosource 1.5 was Jevity 1.5, not Osmolite 1.5. The facility's policy required that tube feeding formulas be maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations and administered per physician orders, which was not adhered to in this case.
Failure to Properly Label Enteral Feeding Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure proper labeling of enteral feeding equipment for a resident, leading to a deficiency in care. Specifically, the staff did not label the enteral feeding formula and water with the name of the formula, the date, and the time it was initiated. This oversight was observed during a survey when the resident was receiving tube feeding via a pump. The facility's policy requires that feeding equipment be properly labeled with the patient's name, date, type of feeding, rate, and start time, but this was not adhered to in the case of the resident. The resident involved had a history of stroke, dysphagia, and significant weight loss, and was at risk for nutritional decline. The resident was receiving more than 51% of their total calories through tube feeding and had a comprehensive care plan in place to address these needs. Despite this, the lack of proper labeling of the feeding equipment was noted on multiple occasions, indicating a failure to follow the facility's established procedures for the care of patients with feeding tubes.
Failure to Administer Oxygen as Ordered
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide respiratory care consistent with the comprehensive person-centered care plan and medical provider orders for a resident. The resident, who had a history of hemiplegia, hemiparesis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a stage 4 sacral pressure ulcer, was observed receiving supplemental oxygen at a rate of 2.5 liters per minute, contrary to the medical provider's order of 2 liters per minute. This discrepancy was noted on multiple occasions by the surveyor, who observed the resident in bed with the oxygen concentrator set at the incorrect rate. The facility's Director of Nursing confirmed that nurses are not permitted to adjust oxygen delivery rates without a specific order. Despite this, the resident's oxygen was set at 2.5 liters per minute without documented justification for the increase. The facility's policy on oxygen administration requires adherence to professional standards and the comprehensive person-centered care plan, which was not followed in this instance. The issue was discussed with the facility's administration, but no further information was provided to the survey team before the exit conference.
Medication Administration Failures
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure that Resident #33 received intravenous antibiotics as per the provider's order. The resident, who had diagnoses including acute osteomyelitis of the left ankle and foot, Type II diabetes with a skin ulcer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, was discharged from the hospital with an order to continue taking Zosyn intravenously every eight hours until the end of January 28, 2025. However, the Medication Administration Record (MAR) indicated that the medication was not administered as scheduled on January 22 and 23, 2025, due to the medication not being available. The Director of Nursing later confirmed that the medication was started two days later than ordered. For Resident #38, the facility staff failed to ensure the availability of the medication Humira, which is used to treat inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease. The resident's clinical record showed a physician's order for Humira to be administered weekly, but the medication was not available for administration on two occasions in January 2025. The nurse's progress notes indicated that the family was having problems obtaining the medication due to the original prescribing gastroenterologist no longer practicing in the area. The facility's policy required medications to be delivered directly to the facility by the pharmacy's agent, not by family members, but this was not adhered to. The surveyor discussed these concerns with the facility's administration and clinical staff, highlighting the failure to ensure medications were available for administration. The facility's policy on medication ordering and receipt was reviewed, which emphasized the need for medications to be delivered by the pharmacy's agent. Despite these discussions, no further information was provided to the survey team before the exit conference.
Unnecessary Drug Administration Without Order
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure that a resident's drug regimen was free from unnecessary drugs, as evidenced by the administration of Loratadine without a medical provider order. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired with a BIMS score of 7 out of 15, had a history of Pneumonia, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Diabetic Neuropathy, and Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4. During a medication pass observation, a surveyor noted that an LPN administered a 10 mg tablet of Loratadine to the resident, despite the absence of a current order for the medication. The clinical record indicated that Loratadine had been ordered and discontinued on the same day, several weeks prior to the observation. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Loratadine was prepackaged in the pharmacy's morning medications and was also included in the following day's package for administration. The facility's policy required verification of medication information against the MAR, which was not adhered to in this instance. The survey team discussed the issue with the facility's Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Clinical Service Specialist, but no additional information was provided before the exit conference.
Medication Administration Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure that a physician-ordered medication was consumed under direct observation by the nursing staff for two residents. For one resident, who was cognitively intact, the medication nurse did not remain with the resident while he consumed all prescribed medications. The resident was observed attempting to pick up a pill left on the overbed table, and he reported that the nurse did not stay with him until he swallowed all his medications. The nurse explained that she sometimes left medications with alert and oriented residents who preferred to take their time swallowing their medications. However, the Director of Nursing confirmed that the nurse should have stayed with the resident until all medications were taken. In another instance, the facility staff left a medication, Nystatin Oral Suspension, with a resident who was severely cognitively impaired, to be taken unsupervised at a later time. During a medication pass observation, the LPN administered oral tablets and left the Nystatin on the resident's overbed table beside their breakfast tray. The resident's clinical record did not contain an order for self-administration of the medication. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the concern of leaving the medication unsupervised in the resident's room.
Failure to Obtain Ordered Lab Tests for a Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to obtain provider-ordered laboratory tests for a resident, leading to a deficiency. The resident, who had diagnoses including multiple sclerosis, chronic kidney disease stage 4, diabetes, and anorexia, was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 14 out of 15. The clinical record showed orders for a urinalysis (UA) on two occasions and a basic metabolic panel (BMP) on another, but the surveyor could not find the results of these tests in the resident's records. The issue was discussed with the Director of Nursing, Administrator, and Clinical Service Specialist, but no further information was provided to the survey team before the exit conference.
Infection Control Deficiencies in Treatment and Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by the improper hand hygiene practices observed during treatment administrations for Resident #35. The resident, who was severely impaired in cognitive skills and had a diagnosis of Hemiplegia, Hemiparesis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and a Stage 4 Sacral Pressure Ulcer, was subjected to inadequate infection control measures. During a wound treatment, RN #2 did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene between different stages of the treatment, and soiled items were placed on the floor. Additionally, a community supply of Medi-Honey was used without proper hygiene, as the foil seal was removed with soiled gloves. On the Dogwood Unit, a nurse was observed touching an oral medication tablet with their bare hand before administering it to a resident, which is against the facility's policy. The LPN removed a Gabapentin tablet from a blister pack into their bare palm and then placed it into a medication cup for administration. This action was contrary to the facility's Paxit Med-Pass Procedure, which requires medication to be popped directly into a medication cup. These observations indicate a failure in adhering to established infection control protocols, compromising the safety and sanitary environment required to prevent the transmission of infections.
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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