Weirton Medical Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Weirton, West Virginia.
- Location
- 601 Colliers Way, Weirton, West Virginia 26062
- CMS Provider Number
- 515077
- Inspections on file
- 16
- Latest survey
- February 5, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 4
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Weirton Medical Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident in the facility was neglected when her call light went unanswered for over two hours, and a nursing assistant failed to provide necessary assistance. Despite a complaint from the resident's family, the facility did not follow its policy on abuse and neglect, which requires immediate response and reporting. The Director of Nursing was aware of the incident but did not take appropriate action.
The facility was found to have unsafe water temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit, posing a risk of third-degree burns to residents. During a survey, water temperatures in various areas, including a shower room sink and a resident's room sink, were recorded above the safe threshold. The DON acknowledged the issue, but no corrective actions were detailed in the report.
The facility failed to ensure the safe storage of medications due to the absence of a temperature monitoring device in the medication room. An LPN confirmed that the temperature was not monitored or documented, and the DON was unaware of the need for temperature control. This oversight posed a potential risk for more than minimal harm, as medications can be compromised by improper storage conditions.
A resident's right to self-determination was violated when she was woken up early by NAs who began packing her belongings for discharge without her consent. The resident and her daughter complained to an RN, who forwarded the issue to the DON. The DON acknowledged that residents have the right to choose their schedules, including waking and sleeping times.
The facility did not post the most recent survey results in an accessible location for residents and their families. Although signage indicated that the results were available in a binder by the elevator, the binder was missing the latest survey results. The current DON confirmed this deficiency, and the former DON speculated that the results might have been removed and not replaced.
A facility failed to include a resident's Advance Directive in their medical record, despite the resident's request and acknowledgment of its existence. The absence of this document was confirmed during a review and interview with the MDS Coordinator, highlighting a deficiency in ensuring the resident's medical wishes were documented and accessible.
A resident reported that her call light went unanswered for over two hours when she needed to use her bedside commode. A nursing assistant eventually responded but told her to stop shouting. The resident's family member reported the incident to the nurse in charge, who emailed the DON. However, no report was made to state agencies.
A resident's call light went unanswered for over two hours, leading to an alleged incident of neglect and verbal abuse. The resident's family reported the issue, but the facility failed to initiate an investigation or follow its policy on abuse and neglect, which includes notifying agencies and obtaining staff statements.
A resident on a diabetic regular diet did not receive adequate nutrition, as observed by uneaten meals and lack of assistance during mealtime. Medical records showed no weights or nutritional assessments were documented upon admission, and meal intake was consistently low. The Director confirmed the absence of necessary assessments within the first week of admission.
A resident with back pain and arthritis was not provided appropriate pain management as per physician's orders. Despite being prescribed Oxycodone for severe pain, the resident received Acetaminophen for pain levels higher than prescribed. The DON acknowledged these discrepancies.
A facility failed to ensure that an attending physician documented the review and actions taken on a pharmacist's monthly medication recommendations for a resident. The pharmacist identified the absence of mental health diagnoses for prescribed drugs, but the physician did not respond as required by the facility's policy. The DON confirmed the physician's inaction during an interview.
The facility did not conduct the required QAA meeting in the first quarter of 2024. Documentation review showed no agenda or minutes for the meeting, and the Director confirmed its absence during an interview.
Failure to Implement Abuse and Neglect Policies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement accurate written policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft, as evidenced by an incident involving a resident who was neglected. The resident reported that she needed assistance with her bedside commode and activated her call light, but no one responded for over two hours. A nursing assistant eventually responded but did not provide the necessary help. The resident's family member made a complaint to the nurse in charge, but no action was taken to address the issue. The facility's policy on abuse, neglect, and exploitation was reviewed and found to be outdated and not properly implemented. The policy outlines specific actions to be taken in response to suspected abuse or neglect, including notifying the appropriate personnel and agencies, documenting the incident, and protecting the resident from further harm. However, none of these actions were initiated following the incident with the resident. The Director of Nursing was aware of the complaint but had not taken steps to investigate or report the incident to the appropriate state agencies.
Unsafe Water Temperatures in Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an environment free from accident hazards, specifically regarding water temperatures, which were found to be above the safe threshold. During a survey, it was observed that the water temperature in various areas of the facility exceeded 120 degrees Fahrenheit, with one instance reaching 124 degrees Fahrenheit. This condition poses a risk of third-degree burns to residents, as outlined in the State Operations Manual Appendix PP, which states that water temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit can cause such burns in five minutes. The surveyor, along with Maintenance Worker #26, tested the water temperatures in different parts of the facility, including a shower room sink and a resident's room sink, both of which recorded temperatures above the recommended safety level. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the issue and confirmed that the plant maintenance staff would address the water temperature concerns to ensure resident safety. However, the report does not detail any corrective actions taken at the time of the survey.
Failure to Monitor Medication Room Temperature
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the safe storage of medications in the medication room, as observed during a survey. The medication room lacked a temperature monitoring device, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of medications. During an inspection, it was noted that the temperature in the medication room was neither monitored nor documented. An LPN confirmed the absence of temperature monitoring, and the DON acknowledged her lack of awareness regarding the necessity of temperature control in the medication room. This oversight was identified as a potential risk for more than minimal harm, as medications can be compromised by exposure to improper temperature, light, or humidity, according to manufacturers' recommendations.
