Medilodge Of East Lansing
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in East Lansing, Michigan.
- Location
- 1843 N Hagadorn Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
- CMS Provider Number
- 235283
- Inspections on file
- 31
- Latest survey
- January 9, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 28
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Medilodge Of East Lansing during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Two residents experienced significant weight loss after not consistently receiving prescribed nutrition, either through tube feeding or oral intake. One resident with complex medical needs did not receive the full volume of tube feeding on multiple occasions, while another had multiple undocumented or unverified meals. The registered dietician and DON confirmed gaps in both nutrition delivery and documentation, leading to unaddressed weight loss.
A resident with complex medical needs, including a gastrostomy and ventilator dependence, did not consistently receive the prescribed tube feeding volumes as ordered by the physician. Medication records showed missed and incomplete feedings over an extended period, leading to significant weight loss. The issue was identified by the RD and reported to the DON, but no corrective action was documented.
The facility did not maintain adequate nursing staff levels according to its own staffing grid, resulting in repeated shortfalls across multiple shifts. Residents with complex medical needs experienced long delays in care, missed showers, and unmet requests for assistance, including feeding. Surveyors observed staff failing to respond to call lights despite being present and able to hear them, and concerns about staffing and call light response were raised multiple times by residents without resolution.
Two residents did not receive scheduled showers as required, with one resident and their family reporting ongoing missed showers and lack of response to grievances. Staff interviews and documentation review confirmed that showers were not consistently provided, and there was no documentation of refusals or postponements.
Two residents with complex medical needs were not properly monitored or treated for constipation, despite prolonged periods without bowel movements. Facility staff failed to follow protocols for notifying physicians and administering interventions, and documentation was incomplete. One resident was hospitalized after developing aspiration pneumonia and abdominal distension related to untreated constipation.
A resident's medication, including multiple pills and a nasal spray, was found unattended in a medication cup on top of an isolation cart outside a room, with no staff or residents nearby. The medication was later identified as belonging to a resident with moderate cognitive impairment and several chronic conditions. Facility policy requires medications to be under direct observation or locked during administration, but this protocol was not followed.
A resident with multiple complex medical conditions did not receive several scheduled doses of prescribed medications, including an antibiotic, antipsychotic, and anticonvulsant, despite these being available in the facility's back-up supply. The nurse did not retrieve the medications from the back-up supply, and there was no documentation of provider notification or adjustment of orders for the missed doses, as confirmed by the DON and facility records.
A resident with chronic respiratory failure and a tracheostomy did not consistently receive physician-ordered cough assist therapy three times daily, as documented in the medical record. Multiple scheduled treatments were missed due to reasons such as lack of tolerance, refusal, or the resident being asleep, and staff interviews indicated inconsistent attempts to administer the therapy.
A resident with multiple complex medical conditions and total dependence on staff developed new pressure ulcers and experienced worsening of an existing sacral ulcer due to the facility's failure to implement and follow care plan interventions, such as regular turning, use of heel boots, and timely wound assessments. The resident was repeatedly observed in the same position without necessary protective devices, and new wounds were not promptly identified or treated, resulting in preventable skin breakdown.
A facility failed to provide adequate nursing staff on ventilator and tracheostomy units, resulting in residents not being turned or repositioned as required, the development and worsening of pressure ulcers, and an unwitnessed fall. Staff reported being unable to complete all care tasks due to high resident acuity and insufficient staffing, with most residents requiring two-person assistance for ADLs. Necessary interventions such as heel boots and pressure-relieving mattresses were not consistently used, and staff worked extended shifts without breaks.
Three residents with high risk for skin breakdown did not receive consistent turning, repositioning, or wound care as ordered, leading to worsening pressure ulcers, infections, and hospitalizations. Documentation showed multiple missed wound treatments and gaps in repositioning, with staff and family reports confirming lapses in care and incomplete records.
