Southampton Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Richmond, Virginia.
- Location
- 7246 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23225
- CMS Provider Number
- 495423
- Inspections on file
- 23
- Latest survey
- February 6, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 12 (1 serious)
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Southampton Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Two residents dependent on assistance with ADLs, medication administration, and in one case dialysis, were discharged from the facility to an unlicensed independent living setting that provided no direct care, despite being repeatedly described by facility staff as a group home. For one resident with multiple chronic conditions, moderately impaired cognition, and a court-appointed guardian, there was no physician-documented basis for discharge, no discharge care plan, no IDT involvement, no documented guardian consent, and key chronic-condition medications and education on Trulicity self-injection were missing from the discharge summary. For the second resident with hemiplegia, ESRD on dialysis, and documented need for nursing home level of care, the record lacked evidence of discharge planning for medication administration, dialysis access management, equipment, or confirmed home health services. In both cases, the SW did not verify the destination’s services or level of care, did not visit the site, and relied on assumptions that it was a staffed group home, while the NP and nursing staff believed 24-hour care and medication administration would be provided, leading surveyors to identify an immediate jeopardy deficiency in discharge planning.
Facility staff discharged a resident with multiple chronic conditions and moderately impaired cognition to a group home without providing written notice to the court-appointed legal guardian, despite a court order granting the guardian authority over all placement decisions. The clinical record lacked a physician-documented rationale for discharge, a documented discharge plan, or evidence of guardian involvement or consent, and only contained social services notes referencing discussions with the resident and the group home. The discharge summary listed the group home address and claimed medication reconciliation was completed, but omitted several medications that a NP had documented should be continued for conditions such as CHF, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, vitamin deficiency, and prior cerebral infarction, and there was no clear evidence that discharge instructions were provided to the resident, representative, or receiving provider.
Facility staff failed to review and revise care plans and to conduct required quarterly interdisciplinary care plan reviews for two residents who were discharged from the facility. One resident with multiple chronic conditions was discharged to a group home, but the care plan continued to state the resident wished to remain LTC and was never updated to include discharge-related problems, goals, or interventions, and no care plan meetings were documented after an earlier date despite subsequent quarterly MDS assessments. Another resident with complex cardiac, neurologic, diabetic, and ESRD conditions had an active care plan focus stating a wish to remain LTC up to discharge, and although the provider documented the resident was stable for discharge to a group home with home health PT/OT, the record lacked evidence that the care plan was revised to include discharge planning, discharge location, or related education and service arrangements.
Facility staff failed to provide adequate medically related social services and discharge planning for two residents with complex medical and cognitive needs who were discharged to independent living settings. One resident, adjudicated incapacitated with a legal guardian and requiring assistance and cueing for ADLs and medication administration, was discharged to an independent apartment setting that provided no direct care, without a documented discharge plan, IDT involvement, or guardian consent, and without verification of services at the destination or education on self‑administration of medications such as Trulicity. Another dialysis-dependent resident with significant comorbidities and a care plan goal to remain LTC was discharged to an independent living facility despite provider documentation referencing a group home with home health PT/OT; the record lacked evidence of discharge planning for medication management, dialysis access care, home health arrangements, or equipment needs beyond a hospital bed, and staff interviews showed they believed the resident was going to a staffed group home rather than independent living.
Facility staff did not attempt or document non-pharmacological pain interventions before administering PRN tramadol to a resident on multiple occasions, despite facility policy and staff expectations that such measures should be tried and recorded prior to giving as-needed pain medication.
Facility staff did not consistently monitor or document blood pressure before administering Midodrine to two residents, despite physician orders and facility policy requiring vital sign checks prior to each dose. This resulted in multiple instances where the medication was given without confirming blood pressure was within prescribed parameters.
Two residents were not treated with dignity when staff prevented one from placing personal items on a window shelf, despite no safety or fire hazard, and delayed meal assistance for another resident who required total help with eating. Both residents were cognitively intact, and staff interviews confirmed the failures to honor their rights to self-determination and timely care.
A resident who was cognitively intact reported concerns about not having enough linens for care. Multiple staff, including CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, confirmed frequent linen shortages, and observation of the linen cart showed insufficient supplies for the number of residents. Staff lacked access to additional linens after the laundry aide's shift, and the facility's policy for maintaining a homelike environment with clean linens was not met.
A resident who was cognitively intact and able to make her own decisions was served grits for breakfast despite a documented dislike for this food. The resident reported frequently receiving food she dislikes, and staff interviews confirmed that food preferences are supposed to be entered into a meal tracker system and followed during meal preparation, but this process was not adhered to in this case.
