Archbold Living Thomasville
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Thomasville, Georgia.
- Location
- 10629 U.s. Highway 19 South, Thomasville, Georgia 31792
- CMS Provider Number
- 115480
- Inspections on file
- 14
- Latest survey
- March 13, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 9
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Archbold Living Thomasville during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Facility Assessment Not Updated Annually: The facility failed to update its annual facility assessment. The Facility Assessment Tool showed a current population date that was not updated, and both the Administrator and LTCD confirmed the assessment had not been fully revised even though the date had been changed. The facility policy states the assessment is conducted annually to determine and update the facility’s capacity to meet resident needs during day-to-day operations.
A resident with a stroke history, right-sided hemiplegia, and aphasia had multiple MDS assessments that coded no upper extremity impairment despite OT orders and staff confirmation of a right-hand contracture. During observation, the resident stated he could not open his right hand, and the MDSC acknowledged the assessments were inaccurate.
Failure to update PASRR screening after a new mental health diagnosis. A resident with stroke-related hemiplegia and moderate cognitive impairment was later diagnosed with major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic symptoms, but the resident’s PASRR Level I remained unchanged and did not reflect the psychiatric diagnosis. The care plan included depression, a mental health referral, and behavioral management services, and the SSD confirmed the resident should have been referred for a Level II PASRR when the new diagnosis was identified.
The facility did not ensure that an area was free from accident hazards and failed to provide adequate supervision to prevent accidents. Surveyors observed environmental hazards and insufficient staff monitoring, resulting in increased risk of resident accidents.
A resident with intact cognition reported to a therapy assistant that another resident exposed himself. The incident was documented and referred to social services the same day, but the allegation was not reported to the State Agency until three days later, contrary to facility policy requiring reporting within two hours. The DON and Administrator confirmed the delay and acknowledged the reporting failure.
A facility failed to accurately document a resident's code status in the EMR, leading to a discrepancy with the POLST, which indicated a DNR status. Despite the POLST being signed by a physician, the care plan and EMR continued to reflect a Full Code status. Staff interviews revealed reliance on the POLST in case of conflict, but the inconsistency highlights a deficiency in updating records to honor the resident's wishes.
A facility failed to follow a care plan for a resident with COPD and dementia, which required weekly weight checks to monitor unintended weight loss. Instead, only monthly weights were recorded, and staff were unaware of the resident's weight loss. The facility lacked a policy to ensure adherence to care plans, relying on the RAI Manual instead.
The facility failed to timely monitor the weights of two residents, leading to significant weight loss that was not promptly addressed. One resident with hemiplegia and dysphagia lost 6.05% of their weight over 30 days, while another with COPD and dementia lost 12.52% over six months. Despite care plans requiring weight monitoring, the Registered Dietitians were unaware of the losses due to inadequate processes, including CNAs being unable to see previous weights. The facility's policy for notifying dieticians of significant weight changes was not followed, resulting in delayed intervention.
A resident with a history of pneumonitis and autism was observed receiving oxygen at 3.5 LPM instead of the prescribed 2 LPM, potentially causing respiratory distress. Facility staff, including a CNA and RN, were unaware of the correct oxygen settings, and the DON confirmed that changes to oxygen settings should be communicated to the physician. The facility's policy stressed the importance of following physician orders for oxygen administration.
A facility failed to implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) for a resident with a feeding tube and wounds, as observed when an LPN did not wear a gown during medication administration. Staff interviews revealed inconsistencies in understanding EBP requirements, with some relying on verbal communication rather than posted signs. The facility's policy required gowns and gloves for high-contact care activities, but this was not followed, indicating a deficiency in infection control.
Facility Assessment Not Updated Annually
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to review and update its facility assessment annually. Review of the Facility Assessment Tool dated 06/30/25 showed the current population as of 06/30/24, indicating the assessment was not fully updated. During interview, the Administrator confirmed the assessment was dated 06/30/25 but based on the past 12 months and stated it was an error that all dates were not updated when the assessment was completed. The Long Term Care Director also confirmed the annual assessment was not updated and stated the previous administrator changed the date without updating the assessment and did not realize it until the assessment was compared to the prior year's assessment. Review of the facility policy titled Facility Assessment stated that a facility assessment is conducted annually to determine and update the facility's capacity to meet resident needs and competently care for residents during day-to-day operations.
