Valley Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in South Charleston, West Virginia.
- Location
- 1000 Lincoln Drive, South Charleston, West Virginia 25309
- CMS Provider Number
- 515169
- Inspections on file
- 29
- Latest survey
- May 14, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Valley Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with Alzheimer's disease experienced two significant changes in condition, including elevated heart rate and altered mental status with multiple symptoms, but the facility did not notify the resident's representative as required by policy. The DON and Administrator confirmed that notification should have occurred.
The facility was found to have medicated items and personal hygiene products left accessible in resident rooms, posing potential hazards to wandering residents. Items such as hydrogen peroxide, anti-fungal powder, and oral pain relief rinse were not properly labeled or stored, as confirmed by the DON and CRN.
The facility failed to ensure residents received treatment and care according to professional standards, care plans, and resident choices. Issues included unavailable medication, undocumented insulin administration, and discrepancies in advanced directive orders, affecting multiple residents.
The facility failed to ensure a safe environment by leaving a resident's medication unattended and having multiple instances of unlocked and unattended medication and treatment carts. These lapses in supervision and security were observed by surveyors and confirmed by staff.
The facility failed to provide the required Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (SNF ABN) form to two residents during an annual survey. Both residents had signed the Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) but did not receive the SNF ABN form, placing them at risk of not being informed of their rights and potential liability for services not covered by Medicare.
The facility failed to report an alleged incident of verbal abuse to the appropriate state agencies. A nurse informed a resident about her need for a shower due to an odor in front of other residents, which was perceived as humiliating. The incident was investigated internally but not reported as required by the facility's Abuse Prohibition Policy.
The facility failed to ensure accurate MDS assessments for three residents, including significant weight loss for one resident and incorrect discharge statuses for two others. These inaccuracies were acknowledged by the facility's Administrator.
The facility failed to complete new PASARRs for three residents with newly evident or possible serious mental disorders, including delusional disorder, Bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The oversight was confirmed by staff during interviews.
The facility failed to update the care plans for two residents when their needs changed. One resident's care plan did not include her delusional disorder diagnosis, and another resident's care plan did not address her significant pain management needs or her goals for pain relief, despite her worsening condition and recent changes in pharmacological interventions.
The facility failed to evaluate and document the effectiveness of pain medication for two residents. An LPN signed out and administered oxycodone but did not document its effectiveness, as confirmed by the Clinical Operation Lead.
The facility failed to ensure that monthly Medication Regimen Reviews (MRR) were reviewed and signed by the attending physician. For a resident, the pharmacist recommended reassessment of the A1C goal and potential initiation of Januvia, but there was no evidence that the physician reviewed or acted on this recommendation, as the MRR was not signed.
The facility failed to obtain routine and/or emergency dental services for a resident who had a loose tooth. Despite an active order for a dental referral, no referral had been made, as confirmed by the Interim Director of Nursing.
The facility failed to maintain appropriate infection control procedures during a medication pass for a resident. An LPN was observed removing pills from a blister pack with ungloved hands after touching the medication cart doors and over-the-counter pill bottles with bare hands. The administrator was informed and expressed surprise, acknowledging that handling pills with soiled bare hands was against common-sense practices.
Failure to Notify Resident Representative of Significant Change in Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify a resident's representative of two significant changes in the resident's condition. According to interviews and record review, the resident, who had been determined by a physician to lack capacity due to Alzheimer's disease, experienced two separate incidents: one involving an elevated pulse/heart rate while resting, and another involving altered mental status, weakness, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy. In both cases, the resident remained in the facility and was treated in-house by on-call physicians, but the representative was not informed of these events. The resident's representative reported not being contacted by the facility regarding either incident and expressed distress over the lack of communication. Review of facility policy confirmed that the representative should have been notified immediately of significant changes in the resident's physical or mental status. The Director of Nursing and the Administrator acknowledged that the notifications should have occurred.
Unsafe Storage of Medicated Items in Resident Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe environment free from accident hazards, as evidenced by the presence of medicated items left accessible to residents with wandering tendencies. During a complaint survey, it was observed that various rooms contained medical items and personal hygiene products that were not labeled or stored securely, making them easily accessible to wandering residents. Specifically, items such as hydrogen peroxide, anti-fungal powder, no-rinse foam cleanser, and oral pain relief rinse were found in residents' rooms without proper identification or secure storage. The survey identified that 25 residents had wandering tendencies, and the facility census was 121. The presence of these items posed potential risks, as indicated by the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provided by the Director of Nursing (DON), which outlined hazards such as eye irritation, inhalation risks, and ingestion dangers. During an interview, the Corporate Registered Nurse (CRN) confirmed that medicinal items should not be present in residents' rooms, highlighting a lapse in the facility's supervision and safety protocols.
