Westwood Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Bluefield, Virginia.
- Location
- 20 Westwood Medical Park, Bluefield, Virginia 24605
- CMS Provider Number
- 495200
- Inspections on file
- 22
- Latest survey
- February 27, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Westwood Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with dementia, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy sustained severe foot injuries after repeatedly propping feet on heaters and picking at skin, despite known risks and documented resistance to care. Staff failed to provide adequate supervision and did not consistently monitor or intervene to prevent access to hazards or address self-injurious behaviors, resulting in wounds that required hospitalization and burn center treatment.
Two residents experienced deficiencies in care due to staff failing to administer medication as ordered and not ensuring a pressure redistribution mattress was functioning. One resident did not receive carvedilol as prescribed, and another had an unplugged air mattress, contrary to medical orders. These issues were discussed with facility administration, but no further information was provided before the survey exit.
The facility failed to provide adequate supervision for two residents, resulting in harm and elopement. One resident, with a history of cognitive impairments, was left unsupervised during meals despite requiring assistance, leading to their death. Another resident, with severe cognitive impairment, eloped from the facility due to an ineffective wander guard device and was found outside by dumpsters. These incidents highlight significant lapses in supervision and safety measures.
The facility staff failed to properly dispose of and contain garbage and waste in the designated disposal area. Surveyors observed scattered debris, including gloves, Styrofoam cups, a trash bag with unknown contents, and pieces of wood around two dumpsters on the facility's campus. The waste management policy did not address the outdoor garbage disposal area, and no additional information was provided by the facility's administration before the exit conference.
A resident with a stage IV pressure ulcer did not receive prescribed wound care on several occasions due to staff oversight when the wound nurse was off duty. The treatment administration record showed missed treatments, and the Director of Nursing confirmed the lapses, although the wound was reportedly improving.
A resident in a LTC facility did not receive adequate respiratory care due to the staff's failure to label and date oxygen extension tubing and provide a new pre-filled humidifier bottle. The resident, who was cognitively intact, was observed with an empty humidification bottle dated from over two months prior, and unlabeled tubing, contrary to medical orders and facility policy. The DON acknowledged the oversight, attributing it to the resident's late admission and use of an unused concentrator.
A resident with hypertension, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation did not receive their prescribed Diltiazem medication due to unavailability in the medication cart and Cubex supply. An LPN attempted to obtain the medication from the pharmacy, but it did not arrive in time, leading to a physician's order to hold the dose. The facility's policy requires nurses to ensure medication availability, which was not met in this instance.
Two residents received insulin outside of physician-ordered parameters, despite being cognitively intact and having clear care plans. The facility's medication administration policy was not followed, leading to unnecessary medication administration. These issues were discussed with the facility's administration and nursing staff.
A resident with severe infections did not receive their prescribed Meropenem due to a lapse in medication administration. The resident's care plan required the medication, but it was not given as scheduled. The DON noted the medication might not have been available, and a staff change due to a COVID-19 case contributed to the oversight.
The facility failed to properly store and label food items, as observed during a survey. A cook/aide was unable to explain the dates on a jug of peeled garlic, leading to its disposal. Additionally, a container of yogurt with an expired date was found in a resident refrigerator and discarded. These actions were not in compliance with the facility's policies on food storage and labeling.
The facility failed to ensure that three residents had the opportunity to develop advanced directives. One resident, who was cognitively intact, did not have any advanced directive documents in their clinical record and confirmed not receiving information about it. Another resident had an incomplete DNR order and no documentation of other advanced directives, despite facility policy requiring such information. A third resident, also cognitively intact, had a DNR status but no advance directive information, with no documented opportunity to complete one.
A facility failed to ensure an accurate MDS for a resident, incorrectly coding the discharge status as to a critical access hospital instead of home with family. The resident, who had diagnoses including UTI, sepsis, and dementia, was cognitively intact. A nurse confirmed the error and planned to correct it. The issue was discussed with the facility's administration.
The facility failed to complete Level I PASARRs for two residents with mental disorders, despite their policy requiring such screenings. One resident had severe cognitive impairment, while the other was cognitively intact. The absence of PASARRs was acknowledged by the Regional Nurse Consultant and Director of Nursing.
A resident with cognitive impairment and a history of traumatic brain injury required feeding assistance due to behaviors of eating too quickly. Despite an order for a dysphagia advanced texture diet and feeding assistance, the care plan lacked specific instructions, leading to a choking incident. The order was not transcribed to the Kardex, and CNAs were not informed of the resident's needs, resulting in inadequate supervision during meals.
