Maplewood Healthcare Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Bridgeport, West Virginia.
- Location
- 1081 Maplewood Drive, Bridgeport, West Virginia 26330
- CMS Provider Number
- 515194
- Inspections on file
- 17
- Latest survey
- January 14, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 8
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Maplewood Healthcare Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility failed to complete and submit required five-day investigation reports to state and other officials following multiple incidents, including a fall with a femur fracture during a CNA-assisted transfer and an allegation by a cognitively intact resident that another resident entered her room, hit her, and took items. In these cases, the DON could not produce initial reportables or five-day follow-ups, resident care planning was not updated after falls, and no grievance or reportable documentation existed for the resident-on-resident incident. In another facility-reported incident, there was no evidence that the mandated five-day follow-up to the state agency was completed, as the former NHA who handled FRIs had not done so.
The facility did not follow its abuse prohibition policy by failing to identify and report multiple allegations of abuse and neglect, including incidents of staff yelling, residents left in soiled conditions, delayed care, rough handling, and possible misappropriation of property. These allegations, reported by residents and families, were not documented or reported to the required agencies as outlined in facility policy.
The facility did not report multiple allegations of abuse, neglect, or theft to required agencies within mandated time frames. Over a year, several residents and their families reported concerns such as rough handling, delayed care, soiled clothing, and unexplained injuries to staff, but these incidents were not documented in the facility's reportable log or reported as required. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed these events were not reported, resulting in a deficiency related to timely reporting and follow-up of suspected abuse or neglect.
The facility did not provide enough CNAs on night shifts to meet resident needs, with staffing levels often below the facility's own assessment. Several residents reported long waits for assistance, and both CNAs and LPNs stated that staffing was insufficient to complete all required care and documentation.
The facility did not accurately post daily nurse staffing information, with significant discrepancies found between posted reports and actual time and attendance records for RNs, LPNs, and Certified Nurse Aides. On several occasions, the number of staff listed as working did not match those actually present, and the facility census was also inaccurately reported. The NHA was unaware of how the data was compiled and acknowledged the inaccuracies.
The facility failed to ensure residents received medically-related social services by not including the full interdisciplinary team in care plan meetings and not assisting residents in asserting their rights regarding abuse, neglect, and person-centered care. Multiple grievances about care issues and abuse were not properly reported or documented, and care plan meetings were often attended only by social services and activities staff, contrary to facility policy.
A resident's medical records contained multiple errors in transfer dates on forms related to transfers to an acute care facility. During a review, it was confirmed by the administrator that the documented dates did not match the actual transfer events, resulting in incomplete and inaccurate recordkeeping.
The facility did not ensure that two residents and their representatives were able to participate in care plan meetings with the full interdisciplinary team (IDT) present, as required. Instead, care plan meetings were routinely attended only by social services and activities staff, with other required team members such as nursing, dietary, and therapy not present. This was confirmed through record review, a complaint, and staff interviews.
A resident's urinary catheter drainage bag was found touching the floor, contrary to the facility's infection control policy. The issue was observed until an LPN adjusted the bed to correct the situation, and the facility's policy was reviewed to confirm the requirement that catheter bags remain off the floor.
Failure to Complete and Submit Required Five-Day Investigation Reports
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to report the results of abuse/neglect-related investigations to appropriate officials within five working days, as required by its own policy and state law. The facility’s Abuse, Neglect & Misappropriation policy states that accurate and timely reporting of alleged and substantiated incidents must be sent to officials, including OHFLAC, APS, the Regional Ombudsman, and other authorities, and that investigation results must be reported within five working days of the incident. For one resident, who reported falling during a CNA-assisted transfer and sustaining a femur fracture, the DON was unable to provide the initial reportable or the required five-day follow-up for two separate falls, and the resident’s care plan was not updated for either fall. The DON later stated that the social worker had been terminated for not completing the reportable or the five-day follow-up related to this resident’s fall. Another resident, who was cognitively intact per a BIMS score of 14, reported that another resident entered her room, hit her, and frequently came in and took things. The resident told the SW she felt fearful during the incident and uneasy at times with the other resident who wandered. There was no documentation of grievances, concerns, or reportables related to this incident, and the DON stated the incident was not reported because the resident later stated she felt safe in the facility. In a separate facility-reported incident involving another resident, the DON stated that the former NHA had been responsible for reporting FRIs and acknowledged there was no evidence that the required five-day follow-up report to the state agency had been completed. These findings show multiple instances where the facility did not complete or submit the mandated five-day investigation results to the appropriate officials.