The facility did not consistently provide required ADL care, including bathing, oral hygiene, and repositioning, for several dependent residents with complex medical needs. Multiple residents missed showers and oral care, and documentation showed lapses in turning and repositioning. Staff and resident interviews, as well as grievance forms, indicated that chronic understaffing led to these deficiencies, with care needs not being met on multiple shifts.
The facility failed to maintain sufficient nursing staff, resulting in multiple residents experiencing missed care such as showers, oral care, repositioning, and wound treatments. This led to worsening pressure ulcers, avoidable falls, and unmet basic care needs, as confirmed by staff, resident, and family interviews, as well as documentation and grievance reports.
A resident with a history of recent hip fracture, confusion, and multiple comorbidities experienced a fall with injury after staff failed to implement care planned fall prevention interventions, including use of positioning wedges, floor mat, and proper bed height. The resident was found on the floor with injuries, and documentation and staff interviews confirmed that required interventions were not in place at the time of the incident.
A facility failed to implement a comprehensive care plan for a resident, resulting in the development and worsening of pressure ulcers. The resident, with knee contractures, was observed without required offloading boots, leading to pressure ulcers on the left trochanter and coccyx. Staff interviews revealed confusion about responsibilities, and the care plan lacked updated interventions. The facility did not conduct a root cause analysis or interdisciplinary meetings to address the issue.
A resident with knee contractures was not provided with adequate pressure ulcer care, leading to worsening wounds. Despite the care plan requiring offloading boots to be worn at all times, staff failed to ensure this intervention was implemented. Observations revealed pressure ulcers on the resident's left trochanter and coccyx, with the resident's feet resting on the mattress without pressure relief. Misidentification of wounds and lack of communication among staff contributed to the deficiency.
The facility failed to maintain proper infection control surveillance for its 62 residents, as no monitoring, mapping, or documentation was conducted for November 2024. The absence of the ICP led to a lack of staff performing infection control duties, with the DON and ADON only reviewing new antibiotic orders without tracking infection clusters.
A resident admitted for respite care was assessed as high risk for falls but did not receive a person-centered care plan addressing specific needs like wandering and confusion. Despite experiencing falls, the care plan was inadequately revised, leading to another fall and hospital transfer. Staff interviews confirmed the need for close supervision, which was not documented in the care plan.
The facility failed to accurately complete MDS assessments for three residents. One resident's MDS incorrectly indicated insulin administration, another's did not reflect significant weight loss, and a third's inaccurately documented discharge to a hospital instead of home. These discrepancies were confirmed by facility staff.
The facility failed to implement comprehensive care plans for three residents, leading to potential unmet care needs. A resident with malnutrition did not receive double meal portions as ordered, another with renal disease did not receive required dietary supplements, and a third with a pressure ulcer had a non-functioning air mattress despite documentation indicating otherwise. These deficiencies were confirmed through observations and staff interviews.
A resident with diabetes and chronic kidney disease experienced a delay in the collection of a urinalysis, which was ordered due to symptoms of cloudy urine and burning with urination. Despite the order being placed, the urinalysis was not collected until several days later, resulting in a deficiency in timely care.
A resident with a stage 4 pressure ulcer experienced a deficiency in care due to a non-functioning air mattress, which was part of her care plan to aid in wound healing. Despite documentation indicating the mattress was functioning, observations revealed it was not, leading to a slight worsening of the wound. The issue was only addressed after surveyor intervention.
A resident with multiple health conditions, including respiratory failure, was observed using oxygen therapy without a physician's order. Facility staff confirmed the expectation for such an order, but it was not documented, highlighting a lapse in the transcription of orders post-hospital readmission.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment was verbally abused by an RN, who yelled and blamed the resident for an ostomy bag issue. The incident was witnessed by a CNA and confirmed by a SW through limited communication with the resident. The facility substantiated the abuse claim and terminated the RN's employment.