Unsafe Discharges to Independent Living Without Adequate Planning or Support
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure safe, appropriate discharge planning and execution for two residents who were discharged from the facility to independent living settings that did not provide the level of care they required. For the first resident, who had resided in the facility for over three years and had multiple diagnoses including muscle wasting, diabetes, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, cerebral infarction, major depressive disorder, and moderately impaired cognition, the facility discharged the resident to an apartment setting that provided no direct supervision, ADL assistance, or medication administration. The clinical record contained no documented basis from a physician or provider for the discharge, no discharge care plan with goals or identified care needs, and no evidence of interdisciplinary team involvement or care plan review related to discharge. The resident’s MDS indicated the resident did not wish to be asked about returning to the community, and the last comprehensive care plan review months earlier documented no plans to discharge. The first resident had a court-appointed legal guardian authorized to make all decisions, including living arrangements, yet there was no documentation of guardian involvement or consent for the discharge. Facility documents repeatedly referred to the destination as a “group home,” but the location was actually an unlicensed independent living apartment where residents were expected to be independent with all ADLs and where only pill reminders and optional meal preparation were offered. The social worker reported relying on information from the housing owner and did not visit or verify the setting or services, did not document guardian contact, and did not send written notice. The NP and nursing staff believed the resident was going to a licensed group home with a provider and medication administration, and the NP stated the resident required assistance with medications, cueing for hygiene, and could not effectively manage money. The discharge summary omitted several chronic-condition medications previously ordered to continue and contained no documented education on self-administration of Trulicity, despite the resident never having self-administered medications in the facility. The second resident, who had diagnoses including NSTEMI, hemiplegia and hemiparesis after cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, ESRD requiring dialysis, heart failure, and significant ADL and mobility deficits, was also discharged to the same owner’s independent living setting. The resident’s care plan and MDS documented dependence or need for assistance with toileting, bathing, transfers, mobility, dressing, grooming, and bowel incontinence, and a UAI and Medicaid authorization form indicated a need for nursing home level of care. The care plan also documented the resident’s wish to remain long-term at the facility. The discharge summary from the NP stated the resident was stable for discharge to a group home with home health PT/OT, but the clinical record contained no documented discharge planning addressing medication administration, medication education or training, dialysis access management, medical equipment needs, or confirmation that home health services were arranged. For the second resident, the social worker documented only that the resident was interested in discharging to a group home and had met with the group home representative, with no discharge date initially in place, and later noted the discharge was postponed. The social worker did not verify the level of care or services at the destination, did not visit the site, and acknowledged not knowing what services were provided, having assumed it was a group home. The owner of the receiving setting confirmed it was independent living, not licensed, with no staff providing care or medication administration, only pill reminders and meal preparation if desired. The NP and nursing staff believed the resident was going to a staffed group home with CNAs and nurses providing 24-hour care and medication administration, and the NP stated the resident could not manage medications or dialysis-related needs independently and required 24-hour care. These actions and omissions resulted in residents dependent on assistance with ADLs, medications, and in one case dialysis, being discharged to unsupervised independent living without verified support systems, documented discharge planning, or appropriate involvement of the interdisciplinary team and, for the first resident, without the legal guardian’s knowledge or consent. The surveyors determined that these failures constituted an immediate jeopardy situation related to the facility’s obligation to ensure safe, appropriate discharge planning and execution for residents transferring to lower levels of care.
Removal Plan
- Pause all discharges to a lower level of care pending interdisciplinary team (IDT) review.
- Social Services, Assistant Administrator, and Assistant Director of Nursing completed a retrospective review of all residents discharged to a lower level of care, including verifying that medication administration (including injectables) needs and ADL needs were met; residents identified at risk were contacted, reassessed, and supports/services were arranged or offered as appropriate.
- Implement a Discharge Planning Protocol requiring ongoing IDT collaboration to establish a discharge plan; a physician order aligned with the actual discharge location; resident/representative participation and consent; assessment of functional status and care needs; confirmation of medication access and ability to administer medications; and confirmed follow-up appointments and services.
- Require that residents needing assistance with ADLs, dialysis, medications, or supervision may not discharge to a lower level of care without documented support systems.
- Educate all IDT members (Administrator, Assistant Administrator, DON, ADON, Unit Managers, Business Office, Social Services, Therapy, Licensed Nurses, CNAs, and Providers) on appropriate discharge planning using the Transfer and Discharge Policy and F627 requirements, including IDT collaboration, physician order alignment with actual discharge location, resident/representative participation and consent, functional/care needs assessment, medication access/administration confirmation, and confirmed follow-up appointments/services.