Failure to Report and Document Allegations of Abuse and Neglect
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its abuse prohibition policy by not identifying and reporting all allegations of abuse and neglect as required. A review of the facility's policy indicated that all alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, mistreatment, injuries of unknown source, and misappropriation of resident property were to be reported immediately to the executive director, who would then notify the appropriate agencies. However, a review of grievance forms over a 12-month period revealed multiple allegations of abuse and neglect that were not reported as required by the policy. Specific incidents included residents and their families reporting concerns such as staff yelling at residents, residents being left in soiled clothing or bedding, delayed responses to call bells, rough handling during care, and possible misappropriation of property. Other grievances involved residents being left unattended, not being changed in a timely manner, and staff being loud or unprofessional during night hours. In one case, a resident reported another resident entering her room and physically grabbing her, while another resident's family expressed concern over unexplained bruising. A review of the facility's reportable log for the same period found that none of these allegations had been documented or reported as required. During an interview, the Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that if the allegations were not on the log, they had not been reported, and agreed that the incidents should have been reported. The administrator assumed that the social worker had completed the reporting, but this was not the case.
Failure to Timely Report Allegations of Abuse and Neglect
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report all allegations and five-day follow-up reports of abuse and/or neglect to the required agencies within the mandated time frames. This deficiency was identified through a review of the facility's filed grievances over a 12-month period, which revealed 16 separate allegations involving 13 residents. These allegations included instances of staff yelling at residents, residents being left in soiled clothing or bedding, delayed or inadequate response to call bells, rough handling during care, and concerns about unexplained injuries and possible theft. In several cases, grievances were voiced by residents or their families to various staff members, including social services, nursing, and the Director of Nursing (DON). Despite the nature of these grievances, none of the incidents were found on the facility's reportable log for the same time frame, indicating that they were not reported to the appropriate authorities as required. The Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) confirmed during an interview that if the incidents were not on the log, they had not been reported. The NHA also acknowledged that the reviewed allegations should have been reported and assumed that the social worker had completed the necessary reporting, which was not the case. The documented grievances described a range of concerns, such as residents being left wet or soiled for extended periods, staff making inappropriate or loud comments, delayed assistance with toileting, and rough or neglectful care. In some cases, family members observed and reported the conditions directly to staff, while in others, residents themselves voiced their concerns. The lack of timely reporting and follow-up for these allegations represents a failure to comply with regulatory requirements for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or theft.
Failure to Maintain Adequate Night Shift Nursing Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate nursing staff on all night shifts to meet the needs of its residents, as evidenced by a review of staffing postings and interviews with residents and staff. Over a 15-day period, the number of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) on night shift frequently fell below the facility's own assessment, which stated that 4-6 nurse aides were needed per night shift. On several nights, only 2 or 3 CNAs were present for a census ranging from 73 to 77 residents, resulting in CNA-to-resident ratios as high as 1:37. Licensed nurse coverage was also inconsistent, with 2-4 LPNs per night shift. These staffing levels did not align with the facility's stated requirements based on resident acuity. Multiple residents reported experiencing long waits for call light responses during night shifts, attributing this to insufficient staffing. Staff interviews corroborated these concerns, with CNAs and LPNs stating that the number of aides was inadequate to complete all required tasks and documentation. Staff also noted increased workload and difficulty maintaining care standards due to recent staff departures. Staffing records and time/attendance reports confirmed the reported staffing levels during the period in question.
Inaccurate Posting of Nurse Staffing Information
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately post daily nurse staffing information, including the actual hours worked and the total hours worked by category for nursing staff. Record review revealed discrepancies between the posted Nurse Staffing Reports and the facility's time and attendance records for 14 out of 15 calendar days reviewed. For example, on multiple dates, the hours reported on the Nurse Staffing Report did not match the hours recorded in the time and attendance system for RNs, LPNs, and Certified Nurse Aides. Additionally, the facility did not accurately reflect the facility census on the posted reports. An observation of the posted staffing report showed that the number of Certified Nurse Aides scheduled for a specific shift was significantly higher than the number actually present and working during that shift. During a staff interview, the Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged a lack of awareness regarding how the staffing data was compiled and admitted to the inaccuracy of the posted information.
