Rock Haven
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Janesville, Wisconsin.
- Location
- 3400 N Cty Trk Hwy F, Janesville, Wisconsin 53547
- CMS Provider Number
- 525390
- Inspections on file
- 23
- Latest survey
- January 29, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 11 (1 serious)
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Rock Haven during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility did not ensure that an area was free from accident hazards and failed to provide adequate supervision to prevent accidents. Surveyors observed environmental hazards and insufficient staff monitoring, resulting in a deficiency related to resident safety.
Two residents experienced significant medication errors when one was given another's medications, resulting in hospitalization, and another did not receive prescribed nebulizer treatments as ordered. Staff failed to follow medication administration protocols, did not immediately notify the physician, and did not ensure continual assessment or proper supervision during medication administration.
A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses had a new Power of Attorney (POA) document created by a social worker after the primary agent (spouse) passed away, despite the original POA listing alternate agents. The social worker did not document discussions with the resident or her daughters prior to preparing the new POA, and the facility's legal department later clarified that a new POA was unnecessary, as the alternates in the original document should have assumed the role.
The facility failed to protect two residents from potential abuse by staff. A cognitively intact resident expressed fear of a CNA due to rough handling, yet the CNA continued to work on the same unit. Another resident with Alzheimer's was reportedly subjected to verbal and physical abuse by a different CNA during meal service. The facility's inadequate response and investigation into these incidents highlight deficiencies in safeguarding residents.
A CNA failed to immediately report an allegation of physical abuse by an LPN against a resident with dementia, delaying the report until the day shift supervisor was available. The facility's policy requires immediate reporting of such allegations. The resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired, denied any abuse when interviewed. The LPN, an agency nurse, was not allowed to return due to professionalism concerns, and the facility deemed the abuse allegation unsubstantiated.
The facility failed to investigate abuse allegations for two residents. One resident, scared of a CNA, did not receive a proper investigation into her claims. Another resident, with Alzheimer's, experienced verbal and physical aggression from a CNA, but the facility initially dismissed the incident as a misunderstanding. The administrator later recognized the need for further investigation.
A facility failed to provide a resident and their representative with a written transfer notice when the resident was sent to a hospital. The facility's policy requires written notification in a language understood by the resident, detailing the transfer reasons and location, and information about the appeal process. Interviews confirmed that while the family was notified by phone, no written notice was given, potentially leading to misunderstandings.
A facility failed to document a resident's participation in their care plan development or revision. Despite being cognitively intact, the resident's records did not show evidence of participation in a scheduled care conference. Interviews revealed a lack of documentation and absence of a formal care plan policy.
The facility failed to provide proper care for residents with indwelling catheters, leading to potential UTI risks. Observations showed catheter bags and tubing touching the floor or positioned above bladder level for three residents. The IDON and CNA acknowledged these practices were against facility policy, increasing infection risk. The IP was unaware of these issues during the survey.
The facility did not conduct an annual performance review for a CNA, as required. The CNA's personnel file only contained a performance review dated over a year ago. The HRD confirmed the absence of current performance reviews and policies, while the Interim DON noted a change in county requirements to bi-annual reviews.
A facility failed to ensure a resident's medication regimen was free from unnecessary medications by administering PRN lorazepam without proper documentation of indication for use or non-pharmacological interventions. The resident, severely cognitively impaired with Alzheimer's, received lorazepam multiple times without a stop date or documented rationale for extending the PRN order beyond 14 days.
A resident was readmitted to the facility with a diagnosis of urinary retention and had an indwelling urinary catheter inserted during a hospital stay. However, the facility's electronic medical record lacked a physician order for the catheter, despite orders to measure urinary output. Observations confirmed the presence of the catheter, and interviews with the IDON and Medical Director revealed a lack of awareness of the missing order and absence of a policy on physician orders.
A facility failed to offer a pneumococcal vaccination to a resident over the age of 65, who had previously received the PCV13 vaccine before admission. According to CDC guidelines, the resident should have been offered the PCV20 vaccine one year later, but this did not occur. The facility's policy aligns with CDC recommendations, yet the oversight was confirmed by the Infection Preventionist.
Failure to Maintain Safe Environment and Supervision
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an area was free from accident hazards and did not provide adequate supervision to prevent accidents. Surveyors observed that the environment contained hazards that could lead to resident accidents, and staff did not implement sufficient measures to monitor or protect residents from these risks. This deficiency was identified based on direct observations and findings during the survey, which indicated lapses in maintaining a safe environment and in providing necessary supervision to prevent accidents.
Failure to Prevent Significant Medication Errors and Ensure Proper Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prevent significant medication errors for two residents, resulting in one resident being administered another resident's medications and requiring hospital transfer due to an accidental overdose. One resident with a history of stroke, diabetes, bipolar disorder, chronic kidney disease, and seizures was given medications intended for another resident, including blood pressure and psychiatric medications. The error occurred when a unit manager, after being notified by a CNA of pills found in the resident's food, separated the pills and administered them without verifying their origin. It was later discovered that these medications belonged to another resident who sat beside the affected resident in the dining room. The error was not immediately communicated to the physician, and the resident was not continually assessed as required by facility policy. The resident subsequently experienced a significant change in condition, including hypotension and disorientation, leading to a code blue and emergency transfer to the hospital. The facility's policies required that the person who prepares the medication dose must be the one to administer it, and that in the event of a medication error, immediate steps must be taken, including contacting Poison Control, notifying the primary care provider, and initiating post-error monitoring. In this incident, these steps were not followed. The physician was not promptly notified, Poison Control was not contacted while the resident was still in the facility, and the family was not informed until after the resident was sent to the emergency department. Interviews with staff revealed confusion about communication protocols and a lack of immediate action following the discovery of the error. A second medication error involved another resident who did not receive their prescribed nebulizer treatments as ordered. Instead, an LPN used another resident's medication to administer a nebulizer treatment and left the medication at the bedside, contrary to policy. The LPN did not verify the availability of the correct medication, failed to ensure the resident received the full dose, and missed a scheduled dose. The errors were discovered after the resident reported not receiving treatments, and subsequent interviews confirmed that medications were not administered as ordered and were not properly supervised.