Failure to Honor Resident's Preferred Schedule
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor a resident's preferred sleeping and waking times, which is a violation of the resident's right to self-determination. The incident involved a resident who was woken up at approximately 4:30 AM by three Nursing Assistants (NAs) who began packing her belongings, stating they were preparing her for discharge. The resident expressed dissatisfaction, stating she had the right to decide when to wake up and get ready. The resident's daughter also complained to an RN, who acknowledged the complaint and forwarded it to the Director of Nursing (DON). The DON agreed that residents have the right to choose their schedules, including waking and sleeping times, as per their interests, assessments, and care plans.
Failure to Post Recent Survey Results
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to post the results of the most recent survey in a location that was easily accessible to residents, family members, and legal representatives. During an observation, it was noted that while there was signage by the elevator indicating that survey results were available in a three-ring binder, the binder did not contain the most recent Long-Term Care Survey Process results. This was confirmed during an interview with the current Director of Nursing (DON), who acknowledged the absence of the survey results in the binder. The former DON, who was consulted, suggested that the results might have been taken and not replaced.
Missing Advance Directive in Resident's Medical Record
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Advance Directive paperwork was included in the medical record of a resident. During a medical record review, it was found that a resident, who had appointed a family member as Medical Power of Attorney, had indicated the existence of an Advance Directive and requested it be included in their medical record. However, there was no copy of the Advance Directive paperwork either scanned into the electronic record or available in the resident's hard chart at the nurses' station. This deficiency was confirmed during an interview with the MDS Coordinator, who acknowledged the facility's inability to produce the Advance Directive paperwork, leaving the resident's wishes unknown in the event of a medical emergency where they could not communicate.
Failure to Report Allegations of Neglect and Verbal Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report allegations of neglect and verbal abuse concerning a resident. During an interview, the resident stated that she needed to use her bedside commode early in the morning and activated her call light, but no one responded for over two hours. Feeling herself sliding off the bed, she began shouting for assistance, which was eventually responded to by a nursing assistant who told her to stop shouting. The resident's family member, present during the incident, reported the issue to the nurse in charge later that morning. The nurse in charge documented the complaint in an email to the Director of Nursing, noting the family's upset and the lack of assistance provided to the resident. However, a review of the facility's reportables revealed that no corresponding report was made to the appropriate state agencies. The Director of Nursing acknowledged pulling the call log response time but had not yet spoken to the resident's daughter due to the surveyors' presence in the facility.
Failure to Investigate Alleged Neglect and Verbal Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to initiate an investigation into an alleged violation of neglect and verbal abuse involving a resident. The incident occurred when the resident needed to use her bedside commode and activated her call light, which went unanswered for over two hours. During this time, the resident felt herself sliding off the bed and began shouting for help. A nursing assistant eventually responded but told the resident to stop shouting. The resident's family member reported the incident to the nurse in charge, who then emailed the Director of Nursing (DON) about the complaint. However, the DON had not yet spoken to the resident's family due to the presence of surveyors in the facility. The facility's policy on abuse, neglect, and exploitation requires immediate response to such reports, including notifying appropriate agencies within 24 hours, obtaining statements from staff, suspending the accused employee, and reporting to the state nurse aide registry or nursing board if necessary. A review of the facility's reportables showed no corresponding report to state agencies, and the DON confirmed that none of the mandated actions had been initiated or completed. This failure to act according to policy had the potential to affect more than a limited number of residents at the facility.
Failure to Ensure Adequate Nutrition for a Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure adequate nutrition for a resident, identified as #92, who was on a diabetic regular diet. Observations on two consecutive days showed that the resident's lunch meals were not consumed, and no assistance was offered to help the resident eat. A review of the medical records revealed that no weights or nutritional assessments were documented during the resident's admission to the skilled unit. Additionally, meal intake records indicated that the resident consumed only 0-25% of meals. During an interview, the Director confirmed that no weight was obtained upon admission or seven days later, and acknowledged that the resident should have been assessed for nutritional status within the first week of admission.
Inappropriate Pain Management for a Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate pain management for a resident, consistent with professional standards of practice. A resident, who was admitted to the facility and had a history of back pain and arthritis, was prescribed Oxycodone for severe pain and Acetaminophen for mild pain. However, the Medication Administration Record showed that Acetaminophen was administered on multiple occasions when the resident's pain levels were higher than the threshold for which Oxycodone should have been given. Specifically, Acetaminophen was administered for pain levels of ten, four, and six, contrary to the physician's orders. The Director of Nursing acknowledged these discrepancies during an interview.
Physician's Inaction on Pharmacist's Recommendations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the attending physician documented in the resident's medical record that the pharmacist's monthly medication review with recommendations had been reviewed and what, if any, action had been taken to address it. This deficiency was identified during a long-term care survey process for one of five unnecessary medication reviews. Specifically, for a resident, the pharmacist conducted drug regimen reviews and notified the physician of the absence of mental health diagnoses for prescribed drugs Duloxetine, Mirtazapine, and Lorazepam. However, the physician did not acknowledge or respond to the pharmacist's recommendations, as required by the facility's drug review policy, which mandates documentation of the review and actions taken within seven days. The Director of Nursing confirmed during an interview that the physician had not acted upon the pharmacist's recommendations. This oversight was noted in the records reviewed, which showed that the pharmacist's recommendations were not addressed by the physician, contrary to the facility's policy.
Failure to Conduct Required QAA Meeting
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to conduct the required Quality Assessment and Assurance (QAA) meeting in the first quarter of 2024. A review of the facility's documentation revealed that there were no records of a QAA meeting agenda or minutes for that period. During an interview, the Director confirmed that the quarterly QAA meeting was not conducted, and no additional information was provided before the survey concluded.
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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