Failure to Provide Medically-Related Social Services and Ensure Resident Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life, as evidenced by a lack of proper interdisciplinary team (IDT) participation in care plan meetings and failure to assist residents in asserting their rights related to abuse, neglect, and person-centered care planning. Record reviews showed that care plan meetings were often attended only by social services and activities staff, without the required participation of clinical, dietary, therapy, or nursing representatives. This was confirmed by both the Nursing Home Administrator and the Director of Nursing, who acknowledged that the IDT was not participating as required, and that only social services and activities staff, who shared an office, were regularly present. Additionally, the facility's grievance review revealed multiple allegations of abuse and neglect over a 12-month period, including reports of residents being left in soiled clothing, rough handling by staff, delayed call bell responses, and lack of proper hygiene care. These grievances were reported to social services, nursing, or other staff, but a review of the facility's reportable log found that none of these allegations had been documented or reported as required. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that if the allegations were not on the log, they had not been reported, and agreed that these incidents should have been reported. The deficiencies affected a significant number of residents, as evidenced by the number of grievances and care plan records reviewed. The facility's own policies required the presence of a full interdisciplinary team at care plan meetings and proper documentation of attendees, which was not followed. The lack of IDT participation and failure to report abuse or neglect allegations represent a breakdown in the facility's processes for ensuring resident rights and comprehensive, person-centered care planning.
Inaccurate Transfer Dates Documented in Resident Medical Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain accurate and complete medical records for one resident who was reviewed under the care area of falls. During a record review, it was found that the transfer forms for this resident, who had been transferred to an acute care facility, contained multiple errors in the documented transfer dates. Specifically, the forms listed incorrect dates for three separate transfers, with each form showing a date that did not correspond to the actual transfer event. The facility administrator confirmed that the dates on the transfer forms were incorrect during the surveyor's review.
Failure to Ensure Interdisciplinary Team Participation in Care Planning
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents and/or their representatives were given the opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of their person-centered care plans with the full interdisciplinary team (IDT) present, as required. Record review and staff interviews revealed that for two sampled residents, care plan meetings were routinely attended only by social services and activities staff, with other required IDT members such as clinical representatives, dietary, and therapy staff not present. The facility's own policy specified that these team members should be present at care plan meetings, and that meeting notes should document all attendees. A complaint was received indicating that a resident's representative was contacted by the social worker for a care plan meeting, but only the social worker was present during the meeting, which was conducted by phone. Review of care plan meeting records for both residents showed a consistent pattern of limited staff attendance, with meetings often lacking nursing, dietary, and therapy input. Interviews with the Nursing Home Administrator and DON confirmed that the IDT was not participating as required, and that only social services and activities staff were regularly involved in these meetings.
Catheter Drainage Bag Infection Control Breach
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's urinary catheter drainage bag was observed touching the floor. The incident occurred during a random observation, and the drainage bag remained in contact with the floor until a licensed practical nurse intervened by raising the resident's bed to prevent further contact. The facility's own catheter care policy specifies that the collection bag should not be on the floor and must be properly secured to prevent reflux of urine. The failure to maintain the drainage bag off the floor was confirmed by both observation and staff interview, and was found to be inconsistent with the facility's established infection control procedures.
Latest citations in West Virginia
A deficiency occurred when a lunch tray on A Hall was found to be served below required hot-holding temperature standards. During a survey, a random tray containing mashed potatoes and gravy with steak was tested by the Traveling Dietary Manager in the presence of the Administrator, and both food items measured 110°F, which did not meet required serving temperatures. The Traveling Dietary Manager and the Administrator each confirmed that the food temperature was not at the required level, and the administrative team later acknowledged this deficiency.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to provide residents with consistent and accurate readily available menus reflecting their food preferences. The Traveling Dietary Manager reported that residents could choose from multiple egg preparations, but these options were not listed on the posted menu available to residents. Additionally, the “always available” menu used in the kitchen did not match the menu provided to residents, and this discrepancy was confirmed by the Traveling Dietary Manager. The issue was identified on all menus reviewed and had the potential to affect many residents in the facility.