Failure to Follow Professional Standards in Handling Power of Attorney Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow professional standards regarding the handling of a Power of Attorney (POA) for one resident who was moderately cognitively impaired and had diagnoses including a left pubis fracture, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Upon admission, the resident's spouse was listed as the primary health care agent, with two daughters as alternates. After the spouse passed away, the facility's social worker facilitated the creation of a new POA document, removing the deceased spouse and keeping the daughters in the same order as alternates. This action was taken without documented evidence of discussions with the resident or her daughters prior to preparing and signing the new POA document. The social worker acknowledged that she did not document conversations with the resident or her daughters before the new POA was prepared and signed. Only one progress note reflected a conversation with one of the daughters, which occurred after the new POA was created. The social worker stated that she had previously drawn up new POA documents in similar situations and did not see an issue with this practice. However, she admitted that there should have been documentation reflecting the resident's wishes before proceeding with the new POA. The facility's administrator later consulted the legal department, which clarified that staff should not assist in creating a new POA if the original is still valid and that the alternate agent listed in the original document should assume the role if the primary agent is unable or unwilling to act. The lack of documentation and the unnecessary creation of a new POA document did not meet professional standards of quality for handling advance directives and resident rights.
Failure to Protect Residents from Potential Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect two residents from potential abuse by staff members. Resident R16, who was cognitively intact, expressed fear of CNA2 due to rough handling and lack of assistance. Despite R16's repeated complaints and requests for CNA2 not to provide her care, the facility continued to schedule CNA2 on the same unit as R16, causing ongoing distress for the resident. Interviews and documentation revealed that the facility did not adequately monitor or investigate the allegations against CNA2, and there was no evidence of additional monitoring or auditing of CNA2's performance after the initial complaint. Resident R43, who was severely cognitively impaired due to Alzheimer's disease, was reportedly subjected to verbal and physical abuse by CNA3. During a meal service, CNA3 was observed being verbally aggressive and physically preventing R43 from standing by placing her knee against the resident's chair. The incident was reported by an Activities Therapy Assistant, who felt uncomfortable with CNA3's behavior. The facility's initial investigation dismissed the incident as a misunderstanding, but later acknowledged the allegations were not hearsay, although no further investigation was conducted. The facility's actions and inactions in both cases demonstrate a failure to protect residents from potential abuse and neglect. The lack of appropriate response to R16's complaints and the inadequate investigation into R43's incident highlight deficiencies in the facility's handling of abuse allegations. These failures contributed to an environment where residents were not adequately safeguarded from potential harm.
Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) reported allegations of physical abuse by a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) against a resident immediately to the Administrator. The resident involved was admitted with a diagnosis of dementia and had a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score indicating moderate cognitive impairment. The incident occurred when the CNA observed the LPN forcibly administering medication to the resident, who then spit it out. However, the CNA delayed reporting this observation to the night shift supervisor and instead reported it to the day shift nurse supervisor later. This delay in reporting increased the risk of further potential abuse to other vulnerable residents. The facility's policy mandates that all allegations of abuse be reported immediately, but no later than two hours after the allegation is made. Despite this, the CNA did not report the incident in a timely manner, citing a belief that the night shift supervisor and the LPN were friends. The facility conducted an investigation, which included interviews with staff and the resident, who denied any abuse. The LPN involved was an agency nurse and was requested not to return to the facility due to other professionalism concerns. The facility concluded that the allegation of abuse was unsubstantiated.
Failure to Investigate Abuse Allegations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to thoroughly investigate allegations of abuse for two residents, leading to a deficiency in their abuse prevention and response protocols. For one resident, identified as R16, the facility did not conduct a specific investigation into the resident's claims of being scared of a CNA who allegedly did not assist her properly and left her walker out of reach. The facility's administrator dismissed the issue as a customer service problem rather than a potential abuse case, and the investigation lacked targeted questions to determine if abuse had occurred. In the case of another resident, identified as R43, who was severely cognitively impaired due to Alzheimer's disease, the facility did not adequately investigate an incident where a CNA was reported to have been verbally aggressive and physically restrictive during a meal service. Despite a witness statement from an Activities Therapy Assistant indicating discomfort with the CNA's actions, the facility initially considered the incident a misunderstanding and hearsay. The administrator later acknowledged the statements as eyewitness accounts but did not conduct further investigation into the abuse allegation.
Failure to Provide Written Transfer Notice
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely written notification to a resident and their representative regarding a transfer to a hospital, as required by their policy. The policy mandates that residents and their representatives receive a written notice in a language they understand, detailing the reasons for the transfer and the location, as well as information about the appeal process. However, during a review of the facility's records, it was found that the resident, identified as R6, was transferred to a hospital on two occasions without receiving the necessary written notice. Interviews with facility staff, including an LPN and the Administrator, confirmed that while the family was notified by phone, no written transfer notice was provided to the resident or their representative. The facility's policy also requires notification to the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman and, if applicable, to the state's department of protection and advocacy for individuals with mental or developmental disabilities. The lack of written notification created a potential for misunderstanding the reasons and process for the transfer, as well as the appeal rights.