A resident with severe obesity and a suspected femoral artery bleed was not transferred to the ER as ordered due to weight limitations of EMS equipment. The facility failed to notify the physician that the transfer did not occur, as confirmed by the physician and the resident's medical record.
A resident with respiratory failure and morbid obesity experienced a suspected femoral artery bleed. Despite a physician's order for hospital transfer, EMS could not transport the resident due to weight limitations. The facility failed to notify the physician of the situation and did not adequately monitor the resident's condition, leading to a significant drop in blood pressure and delayed hospital transfer.
A resident with a facility-acquired pressure ulcer on the sacrum received inconsistent treatment orders, leading to improper application of wound care. The ulcer, characterized by slough and granulation tissue, increased in size over several weeks. Treatment orders included collagen, hydrofera blue, Dermasyn AG, and Medihoney, but were applied concurrently and inconsistently. The DON acknowledged the confusion in treatment application, contributing to the deficiency.
A resident developed a deep tissue injury (DTI) due to improper management of catheter tubing, despite being at risk for pressure injuries and dependent on all care. Initial assessments noted a bruise on the left buttock, later identified as a DTI. Staff education on proper catheter placement was provided, but the wound worsened, leading to reclassification and updated care plans.
Failure to Prevent Significant Weight Loss Due to Inadequate Nutrition and Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prevent significant weight loss in two residents who were reviewed for weight loss. One resident, who had multiple complex medical conditions including chronic respiratory failure, protein-calorie malnutrition, cerebral palsy, and dependence on a ventilator, experienced a substantial weight loss of 31.1 pounds over four months. This resident was prescribed tube feedings to meet caloric and nutritional needs, but medication and feeding records showed that the resident did not consistently receive the prescribed volume of tube feeding solution on numerous occasions. The registered dietician confirmed that the resident did not receive the required caloric intake for extended periods, and the director of nursing was aware of the issue but could not provide any corrective action that had been taken at the time. Another resident, with a history of stroke, diabetes, heart failure, and dysphagia, lost 14.6 pounds, representing a 13% weight loss in 90 days. Review of this resident's food acceptance records revealed multiple instances where no food acceptance was documented for several meals over the preceding 30 days. The registered dietician could not verify whether the resident had received dietary trays for the meals with missing documentation. The director of nursing confirmed that there were multiple dates and mealtimes without documentation of food acceptance and could not explain the lack of documentation. Both cases demonstrate that the facility did not ensure residents consistently received adequate nutrition and hydration as ordered, either through tube feeding or oral intake. The lack of consistent documentation and follow-through on prescribed nutritional interventions contributed directly to significant weight loss in both residents.
Failure to Administer Prescribed Tube Feedings Resulting in Significant Weight Loss
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow physician orders for the administration of tube feeding solution for one resident, resulting in significant weight loss. The resident, who had multiple complex medical conditions including chronic respiratory failure, protein-calorie malnutrition, cerebral palsy, and dependence on a ventilator, was admitted with a gastrostomy and required tube feeding as per physician orders. Observations and record reviews revealed that the resident was very active at night, often crawling on the floor and chewing on the feeding tube, which led nursing staff to disconnect the tube feeding. Despite these challenges, the prescribed tube feeding volumes were not consistently administered as ordered. Medication records showed multiple instances where the resident did not receive the full prescribed amount of tube feeding solution, and on several occasions, feedings were missed entirely. The resident's weight history indicated a significant decrease, with a loss of 31.1 pounds over four months. The registered dietician confirmed that the resident had not received the required caloric intake from tube feedings during the reviewed period and that this issue had been reported to the Director of Nursing. However, there was no documentation or explanation provided for why the resident did not receive the prescribed nutrition, nor was there evidence of corrective action taken by facility leadership following the incident. The failure to administer tube feedings as ordered directly contributed to the resident's significant weight loss.