A resident with multiple health conditions did not have their care plan reviewed and revised by the interdisciplinary team, resulting in unmet needs for meaningful activities. The facility failed to complete required activity progress notes and assessments, as admitted by the activity director, leading to a deficiency in care.
Two residents in the facility did not receive adequate ADL care, leading to deficiencies in personal hygiene. A resident with diabetes and cognitive impairment had long, jagged nails despite requesting care, while another resident with leukemia and arthritis went extended periods without showers or bed baths, potentially contributing to health issues. The facility's policy requires necessary ADL assistance, which was not consistently provided.
Failure to Prevent Foot Injuries Due to Inadequate Supervision and Hazard Control
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide adequate supervision to prevent an accident resulting in significant tissue injury to the bottom of a resident's feet. The resident, who had diagnoses including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and difficulty walking, was found with severe wounds on both feet, including blisters, missing skin, and bloody drainage. Staff interviews and clinical record reviews revealed that the resident had been observed propping his feet on heaters in the day room, sometimes with shoes on and sometimes off, over several days prior to the injury being discovered. Staff also reported that the resident was often resistive to care, wore shoes and socks for extended periods, and was known to pick at his feet, but these behaviors were not effectively monitored or addressed to prevent harm. The incident was first identified when a CNA alerted a nurse to the resident's leaking foot, prompting an assessment that revealed extensive skin damage. The nurse and other staff had not previously noticed the injury, and there was no documentation of regular or thorough foot checks despite the resident's high risk for skin breakdown and foot complications. The resident's care plan included interventions for skin integrity and resistance to care, but staff failed to ensure daily observation and timely reporting of abnormalities. Additionally, there was conflicting information regarding the cause of the injury, with some staff attributing it to burns from a heater and others to self-inflicted skin picking, compounded by the resident's inability to feel pain due to neuropathy. Medical evaluations, including those by the facility's medical director and external providers, noted uncertainty about the exact cause of the wounds, with some assessments suggesting burns and others indicating maceration and self-inflicted injury. Regardless of the etiology, the lack of adequate supervision and failure to prevent access to potential hazards, such as heaters, contributed to the resident sustaining serious injuries that required hospitalization and specialized burn care. The facility's documentation and staff interviews confirmed that the resident's behaviors and risk factors were known but not sufficiently managed to prevent the accident.
Medication and Equipment Management Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to administer the medication carvedilol as per the physician's order for Resident #9. The resident, who is cognitively intact with a mental status score of 15 out of 15, has a care plan that includes administering medications as ordered for cardiovascular symptoms related to hypertension. However, the medication administration record for August 2024 showed a blank entry on one occasion and a hold code on another, without parameters to hold the medication for low blood pressure. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the medication was not administered, and the nurse involved could not recall if it was given. For Resident #63, the facility staff did not follow the medical provider's order to provide a functioning pressure redistribution mattress. The resident, who is also cognitively intact, reported that her air mattress was not working. Upon inspection, the mattress was found to be unplugged, and once plugged in, it began to function. The medical provider's order required a pressure redistribution mattress, and a subsequent order mandated checking its function every shift. The facility's policy on skin integrity and wound management was reviewed, which includes implementing pressure injury prevention. These deficiencies were discussed with the facility's administration and nursing staff, but no further information was provided before the survey exit. The issues highlight a failure to adhere to physician orders and ensure proper equipment functionality, impacting the care provided to the residents.
Supervision Failures Lead to Resident Harm and Elopement
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide adequate supervision to prevent accidents for two residents, resulting in actual harm for one resident and an elopement incident for another. For the first resident, the facility staff did not follow the physician's orders and speech therapy recommendations for supervision during meal times. The resident, who had a history of Alzheimer's Disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and paranoid schizophrenia, was found unresponsive after being left unsupervised during breakfast. The resident required feeding assistance and supervision to prevent choking, as indicated by previous incidents and recommendations. However, these requirements were not properly documented or communicated to the staff, leading to the resident's death. In the case of the second resident, the facility staff failed to maintain a safe environment to prevent elopement. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and a history of wandering, was supposed to have a functioning wander guard device. However, the device was found to be ineffective, and the resident managed to elope from the facility. The resident was later found outside by the dumpsters, indicating a failure in monitoring and securing the resident's safety. The facility's records showed that the wander guard system was not properly checked, and there was no investigation or documentation of the incident available. Both incidents highlight significant lapses in the facility's supervision and safety measures, leading to severe consequences for the residents involved. The lack of proper documentation, communication, and adherence to care plans contributed to these deficiencies, resulting in harm and potential risk to the residents' safety.