Inaccurate MDS Coding for Upper Extremity Impairment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the MDS accurately reflected the condition and needs of one resident with a history of cerebral arteritis (stroke), right-sided hemiplegia, and aphasia. The resident’s annual MDS with an ARD of 08/19/25, quarterly MDS with an ARD of 11/04/25, and MDS with an ARD of 02/04/26 all coded no upper extremity impairment, despite OT orders dated 09/08/25 identifying a right-hand contracture. During observation, the resident was in bed and stated he could open and close his left hand but was unable to open his right hand. OT staff confirmed the resident had a right-hand contracture, and the MDS Coordinator reviewed the three MDS assessments and confirmed they were inaccurate. The DON and ADON stated their expectation was for all MDS to be accurate. The facility’s MDS policy stated that comprehensive assessments, care planning, and care delivery involve collecting and analyzing information, choosing and initiating interventions, and then monitoring results and adjusting interventions.
Failure to Update PASRR Screening After New Mental Health Diagnosis
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that one resident reviewed for PASRR had an updated Level I screening after a new psychiatric diagnosis was identified. R14 was admitted with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, and the facility’s Behavioral Health Assessment dated 03/11/25 documented major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic symptoms effective 11/08/24. The annual MDS dated 11/18/25 showed a BIMS score of 9 out of 15, indicating moderate cognitive impairment, and also reflected a diagnosis of depression with no Level II PASRR. R14’s care plan dated 11/20/25 included depression, a mental health referral, and behavioral management services. However, the PASRR Level I Assessment dated 01/16/19 still showed no diagnosis of serious mental illness. During interview, the SSD stated she was not employed at the facility when the new diagnosis was identified and confirmed R14 should have been referred for a Level II PASRR assessment when the mental illness diagnosis was discovered. The facility policy stated that residents are screened for MD, ID, or RD and that if the Level I screen indicates possible criteria, the resident is referred for Level II evaluation.
Failure to Maintain Accident-Free Environment and Adequate Supervision
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an area was free from accident hazards and did not provide adequate supervision to prevent accidents. Surveyors observed that the environment contained hazards that could lead to resident accidents, and staff did not implement sufficient measures to monitor or protect residents from these risks. This deficiency was identified based on direct observations and findings during the survey, which indicated lapses in maintaining a safe environment and in providing necessary supervision to prevent accidents.
Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of abuse within the required two-hour timeframe after a resident reported that another resident exposed his genitals to her. According to the facility's Abuse Prohibition Policy and Procedures, any alleged mistreatment, neglect, or abuse must be reported immediately, but no later than two hours after the allegation is made. The resident who made the allegation was cognitively intact, as indicated by a BIMS score of 15. The incident was initially reported by the resident to a therapy assistant, who then notified the social worker and documented the event in the health record. The complaint was received by the social worker and referred to the appropriate department on the same day the allegation was made. However, the facility did not report the allegation to the State Agency until three days later. The Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator both confirmed that the DON, who serves as the abuse coordinator, was not made aware of the allegation until the day it was reported to the state. The DON acknowledged that the report should have been made within two hours of the initial allegation. There were no other incidents between the time of the initial report and the eventual notification to the state.
Discrepancy in Resident's Code Status Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's code status was accurately reflected in the medical record according to the resident's wishes. Resident 16, who was admitted with diagnoses of hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a stroke and protein-calorie malnutrition, had a discrepancy between the electronic medical record (EMR) and the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). The EMR indicated a Full Code status, while the POLST, signed by the physician, indicated a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNR) status. This inconsistency was not updated in the resident's care plan, which continued to reflect a Full Code status. Interviews with facility staff, including the Registered Nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Medical Records Coordinator, Social Services Coordinator, MDS Coordinator, Director of Nursing, Medical Director, and Administrator, revealed a lack of communication and coordination in updating the resident's code status across different records. The staff acknowledged the discrepancy and stated that they would follow the POLST in case of a conflict. However, the failure to update the EMR and care plan to reflect the resident's DNR wishes as documented in the POLST represents a deficiency in honoring the resident's right to make decisions about their care.
Failure to Follow Care Plan for Resident's Weight Monitoring
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to a care plan related to weight loss for a resident diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and dementia. The care plan, which was intended to address unintended weight loss, required weekly weight checks to monitor the resident's condition. However, the facility only recorded monthly weights, contrary to the care plan's directive. This discrepancy was identified during a review of the resident's electronic medical record, which showed a series of monthly weights but no weekly weights as stipulated in the care plan. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to the care plan. The Registered Dietician was unaware of the resident's weight loss, as she had not yet tabulated the monthly weights. The MDS Coordinator indicated that weekly weights were not conducted unless there was a significant weight change, suggesting that the care plan for weekly weights was outdated. The Director of Nursing expected the care plan to be followed, but the facility lacked a specific policy to ensure compliance with care plans, relying instead on the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual. This oversight had the potential to delay the response to the resident's weight loss.