Failure to Provide Sufficient Nursing Staff and Timely Call Light Response
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient nursing staff to meet the needs of residents, as evidenced by multiple days where staffing levels did not meet the facility's own staffing grid requirements. Staffing records reviewed with the Nursing Scheduler showed repeated shortfalls in both CNA and nurse coverage across various shifts, with some days being up to three staff short. These shortages were documented for several dates and shifts, despite the facility census indicating the need for more staff. Residents reported significant delays in receiving care, including long wait times for call light responses and missed showers. One resident stated she had not received a shower in over a week and often waited up to an hour for assistance, with staff sometimes turning off her call light without returning. Another resident, who required assistance with feeding due to quadriplegia, reported being denied food because staff did not have time to help him. Both residents indicated that these issues were ongoing and had been raised multiple times with facility management and in Resident Council meetings, but no improvements were observed. Direct observations by surveyors confirmed that staff frequently failed to respond to call lights, even when multiple staff members were present and the call lights were audible. On several occasions, staff were seen ignoring call lights while sitting at the nurse's station or walking by without responding. The facility's policy requires any staff member who sees or hears a call light to respond, but this was not followed. Additionally, the facility was unable to produce concern forms related to staffing or call light response issues raised in Resident Council meetings.
Failure to Provide Routine Showers and Maintain Resident Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide routine showers and maintain hygiene for two residents who were unable to perform activities of daily living independently. One resident, a cognitively intact female with chronic medical and psychiatric conditions, reported not receiving a shower for over ten days and stated this was a recurring issue despite multiple complaints to nursing management. Review of her shower records for the month showed only three showers provided, with only one documented refusal. A CNA confirmed that there was no dedicated staff for showers and that workload sometimes made it impossible to provide showers as scheduled. Another resident, who was nonverbal and had severe cognitive and physical impairments, also did not receive scheduled showers. The resident's family reported ongoing concerns and filed a grievance regarding missed showers, which was not responded to by facility staff. Documentation showed significant gaps between showers with no refusals recorded. The ADON confirmed that all residents were scheduled for showers twice weekly but could not provide documentation for refusals or postponements for these two residents.
Failure to Monitor and Treat Constipation Resulting in Hospitalization
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to appropriately monitor and treat constipation for two residents, resulting in significant negative outcomes, including hospitalization for one resident. For one resident with multiple complex medical conditions, including chronic respiratory failure, COPD, tracheostomy, and diabetes, the medical record showed no bowel movement for several consecutive days. Despite the facility's protocol to notify a physician after three days without a bowel movement, there was no evidence that medication was administered until the sixth day, and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) could not explain the delay in intervention. Another resident, who was non-verbal and had severe cognitive impairment, experienced prolonged periods without documented bowel movements, with gaps of up to ten days. The only intervention noted was the administration of a suppository, which was ineffective. The resident was later found unresponsive with signs of vomiting and respiratory distress, requiring emergency intervention and hospitalization. Hospital records indicated the resident suffered an aspiration event, aspiration pneumonia, and abdominal distension related to constipation, with enteral nutrition being altered due to the event. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of clear responsibility and follow-through regarding bowel monitoring and intervention. The ADON and Director of Nursing (DON) both indicated that alerts for missed bowel movements could be cleared by nurses without action, and there was no facility policy or procedure for bowel elimination or constipation management. Additionally, a grievance filed by the resident's family regarding constipation concerns was not addressed or documented with findings or actions, and staff interviews suggested that family involvement may have led to missed communication about bowel movements.
Unattended Medication Left in Hallway
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when medication intended for a resident with multiple diagnoses, including stroke, hypertension, dementia, and prostate cancer, was found unattended in a medication cup on top of an isolation cart outside the resident's room. The unattended medication included several pills and a bottle of nasal spray. At the time of discovery, no staff or residents were present in the vicinity of the medication. The medication was later identified as belonging to the resident, who had moderate cognitive impairment as indicated by a BIMS score of 10 out of 15. Facility policy requires that medications be under the direct observation of the person administering them or locked in a storage area or cart during medication administration. However, the medication was left unattended, in violation of this policy. The resident was later observed in the dining room and could not confirm whether he had received his medication that morning. The incident was confirmed through observation, interview, and record review.