Failure to Follow Physician Orders and Resident Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure residents received treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive care plan, and resident choices. Resident #49's medication, Tizanidine HCl 2 mg tablet, was not available for three consecutive days, and the LPN was instructed to hold the medication until it arrived from the pharmacy. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the issue, attributing it to pharmacy staffing problems and logistical delays. Resident #33 did not receive insulin as ordered for elevated blood sugar levels. The Medication Administration Record (MAR) showed a blood sugar level of 435, but there was no documentation that insulin had been administered. The interim DON confirmed that the MAR did not reflect any medication being given. Additionally, the facility failed to follow the Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) forms for Resident #125, who had a DNR order that was not followed, and for Resident #26, whose physician orders for skin integrity and fracture stability were not adhered to. The facility also had discrepancies in advanced directive orders for Resident #71 and Resident #44, where the orders did not match the POST forms. Resident #71 had conflicting physician orders for advanced directives, and the care plan was not updated to reflect the correct order. Similarly, Resident #44 had an active physician's order for CPR and other interventions that did not match the POST form. These failures had the potential to affect more than a limited number of residents, as indicated by the facility census of 129.
Unattended and Unsecured Medication and Treatment Carts
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the environment was free of accident hazards, as evidenced by multiple observations of unattended and unsecured medication and treatment carts. On 04/08/24, a surveyor observed a Spiriva inhaler left unattended on a resident's over-the-bed table. The resident confirmed that the nurse had left it there in the morning, and the charge nurse verified that the medication should not have been left at the bedside. The resident had an order for the inhaler but did not have an order for it to be left at the bedside, indicating a lapse in proper medication management. Additionally, on 04/15/24, a surveyor found an unlocked and unattended medication cart on the 300 Hall. The LPN responsible for the cart acknowledged the issue and locked it upon the surveyor's request. Similarly, on 04/09/24, a treatment cart was observed unlocked and unattended by the South Nurses Station. The LPN responsible for the treatment cart also locked it after being notified by the surveyor. These incidents demonstrate a pattern of inadequate supervision and failure to secure medication and treatment carts, posing potential risks to residents.
Failure to Provide SNF ABN Forms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the required Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (SNF ABN) form to two residents during an annual survey. Resident #28 began Medicare Part A skilled services on 10/18/23, with the last covered day being 11/10/23. Although the Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) was signed and dated on 11/08/23, there was no evidence that a SNF ABN form had been provided and signed. Similarly, Resident #19 began Medicare Part A skilled services on 02/20/24, with the last covered day being 03/21/24. The NOMNC was signed and dated on 03/19/24, but again, there was no evidence that a SNF ABN form had been provided and signed. In an interview conducted on 04/10/24, the Administrator acknowledged the facility's failure to provide the SNF ABN forms to both residents prior to their last covered day of Medicare Part A skilled services. This oversight placed the residents at risk of not being informed of their rights and potential liability for services not covered by Medicare. The review of the Form Instructions for the SNF ABN Form CMS-10055 (2018) indicated that Medicare requires these forms to be issued to beneficiaries prior to providing care that Medicare may not pay for because it is either not medically reasonable and necessary or considered custodial.
Failure to Report Verbal Abuse Incident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an alleged incident of verbal abuse involving a resident to the appropriate state agencies. The incident occurred when a nurse informed a resident about her need for a shower due to an odor in front of other residents, which was perceived as humiliating and derogatory. The resident reported the incident to the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA), who, along with the Director of Nursing (DON), investigated the grievance and re-educated the nurse involved. However, the incident was not identified as verbal abuse and was not reported to the state agencies as required by the facility's Abuse Prohibition Policy. The incident was corroborated by another resident who witnessed the event and described it as embarrassing and derogatory. The facility's grievance log and state reportable log were reviewed, revealing that the incident was documented but not reported as verbal abuse. The Administrator confirmed that the incident had not been reported to the state agencies, explaining that the specific words indicating verbal abuse were not used during the initial report. This failure to report the incident as verbal abuse constitutes a deficiency in the facility's compliance with state regulations.