Failure to Timely Monitor Resident Weights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to timely monitor the weights of two residents, R39 and R8, which led to significant weight loss that was not promptly addressed. R39, who was admitted with hemiplegia and dysphagia, experienced a weight loss of 6.05% over approximately 30 days. Despite having a care plan that included monthly weight monitoring and interventions for unintended weight loss, the resident's intake was consistently low, with meals often substituted with grilled cheese, and the weight loss was not identified until after the 30-day weight review. The Registered Dietitian (RD) was unaware of the significant weight loss until the weights were reviewed, indicating a lapse in timely monitoring and intervention. R8, admitted with COPD and dementia, also experienced significant weight loss, with a 12.52% decrease over six months. The resident's care plan included weekly weight monitoring due to unintended weight loss, but the RD was unaware of the weight loss for the month as the monthly weights had not been tabulated. The facility's process for monitoring weight changes was inadequate, as the CNAs responsible for weighing residents could not see previous weights, leading to a lack of awareness of significant changes. The MDS Coordinator confirmed that residents were not placed on weekly weight monitoring unless a significant weight change was identified, which did not occur in a timely manner for R8. The facility's policy required immediate notification of the dietician for any weight change of 5% or more, but this was not adhered to in the cases of R39 and R8. The Director of Nursing expected the dietician to pull weight reports timely, but this expectation was not met, resulting in delayed identification and response to significant weight loss in these residents. The failure to monitor and address weight changes in a timely manner highlights deficiencies in the facility's processes for ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration for its residents.
Failure to Administer Oxygen at Prescribed Dose
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to administer oxygen at the physician-prescribed dose for a resident, which had the potential to cause respiratory distress. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit and autistic disorder, had an order for oxygen at two liters per minute (LPM) to maintain oxygen saturation levels at or above 92%. However, observations on multiple occasions revealed that the resident's oxygen concentrator was set at 3.5 LPM, contrary to the prescribed order. Interviews with facility staff, including a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a Registered Nurse (RN), indicated a lack of awareness regarding the specific oxygen settings for the resident. The CNA was not informed of the correct settings, and the RN initially verified the incorrect setting without knowledge of the prescribed order. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that any changes to the oxygen setting should be communicated to the physician and that administering oxygen at a non-prescribed setting could have adverse effects. The facility's policy on oxygen administration emphasized the importance of adhering to physician orders to prevent inappropriate administration.
Failure to Implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) for a resident, identified as R14, who was at increased risk of infection due to a feeding tube and wounds. R14 was admitted with diagnoses of urinary tract infection and diabetes and had short- and long-term memory problems. The resident's care plan included EBP due to the potential for infection, but during an observation, it was noted that the required EBP sign was not posted outside R14's room, and the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) did not wear a gown while administering medication through the resident's PEG tube. Interviews with staff revealed inconsistencies in understanding and implementing EBP. A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a Registered Nurse (RN) provided conflicting information about when gowns should be worn, with the CNA indicating gowns should be worn for any point of contact, while the RN stated gowns were not needed for activities like toileting or dressing. The LPN involved in the incident believed EBP was only necessary for residents who tested positive for an infection, and communication about EBP was reportedly verbal from the infection control nurse, rather than relying on posted signs. The Director of Nursing/Infection Preventionist (DON) confirmed that signs by residents' names and orders in the electronic medical record indicated the need for EBP. The facility's policy required the use of gowns and gloves during high-contact care activities for residents at increased risk of MDRO acquisition, such as those with wounds or indwelling medical devices. However, the failure to adhere to these precautions during the observed medication administration for R14 highlighted a deficiency in the facility's infection prevention and control program.
Latest citations in Georgia
Surveyors found that clean linens and personal clothing were stored and staged in close proximity to the dirty laundry area, with an open door between the clean and soiled sides and all washer and dryer doors open. Clean resident clothes, unlabeled garments, and bagged items were placed next to dryers and directly in front of the dirty linen room, and dirty barrels had to be pushed past racks of clean clothing to reach the washers, contrary to facility policies requiring separation of clean and soiled linens. Environmental staff believed keeping doors open and covering dirty barrels reduced infection spread, while the Environmental Services Director, IP nurse, and Administrator acknowledged that the dirty room door should be closed, linens should not be on dirty barrels, and clean resident clothing should not be stored in that location.
A resident with a suprapubic catheter, colostomy, sacral wound, and dependence on staff for bathing and hygiene was care planned for Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP), including use of PPE during high-contact care. During observed catheter care and a bed bath, a CNA wore only gloves and did not don a gown, despite EBP signage and a star posted on the door and PPE supplies available outside the room. In interviews, the CNA admitted forgetting to wear a gown and not recognizing additional required actions, while the IP nurse and DON confirmed that staff had been educated that gowns and gloves are required for high-contact care involving indwelling devices and wounds under the facility’s EBP policy.