Failure to Document Resident Participation in Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's clinical records contained evidence of participation in the development or revision of their care plan. The resident, identified as R34, was admitted to the facility and had a documented cognitive status indicating they were cognitively intact with no behaviors. Despite this, the records did not show that the resident or their representative participated in a care conference scheduled for June 21, 2024. The only documented participation was from a previous care plan meeting on March 19, 2024. Interviews conducted with the resident, the social worker, and the interim director of nursing revealed discrepancies in the facility's documentation practices. The resident stated they were not invited to participate in the care conference, while the social worker indicated that invitations are typically documented in the electronic medical record. However, upon review, the social worker confirmed that the last entry showing participation was from March 19, 2024. Additionally, the facility lacked a formal care plan policy, as confirmed by the administrator.
Improper Catheter Care and Infection Control Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate care for residents with indwelling catheters, leading to potential risks of urinary tract infections (UTIs) for three residents. Observations revealed that catheter bags were improperly managed, with bags and tubing often touching the floor or positioned above the bladder level. For Resident R90, the catheter bag was repeatedly observed lying directly on the carpeted floor, folded, and with tubing resting on the floor, which was acknowledged by the Interim Director of Nursing (IDON) as inappropriate. The catheter bag was not covered with a dignity bag, and the IDON could not confirm if such a cover was required. Resident R243's catheter bag was also observed hanging uncovered and positioned above the bladder level, with tubing touching the floor. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) confirmed that the facility's policy required catheter bags to be covered when residents were out of their rooms and not to be placed above the bladder level or in contact with the floor. The IDON acknowledged the improper placement of the catheter bag, which increased the risk of backflow and potential infection. Resident R89 was observed with her catheter bag and tubing touching the floor in both her room and the dining area. The Registered Nurse (RN) confirmed that this was not best practice, as it could lead to contamination and infection. The Infection Preventionist (IP) stated that she conducted random walkthroughs to ensure compliance with infection control practices but was unaware of the specific observations made during the survey. The facility was unable to provide policies regarding infection control practices for urinary catheters during the survey period.
Failure to Conduct Annual Performance Review for CNA
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide an annual performance review for one of the two Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA) reviewed, specifically CNA2. The personnel file of CNA2 contained a document titled Performance Review, which was date-stamped 01/10/23, but there were no current performance reviews in CNA2's employee record. During an interview, the Human Resource Director (HRD) confirmed that the last performance review for CNA2 was completed on 01/10/23 and acknowledged the absence of current policies for annual performance reviews of the nursing home staff. Additionally, the Interim Director of Nursing (DON) stated that the county currently requires bi-annual employee performance reviews, whereas previously, the facility was expected to conduct them annually.
Failure to Document Justification for PRN Psychotropic Medication Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's medication regimen was free from unnecessary medications, specifically regarding the administration of PRN lorazepam, a psychotropic anxiolytic medication. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired with a BIMS score of 1 out of 15 and diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, had an order for lorazepam to be administered twice a day as needed for agitation associated with dementia. However, the order did not include a stop date, and the facility did not provide documented clinical rationale for continuing the PRN medication beyond 14 days, as required by their policy. The facility's records showed that the resident received PRN lorazepam on multiple occasions without documented indication for use or evidence of attempted non-pharmacological interventions. The Interim Director of Nursing acknowledged that the nursing documentation was inadequate to justify the administration of the PRN lorazepam and assumed that the physician's note indicating that discontinuing the medication was contraindicated was sufficient to continue its use. This lack of proper documentation and adherence to policy led to the deficiency identified by the surveyors.
Incomplete Medical Records for Resident with Urinary Catheter
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medical records were complete and accurate for a resident, identified as R89, who was readmitted following a hospitalization with a diagnosis of urinary retention. The hospital records indicated that R89 had a failed voiding trial and an indwelling urinary catheter was inserted during the hospital stay. However, upon review of R89's electronic medical record (EMR) at the facility, there was no physician order for the urinary catheter, although there was an order to measure urinary output three times daily. The care plan for R89 acknowledged the need for a urinary catheter, with goals and interventions related to monitoring urinary output and notifying the physician of any changes. Observations confirmed that R89 had an indwelling urinary catheter on multiple occasions. During interviews, the Interim Director of Nursing (IDON) and the Medical Director confirmed that hospital transfer orders should be reconciled and verified with the resident's physician upon admission and readmission. Both were unaware of the missing order for the urinary catheter. Additionally, the facility did not have a policy related to physician orders, as confirmed by the IDON.
Failure to Offer Pneumococcal Vaccination
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to offer a pneumococcal vaccination to one of the five residents reviewed for flu and pneumonia vaccinations, specifically Resident 71. According to the CDC guidelines, adults aged 65 years or older who have previously received the PCV13 vaccine should be offered the PCV20 vaccine one year later. Resident 71, who was over the age of 65 at the time of admission, had received the PCV13 vaccine prior to her admission to the facility. However, the facility did not offer her the PCV20 vaccine as recommended by the CDC guidelines. The facility's policy on pneumococcal vaccines, dated January 26, 2024, states that they will follow CDC recommendations for administering pneumococcal vaccines. Despite this policy, the Infection Preventionist confirmed during an interview that Resident 71 should have been offered the PCV20 vaccine one year after receiving the PCV13 vaccine, which did not occur. This oversight indicates a failure to adhere to the established vaccination protocol for residents, as outlined by the CDC and the facility's own policy.