The facility failed to follow its abuse reporting policy when a cognitively intact resident reported that two nurses were frequently sleeping on duty and later provided an audio recording of a nurse calling the resident a "jerk." The allegation was reported by the resident to an LPN and then to an RN Infection Preventionist, but the Administrator remained unaware until the survey, and the incident was not reported to authorities within the required 2-hour timeframe. In a separate case, another resident had a verbal abuse incident reported to the state, but the facility did not complete or submit the required 5-day follow-up report, and the Administrator confirmed there was no record of that follow-up.
A resident reported unknown charges on her debit card and alleged that a former roommate had used the card without permission, estimating losses of several hundred dollars. The facility documented initial steps such as notifying external agencies, involving law enforcement, cancelling the card, separating the roommates, and assisting the resident in obtaining bank statements. However, the facility did not maintain or retain key documentation, including copies of bank statements, the total amount of funds involved, or clear follow‑up on the status and outcome of the allegation. The resident reported not receiving updates, and the BOM acknowledged that the facility lacked the resident’s financial records because they had been turned over to law enforcement and were not requested or reviewed by facility staff until shortly before the survey, resulting in an incomplete internal investigation record of the alleged misappropriation.
A resident who was cognitively intact but lacked capacity for health care decisions left the facility after breakfast and morning meds. An activities assistant saw the resident walking outside and reported this to the Manager on Duty, but no effective action was taken to verify the resident’s whereabouts or initiate a search. Nursing staff later assumed the resident was in the bathroom or out smoking when he was not in his room at mid-morning and lunchtime. The facility did not recognize the resident as missing or begin search efforts until hours later, during which time the resident hitchhiked and accepted a ride from a stranger in the community. Surveyors determined that staff had witnessed the resident outside but failed to intervene or report effectively, and that the facility remained unaware of the resident’s absence for several hours, resulting in an Immediate Jeopardy finding for neglect.
A resident who is blind and requires specific instruction during ambulation was transferred from therapy to Restorative with documented recommendations to ambulate using a walker, gait belt, and a wheelchair behind her, along with ROM and strengthening exercises. Despite a physician’s order for a Restorative Nursing Program for ambulation and ROM and the therapy recommendations communicated via an Excel spreadsheet, Restorative staff ambulated the resident without a gait belt. The resident reported becoming tired while walking, with a wheelchair behind her but not close enough, and then falling hard. She and a PTA both stated that no gait belt was used. The fall resulted in fractures to the resident’s left distal femur and right distal femur/knee area, with osteopenia noted, and the DON acknowledged that therapy recommendations had not been carried over for Restorative staff to follow.
A resident experienced multiple leg fractures after a fall, resulting in a significant change in condition and non–weight-bearing status. Although the MDS reflected that it was important for the resident to participate in group activities, favorite pastimes, and church services, the activity care plan was not revised after the injury to address her new limitations. The existing plan listed numerous preferred activities such as resident council, food committee, religious services, music, gardening, and in-room pursuits, but no new individualized interventions were added, and documentation showed only two 1:1 visits after her return from the hospital. The resident reported she could no longer get into her wheelchair, attend council or church, or join groups she enjoyed, and stated that activity staff did not visit often, while the Director of Recreation confirmed she had not attended groups since the injury and that in-room social visits were not consistently documented, resulting in a decline in activity participation and social isolation.
A resident was discharged to a motel with home health services, a wheelchair, medications, and a follow‑up medical appointment arranged, and received education on medications, blood glucose monitoring, emergency response, and home health services. Discharge planning discussions and a referral to the Take Me Home program were documented, and the facility agreed to pay for an initial period of the motel stay. However, record review and staff interviews confirmed that the resident was not given the required 30‑day written discharge notice prior to leaving, limiting the resident’s ability to prepare for discharge and exercise discharge‑related rights.
A resident sustained multiple lower extremity fractures after a fall, resulting in hospitalization, non-weight-bearing status, and loss of prior functional abilities such as standing, pivoting, and walking with therapy. Before the fall, the resident actively participated in out-of-room activities including Resident Council, food committee, church, and socials, but after returning from the hospital she no longer attended group activities and had only two documented 1:1 visits. Despite an MDS indicating a significant change in status and clear changes in activity participation, the activity care plan—last revised months earlier—was not updated with new interventions to address her altered condition and in-room activity needs, as confirmed by record review and staff interviews.