- Ensure any staff not present for immediate education are educated prior to working their next scheduled shift.
- Issue phone contacts and/or letters to all residents discharged to a lower level of care.
- Implement a documented discharge protocol that includes a mandatory checklist of required items to be completed prior to any discharges to a lower level of care.
Failure to Notify Legal Guardian and Incomplete Medication Reconciliation at Discharge
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide written notice to a court-appointed legal guardian prior to or at the time of a resident’s discharge to a group home, and failed to accurately complete medication reconciliation on the discharge summary. The resident had multiple significant diagnoses, including muscle wasting/atrophy, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, anemia, major depressive disorder, hypertension, insomnia, affective mood disorder, compulsive sexual behaviors, atherosclerotic heart disease, cerebral infarction, and vitamin and magnesium deficiencies. The MDS documented moderately impaired cognitive skills, need for set-up/touch assistance with ADLs, and occasional incontinence, and Section Q indicated the resident did not want to be asked about returning to the community. The clinical record also contained a court order adjudicating the resident incapacitated and appointing a guardian with authority over all decisions, including living arrangements and placement. The resident’s clinical record documented a discharge to a group home, but there was no documented involvement, consent, or notification of the legal guardian regarding this discharge. There was no documented basis or rationale from a physician or other provider for the discharge to a lower level of care, no documented discharge plan, and no documented request from either the resident or the guardian to leave the facility. Social services notes referenced discussions with the resident and the group home and identified a planned discharge date, later postponed by one day, but did not document any notification to the guardian. The discharge summary listed the group home address and included the guardian’s name and phone number, yet contained no evidence that the guardian was notified or provided written notice of the discharge, including reasons, anticipated date, or destination. The discharge summary stated that pre- and post-discharge medications had been reconciled, but it did not list all medications that were to be continued after discharge. Specifically, aspirin, atorvastatin, ferrous sulfate, spironolactone, and Trulicity were omitted from the discharge medication list, despite a nurse practitioner note indicating these medications were to be continued for treatment of cerebral infarction, hyperlipidemia, vitamin deficiency, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. It was unclear from the record whether the resident, the resident’s representative, or the receiving provider received copies of the discharge instructions. Interviews with the guardian confirmed she was unaware of the discharge until notified by a hospital social worker after the resident was found in the community, and interviews with facility staff confirmed there was no written letter or documented written notice to the guardian, and no documented discharge plan beyond the discharge summary.
Failure to Revise Care Plans and Conduct Quarterly Interdisciplinary Reviews for Discharging Residents
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to review and revise comprehensive care plans and to conduct required interdisciplinary care plan reviews for multiple residents. For one resident with multiple chronic conditions including muscle wasting/atrophy, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, anemia, major depressive disorder, hypertension, and prior cerebral infarction, the care plan last revised in April documented that the resident wished to remain in the facility long term, with goals stating the resident would remain LTC and interventions directing the social worker and care navigation to meet quarterly and as needed regarding the resident’s wishes to remain LTC. The resident was later discharged to a group home, but the care plan was never updated to reflect problems, goals, or interventions related to discharge to the community, despite this change in status. The same resident’s record showed that the last documented interdisciplinary care plan meeting occurred in January, while quarterly MDS assessments were completed in April and July. There was no documentation of care plan review meetings at the time of those quarterly MDS assessments. During interviews, the social worker, who was responsible for updating care plans for discharge status and scheduling care plan meetings, and the assistant administrator confirmed there were no care plan review meetings for this resident after January, and the social worker could not explain why quarterly meetings were not held. The ADON stated that care plan review meetings were supposed to be conducted quarterly around the time of required MDS assessments and that discharge plans were expected to be revised when discharge status changed, but this did not occur for the resident. For a second resident with diagnoses including NSTEMI, hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, cerebral infarction, need for assistance with personal care, gait and mobility abnormalities, and hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 5 CKD or ESRD, the care plan contained an active focus area stating the resident wished to remain LTC at the facility up to the time of discharge. The discharge summary from the medical provider documented the resident was stable for discharge to a group home with home health PT and OT. However, the clinical record contained no documented evidence that the care plan was reviewed or revised to include discharge planning or the discharge location, and there was no documentation of planning for medication administration or education, dialysis access site management, medical equipment needs, or arrangement of home health services as referenced in the provider documentation. Social work notes only reflected that the resident was interested in discharging to a group home and that the discharge date was postponed, and the unit manager could not recall any care plan meeting to discuss discharge planning for this resident.