Failure to Administer Medications per Physician Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medications were administered according to physician orders for one resident. The resident, who had a complex medical history including chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, asthma, tracheostomy status, and spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, was observed to have missed multiple scheduled doses of critical medications. Specifically, the resident did not receive the prescribed evening dose of Bactrim DS, an antibiotic ordered for pneumonia, as well as scheduled doses of Olanzapine and Klonopin. The medication administration records and incident reports indicated that although these medications were available in the facility's back-up supply, the nurse did not retrieve them for administration. Progress notes reflected that the pharmacy had been called, but there was no documentation of provider notification or consideration of changes to the medication orders to address the missed doses. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the medications in question were present in the back-up supply and acknowledged that the nurse should have administered them from this supply. The resident's medical record lacked documentation regarding any discussion with the provider about extending or adjusting the medication orders due to the missed doses. The failure to administer these medications as ordered was identified through observation, record review, and staff interview, and was corroborated by facility documentation and the resident's medication administration records.
Failure to Provide Ordered Respiratory Care for Resident with Tracheostomy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide respiratory care in accordance with physician's orders for a resident with chronic respiratory failure, tracheostomy status, and other significant medical conditions. The resident was nonverbal and had limited ability to communicate or understand. Physician orders and hospital discharge instructions required the resident to receive cough assist therapy three times daily to maintain airway patency and lung inflation. Documentation in the Respiratory Administration Record (RAR) showed that the resident missed multiple scheduled cough assist treatments, with reasons cited including lack of tolerance, refusal, being asleep, or being out of the facility. Observations confirmed the presence of a tracheostomy and cough assist machine in the resident's room. Interviews with respiratory therapy staff revealed inconsistent administration of the ordered therapy, with one therapist unable to recall the last time the treatment was attempted. The records indicated at least 20 missed opportunities for cough assist therapy in one month, and additional missed treatments following the resident's hospital readmission, despite ongoing physician orders for the therapy.
Failure to Implement Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Care Interventions
Penalty
Summary
A resident with significant cognitive impairment and total dependence on staff for activities of daily living was admitted with multiple complex medical conditions, including an anoxic brain injury, respiratory failure with tracheostomy, gastrostomy, and a sacral pressure ulcer. Upon admission, the resident was identified as being at risk for skin impairment, and a care plan was developed that included interventions such as turning and repositioning, use of heel boots, application of barrier cream, and use of a pressure redistribution mattress. Despite these planned interventions, repeated observations showed the resident consistently positioned on their back with their head and neck leaning to the left, left ear pressed against the pillow, and heels directly against the mattress. Documentation and interviews revealed that these interventions were not consistently implemented, as the resident was often found without both heel boots in place and was not regularly turned or repositioned as required. The resident developed new pressure ulcers during their stay, including a deep tissue injury on the right heel and an open area on the left ear, both of which were determined to be facility-acquired. The sacral pressure ulcer also worsened, increasing in size and depth, and was noted to have visible bowel movement in the wound image. There were no treatment orders or interventions in place for the new wounds on the right heel and left ear, and the care plan was not updated to address these new areas of skin breakdown. Family members reported that staff were not responsive to concerns about the resident's wounds and that the resident was rarely turned or repositioned during their visits. Staff interviews confirmed a lack of awareness and follow-through regarding the resident's wound care needs and the absence of required equipment, such as heel boots. Record review further indicated inconsistencies and omissions in documentation, including the lack of initial assessment and documentation of the right heel wound upon admission, despite prior hospital records indicating its presence. The DON and Administrator were unable to provide explanations for the lack of implementation of care plan interventions, the absence of timely wound assessments, and the failure to provide necessary treatments for new pressure ulcers. The facility's failure to operationalize its policies and procedures for pressure ulcer prevention and care, as well as the lack of comprehensive assessment and intervention, directly resulted in the development and worsening of pressure ulcers for this resident.