A resident with intact cognition and a history of active participation in group activities, Resident Council, and church sustained bilateral lower-extremity fractures and returned from the hospital non–weight bearing. The MDS significant change assessment and the activity care plan documented that group involvement, church services, and various preferred activities were important to the resident, yet no new interventions were added to the care plan after the change in condition. Activity participation records showed that the resident had no out-of-room activities and only two documented 1:1 visits, while the Director of Recreation acknowledged that group attendance had stopped and that in-room social visits were not consistently documented. The resident reported feeling unable to attend her usual groups, Resident Council, or church and stated that activity staff did not visit often, leading surveyors to find that the facility failed to provide an activities program that met her needs and interests following her significant change.
Improper Hot Food Serving Temperatures During Lunch Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide resident meals at proper serving temperature during a lunch meal service on A Hall. On 03/24/26 at approximately 12:10 PM, a surveyor had a random lunch tray on A Hall temperature-tested by the Traveling Dietary Manager, with the facility Administrator present. The tested items—mashed potatoes and gravy with steak—were both measured at 110°F. During an interview at approximately 12:15 PM, the Traveling Dietary Manager confirmed that the food did not meet the required serving temperature, and at approximately 12:16 PM, the Administrator also confirmed that the food did not meet the required serving temperature. This deficiency was acknowledged by the facility’s administrative team upon survey exit on 03/25/26 at approximately 4:00 PM. No additional resident-specific clinical information or conditions were provided in the report.
Inconsistent Readily Available Menus for Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s failure to provide residents with consistent and accurate information about readily available menu items that accommodate resident preferences. During document review and staff interviews, the Traveling Dietary Manager stated that residents could choose from several egg preparations (omelet, scrambled eggs, hard-boiled egg, or hard-fried egg) as part of the facility’s readily available items. However, the posted readily available menu accessible to residents did not list these egg options. Additionally, the “always available” menu used in the kitchen did not match the menu provided to residents, and the Traveling Dietary Manager confirmed that the readily available menus did not correlate. This inconsistency was found on 2 of 2 menus reviewed and had the potential to affect more than a limited number of residents in a facility with a census of 90. On a subsequent interview, the facility Administrator acknowledged the deficiency during the exit interview.
Failure to Timely Report Verbal Abuse Allegation and Submit Required 5-Day Follow-Up
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow its abuse prohibition policy requiring that allegations of abuse be reported to the proper authorities within two hours of identification and that required follow-up reports be completed. The policy defined verbal abuse as the willful use of disparaging or derogatory language toward residents or within their hearing. A cognitively intact resident with a BIMS score of 15 reported that two nurses who worked Monday through Thursday were "always sleeping" and that, after he reported this to administration, one of the nurses called him a "jerk." The resident had an audio recording dated 03/11/26 capturing a staff member calling him a "jerk" and confirming this characterization when questioned by the resident. The resident stated he informed an LPN, who then reported it to the RN Infection Preventionist. The RN Infection Preventionist acknowledged awareness of a phone conversation in which someone called the resident a jerk but stated she did not know the full details and thought it might have been discussed in a care plan meeting. The Administrator reported being unaware of the situation until interviewed by the surveyor, at which time the incident had not been reported within the required two-hour timeframe. The facility also failed to complete and submit a required five-day follow-up report for a separate allegation of verbal abuse involving another resident. Record review showed that this resident had been admitted and later discharged to the hospital, and that a verbal abuse incident involving this resident had been reported to the state agency on 04/15/25. However, review of the facility’s list of reportable incidents for one year revealed no evidence that the corresponding five-day follow-up report was ever sent. The Administrator confirmed there was no record of that reportable incident or of a five-day follow-up. These failures were identified for two of two residents reviewed for abuse, with a facility census of 67.