A resident with multiple neurologic and psychiatric diagnoses, intact cognition, and unilateral functional limitations was found with an open box of lubricant eye drops stored at the bedside without any documented assessment for self-administration or prescriber’s order for self-administration or bedside storage, contrary to facility policy. Observations on multiple days confirmed the eye drops remained at the bedside, while staff interviews showed that CNAs and the IP recognized that residents were generally not to self-administer medications and that bedside medications required assessment and orders. The Administrator confirmed that the resident should not have had eye drops in the room and that residents with bedside medications are typically assessed for self-administration, and staff acknowledged that unsecured eye drops at the bedside could be accessed or ingested by other residents and cause harm.
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean environment when multiple ceiling tiles throughout the building, including above a resident’s bed, near the nurses’ station, in a glass day room above a resident’s chair, and in a main hall, were observed with brown circular stains, bulging, and a white moldy substance. The Maintenance Director confirmed the stained and bulging tiles, acknowledged the risk that tiles above a resident’s bed could fall, and attributed the condition to rain-related roof leaks. The Administrator also confirmed that roof leaks and recent rainfall caused the brownish stains despite her reported daily rounds.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment, on hospice and fully dependent for ADLs, was sexually abused when another cognitively impaired male resident with a long-standing history of sexually inappropriate behavior toward female residents entered her room and placed his hand inside her pants. The abusing resident had multiple dementia and psychiatric diagnoses, was care planned for sexually inappropriate behaviors with prior documented incidents, and was on psychotropic medication for OCD-related sexual obsession. Despite these known risks and existing care plan interventions, he was able to access the female resident’s room and make inappropriate physical contact, and the facility’s investigation substantiated the abuse.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to develop and implement complete, person-centered care plans for two residents. One resident was receiving an antipsychotic (Haloperidol) for schizophrenia with associated behavior and side-effect monitoring orders, but there was no corresponding care plan addressing antipsychotic use or its indication. Another resident had an indwelling Foley catheter for neurogenic bladder related to prostate cancer, with goals to prevent catheter-related trauma; however, the care plan omitted key interventions such as balloon volume parameters and use of a leg strap or securement device, despite physician orders requiring a leg strap and observations showing the catheter positioned under the leg without securement. An MDS coordinator and the administrator acknowledged that required interventions and standard catheter care components were missing from the care plans.
A resident with a history of resistiveness to care and noncompliance with the non‑smoking policy had a comprehensive care plan that was not updated to reflect multiple interventions implemented in response to repeated smoking and vaping violations. Although the care plan noted the need for supervision while smoking and review of the smoking policy, it did not include measures such as daily room searches for smoking materials, added smoke detection in the room, relocation closer to the nurses’ station, q2h visual rounds for smoke, post‑outing nursing checks, initiation of a PAR process for vaping, or issuance of a discharge notice. Facility forms showed inconsistent documentation of daily room searches and incomplete IDT documentation on the PAR tracking, despite multiple documented episodes of policy violations and removal of vaping devices.
A cognitively intact but physically impaired resident with a history of noncompliance with the facility’s non‑smoking policy repeatedly smoked and vaped in his room while keeping multiple vape devices and other items at bedside. The facility’s Smoking Policy required that non‑compliant smokers have daily documented searches and be prohibited from keeping smoking materials in their rooms, yet monitoring forms showed many days without documented searches, Patient at Risk tracking was incomplete, and staff acknowledged that daily room checks and frequent rounds were not consistently performed. Multiple staff, including a CNA, social worker, Infection Preventionist, MDS coordinator, Activities Director, and the Administrator, reported ongoing violations and repeated discovery of vape devices in the resident’s room, including during surveyor observations, demonstrating that the environment was not maintained free from accident hazards and that required supervision and monitoring were not reliably implemented.
Surveyors found that a treatment cart containing topical medications was left unlocked and unattended in a hall across from a resident’s room after wound care was completed by an LPN. The facility’s policy requires that medication carts and supplies be locked or attended and accessible only to licensed or otherwise authorized staff. During interviews, the LPN confirmed the cart had been left unlocked and unattended, the IP LPN confirmed the LPN’s report that the cart was left unlocked, and the Administrator stated that all medications, including topical medications, were expected to be locked when not in sight of authorized staff.
The facility failed to implement its infection prevention and control program by not operationalizing a documented Legionella water management plan despite having a written policy, and by not fully implementing Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) for residents with indwelling devices and other risks. A resident with an indwelling urinary catheter had no EBP care plan or orders, no EBP signage, and staff providing catheter care wore only gloves without gowns, while multiple staff members reported not knowing what EBP was or misidentified who should be on EBP. Another resident receiving tube feeding had care initiated by an LPN who wore gloves but no gown and repeatedly touched her hair with the same gloved hands before handling the feeding tube and equipment, later acknowledging she should have changed gloves and was unaware of EBP requirements, even though other clinical staff stated gowns and gloves should be used for feeding tube care. A resident on isolation for C. diff had a door sign indicating isolation but no instructions for visitors on required PPE or to seek staff guidance, and the IP confirmed there was no system to direct visitors about precautions, contributing to the overall infection control deficiency.