Latest citations in Wisconsin
Two residents did not receive skin care and monitoring consistent with professional standards or their expressed preferences. One resident sustained a right knee abrasion from a fall that was noted on a fall report but not reflected in subsequent weekly skin assessments, MAR/TAR entries, or progress notes; the resident later showed the surveyor a visible wound and reported that staff had not followed up after the initial fall. Nursing staff gave conflicting accounts about the existence and monitoring of this wound, and the DON was unaware of it and unable to describe its progression, while relying on CNAs to observe and report changes. Another resident developed a U-shaped area on the left back that a CNA described as a previously bruised, weeping area and a family member described as a bruise, yet weekly skin checks continued to document intact skin with no open areas and no specific description of this site. A later photo taken by the DON showed a U-shaped scar on the back, but there were no prior measurements, photos, or detailed documentation to track its development or characteristics.
Two residents experienced deficiencies in transfer safety when staff did not follow or update care-planned transfer methods. One resident with CVA and hemiplegia, care-planned for a Lumex transfer with two staff, was transferred by a single RN using the Lumex and was lowered to the floor when unable to continue standing. Another resident with MS, CVA, and severely impaired cognition, care-planned for pivot disc transfers with one staff, was observed being transferred with a Lumex by a CNA, despite the care plan not being revised to reflect this method and no documented therapy re-assessment for renewed Lumex use.
A resident with stroke-related hemiplegia and documented colonization with carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) was care-planned for Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP), and the facility’s policy required gown and glove use for high-contact activities such as transfers. Despite EBP signage on the door and PPE available, a CNA and the NHA transferred the resident with a mechanical lift, physically holding and positioning the resident, without wearing gowns or gloves, and then continued tasks in the room. In interviews, the CNA, NHA, and DON stated they believed EBP applied only to direct care and did not include transfers, resulting in noncompliance with the facility’s infection prevention and control program.
A resident was admitted to hospice, which the facility’s DON identified as a significant change in condition requiring a Significant Change in Status Assessment (SCSA) MDS to be completed within 14 days per the RAI User Manual and facility policy. The last MDS for this resident had been completed earlier, and although an SCSA was started after the hospice admission, it was never completed or submitted. The resident later died, and the DON acknowledged that the significant change MDS was not completed within the required timeframe.
A resident with obesity, weakness, and type 2 DM with polyneuropathy, who had no cognitive impairment and required a sit-to-stand mechanical lift with two-person assist per the care plan, experienced a fall during a transfer when a CNA performed the lift alone. The CNA unhooked one side of the sling, had difficulty reaching the other side, unlocked the lift while the resident was partially on the bed with feet on the device and holding a trapeze, and the lift moved forward as the resident pushed with their legs, causing the resident to slide to the floor. Staff interviews confirmed that transfer requirements are obtained from the care plan/Kardex, that mechanical lifts may require two staff depending on the plan, and that this resident specifically required two-person assistance, but only one CNA was present at the time of the fall.
The facility failed to maintain required RN coverage and a full-time DON, resulting in no RN on duty for multiple days and no documented RN supervision of nursing staff. In this context, LPNs completed admission and readmission assessments for several residents with complex conditions such as diabetes, COPD, CHF, sepsis, ESRD, and osteomyelitis, and administered IV antibiotics, including via PICC lines, sometimes without appropriate IV certification. CMA/MTs independently assessed pain, administered PRN oxycodone, and injected insulin for a resident with diabetes and pressure ulcers, all without an RN employed to provide direct supervision. Leadership acknowledged reliance on LPNs and CMAs for these functions and on off-site or sister-facility DONs for support, but could not provide documentation of on-site RN coverage, leading surveyors to cite an immediate jeopardy deficiency.
A resident with COPD, emphysema, and leukemia, who was cognitively intact, reported shortness of breath and wheezing and received a PRN nebulizer treatment documented as effective, but no vital signs or comprehensive respiratory assessment were completed. Later, the resident told an LPN that she might need to go to the hospital due to ongoing shortness of breath; the LPN acknowledged this but did not immediately assess the resident, citing that the resident often complained and did not appear in dire need. The resident and her family member reported that she clearly requested to go to the hospital and that staff did not act, leading the family member to call 911. EMS transferred the resident to the hospital, where she was found to be hypoxic and was diagnosed with acute hypoxic respiratory failure, chronic PE, and bronchiectasis with acute lower respiratory infection.
A resident with a history of lumbar discitis/osteomyelitis and chronic myeloid leukemia had IV daptomycin discontinued after imaging showed improvement, and an ID physician faxed new orders for PO levofloxacin and PO vancomycin. Although the fax was confirmed as received and scanned, nursing did not transcribe these antibiotics into the EMR or MAR, and they were not administered for approximately two months, even as the resident reported to the ID physician via telehealth that she was tolerating levofloxacin, believing she was taking it. The oral antibiotic orders did not appear in the physician order listing until after the resident was hospitalized again for fever and pain, when imaging showed recurrent discitis/osteomyelitis and the hospital continued or resumed levofloxacin and PO vancomycin. In a separate incident, an LPN administered another resident’s IV ertapenem instead of the ordered IV daptomycin to this resident after taking the wrong medication from the refrigerator, contrary to facility policies requiring medications to be administered according to physician orders and pending orders to be checked and confirmed after physician visits.