Failure to Thoroughly Investigate and Document Alleged Financial Exploitation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure a thorough investigation and ongoing documentation of an allegation of misappropriation of resident property for one resident. Record review showed that the resident reported unknown charges on her debit card, and the facility initiated an investigation and notified OHFLAC, APS, the Ombudsman, and local law enforcement. Progress notes documented that law enforcement interviewed the resident, the resident cancelled her debit card, and she planned to obtain information from her bank. Notes also showed that the resident obtained bank statements, attempts were made to contact the investigating officer, and law enforcement later returned to obtain the resident’s banking information and ask additional questions. The facility’s 5‑day investigation report documented that the Administrator and DON reported the allegation, assisted the resident in obtaining bank statements, reviewed charges with her, identified the alleged perpetrator as the former roommate, separated the residents, and deactivated the debit card. The investigation was labeled inconclusive with law enforcement continuing the investigation, and a later Grand Jury subpoena was issued for the resident related to alleged fraudulent use of her debit card. Despite these initial steps, at the time of survey the facility was unable to provide additional documentation or evidence of follow‑up regarding the alleged misappropriation, including the total amount of funds involved, the outcome of the investigation, or any ongoing tracking of the allegation until requested by the State Agency. In interviews, the resident stated that her former roommate used her debit card without permission, estimated that approximately $800–$900 had been spent, and reported she had not received any updates about the situation. The BOM stated the facility did not have copies of the resident’s bank statements because they had been turned over to law enforcement and that law enforcement would not release information due to an ongoing investigation. In a follow‑up interview, the resident reported that no one from the facility had requested or attempted to review her bank statements, aside from law enforcement, until shortly before the interview when the BOM inquired, demonstrating that the facility did not maintain documentation necessary to determine the extent of the alleged misappropriation. A staff member later provided a written statement that they accompanied the resident to a Grand Jury proceeding related to fraudulent use of the debit card, but the facility still lacked internal documentation of the scope and outcome of the allegation.
Failure to Respond to Known Resident Elopement and Prolonged Unnoticed Absence
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to protect a resident from neglect by not responding to a known elopement. A cognitively intact resident, who had a BIMS score of 14 but had been deemed by the physician to lack capacity to make health care decisions, left the facility in the morning after having breakfast and receiving morning medications. The resident’s elopement risk evaluation score was 0, indicating low risk for elopement, and the MDS indicated no wander/elopement alarm was used less than daily. The resident’s care plan identified adjustment issues related to change in lifestyle and difficulty accepting placement, with interventions focused on coping and adjustment, but did not identify elopement risk prior to the incident. At approximately 9:00 AM, an activities assistant saw the resident walking outside down a public street near a store. The activities assistant contacted the social worker, who was the Manager on Duty, shortly thereafter to report the resident’s location. The activities assistant then clocked in for her shift around 9:03–9:05 AM. Despite this report, no effective action was taken by facility staff at that time to verify the resident’s whereabouts, intervene, or initiate a search. The social worker later stated she did not realize anything was going on until early afternoon, explaining that she missed the information about the resident being at the store while she was talking with other residents during the phone call. During the period from roughly 9:15 AM to 1:55 PM, there was a delay in supervision and monitoring of the resident. The LPN assigned to the resident reported administering morning medications and exchanging pleasantries with the resident earlier that morning, consistent with the facility’s elopement timeline. The CNA assigned to the resident stated that the resident was in the room during breakfast, but when she entered the room around 10:30 AM to provide a snack to the roommate, the resident was not present and she assumed he was in the bathroom. At lunchtime, when the CNA did not see the resident, she assumed he was out smoking. The facility did not recognize the resident as missing or initiate search or recovery actions until approximately 1:30 PM, when the activities assistant reported that the resident was not present for a smoke break. The State Agency determined that staff had witnessed the resident outside the facility but failed to intervene or report effectively, and that the facility remained unaware of the resident’s absence for about 4.5 hours, creating an Immediate Jeopardy situation due to the resident being unsupervised in the community for an extended period. The resident later reported that he was attempting to travel to another town to attend to personal business, hitchhiking to a nearby city and then walking further when he found the bus station closed. He described being offered a ride and food by a man who drove him to a restaurant, where he was eventually picked up by someone from the nursing home. The State Agency concluded that the facility’s failure to act on the known elopement and to promptly identify and respond to the resident’s absence constituted neglect and placed the resident at immediate risk for serious harm or death.