Plan Of Correction
Element 1: Resident 117 areas to right rear malleolus and left outer ear were assessed by the nurse on 5/9/25 with orders for treatments put in place to include heel boots, low air loss mattress, and care plan updated. Resident 117 was discharged on 05/13/2025. Element 2: A skin sweep of current residents, including current residents admitted since 4/25/25, was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 5/14/25 for any new skin areas or skin areas missed on admission. Any new areas noted were assessed, had treatment orders entered, and care plans updated for interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds. A one-time audit of current residents with wounds was completed to ensure the wounds have appropriate treatment orders and interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds, including being turned and repositioned. This was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 5/14/25. A one-time audit of residents' most recent Braden score was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 5/14/25, and anyone with a Braden of 10 or below was placed on the yellow dot program for turning and repositioning. Element 3: The QAPI Committee has reviewed the Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management policy and has deemed it to be appropriate by 5/14/25. The Director of Nursing and/or designee re-educated the Wound Care Nurse and the licensed nurses on the Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management policy by 5/14/25, with emphasis on turning and repositioning, ensuring wound treatments are being completed, and appropriate interventions are in place to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Also, that all admissions need to have their skin assessed by 2 nurses. Nurse Aides were re-educated on the yellow dot program for turning and repositioning and checking residents' Kardex to ensure interventions are in place. This was completed by Staff Development Coordinator/Designee by 5/14/25. Wounds will be reviewed daily in the morning clinical Monday through Friday to ensure treatments are being completed and weekly in the standard of care meeting to ensure appropriate interventions are in place to prevent and promote wound healing. Admissions will be reviewed daily in the morning clinical Monday through Friday to ensure admission skin assessments are accurate and have been assessed by 2 nurses. Element 4: The Director of Nursing/designee will audit residents with wounds weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly thereafter, to ensure interventions are in place and treatments are being completed to prevent and promote healing of wounds. The Director of Nursing/designee will audit residents with a Braden of 10 or less and residents with wounds weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly thereafter, to ensure they are being turned and repositioned appropriately to prevent and promote healing of wounds. The Director of Nursing/designee will audit admission skin assessments weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly thereafter, to ensure all skin issues present on admission are documented appropriately and their skin has been assessed by 2 nurses. Results will be reviewed monthly by the QAPI Committee until substantial compliance is achieved. The Administrator is responsible for maintaining compliance.
Failure to Provide Sufficient Nursing Staff Resulting in Unmet Care Needs and Pressure Ulcers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient nursing staff with appropriate competencies and skill sets to meet the care needs of residents, particularly those residing on the ventilator and tracheostomy hallways. Staffing records and interviews revealed that, at times, only three CNAs and three RNs were present to care for all residents on these high-acuity units, with most residents requiring two-person assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs). Staff reported working extended shifts, sometimes up to 18 hours, and being unable to take breaks or complete all required care tasks, such as turning and repositioning residents every two hours. Multiple CNAs confirmed that it was not possible to provide all necessary care due to the heavy workload and insufficient staffing levels. Several residents experienced negative outcomes as a result of inadequate staffing. One resident, who was dependent on staff for all ADLs and assessed as a fall risk, suffered an unwitnessed fall after attempting to get out of bed when incontinent, as they were unable to use the call light and staff could not provide timely assistance. Another resident, also fully dependent and rarely understood, was observed multiple times in the same position in bed and developed a stage 4 pressure ulcer that worsened during their stay. Staff interviews confirmed that residents were not being turned and repositioned as required, and necessary equipment such as heel boots was not consistently available or used. A third resident, admitted with a stage 3 sacral pressure ulcer, developed additional facility-acquired pressure ulcers, including a deep tissue injury on the heel and a pressure ulcer on the ear. Observations and interviews with family and staff indicated that this resident was not being turned or repositioned regularly, and care plan interventions such as the use of heel boots and pressure-relieving mattresses were not consistently implemented. The DON and Administrator acknowledged the worsening of wounds and the lack of consistent interventions but did not provide explanations for the failures. Staff repeatedly stated that the high acuity and total care needs of residents, combined with insufficient staffing, made it impossible to meet required care standards.