Improper Disposal and Containment of Garbage
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure proper disposal and containment of garbage and waste in the designated disposal area. During an observation, surveyors noted scattered debris around two dumpsters located outside the facility on its campus. The debris included seven gloves, four Styrofoam cups, a large black trash bag with unknown contents, and four large pieces of brown wood, which an employee speculated might have been placed there by maintenance. The facility's waste management policy, reviewed by the survey team, did not address the garbage disposal area outside the facility. This issue was discussed with the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Regional Nurse Consultant, but no further information was provided before the exit conference.
Failure to Administer Prescribed Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide adequate treatment and services to prevent and heal pressure ulcers for one resident in the survey sample. The resident, who had a stage IV pressure ulcer in the sacral region, was noted to have a care plan that included wound care per treatment order. However, there were documented lapses in the administration of the prescribed wound care treatment. Specifically, the treatment administration record (TAR) showed blanks on several dates, indicating that the wound care was not performed as ordered on those days. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the wound nurse was off on the days when the treatment was missed, and the floor staff, who were responsible for completing the treatments in the nurse's absence, did not perform the necessary care. Despite the DON's statement that the wound was improving, the failure to administer the prescribed wound care on the specified dates was acknowledged. This issue was discussed with the survey team, but no further information was provided before the exit conference.
Inadequate Respiratory Care Due to Improper Oxygen Equipment Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide adequate respiratory care for a resident by not labeling and dating each component of the oxygen extension tubing and not providing a new pre-filled humidifier bottle upon utilization of the oxygen concentrator. The resident, who was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15 out of 15, was observed by a surveyor to be on oxygen via nasal cannula with the concentrator set at 2 liters. The humidification bottle was found to be empty and dated from over two months prior, and the oxygen extension tubing lacked a label or date. The medical provider's orders required oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula continuously, with instructions to label each component with the date and initials. The LPN confirmed the surveyor's observations of the outdated humidification bottle and unlabeled tubing. The DON acknowledged the oversight, attributing it to the resident's late evening admission and the use of a concentrator that was not in use. The facility's policy outlined the procedure for oxygen concentrator setup, including labeling and dating the humidifier bottle, which was not followed in this instance.
Medication Unavailability for Resident with Cardiovascular Conditions
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure that the medication Diltiazem was available for administration to a resident diagnosed with hypertension, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. During a medication pass, an LPN discovered that Diltiazem was not in the medication cart and attempted to retrieve it from the Cubex emergency medication supply, but it was unavailable. Consequently, the LPN had to contact the pharmacy for a stat order, but the medication did not arrive in time for administration. The resident's clinical record confirmed a physician's order for Diltiazem to be administered once daily. Due to the unavailability of the medication, the LPN obtained an order from the physician to hold the medication for one dose. The facility's policy on medication shortages emphasizes the nurse's responsibility to ensure medications are available to meet residents' needs. This deficiency was discussed with the facility's administrator, director of nursing, and regional nurse consultant.
Failure to Adhere to Insulin Administration Parameters
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure that two residents were free from unnecessary medications. For one resident, insulin was administered outside the physician-ordered parameters. This resident had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, among other conditions, and was cognitively intact. The resident's care plan included monitoring blood glucose levels and administering insulin as per medical orders. However, the medication administration record showed that insulin was given even when blood sugar levels were below the specified threshold, contrary to the physician's orders. Another resident also received insulin outside the prescribed parameters. This resident had multiple diagnoses, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, and was also cognitively intact. The resident's medication regimen review indicated that insulin should be held if blood sugar was below a certain level. Despite this, the medication administration record revealed that insulin was administered on several occasions when the blood sugar was below the specified threshold. The facility's policy on medication administration requires that medications be administered as prescribed and in accordance with written orders. However, in both cases, the facility staff did not adhere to these guidelines, leading to the administration of unnecessary medications. These concerns were discussed with the facility's administration and nursing staff, but no further information was provided before the survey exit.
Failure to Administer Prescribed Medication
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to administer the medication Meropenem to a resident as per the physician's orders. The resident, who was cognitively intact, had a comprehensive care plan that included administering medications as ordered due to their diagnoses, which included sepsis, severe sepsis with septic shock, necrotizing fasciitis, MRSA, ESBL resistance, and pseudomonas. The physician's order specified that Meropenem should be administered intravenously every 8 hours for 28 days. However, the electronic medication administration record (eMAR) showed that the medication was not administered on the morning of August 12, 2024. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the omission, suggesting that the medication might not have been available and a hold order should have been written. The situation was further complicated by the night shift nurse testing positive for COVID-19, leading to a change in staff. The incoming nurse was unsure if the Meropenem had been administered and therefore did not give it. The facility's policy on medication administration requires that medications be administered as prescribed, but this was not followed in this instance.