Inaccurate MDS Assessments for Three Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate assessments for three residents, leading to deficiencies in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) documentation. Resident #116 experienced a significant weight loss of 12.5% over 3.5 months, which was not accurately reflected in the MDS. The Registered Dietician (RD) incorrectly marked the weight loss section based on a misunderstanding that weight loss should not be recorded if the resident had not been in the facility for six months. This resulted in an inaccurate assessment of the resident's nutritional status and potential care needs. Additionally, the facility inaccurately coded the discharge status for two other residents. Resident #126 was discharged home, but the MDS incorrectly indicated a discharge to a short-term general hospital. Similarly, Resident #124 was transferred to the emergency room due to clinical acuity, but the MDS incorrectly coded the discharge status as home/community. These inaccuracies were acknowledged by the facility's Administrator during interviews, highlighting a failure in the proper completion and review of MDS assessments.
Failure to Complete New PASARR for Residents with New Mental Health Diagnoses
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a new Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) for residents with newly evident or possible serious mental disorders. This deficiency was identified for three out of seven residents reviewed under the PASARR category during the Long-Term Care Survey Process. Resident #44 had a diagnosis of delusional disorder added on 04/21/20, but the facility did not complete a new PASARR upon the resident's readmission from hospitalization. Additionally, the care plan for Resident #44 was not revised to reflect the changes. The Social Worker acknowledged the oversight during an interview on 04/10/24. Resident #49 was admitted with a Bipolar diagnosis effective from 09/09/21, but the only PASARR on file was dated 11/20/2018, which did not address the Bipolar diagnosis. The Social Worker confirmed the absence of a new PASARR for this diagnosis. Similarly, Resident #81's PASARR did not include diagnoses of Bipolar disorder or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), despite these conditions being present. The Administrator and Social Worker confirmed the missing information during interviews conducted on 04/09/24.
Failure to Revise Care Plans for Changing Resident Needs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to revise the care plans for two residents when their needs changed. Resident #44's care plan was not updated to include her diagnosis of delusional disorder, which was added to her medical record on 04/21/20. The Social Worker acknowledged that the PASRR was incorrect and had not been completed prior to the resident's readmission from hospitalization, and the care plan had not been revised to reflect these changes. Resident #71's care plan did not address her pain management needs, despite her reporting significant pain and a recent change in her pharmacological pain interventions. The care plan also failed to include her goals for pain relief and did not reflect her worsening condition, including a diagnosis of cancer with a chest mass and lymph node involvement. During an interview, Resident #71 rated her pain as 10/10 and expressed that her pain goal was 0/10, but these details were not incorporated into her care plan. The Clinical Reimbursement Coordinator acknowledged that the care plan had not been updated or revised to reflect the resident's goals and recent changes.
Failure to Document Pain Medication Effectiveness
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to effectively evaluate the pain level and the effectiveness of pain medication for two residents. For one resident, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) signed out an oxycodone tablet and documented its administration on the Medication Administration Record (MAR). However, there was no documentation showing the effectiveness of the pain medication. This was confirmed by the Clinical Operation Lead (COL). The failure to document the effectiveness of the pain medication was noted during a record review and confirmed by staff.
Failure to Ensure Physician Review of Medication Regimen Reviews
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that monthly Medication Regimen Reviews (MRR) were reviewed and signed by the attending physician. This deficiency was identified for one of five residents reviewed during the Long-Term Care Survey Process. Specifically, for Resident #6, the pharmacist completed an MRR on 12/26/23, recommending reassessment of the existing A1C goal and potential initiation of Januvia 25 mg daily, with close monitoring of glucose levels. However, there was no evidence that the attending physician reviewed or acted on this recommendation, as the MRR was not signed by the physician. This was confirmed during a staff interview with the Clinical Operation Lead on 04/15/24.
Failure to Provide Dental Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain routine and/or emergency dental services for Resident #75. During an interview, the resident indicated she had a loose tooth. A record review revealed an active order dated 02/07/24 for a dental referral for a loose cap on the upper front tooth, but no referral had been made. The Interim Director of Nursing confirmed that there was no dental referral in the resident's chart.
Infection Control Breach During Medication Pass
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain appropriate infection control procedures during a medication pass for Resident #49. During an observation, an LPN was seen removing pills from a blister pack with ungloved hands after touching the medication cart doors and over-the-counter pill bottles with bare hands. The medications involved were Gabapentin 100 mg capsule, Lisinopril 2.5 mg tablet, and Oyster Shell 500/200 mg tablet. The administrator was informed of the issue and expressed surprise, indicating that the LPN had reported the medication pass went well and acknowledged that handling pills with soiled bare hands was against common-sense practices.
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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