Failure to Provide Adequate Social Services and Discharge Planning for Two Residents Discharged to Independent Living
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide medically related social services for discharge planning for two residents, resulting in discharges to independent living settings without adequate planning, IDT involvement, or guardian participation. For the first resident, who had multiple complex medical diagnoses including muscle wasting/atrophy, diabetes, CHF, atrial fibrillation, prior cerebral infarction, major depressive disorder, and moderately impaired cognition, the record showed the resident had lived in the facility for over three years and had been adjudicated incapacitated with a court‑appointed guardian authorized to make all decisions, including living arrangements. The MDS documented that the resident did not wish to be asked about returning to the community, and the comprehensive care plan last reviewed eight months before discharge indicated no plans to discharge. Despite this, the resident was discharged to what was documented as a "group home" without a documented discharge plan, without documented rationale for discharge, without a physician/provider order or basis for discharge, and without documented consent or involvement of the legal guardian. Clinical and facility documentation for this resident showed that the psychiatric NP and LCSW noted the resident talking about moving to a group home, but the physician’s recertification shortly before discharge stated the resident was appropriate for nursing home care and required significant help with ADLs, with no mention of community discharge. The social worker documented brief notes indicating discussion of discharge with the resident and the "group home" and set a discharge date, but there was no evidence of IDT care plan review or a written discharge plan identifying post‑discharge care needs, services, or goals. The discharge summary listed a group home address, noted medication reconciliation, and assigned the resident responsibility for scheduling follow‑up with a primary care provider, but left the provider’s contact information incomplete and contained no documentation of education on self‑administration of Trulicity or any other medications, despite the resident not having been assessed or trained to self‑administer injections or other medications in the facility. There was no documentation addressing access to a phone, money management, or specific community supports. Interviews with the guardian, NP, LPN, and social worker revealed that the guardian was not notified or consulted, the NP and nursing staff believed the destination was a licensed group home with medication administration and structured services, and the social worker had not verified the level of care or services at the destination, had not visited the site, and had no written description of services provided. Further investigation with the owner of the discharge destination for the first resident established that the setting was independent living apartments, not a licensed group home, and that residents were required to be independent with all ADLs, with no direct care or medication administration provided, only pill reminders and some meal prep if requested. The NP stated the resident required cueing for hygiene, assistance with medication administration, and could not effectively manage money, and that independent living was not appropriate. The guardian reported learning of the discharge only after being contacted by a hospital social worker when the resident was found on the street with belongings and brought to the ED, and stated she had never been contacted by the facility about the discharge and would have evaluated the location herself if informed. The administrator acknowledged that the guardian should have been involved and that there was no separate documented discharge plan beyond the discharge summary. The facility’s social worker job description, as reviewed by surveyors, required participation in discharge planning, development and implementation of the social care plan, involvement of the resident/family in planning goals, and regular review of discharge plans, which were not reflected in the documentation for this resident. For the second resident, who had resided in the facility for approximately three and a half years, diagnoses included NSTEMI, hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, cerebral infarction, need for assistance with personal care, gait and mobility abnormalities, and hypertensive CKD with stage 5 CKD/ESRD requiring dialysis. The care plan contained an active focus area indicating the resident wished to remain long‑term care at the facility. The NP’s discharge summary stated the resident was stable for discharge to a group home with home health PT/OT. However, the clinical record contained no documented discharge planning addressing the resident’s needs prior to discharge, no documentation of arrangements for medication administration post‑discharge, no evidence of medication education or training, and no documented plan for management of the dialysis access site/port. There was no documentation of medical equipment needs beyond later evidence of a hospital bed setup, no evidence that home health services referenced by the provider were actually arranged, and no IDT involvement in discharge planning other than a care plan meeting note on the day of discharge. The only social services documentation for the second resident consisted of two brief notes: one indicating the resident was interested in discharging to a group home after meeting with a group home representative, and another postponing discharge to a later date, with no details on the destination, services, or identified needs. The only document listing the discharge address was an IDT care plan meeting review form on the day of discharge, which also indicated the level of care as long‑term care and showed only nursing and social services present with the resident. The owner of the receiving facility reported that the setting provided apartments and rooms as independent living, with no assistance with daily care, no medication administration, only medication reminders and some meal prep if requested, and that the facility was not licensed as any type of medical facility. Interviews with the social worker, NP, and LPN showed that the social worker stated the resident requested discharge and that she ensured dialysis transport and owner awareness, but could not provide documentation of broader discharge planning; the NP believed the resident was going to a group home described as a small nursing home with CNAs and nurses and stated she was not aware it was independent living and felt the resident needed a group home; and the LPN unit manager believed the resident was discharging to a group home with 24‑hour care. The Director of Social Services confirmed that discharge planning was a social work responsibility and should be documented in the clinical record, which was not evident for this resident.