Failure to Maintain Separation of Clean and Soiled Laundry
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s infection prevention and control program related to separation of clean and soiled linens. Facility policies titled “Infection Prevention and Control Program” and “Handling Soiled Linens” required that clean linen always be separated from soiled linen. During an observation of the laundry area, all washer and dryer doors were open in the clean linen area. Clean linens, including sheets, towels, blankets, and washcloths, were folded on a table to the left of the washer and dryer room. On the right side of the room, next to the dryers and directly in front of the open door to the dirty laundry room, there were residents’ clean clothes on a rack, piles of folded clean clothes to be hung, a rack of unlabeled clothes, and a bag of unlabeled clothes. Dirty laundry barrels had to be pushed past the clean clothing on the racks to reach the washers, placing soiled items in close proximity to clean items despite policy requirements for separation. Environmental staff working in the laundry stated they believed they were reducing the spread of infection by keeping all doors open, covering dirty barrels, and circulating air, and they explained that the uncovered rack and bagged clothes near the dirty area were no-name clothes sometimes distributed to residents in need. They also stated that the rack of clean personal resident clothing parked in front of the open dirty linen room door was awaiting distribution by a staff member who worked only at night. The Environmental Services Director reported that the door to the dirty side of the laundry should always be closed and that no linen should be on top of dirty barrels. The Infection Preventionist nurse, when shown pictures and concerns about cross-contamination, confirmed there was a problem in the laundry but stated she had not been aware of it previously. The Administrator stated that residents’ clothes should not be stored where they were observed and should be handed out immediately once clean, and that she expected the laundry to be organized to prevent cross-contamination between dirty and clean clothes.
Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During High-Contact Care
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure staff followed its Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) policy for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during high-contact care. The facility’s EBP policy, updated February 2025, requires gowns and gloves for residents with wounds and/or indwelling medical devices, including urinary catheters and ostomies, when staff perform high-contact activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene, and catheter care. The policy also directs that gowns and gloves be made available near or outside the resident’s room and that EBP be implemented for residents with indwelling devices or wounds, even if they are not known to be infected or colonized with a multidrug-resistant organism. The resident involved had a suprapubic catheter, colostomy, sacral wound, and neurogenic bladder and bowel, and was care planned for EBP implementation during catheter and skin care. The resident was cognitively intact but dependent on staff for bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene, bed mobility, and transfers, and used an indwelling catheter and ostomy. During an observation, a CNA provided suprapubic catheter care and a bed bath to this resident while only wearing gloves, despite EBP signage and a star posted on the door and PPE supplies available outside the room. The CNA did not don a gown and was unable to identify any additional actions needed before care until prompted about the EBP signage, at which point he acknowledged he should have worn a gown but forgot. In a subsequent interview, the IP nurse and DON confirmed that staff had been educated that gowns are required during high-contact care for residents with catheters, colostomies, and other devices, and that the posted signage and star were intended to alert staff to the need for enhanced PPE use.
Failure to Assess and Obtain Orders for Self-Administration and Bedside Medication Storage
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its own policies for self-administration of medications and bedside medication storage for one resident. The facility’s policies require that residents who wish to self-administer medications must be assessed by the interdisciplinary team for cognitive, physical, and visual ability, and that a prescriber’s order for self-administration and bedside storage must be present in the medical record and reflected on the MAR and medication label. For the resident in question, who had diagnoses including cerebral infarction, major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms, PTSD, hemiplegia and hemiparesis, speech and language deficits, and cerebral atherosclerosis, the EHR showed no assessment for self-administration and no physician order for self-administration or bedside storage, despite active ophthalmic medication orders. The resident’s MDS documented intact cognition with a BIMS score of 15, use of corrective lenses, and functional limitations in range of motion on one side of both upper and lower extremities. Surveyor observations on two consecutive days found an open box of lubricant eye drops on the resident’s bedside table. Staff interviews revealed inconsistent understanding and enforcement of the facility’s policies. A CNA stated that residents did not self-administer medications and that only nurses administered them, but also reported that when she previously reported the eye drops, she was told the resident could have them because he was independent. The Infection Preventionist acknowledged the resident had an order for eye drops and believed he obtained them from the VA, and stated he should not have the lubricant eye drops because they were a hazard for other people. The Administrator confirmed that typically a resident with medications at the bedside should be assessed for self-administration and stated the resident should not have eye drops in his room. The report notes that unsecured medications at the bedside had the potential to cause adverse reactions if accessed or ingested by other residents.