Deficiency in Food Storage and Labeling Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to appropriately store, prepare, and serve resident food items, as observed during a survey. During an initial tour of the dietary department, a surveyor found a plastic jug labeled 'peeled garlic' in the walk-in cooler with multiple dates written on the lid, including an illegible date. The employee identified as a cook/aide, who was in charge in the absence of the dietary manager, was unable to clearly explain the significance of the dates and decided to discard the item. The facility's policy on refrigerated/frozen storage required all foods to be labeled with the product name, date received, and use-by date once opened, which was not adhered to in this instance. Additionally, a surveyor found a 6-ounce container of vanilla yogurt in the resident refrigerator on the North wing with a handwritten date of 7/31/24 on the lid, while the factory-stamped expiration date was 8/14/24. The yogurt was discarded after notifying the Dietary Manager. The facility's policy on storing food brought in for residents required that food be held in the refrigerator for three days following the date on the label and discarded by staff upon notification to the resident. These findings were discussed with the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Regional Nurse Consultant, but no further information was provided before the exit conference.
Failure to Ensure Residents' Opportunity to Develop Advanced Directives
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure that residents had the opportunity to develop an advanced directive, affecting three residents in the survey sample. Resident #32, who was cognitively intact, did not have any advanced directives, POST, POLST, or MOLST documents in their clinical record, despite a care plan indicating that advanced directive education and materials were provided. The resident confirmed in an interview that they did not have an advanced directive and were not given any written information about it. Resident #44, who had mild cognitive impairment, had a DNR order signed by a family member, but the form was incomplete as it lacked a mark in the checkbox indicating the resident's capability to make informed decisions. The clinical record did not contain any advanced directives, and the care plan only mentioned a DNR status without discussing other forms of advanced directives. The facility's policy required informing and providing written information to residents about their rights to accept or refuse treatment and formulate an advance directive, but this was not documented for Resident #44. Resident #39, who was cognitively intact, had a DNR status but no information related to an advance directive in their clinical record. The Social Services Assessment indicated that no additional conversation regarding advance care planning was provided, and the opportunity to complete an advance directive was not offered. The facility's policy emphasized the right of residents to participate in their healthcare decision-making and the requirement to inform them about advance directives, but this was not followed for Resident #39. The survey team discussed these concerns with the facility's administration, but no further information was provided before the exit conference.
Inaccurate MDS Coding for Resident Discharge
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure an accurate Minimum Data Set (MDS) for one of the closed record reviews, specifically for Resident #56. The MDS was incorrectly coded as the resident being discharged to a critical access hospital, while the resident was actually discharged to the community, specifically home with family. Resident #56's face sheet included diagnoses such as urinary tract infection, sepsis, and dementia. The discharge MDS, with an assessment reference date, indicated the resident was cognitively intact with a perfect score on the brief interview for mental status. However, the discharge status was inaccurately coded. A registered nurse confirmed the error and stated that the assessment would be modified to correct it. This issue was discussed with the facility's administrator, director of nursing, and regional nurse consultant.
Failure to Complete PASARR for Residents with Mental Disorders
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure a Level I Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) was completed for two residents, leading to a deficiency. For one resident, who had diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and bipolar disorder, the clinical record lacked a Level I PASARR. The resident's cognitive impairment was severe, as indicated by a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 3 out of 15. Despite the facility's policy requiring social services to coordinate the PASARR process, the Regional Nurse Consultant admitted that the PASARR was not completed, acknowledging it as an issue. Similarly, another resident with diagnoses of bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression also did not have a Level I PASARR in their clinical record. This resident was cognitively intact, with a BIMS score of 14 out of 15, and showed no mood indicators or behaviors during the assessment period. The Director of Nursing and the Regional Nurse Consultant confirmed the absence of the PASARR, recognizing it as a problem. The facility's policy mandates that all patients with mental disorders or intellectual disabilities receive appropriate pre-admission screenings, but this was not adhered to in these cases.
Failure to Implement Comprehensive Care Plan Leads to Choking Incident
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to develop and implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan for a resident with multiple diagnoses, including Alzheimer's, a history of stroke, traumatic brain injury, and paranoid schizophrenia. The resident had a moderate cognitive impairment and required feeding assistance due to behaviors related to eating too quickly. Despite an order from the speech therapist for a dysphagia advanced texture diet and feeding assistance, the care plan did not specify the diet or the need for feeding assistance. This omission led to a critical incident where the resident choked on a piece of bread, requiring emergency intervention. The deficiency was further compounded by a lack of communication and documentation. Staff interviews revealed that the order for feeding assistance was not transcribed to the Kardex, and the CNAs were not adequately informed or educated about the resident's needs. The CNA who provided the resident's meal tray was unaware of the requirement for feeding assistance, as it was not documented in the Kardex. The facility's process for updating care plans and communicating dietary needs was not followed, resulting in a failure to provide the necessary supervision and cuing for the resident during meals.