The facility failed to provide enough qualified nursing staff and allowed improper delegation of nursing and medication tasks. On an evening shift, only three CNAs (one for a partial shift) were assigned to 34 residents, despite the facility’s own staffing plan calling for higher CNA coverage. A resident with multiple serious conditions, dependent for transfers and incontinent, reported waiting over three hours for toileting assistance and described routinely long call-light response times, while a family member reported chronic delays in staff response. A CMA/MT had been independently assessing pain and administering PRN oxycodone, including using a nonverbal pain scale, even though facility policy and state guidance restrict unlicensed staff from performing assessments or making PRN decisions. Multiple residents’ admission and readmission assessments and baseline care plans were completed and signed by LPNs without RN assessment, and LPNs were administering IV ertapenem via PICC lines without documented IV training or formal RN delegation, contrary to facility policy and Wisconsin scope-of-practice standards.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to follow its own food safety and sanitation policies, resulting in expired and improperly labeled food items stored in the walk-in cooler and freezer, including multiple juices and fish past their use-by or manufacturer expiration dates, as well as a torn-open package of hot dog buns exposed to air. They also observed cobwebs, dead insects, and accumulated dust and debris on the wall behind shelving where clean dishes were stored, with nearby window air-conditioning units that could blow contaminants onto the dishes. A dietary aide acknowledged that dietary staff should be monitoring expiration dates, and leadership later confirmed the expectation that expired items and unsanitary conditions should not be present, while 34 residents were placed at risk of foodborne illness.
Failure to Assess and Monitor Skin Wounds and Scars for Two Residents
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide treatment and care consistent with professional standards and resident preferences for two residents with skin impairments. For the first resident, who had diagnoses including cerebrovascular accident and hemiplegia and an intact BIMS score of 15, a fall report documented a right front knee abrasion at the time of a fall. Despite this, subsequent weekly skin assessments repeatedly documented intact skin with no indication of a right knee abrasion. When interviewed, the resident reported having a fall that caused a rug burn on the right knee and showed the surveyor a circular wound with a reddened periwound area, yellow center with visible depth, and red lines across the front of the knee. The resident stated staff looked at the wound when the fall occurred but did nothing afterward and expressed a desire for staff to look at and address the wound. Nursing staff interviews revealed inconsistent awareness and monitoring of this wound. An LPN initially stated the resident had no wounds or abrasions and confirmed there was no documentation or monitoring of a right knee wound in the medical record, despite the fall report noting an abrasion. The LPN later acknowledged the right knee wound was related to the fall and that the resident had been picking at it, describing a plan to keep it open to air and monitor, though this plan was not reflected in the record. Another nurse stated that if a wound or bruise is identified, it should be monitored and appear on the MAR or TAR until healed, but also indicated the resident did not have any wounds and only knew of a picked scab from report. The DON was not aware of the wound, found no documentation of it in progress notes, and later stated nurses were not expected to monitor the wound because CNAs observe wounds and report changes, while being unable to state whether the wound had changed in size or wound bed characteristics. For the second resident, who had diagnoses including heart failure and muscle weakness and a moderately impaired BIMS score of 12, the care plan identified potential or actual impairment to skin integrity related to multiple medical conditions. A CNA reported that this resident had a U-shaped area on the left back that had previously been a bruise and had been weeping, and stated this change had been reported to a nurse. A progress note documented a faded bruised area on the left back rib cage with scant blood related to a recent fall, but there was no further documentation of this area in the medical record. Weekly skin check forms over several months repeatedly documented skin as intact, dry, and fragile, with no open areas, and did not identify the U-shaped area on the back. A family member reported observing a U-shaped mark on the resident’s left back rib cage that appeared to be a bruise. Later, the DON presented a photo showing a U-shaped scar on the left back, approximately one inch wide with a line about 1/8 inch thick, but there were no prior photos or measurements to compare, and the scar’s details and location had not been documented on weekly skin assessments. The DON acknowledged that more thorough documentation on the skin check forms would have been helpful and stated that information for these forms was based on CNA observations and nursing assessments, which might not cover all skin areas depending on resident positioning.
Failure to Follow and Update Transfer Care Plans Leading to Unsafe Transfers
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain an environment free of accident hazards and to provide adequate supervision during transfers for two residents. One resident with a history of cerebral vascular accident and hemiplegia, and with intact cognition per a BIMS score of 15/15, had a care plan dated 2/11/26 specifying transfers with a Lumex (manual stand assist lift) and assistance of two staff. Despite this, on 2/15/26 the resident was transferred from a chair to a shower chair by a single RN using a Lumex, during which the resident could no longer stand and was lowered to the ground. The DON confirmed that the care plan required two staff for transfers and that only one staff assisted during the incident, and the RN acknowledged transferring the resident alone, stating they believed only one staff was required. The second resident, with diagnoses including multiple sclerosis and cerebral vascular accident and a BIMS score of 7/15 indicating severely impaired cognition, had an ADL self-care performance care plan dated 2/11/26 that specified transfers with a pivot disc and one staff. However, surveyor observation on 3/31/26 showed a CNA transferring this resident from bed to wheelchair using a Lumex, which the resident successfully completed by following verbal cues. The DON reported that staff had used a Lumex with this resident for four years and verified that the care plan still indicated use of a pivot disc, acknowledging the care plan was incorrect. Therapy documentation showed that a pivot disc had been trialed and recommended for toilet transfers due to a custom-fit wheelchair that did not accommodate the Lumex, and that prior to this trial the resident had used a Lumex for transfers. The DON could not locate therapy notes indicating the resident had been re-assessed for renewed Lumex use, and the care plan had not been revised to reflect the resident’s current transfer method.
Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During Resident Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to implement its infection prevention and control program, specifically its Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) policy, for a resident colonized with carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). The facility’s EBP policy, revised 9/9/25, requires gown and glove use during high-contact resident care activities, including transfers, and specifies that EBP should be followed outside the resident’s room when performing transfers. The resident had a diagnosis of stroke with hemiplegia and an MDS assessment showing intact cognition with a BIMS score of 15/15. A care plan dated 2/18/26 documented CRPA colonization and included an intervention to observe EBP for infection control. On observation, an EBP sign was posted on the resident’s door and PPE was available next to the room. Despite this, a CNA entered the room without donning a gown or gloves and attached a lift sling to a mechanical lift. The Nursing Home Administrator then entered without gown or gloves and operated the lift while the CNA held the resident in the sling and maneuvered the resident into a wheelchair, including holding the resident’s leg and guiding the resident into the chair. After the transfer, the NHA sanitized the lift while the CNA provided the resident a hat and made the bed. In interviews, both the NHA and CNA stated they did not believe EBP was required because they did not consider the transfer to be direct care, and the DON reported being told that EBP was only required for direct care, which they understood did not include transfers.
Failure to Complete Timely Significant Change MDS After Hospice Admission
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a Significant Change in Status Assessment (SCSA) Minimum Data Set (MDS) within the required timeframe after a resident experienced a significant change in condition. Facility policy on comprehensive assessments, last revised on an unspecified date, states that comprehensive assessments are to be conducted according to the criteria and timeframes in the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User Manual, which requires that an SCSA be completed by the end of the 14th calendar day following determination of a significant change. The Director of Nursing (DON) stated that MDS assessments are completed on admission, annually, quarterly, with a significant change, and as needed, and that a significant change includes a decline or improvement in two or more areas of care or when a resident is admitted to or removed from hospice, with a completion timeframe of 14 or 15 days after recognizing the change. Surveyor review of the resident’s electronic health record showed that the last completed MDS assessment was done on a prior date, and the resident was later admitted to hospice, which the DON identified as a significant change requiring an SCSA. An SCSA was initiated after the hospice admission but was left incomplete and never submitted. The resident subsequently expired, and the DON acknowledged during interview that the significant change MDS had not been completed and was past the 14-day requirement.
Failure to Follow Two-Person Mechanical Lift Transfer Care Plan Resulting in Resident Fall
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure adequate supervision and adherence to the care plan for a resident requiring assistance with mechanical lift transfers. The facility’s own policies on falls and person-centered care planning require implementation of resident-specific fall prevention measures and provision of services as outlined in the care plan. For this resident, the comprehensive care plan identified self-care deficits related to type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity and specified that all transfers were to be completed using a sit-to-stand mechanical lift with the assistance of two staff. The resident, who had diagnoses including abnormal posture, weakness, type 2 diabetes with polyneuropathy, and morbid obesity, and who had no cognitive impairment per a BIMS score of 13/15, experienced a fall during a transfer. Progress notes document that a CNA was performing a sit-to-stand mechanical lift transfer to bed with only one staff member present, despite the care plan requirement for two-person assistance. During the transfer, the CNA had unhooked one side of the sling and was attempting to unhook the other side, had difficulty reaching, and then unlocked the sit-to-stand lift while the resident was partially on the bed, with feet on the lift and holding the bed trapeze. Because the resident was pushing with their legs, the lift moved forward and the resident slowly slid to the floor. Interviews confirmed that staff were aware that mechanical lifts, including sit-to-stand devices, may require two staff depending on the care plan, and that this resident specifically required two-person assistance for transfers. The resident reported that only one CNA was present at the time of the fall and that usually two staff assist due to the resident’s size. Nursing and CNA staff described that they rely on the care plan or Kardex in the computer to determine transfer needs and acknowledged that sit-to-stand lifts can require one or two staff based on the resident’s plan of care. The DON acknowledged that the CNA involved was working alone during the transfer when the fall occurred and was not following the resident’s care plan.
Lack of RN Coverage and Oversight Leading to Out-of-Scope Nursing and Medication Practices
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to employ a full-time RN designated as the DON and to ensure RN services were provided at least eight consecutive hours a day, seven days a week, as required by regulation and by the facility’s own nursing services policy. Payroll-Based Journal staffing data for the first quarter of 2026 showed a one-star staffing rating and multiple days with no RN hours. Review of daily staffing schedules for several consecutive days in March showed no RN scheduled on any of those dates, indicating there was no RN assigned to supervise nursing staff or oversee resident care. The Administrator confirmed that the DON, who had been the only full-time RN, resigned and her last day was mid-March, and the ADON confirmed that since that resignation there had been no RN employed by the facility and that even when a DON was employed, most weekends did not have RN coverage. In the absence of consistent RN presence and oversight, LPNs were performing admission and readmission nursing assessments and administering IV medications, and CMA/MTs were performing pain assessments, administering PRN pain medications, and administering insulin, all of which were outside their scope of practice as described in the report. Multiple residents’ records showed admission data collection and baseline care plan tools completed and signed by LPNs rather than an RN. For example, one resident admitted with diabetes type 2, osteomyelitis of vertebra, and orthopedic aftercare had a 72-hour admission/re-admission assessment documented by an LPN. Another resident admitted with COPD and traumatic ischemia of muscle had admission data collection and baseline care plan tools completed and signed by an LPN, with a late-entry health status note by a sister-facility DON added seven days after admission. Additional residents admitted with chronic congestive heart failure, sepsis, diabetes type 2, congestive heart failure, and ESRD also had admission data collection notes completed by LPNs. The report further documents that LPNs administered IV medications, including through PICC lines, without RN oversight, and in at least one case outside the LPN’s own training and certification. One resident with an order for IV ertapenem had doses administered on three consecutive days by an LPN and the ADON, who is also an LPN. The ADON stated that most LPNs had been trained to administer IV medications, but identified two LPNs who were not certified, while the former DON stated she believed those LPNs were certified and had allowed them to administer IV medications after observing them. CMA/MTs were documented as completing pain assessments and administering PRN oxycodone and insulin injections without an RN employed to provide direct supervision. One resident with diabetes type 2, bilateral stage II heel pressure ulcers, chronic pulmonary embolism, and vertebral osteomyelitis had multiple pain assessments and PRN oxycodone doses documented by a CMA/MT, as well as several insulin doses administered by the same CMA/MT. Interviews with the RDO and Medical Director confirmed that RN coverage was expected to be provided by DONs from sister facilities, but there was no documentation of their presence in the building, and the Medical Director emphasized that RNs are responsible for assessments, IVs, and staff supervision to ensure practice within scope. These combined actions and inactions led surveyors to identify immediate jeopardy beginning in mid-March.