Failure to Maintain Safe and Clean Ceiling Surfaces Throughout Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable homelike environment as required by its Maintenance Service policy, which assigns the Maintenance Department responsibility for keeping the building in good repair and free from hazards. Surveyors observed multiple stained and damaged ceiling tiles in several areas of the facility, including near the nurses' station, in a resident bedroom (room [ROOM NUMBER]A), in the glass day room, and in the middle of the east hall. On several occasions, ceiling tiles near the nurses' station were noted to have tannish-brown circular stains of varying sizes, and at one point a white, moldy substance was observed on a ceiling tile in that same area. In room [ROOM NUMBER]A, surveyors observed brown rings roughly 16 inches in diameter on ceiling tiles located directly above a resident’s bed, with the Maintenance Director later confirming that these tiles were stained, bulging, and at risk of falling on the resident. Additional observations in the glass day room identified two stained ceiling tiles above a resident’s chair, each with brown circular stains approximately three inches in diameter. In the east hall, a ceiling tile with a brown circular stain approximately 10 inches in diameter was also documented. The Maintenance Director and the Administrator both acknowledged that the stains and damage were related to roof leaks associated with recent rainfall, and the Administrator confirmed awareness of roof leaks that had previously been repaired and that the brownish stains were due to recent rain.
Failure to Prevent Sexual Abuse of a Cognitively Impaired Resident by Another Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a dependent, cognitively impaired resident (R113) from sexual abuse by another resident (R12). R113 had severe cognitive impairment with a BIMS score of 5, was on hospice care, and was fully dependent for toileting, bathing, dressing, footwear, and personal hygiene. On the day of the incident, a CNA observed R12 in R113’s room with his right hand inside R113’s pants while she was seated in a geriatric chair. Staff witness statements and nursing progress notes documented that R12 was found in R113’s room with his hand in her pants, and the facility’s investigation substantiated that R12 touched R113 inappropriately. R12 also had severe cognitive impairment with a BIMS score of 4 and multiple psychiatric and dementia-related diagnoses, including vascular dementia with mood disturbance, Alzheimer’s disease, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, unspecified psychosis, and unspecified mood affective disorder. He required extensive physical assistance, used a manual wheelchair, and was fully dependent for toileting, bathing, lower body dressing, and footwear. R12’s care plan, in place since 2017, identified him as having sexually verbally and physically inappropriate behavior, including documented prior incidents in which he inappropriately touched or attempted to touch female residents. His care plan included interventions such as discussing his behavior when reasonable, explaining that it was inappropriate, intervening to protect others, diverting his attention, and removing him from situations as needed, as well as monitoring and recording occurrences of target behaviors such as sexual aggression toward others. Despite this known history of sexually inappropriate behavior toward female residents and the presence of care plan interventions, R12 was able to enter R113’s room and place his hand inside her pants. The Administrator confirmed that the CNA reported finding R12 in R113’s room with his hand in her pants while R113 was in her wheelchair, and that the facility’s investigation substantiated the abuse allegation. The facility’s abuse policy stated that it would not condone resident abuse by anyone, including other residents, and defined sexual abuse to include sexual harassment, sexual coercion, or sexual assault. The occurrence of this incident demonstrated that the facility did not effectively prevent sexual abuse of R113 by another resident, despite R12’s documented behavioral history and existing care plan.
Failure to Develop and Implement Complete Care Plans for Antipsychotic Use and Foley Catheter Management
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to develop and implement comprehensive, person-centered care plans with measurable objectives and timeframes for identified resident needs, as required by its Comprehensive Care Plan policy. The policy states that care plans must address all needs identified in the comprehensive assessment, including medical, nursing, mental, and psychosocial needs, and must be developed within seven days after completion of the comprehensive MDS assessment. It also requires that all triggered Care Area Assessments (CAAs) and other factors identified by the IDT or resident preferences be incorporated into the plan of care. For one resident, R44, the clinical record showed physician orders for Haloperidol 10 mg by mouth twice daily for schizophrenia, along with orders for behavior monitoring and psychiatric medication side effect monitoring. Despite these orders, the resident’s care plan dated 03/11/2026 did not include any care plan addressing antipsychotic medication use or its indication. The MDS Coordinator stated that all residents receiving antipsychotic treatment should have a comprehensive care plan in place beginning with the date the medication was originally ordered, and upon review of the record confirmed that such a care plan was not present for this resident at the time of the survey. For another resident, R3, the care plan dated 03/13/2026 identified a problem of an indwelling catheter secondary to neurogenic bladder related to prostate cancer, with goals including remaining free from catheter-related trauma. The listed interventions included positioning the catheter bag and tubing below bladder level, monitoring and documenting intake and output per policy, and monitoring for pain, discomfort, and signs and symptoms of UTI. However, the care plan did not address the amount of water in the catheter balloon, use of a leg strap or securement device, or other securement measures. Physician orders specified checking a leg strap every shift and documented that the resident was admitted with an 18F catheter attached to a bedside drainage bag, but observations showed the Foley catheter positioned under the resident’s leg without a leg strap or securement device on two occasions, and a CNA reported being unaware that a leg strap was required. The MDS Coordinator confirmed that these ordered interventions were missing from the care plan.