Failure to Attempt Non-Pharmacological Pain Interventions Before PRN Medication
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to implement a complete pain management program for one resident who required such services. Specifically, the staff did not attempt or document non-pharmacological interventions prior to administering PRN tramadol on multiple occasions in July and August 2024. The resident had a physician's order for tramadol 50mg every six hours as needed for pain, and the medication was administered on several dates without evidence that alternative pain management strategies were tried first. A review of the resident's clinical record, including medication administration records and nurses' notes, did not show that non-pharmacological interventions were offered or attempted before giving the as-needed pain medication. Staff interviews confirmed that such interventions, including touch, relaxation, exercise, or music, should be attempted and documented prior to administering PRN pain medication. The facility's own policy also outlined various non-pharmacological approaches that may be appropriate alone or with medications, but there was no documentation that these were utilized for the resident in question.
Failure to Monitor Blood Pressure Prior to Midodrine Administration
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to monitor and document blood pressure readings prior to administering Midodrine, a medication used to treat low blood pressure, for a resident with a physician's order specifying to hold the medication if systolic blood pressure exceeded 140. The order required blood pressure checks before each dose, but clinical record review showed that on multiple occasions, blood pressure was not obtained prior to administration at scheduled times. This included several missed checks for both morning and afternoon doses across different dates. Staff interviews confirmed that blood pressure should have been checked before each administration to ensure the medication was given within the prescribed parameters. Facility policy also required verification of vital signs prior to medication administration when necessary. Despite these requirements, documentation and monitoring were not consistently performed, resulting in the administration of medication without the necessary assessment.
Failure to Promote Resident Dignity and Timely Care
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to promote the dignity of two residents by not honoring their rights to self-determination and timely care. For one resident with a diagnosis including major depressive disorder and who was cognitively intact, staff instructed her not to place personal items, such as bottles of water and a stuffed animal, on a shelf in front of her room window. The resident reported being told by staff that this was not allowed, citing safety and fire hazard concerns. However, the director of maintenance confirmed that the shelf was attached to the wall and that items would not rest on the air conditioning unit, and the regional director of clinical services stated it was not a fire hazard and that residents were allowed to place items in their windows. For another resident with swallowing difficulties and a history of stroke, who was also cognitively intact and required total assistance with activities of daily living, staff failed to provide a meal in a timely manner. The resident was observed with a lunch tray on the over-bed table, stating he had not eaten and was waiting for assistance. Staff interviews revealed that meal trays for residents needing assistance were left on the cart to stay warm and distributed after other residents were served. The CNA assigned to feed the resident was delayed due to other care tasks and assumed someone else had assisted the resident when the tray was not found on the cart. Both incidents were brought to the attention of facility leadership, including the administrator, director of nursing, assistant administrator, regional director of clinical services, and regional vice president. The facility's policy affirms residents' rights to be treated with respect, kindness, and dignity, which was not upheld in these cases.
Failure to Provide Adequate Linens for Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide a comfortable and homelike environment for one resident by not ensuring an adequate supply of linens for resident care. The resident, who was cognitively intact and resided on the third floor, expressed concern about the insufficient availability of linens. Multiple staff members, including CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, confirmed that there was often a shortage of linens on the unit, with some stating this occurred daily. Observations of the linen cart revealed that the number of available linens was insufficient for the number of residents on the floor, and staff did not have access to additional linens after the laundry aide left for the day. The linen delivery schedule and actual cart contents showed a discrepancy between what was delivered and what was available for use, with several items in short supply. Staff interviews indicated that only laundry aides and the receptionist had keys to the laundry room, but the receptionist did not actually have access, and the laundry aide locked the room when not present. The facility's policy required clean bed and bath linens in good condition to maintain a homelike environment, but this standard was not met due to the recurring linen shortages.
Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to honor a resident's documented food dislike, specifically serving grits to a resident who had clearly indicated a dislike for this food item. The resident's annual MDS assessment showed that she was cognitively intact and capable of making her own daily decisions. Despite this, her breakfast tray was observed to contain grits, and her meal ticket also documented her dislike for grits. The resident reported that she receives food she dislikes almost every day. Interviews with dietary staff revealed that resident food dislikes are collected upon admission and entered into a computerized meal tracker system, which is supposed to generate alternative food items on the meal ticket. Staff are expected to follow these meal tickets when preparing trays. However, in this instance, the process was not followed, resulting in the resident receiving a food item she disliked. The facility's policy states that individual food preferences are to be assessed and communicated to the interdisciplinary team, but this was not effectively implemented for this resident.
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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