Plan Of Correction
Element 1: The facility assessment has been updated by 5/14/25 and reviewed by the QAPI Committee to ensure staffing levels are appropriate to meet the current resident population needs. Current residents with a BIMS of 9 or above and responsible parties for residents with a BIMS of 8 or below were interviewed for any negative outcomes related to needs not being met by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 5/14/25. Residents' concerns were placed on a Quality Assurance form and ran through the Quality Assurance process by 5/14/25. Element 2: Current residents and/or responsible parties have been interviewed to ensure that their needs are being met by the Director of Nursing and/or designee by 5/14/25. Any concerns identified have been addressed immediately. Element 3: The QAPI Committee reviewed the policy, Nursing Services and Sufficient Staff, and deemed it appropriate by 5/14/25. The Regional Director of Operations has re-educated the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and the Scheduler on the Nursing Services and Sufficient Staff Policy, including sufficient staff resident needs. This education will be completed by 5/14/25. During the morning stand-up meeting and as needed, staffing will be reviewed to ensure supervision. Adjustments will be made as needed. Element 4: A weekly audit of 10 residents will be conducted by the Administrator and/or designee to ensure needs are being met timely for 4 weeks and then monthly thereafter until substantial compliance is sustained. Audits will be reviewed by the QAPI committee monthly for 3 months until substantial compliance is met. The Administrator is responsible to maintain compliance.
Failure to Prevent and Treat Pressure Ulcers Resulting in Worsening Wounds and Hospitalization
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate care and services to prevent and promote healing of pressure ulcers for three residents, resulting in worsening wounds, infections, and hospitalizations. All three residents were dependent on staff for all care and were identified as high risk for skin breakdown. The facility did not consistently implement or document required interventions such as turning and repositioning, and there were multiple missed wound treatments as evidenced by gaps in the Treatment Administration Record (TAR) and CNA task documentation. For example, one resident had 42 eight-hour shifts without documented turning and repositioning, and 20 missed wound treatments for facility-acquired pressure wounds. Another resident had 23 eight-hour shifts without documented repositioning and four missed wound treatments for a worsening coccyx pressure wound. A third resident had 37 eight-hour shifts without documented repositioning and 21 missed wound treatments for pressure wounds, with incomplete turning logs maintained by family members as further evidence of lapses in care. The residents involved had significant medical histories, including traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular accident, acute respiratory failure, and comatose states, making them highly susceptible to pressure injuries. Despite care plans and physician orders specifying frequent turning, repositioning, and wound care, these interventions were not reliably carried out or documented. Wound assessments showed progression of pressure ulcers from initial stages to unstageable or stage 4, with some wounds developing slough, odor, and signs of infection. In several cases, the wounds deteriorated to the point of requiring hospital transfer for advanced wound management, debridement, and treatment of sepsis or osteomyelitis. Interviews with staff confirmed that documentation was incomplete and that staffing shortages contributed to the inability to provide required care. Unit managers and wound nurses acknowledged that there were holes in the TAR and CNA documentation, and that some wound treatments were not recorded as completed. Staff also reported that, at times, there were not enough CNAs to turn residents every two hours as required by care plans. There was no evidence provided by the facility to demonstrate that the worsening or facility-acquired pressure ulcers were unavoidable, despite the presence of appropriate interventions in the care plans.