Failure to Revise Care Plan for Ongoing Smoking Policy Noncompliance
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to revise a resident’s comprehensive care plan to reflect current interventions implemented in response to ongoing noncompliance with the facility’s non‑smoking policy. The facility’s policy requires that the comprehensive care plan be reviewed and revised by the interdisciplinary team after each comprehensive and quarterly MDS assessment, and that it include measurable objectives, timeframes, and alternative interventions as needed, with qualified staff notified when changes are made. The resident’s care plan included a focus on resistiveness to care and noncompliance with smoking, noting that the resident continued to go outside beyond facility property to smoke, and an intervention to review the smoking policy with the resident. Another care plan focus identified the resident as a smoker requiring supervision while smoking, with interventions stating the resident required supervision while smoking and that the charge nurse should be notified if a smoking policy violation was suspected. Despite repeated and ongoing noncompliance with the non‑smoking policy, the care plan was not revised to include additional interventions that were actually implemented. These unreflected interventions included daily room searches for smoking paraphernalia, placement of a smoke detector in the resident’s room, relocation of the resident’s room closer to the nursing station, every‑two‑hour visual rounds to check for smoke, nursing checks upon return from outings, initiation of a Patient at Risk (PAR) process for vaping noncompliance, and issuance of a 30‑day discharge notice for repeated violations of the non‑smoking policy. Documentation on the Smoking Materials Monitoring Form showed initials on selected days only, indicating daily room searches were not consistently completed and documented for the entire month. The PAR Smoking Tracking form documented multiple observations of vaping in the room, repeated room checks, removal of vapor devices, and the resident’s refusal to comply with facility policies, with later weeks lacking IDT signatures and documentation, while the PAR Grid showed multiple prior entries for violating the non‑smoking policy.
Failure to Control Smoking and Vaping Hazards for a Noncompliant Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain an environment free from accident hazards and to provide adequate supervision for a resident with a known history of noncompliance with the facility’s non‑smoking policy. The facility’s Smoking Policy requires that residents not be allowed to keep cigarettes, cigars, pipes, matches, or lighters in their possession or rooms, and that non‑compliant smokers receive daily searches with documentation, while compliant smokers receive weekly searches. The policy also requires incident reports and review in a “Patients at Risk” process whenever smoking materials are found. Despite these written procedures, the resident’s Smoking Materials Monitoring Form for April showed multiple days without documented searches, indicating that required daily room searches were not consistently completed or recorded. The resident at issue was cognitively intact, with a BIMS score of 15, and had significant physical impairments including hemiplegia and hemiparesis on the left side, use of a manual wheelchair, and other neurologic and psychiatric diagnoses such as cerebral aneurysm, cerebral infarction, major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms, PTSD, and speech and language deficits. The care plan identified the resident as resistive to care and noncompliant with smoking, noting that he continued to go outside beyond facility property to smoke, and also identified him as a smoker requiring supervision while smoking. Progress notes and Patient at Risk documentation showed a pattern of repeated violations of the non‑smoking policy, including multiple instances of vaping and smoking in his room, with staff repeatedly finding vape devices and other smoking paraphernalia in his possession and in his room. Throughout the period reviewed, staff observations and interviews confirmed ongoing noncompliance with the smoking policy and inconsistent implementation of the facility’s own interventions. Staff documented several occasions when the resident was observed vaping or smoking in his room, including in the presence of a state surveyor, and room searches revealed multiple vape devices hidden under the sheets. Staff interviews indicated that daily room checks were not always performed due to competing demands, that logs of every‑two‑hour rounds were not maintained, and that there was confusion or inconsistency regarding whether the resident could keep items such as air freshener at bedside. The social worker, Infection Preventionist, MDS coordinator, Activities Director, CNA, and Administrator all acknowledged that the resident’s room had to be searched for cigarettes and vaping paraphernalia and that prohibited items were repeatedly found, while documentation showed gaps in the required daily searches and incomplete follow‑through on the Patient at Risk tracking process. These actions and inactions resulted in the environment not being kept free from accident hazards as required by the facility’s policy and regulatory standards. The deficiency is further supported by the facility’s own records showing repeated entries on the Patient at Risk grid for violations of the non‑smoking policy over an extended period, as well as narrative notes describing the resident’s statements that he would continue to vape in his room and would simply obtain new devices if they were confiscated. Despite the known pattern of behavior and the facility’s policy requiring close supervision, daily searches, and thorough documentation for non‑compliant smokers, the monitoring forms and staff interviews demonstrate that these measures were not consistently carried out. The presence of multiple vape devices and cans of air freshener at the bedside during surveyor observations, along with staff acknowledgment that room checks were missed and that logs of frequent rounds were not kept, illustrate the facility’s failure to effectively implement its own safety procedures to prevent accident hazards related to smoking and vaping in the resident’s room.