Removal Plan
- Employ a full-time interim DON
- Provide staff education on notification of changes in condition
- Assess nurses' IV competency
- Employ an agency RN to ensure RN coverage on Saturdays and Sundays
- Reassess all residents with IVs, pressure injuries, and new admissions
- Reassess all residents with a documented change in condition
Failure to Assess Resident’s Respiratory Change in Condition and Request for Hospital Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to assess and respond appropriately to a resident-reported change in condition related to respiratory symptoms. The resident had significant medical diagnoses including COPD, panlobular emphysema, osteomyelitis of the lumbar vertebra, and chronic myeloid leukemia. A recent MDS showed the resident was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15 and used a wheelchair for mobility. The care plan also identified a focus on the resident and spouse making inappropriate EMS 911 calls when no true emergency existed, with interventions focused on educating them about appropriate EMS use. On the day of the incident, the resident reported shortness of breath and wheezing and received a PRN nebulizer treatment of Ipratropium-Albuterol, which was documented as effective. However, the LPN did not collect additional assessment data or notify an RN of the resident’s complaint of shortness of breath. No comprehensive respiratory assessment or vital signs were obtained at that time despite the resident’s symptoms. Later that same day, the resident told the LPN that she "may need to go to the hospital" and reported feeling short of breath. The LPN acknowledged that the resident made this statement but did not immediately assess the resident, stating she believed the resident was not in dire need and that the resident often complained of various ailments. According to the resident’s account, she specifically told the LPN that she needed to go to the hospital, was wheezing a lot, and tried to stay calm while waiting about an hour without staff action, after which she called her husband. The husband reported that the resident was crying, calling out in the hallway, and that he called 911 because staff were not doing anything. The facility’s grievance file and staff statements documented that the LPN was aware the resident said she "may need to go to the hospital" but did not complete an assessment before EMS arrived. The resident was transferred to the hospital, where she was found to have hypoxia with low oxygen saturation and was diagnosed with acute hypoxic respiratory failure, chronic pulmonary emboli without acute cor pulmonale, and bronchiectasis with acute lower respiratory infection. The Medical Director later stated her expectation that when a resident states they want to go to the hospital, staff should conduct an assessment, obtain vital signs, and report to the provider.
Failure to Transcribe and Administer Ordered Antibiotics and Wrong IV Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure a resident was free from significant medication errors, specifically related to transcription and administration of ordered antibiotics and the administration of another resident’s IV antibiotic. The resident had a history of lumbar discitis/osteomyelitis and chronic myeloid leukemia and had been receiving IV daptomycin via PICC line following a hospital stay. An MRI in mid-January showed improvement, and the infectious disease (ID) physician initially ordered discontinuation of IV daptomycin, PICC removal, and discontinuation of weekly labs. The following day, after further review of the MRI and inflammatory markers, the ID physician ordered a transition to oral levofloxacin 750 mg daily and oral vancomycin 125 mg daily for several weeks, including vancomycin for C. diff prophylaxis. These orders were faxed to the facility and were later confirmed by the fax company and the Business Office Manager as having been received by the facility. Despite receipt of the faxed orders, the facility did not transcribe the oral levofloxacin and oral vancomycin into the resident’s physician orders or MAR for January or February, and there was no evidence on the MAR that these medications were administered during that period. The physician order listing for the resident showed that the oral levofloxacin and vancomycin orders did not appear until mid-March, when the resident returned from the hospital with those medications ordered. During telemedicine follow-up with the ID physician, the resident reported doing well and tolerating levofloxacin, believing she was taking the ordered antibiotics, even though the MAR showed no administration. The resident, who was cognitively intact per a BIMS score of 15, later stated she only took medications provided by the facility and did not know the oral antibiotics had not been given. The Assistant DON and consultant pharmacist both confirmed that no orders for oral levofloxacin or vancomycin were received by the pharmacy or entered into the system in January or February. In March, the resident was sent to the ER with fever and left knee pain, and imaging showed extensive osseous erosion at L1-2 concerning for discitis/osteomyelitis. The hospital documentation referenced the resident as being chronically on levofloxacin and oral vancomycin for discitis and continued or resumed these medications, which were then first documented as administered at the facility in mid-March. Separately, in January, a medication occurrence report documented that an LPN administered another resident’s IV antibiotic, ertapenem, instead of the ordered daptomycin to this resident. The LPN later stated she did not check thoroughly enough and took the wrong IV medication from the refrigerator, describing it as an honest mistake and noting that previously there had only been one resident with an IV. The facility’s own policies required medications to be administered according to physician orders and required licensed nurses to check and confirm pending orders after physician visits, but the faxed ID orders for oral antibiotics were not processed, and the wrong IV antibiotic was administered on one occasion. The Medical Director stated she was not aware that the resident was supposed to start two oral antibiotics in January as ordered by the ID physician and indicated her expectation that any faxed orders for oral antibiotics would be processed and administered. The Business Office Manager described the process for handling telehealth visit notes and faxed orders, explaining that nursing staff received faxed records and placed them in a bin for scanning into the EMR under a miscellaneous tab. With assistance from the fax company, the BOM confirmed that the fax containing the orders to start oral levofloxacin and add oral vancomycin was received by the facility. The facility’s policies on medication errors and physician orders emphasized preventing significant medication errors and ensuring orders were entered and confirmed, but the failure to transcribe and administer the ordered oral antibiotics and the administration of another resident’s IV antibiotic constituted significant medication errors for this resident.