Failure to Review and Revise Resident's Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure the comprehensive care plan for a resident was reviewed and revised by the interdisciplinary team. The resident, who had multiple diagnoses including Anxiety Disorder, Cirrhosis of the Liver, and End Stage Renal Disease, expressed that the activities offered did not include one-to-one activities in her room. The care plan, which was last revised without changes, did not reflect the resident's current needs or preferences for activities. Additionally, there were no activity progress notes or an annual activity assessment found in the clinical record for the resident. The activity director admitted to not completing activity progress notes every ninety days or with care plan reviews, and was unaware of the facility's policy regarding these notes. The facility's policy requires annual recreation assessments and quarterly progress notes to document the effectiveness of interventions and review the resident's progress. However, these were not completed for the resident, leading to a deficiency in meeting the resident's needs for meaningful activities.
Failure to Provide Adequate ADL Care for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to provide adequate activities of daily living (ADL) care for two residents, leading to deficiencies in personal hygiene. Resident #7, who has diagnoses including type 2 diabetes mellitus, anxiety, and depression, was observed with long and jagged nails, including a broken nail. Despite being dependent on staff for personal hygiene due to moderate cognitive impairment, the resident reported that their requests for nail care were not addressed until after the surveyor's intervention. The facility's policy mandates that residents unable to perform ADLs receive necessary assistance to maintain grooming and hygiene, which was not initially provided for Resident #7. Resident #39, diagnosed with myeloid leukemia, polyosteoarthritis, and depression, reported going extended periods without showers or bed baths, which they felt contributed to urinary tract infections. The resident, who is cognitively intact but requires substantial assistance for bathing, experienced multiple instances where they went several days without receiving a shower or bed bath, as documented in the facility's records. The facility's policy requires that residents receive the necessary level of ADL assistance to maintain personal hygiene, which was not consistently provided for Resident #39.
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 maintain a clean, comfortable, and homelike environment and appropriate grooming on two nursing units, as evidenced by pervasive urine and feces odors in common areas and resident rooms, stained bed linens, dirty privacy curtains, damaged baseboards and furnishings, and clutter and trash on floors, including discarded wound dressings and gloves. Several residents were observed with wet pants, stained clothing, oily hair, and facial hair growth, and food particles were noted on clothing and wheelchairs. A bariatric resident reported that bariatric sheets and towels were not always available when linens needed changing, while housekeeping aides described cleaning 18–20 rooms per day, focusing mainly on floors and bathrooms and wiping tables only on request. A CNA reported that towels and bariatric sheets were sometimes insufficient at the start of shifts, requiring staff to obtain supplies from other units.
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 Maintain Clean, Homelike Environment and Adequate Grooming
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment and appropriate grooming for residents on Units W1 and W2. Upon entering the facility lobby, surveyors noted a strong pervasive odor resembling old dried urine. On Unit W1, observations during the initial tour included privacy curtains with dark smeared substances, baseboards buckling away from the wall, and bed linens with yellow-brown halos of stains. Foul odors of feces and urine were noted at various times of the day. Residents were observed with food particles on their clothes and in their wheelchairs, as well as wearing wet pants, stained clothing, and having oily hair. On Unit W2, multiple rooms were observed to be unclean and in disrepair. In one room, the baseboard near the HVAC unit was not attached to the wall and appeared to be crumbling, window blinds were bent, and paint on the wardrobe was scuffed; both residents in that room had hair under the chin and there was a very foul odor. Another room had a bedside table with a missing drawer, yellow-orange (rust-colored) stains and various trash on the floor under the sink, including a wound dressing, glove, and straw. A different room had bedside and overbed tables with liquid spills and dried substances and a very foul odor. One resident in a bariatric bed reported that bariatric sheets were not always available when linens needed changing and that towels sometimes ran out at the start of shifts, though she confirmed her linens had been changed that day and had extra towels and washcloths at bedside. Housekeeping aides reported they typically clean 18–20 rooms per day, focusing on floors and bathrooms and only wiping tables if residents request it. A CNA stated that sometimes there were not enough towels at the beginning of a shift and that staff would go to another unit to obtain more, and that bariatric sheets were available most of the time but occasionally not.
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