Unlocked and Unattended Treatment Cart with Topical Medications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to medication storage when a treatment cart containing topical medications was left unlocked and unattended in a hall. The facility’s policy titled “Medication Storage in the Facility,” effective 10/01/2025, states that the medication supply is accessible only to licensed nursing personnel, pharmacy personnel, or staff lawfully authorized to administer medications, and that medication rooms, carts, and supplies are to be locked or attended by authorized personnel. During an observation on 04/29/2026 at 9:35 AM, after wound care was provided to resident R3 by the wound care LPN, the treatment cart was observed left in the [NAME] hall across from R3’s room, unlocked and unattended for 30 minutes. In an interview, the wound care LPN confirmed that the treatment cart had been left unlocked and unattended. The Infection Preventionist LPN later confirmed that the wound care nurse told her the cart was left unlocked, and the Administrator stated that her expectation was that all medications, including topical medications, be locked when not in sight of a licensed nurse or authorized person. This deficient practice occurred in a facility with a census of 94 residents and involved the failure to follow the facility’s own policy requiring that medication carts be locked or attended by authorized personnel, resulting in unsecured access to topical medications on the treatment cart.
Failure to Implement Legionella Water Management and Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide and implement an infection prevention and control program, including a documented water management plan for Legionella and other waterborne pathogens, and a fully implemented Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) program. The Administrator stated there was no Legionella water program in place, and the Maintenance Supervisor reported he was unaware of the requirement for such a program. This was despite the existence of a written Legionella Water Management Program policy, revised in September 2022, which described the need for an interdisciplinary water management team, detailed water system diagrams, identification of risk areas and situations for Legionella growth, control measures, monitoring systems, and annual review. Interviews confirmed that the expectation was that the facility would be conducting this water program, but it was not being done. The facility also failed to implement EBP for residents with indwelling medical devices and other risk factors, as required by its own policy. One resident with Alzheimer’s disease, urinary obstruction, and emphysema had an indwelling urinary catheter documented in the care plan and physician orders, but the care plan did not address EBP related to the catheter, and there was no order for EBP in the record. During catheter-related care, a CNA wore gloves but did not wear a gown, and there was no EBP signage or PPE setup at the room. Multiple staff members, including CNAs and a housekeeper who regularly worked on the resident’s hallway, reported they did not know what EBP was or incorrectly associated EBP only with residents on Transmission-Based Precautions. The DON acknowledged that an attempt to roll out EBP months earlier had not been completed, and that expected signage and PPE caddies for EBP were not fully in place. Additional infection control lapses were observed during tube feeding care and contact isolation. A resident receiving continuous tube feeding had a care plan and physician’s order for enteral nutrition, and an LPN initiated the feeding while wearing gloves but no gown. During the procedure, the LPN repeatedly touched her hair with the same gloved hands and then handled the feeding tube, pump, and syringe used to inject air and check residuals, only removing gloves and using hand sanitizer at the end. The LPN later acknowledged she should have changed gloves after touching her hair and stated she did not know what EBP was or that a gown was required for feeding tube care, while another LPN and the IP stated that EBP with gown and gloves should be used for feeding tube care and that staff should not touch their hair during care without changing gloves and performing hand hygiene. For a resident with a positive urine culture and a subsequent positive C. difficile culture who was on isolation, the door sign indicated isolation but did not provide instructions for visitors on required precautions or direct them to staff for guidance. The IP confirmed there was no system to direct visitors about PPE use for residents on contact isolation and acknowledged that visitors would not know to wear PPE if it was simply present in or on the door of the room. Overall, the survey findings show that the facility did not operationalize its written Legionella water management policy and did not consistently apply its EBP policy for residents with indwelling devices or wounds. Staff interviews and observations demonstrated a lack of knowledge and implementation of EBP, incomplete use of PPE during high-contact care activities such as catheter care and tube feeding, and unclear isolation signage that did not instruct visitors on appropriate precautions. These combined inactions and omissions in policy implementation, staff education, and practice led to the cited infection prevention and control deficiency.
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release June 24, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.