Failure to Use Gait Belt During Restorative Ambulation Resulting in Resident Fractures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide care and services in accordance with professional standards of practice when a resident participating in Restorative Therapy ambulation was walked without a gait belt, contrary to therapy recommendations. Record review showed the resident experienced a fall and was sent to the emergency room with pain in both legs, where diagnostic imaging revealed an anterior apex angulated distal femur diametaphyseal fracture with impaction in the left femur and an impaction and comminuted anterior apex angulated fracture of the distal fifth metaphysis in the right knee, with osteopenia noted. The resident, who is blind and requires specific instruction when ambulating, had been transferred from therapy to Restorative with recommendations documented on an Excel spreadsheet to ambulate with a walker, gait belt, and wheelchair behind the resident, up to 70 feet, along with ROM and strengthening exercises. A physician’s order for a Restorative Nursing Program for ambulating and ROM was in place, with the expectation that Restorative staff would refer back to therapy’s recommendations for safety measures. Interviews confirmed that on the day of the fall, staff ambulated the resident without a gait belt. The PTA identified the location of the fall and stated that a gait belt had not been used while walking the resident. The DOR reported that therapy staff had always used a gait belt with this resident and that the recommendation to use a gait belt was communicated via the Excel spreadsheet used by Restorative Therapy to receive therapy orders and recommendations. The resident, who had a BIMS score of 15 and thus had capacity, stated that she became tired while walking with Restorative staff, that a wheelchair was behind her but not close enough, and that she fell hard; she reported that staff did not have a gait belt on her and believed that if a gait belt had been used, she would not have fallen so hard. The DON stated she was not aware of the Excel spreadsheet and confirmed that therapy recommendations were not carried over for Restorative Therapy to follow.
Failure to Revise Activity Care Plan After Significant Change in Condition
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure a resident received ongoing opportunities to participate in meaningful activities consistent with her interests and preferences following a significant change in condition. The resident experienced a fall on 02/18/26, was sent to a local emergency room for pain in both legs, and diagnostic radiology revealed an anterior apex angulated fracture of the distal left femur with impaction and an impaction and comminuted anterior apex angulated fracture of the distal right femur metaphysis, with osteopenia noted. She was hospitalized for these fractures and returned to the facility on 02/24/26. A subsequent MDS with an ARD of 02/27/26 documented a significant change in status and indicated that it was important for the resident to do things with groups of people, participate in her favorite activities, and attend church services. Record review showed that the resident’s activity care plan, originally initiated in 2020 and revised multiple times through 03/03/2025, contained numerous interventions reflecting her preferences, including in-room visits, participation in food committee and resident council, church and religious services, group singing and cooking, gardening, pet visits, listening to religious/bluegrass/country music, watching TV and keeping up with the news, and engaging in favorite activities such as church, sewing, cooking, reading, and gardening. The care plan also noted her use of a wheelchair and need for accommodations for visual impairments. However, there were no new or revised activity interventions added to address her new non–weight-bearing status and functional limitations after the fractures, and no changes to the activity care plan were documented following the significant change in condition. During interview, the resident, who had decision-making capacity and a BIMS score of 15, reported that prior to the fall she had been able to stand, pivot, and walk with therapy, and that she had been active in resident council, church, and social activities. She stated that since her return from the hospital she could not get into her wheelchair, could not attend resident council meetings or church, and could not participate in the group activities she enjoyed. She reported that activity staff did not visit her very often and became tearful while describing her situation. The Director of Recreation confirmed that the resident had not attended group activities since returning from the hospital, was non–weight-bearing for 10 weeks, and that anything done with her was now in-room. The Director of Recreation also stated that the resident did not receive one-to-one visits “per se” and that social visits were not documented. Surveyors identified that only two one-to-one visits had been documented since the resident’s return from the hospital and that there was a significant decline in her activity participation without corresponding revisions to her care plan, which led to the finding of failure to provide consistent, individualized activity interventions and ongoing opportunities for meaningful activities.
Failure to Provide Required 30‑Day Written Discharge Notice
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a required 30‑day written discharge notice to a resident prior to discharge. A complaint was received by the State Agency stating that the resident was being discharged to a hotel and that the facility would pay for the first 28 days, after which the resident would be responsible for their own expenses. The complainant reported the resident had no income and uncertainty existed about how the resident would obtain food and medications. Record review showed that on one date, Social Services documented discharge planning discussions and a referral to the Take Me Home program at the resident’s request, and an assessment note indicated discharge planning documentation was completed. Further record review revealed that on the day of discharge, Social Services documented that the resident was discharged to a motel with home health services arranged, a wheelchair provided, medications supplied, and a follow‑up appointment scheduled. Nursing documentation from the same day showed the resident received education on medications, blood glucose monitoring, emergency response, and home health services prior to discharge. However, there was no evidence in the medical record that the resident was provided a written 30‑day discharge notice before leaving the facility. In an interview, the Social Worker, in the presence of the Administrator, confirmed that the resident had chosen discharge to a motel and that the facility paid for 28 days at the hotel and provided 14 days of medications, and also confirmed that a 30‑day discharge notice was not issued. The deficient practice had the potential to affect the resident by limiting the ability to adequately prepare for discharge and exercise rights regarding the discharge process.