Inadequate Staffing and Improper Delegation of Nursing and Medication Tasks
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide sufficient and appropriately qualified nursing staff to meet residents’ needs, and failure to ensure that LPNs and CMAs/MTs practiced within their legal scope and professional standards. The facility’s own facility assessment called for a CNA-to-resident ratio of one CNA for ten to sixteen residents on the evening shift, yet on the evening of survey entry there were only three CNAs for 34 residents, with one CNA scheduled for only a partial shift. Interviews and documentation, including a police body-worn camera narrative, showed that staff and leadership acknowledged difficulty providing needed care due to lack of staffing. The Nursing Home Administrator told police that one resident needed constant care that was difficult to provide because of staffing shortages, and an LPN stated she felt residents needed more attention than staff could provide. One resident with osteomyelitis of the lumbar vertebra, COPD, emphysema, and chronic myeloid leukemia, who was wheelchair-bound, dependent for transfers, and frequently incontinent of bowel, reported waiting over three hours for assistance after a bowel movement, prompting a call to local police. This resident later told the surveyor that call lights usually took 30–45 minutes to be answered and that care was timelier while surveyors were present. A family member reported that it took staff “forever” to respond to this resident’s needs and that he had complained to the ADON about response times. These accounts, combined with staffing records, demonstrated that the facility did not have enough staff on duty to meet residents’ immediate care needs. The facility also failed to ensure that CMAs/MTs and LPNs practiced within their scope and under appropriate RN oversight. A CMA/MT had been independently assessing residents’ pain and administering PRN oxycodone, including documenting pre- and post-administration pain levels, despite state guidance that assessments cannot be delegated to unlicensed personnel and facility policy stating that CMAs/MTs are not to assess pain or administer PRN medications without an RN’s assessment. The CMA/MT reported using both verbal reports and a nonverbal pain scale and believed this was within her scope, while the VPCO and FDON later stated it was not. Additionally, multiple admission and readmission nursing assessments and baseline care plan tools for several residents were completed and signed by LPNs without evidence of RN assessment, even though state standards limit LPNs to data collection and require RNs to complete resident assessments. The FDON and ADON acknowledged that, in the absence of an RN DON and because most admissions occurred on evenings, LPNs had been completing all initial nursing assessments for years. Further, the facility did not ensure that LPNs performing IV therapy had the required additional training and RN delegation as outlined in facility policy and state guidance. One resident with an order for IV ertapenem via PICC line received this medication on multiple days from LPNs, including an LPN whose personnel file contained no documentation of IV therapy training. The ADON confirmed that this LPN was not certified to administer IV/PICC medications, while the LPN stated she had been hanging IV medications via PICC lines since hire, without formal facility training, and was sometimes the only nurse available to administer PICC medications, with the other staff person being a CMA/MT. The FDON stated she supervised licensed staff and had observed LPNs administering IV medications without concerns, but there was no evidence of the documented training and competency validation required by facility policy for delegation of IV tasks to LPNs. Collectively, these findings showed that the facility did not maintain adequate RN presence, did not follow its own delegation and competency policies, and allowed LPNs and CMAs/MTs to perform assessments and IV tasks beyond their scope, affecting all residents in the facility.
Expired Food and Unsanitary Kitchen Conditions in Dietary Services
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s food service operations related to failure to follow its own food safety and sanitation policies. The facility’s policies required that all local, state, and federal standards be followed, that food be protected from contamination, and that perishable foods be used prior to their use-by or expiration dates, with out-of-date foods discarded. During an observation of the kitchen’s walk-in cooler, surveyors found multiple juice containers labeled by the facility with use-by dates that had already passed, including cranberry juice, orange juice, and apple juice. They also found a container of concentrated lemon juice with a manufacturer’s expiration date that had already passed, despite the facility having applied a later “use by” date that extended beyond the manufacturer’s expiration. Further observations in the kitchen’s walk-in freezer revealed a torn-open package of hot dog buns with several buns exposed to air and an opened box of fish with a manufacturer’s expiration date that had already passed. Additional inspection of the kitchen area showed multiple cobwebs and dead insects on the wall behind portable shelving where clean dishes were stored, along with a buildup of black and gray dust and debris. Two window unit air conditioners were located next to this shelving, with the potential to blow debris and pests onto the clean dishes if turned on. A dietary aide acknowledged these conditions during the survey, stating that all dietary staff should be checking use-by and expiration dates. The Regional Director of Operations later stated it was her expectation that there would be no items beyond use-by or expiration dates and no dust or dead bugs in the kitchen. These failures placed all 34 residents at risk of foodborne illnesses.
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