Failure to Update Activity Care Plan After Significant Change in Condition
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to update an activity care plan following a resident’s significant change in condition and participation. The resident experienced a fall on 02/18/26, resulting in fractures to the left distal femur and right distal femur/knee, with osteopenia noted on diagnostic imaging. She was hospitalized and returned to the facility on 02/24/26. A subsequent MDS with an ARD of 02/27/26 identified a significant change in status. Despite this, the resident’s activity care plan, originally initiated in 2020 and revised multiple times through 03/03/2025, was not revised after the fall and significant change to reflect her new limitations and altered participation in activities. Prior to the fall, the resident had been able to stand, pivot, and transfer to her wheelchair, and was walking up to 100 feet with therapy. She was active in out-of-room activities, including Resident Council, food committee, parties, socials, church, and other group activities. After the fall, she reported that she now had a rod in her left leg, a brace on her right leg, and was non-weight bearing for 10 weeks, which prevented her from getting into her wheelchair and attending the activities she previously enjoyed. She expressed distress about no longer being able to attend Resident Council meetings, church, and family gatherings, and stated that activity staff did not visit very often and that she could not go out to the groups she liked. During the interview, she was observed to be tearful. Record review of activity participation from 01/01/2026 to the present showed that the resident had participated in out-of-room activities before the fall but had no out-of-room participation after her return from the hospital. The records also showed that since the significant change, she had only two documented one-to-one visits, both on 03/04/26. The Director of Recreation confirmed that the resident had not attended group activities since returning from the hospital and was non-weight bearing, and stated that anything done with her was now in-room. The Director also stated that social visits were not documented as one-to-one visits. Surveyors noted that there were no new or revised interventions on the activity care plan since 01/2025 despite the significant change in the resident’s condition and participation, and the Administrator and Director of Recreation confirmed that the documentation reflected this lack of update.
Failure to Adjust Activities Program After Resident’s Significant Change in Condition
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide an activities program that met the interests and needs of a resident who experienced a significant change in condition and activity participation. The resident, who was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15 and served as president of the Resident Council, sustained fractures to the left distal femur and right distal femur/knee area after a fall and was hospitalized. Diagnostic imaging showed an anterior apex angulated, impacted distal femur diametaphyseal fracture on the left and an impacted, comminuted anterior apex angulated fracture of the distal fifth metaphysis of the right knee, with osteopenia noted. After hospitalization, the resident returned to the facility and had an MDS with a significant change assessment, with Section F indicating that it was important for her to do things with groups of people, participate in favorite activities, and attend church services. Record review showed that prior to the fall and fractures, the resident participated in out-of-room activities, including Resident Council, food committee, parties, and socials. The activity care plan, originally created in 2020 and revised multiple times through early 2025, documented numerous preferences and important activities for the resident, such as in-room visits, participation in food committee, church, singing, cooking, gardening, going outside in good weather, pet visits, listening to religious and other music, watching TV, reading, and engaging in religious services and voting. The care plan also noted that it was important for her to engage in her favorite activities and to have opportunities to make choices related to meaningful activities. However, there were no new interventions added or changes made to the activity care plan after her significant change in condition and return from the hospital. Activity participation records from the beginning of the year through the time of survey showed that since her readmission from the hospital, the resident had no out-of-room activity participation and only two documented one-to-one visits, both on the same day. During interview, the resident reported that she could no longer stand, pivot, or get into her wheelchair, and that she was now unable to attend Resident Council meetings, church, or be around people as she had before. She expressed distress about missing family gatherings she had been working toward attending and stated that activity staff did not visit very often and that she could not go out to the groups she liked. The Director of Recreation confirmed that the resident had not attended group activities since returning from the hospital due to being non–weight bearing, that anything done with her was now in-room, and that social visits were not consistently documented. The Administrator and Director of Recreation acknowledged that documentation showed only two one-to-one visits and no updated interventions on the care plan since before the significant change, leading to the finding that the facility failed to provide a program of activities to meet this resident’s needs and interests after her change in condition.
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