Plan Of Correction
Element 1 Resident 105 no longer resides in the facility and was discharged to the hospital on 3/26/25. Resident 106 no longer resides in the facility and was discharged to the hospital on 4/1/25. Resident 111 continues to reside in the facility. Her wounds, treatment orders, and care plans were reviewed by the Director of Nursing, Wound Nurse, and wound care provider by 4/25/25 and deemed to be appropriate. An unavoidable assessment was completed due to the resident's wound being expected to decline on admission due to comorbidities and assessment of periwound. Element 2 A skin sweep of current residents was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 4/25/25 for any new skin areas. Any new areas noted were assessed, had treatment orders entered, and care plans updated for interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds. A one-time audit of current residents with wounds was completed to ensure the wounds have appropriate treatment orders and interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds. This was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 4/25/25. A one-time audit of residents' most recent Braden score was completed, and anyone with a Braden score of 10 or below was placed on the yellow dot program for turning and repositioning. Element 3 The QAPI Committee has reviewed the Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management policy and has deemed it to be appropriate by 4/25/25. The Director of Nursing and/or designee educated the Wound Care Nurse and the licensed nurses on the Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management policy by 4/25/25, with emphasis on the yellow dot program for turning and repositioning, ensuring wound treatments are being completed, and appropriate interventions are in place to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Nurse Aides were educated on the yellow dot program for turning and repositioning and checking the resident kardex to ensure interventions are in place. This was completed by the Staff Development Coordinator/Designee by 4/25/25. Wounds will be reviewed daily in the morning clinical Monday through Friday to ensure treatments are being completed and weekly in the standard of care meeting to ensure appropriate interventions are in place to prevent and promote wound healing. Element 4 The Director of Nursing/designee will audit residents with wounds weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly thereafter, to ensure interventions are in place and treatments are being completed to prevent and promote healing of wounds. The Director of Nursing/designee will audit residents with a Braden score of 10 or less weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly thereafter, to ensure they are being turned and repositioned appropriately to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Results will be reviewed monthly by the QAPI Committee until substantial compliance is achieved. The Administrator is responsible for maintaining compliance.
Failure to Provide Required ADL Care Due to Staffing Shortages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care, including bathing, showering, oral care, grooming, and repositioning, for four dependent residents. Documentation and interviews revealed that multiple residents missed several showers, with some going up to 20 days without bathing or showering. Oral care was also frequently omitted, with one resident missing oral care on 51 shifts. In addition, required turning and repositioning for pressure wound prevention was not consistently performed, as evidenced by 42 eight-hour shifts without documentation of this care for a dependent resident. Residents affected had significant medical needs, including traumatic brain dysfunction, cerebral vascular accident, partial paralysis, and dependence on staff for all or most ADLs. One resident with a tracheostomy and contractures was not turned or repositioned as required, and another resident with dentures did not have oral care addressed in their care plan. Documentation reports and care plans confirmed these omissions, and interviews with residents and staff corroborated the lack of consistent ADL care, citing missed showers, oral care, and incontinence care. Staff interviews and grievance forms indicated that chronic understaffing contributed to the deficiencies, with reports of only three to four CNAs on certain shifts, including on units with high-acuity residents. Staff described being unable to meet basic care needs, such as incontinence care and repositioning, at the required frequency. Residents and staff reported submitting grievances and concern forms regarding missed care and staffing shortages, with some improvement only noted in the two weeks prior to the survey.
Plan Of Correction
Element 1 Resident 103 no longer resides in the facility. Resident was discharged home on 3/24/2025. Resident 104 no longer resides in the facility. Resident 104 discharged home on 3/27/2025. Resident 106 no longer resides in the facility. Resident 106 discharged to the hospital on 4/1/2025. Resident 110 continues to reside in the facility. Resident was offered a shower and ADL's including oral care was completed by 4/25/2025. Element 2A A one-time audit of the last 3 days of current residents was conducted to verify that they have received or been offered a shower/bed bath. If a shower/bed bath had not been offered at time of audit, it would be immediately offered and given or documented if refused. This was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 4/25/25. A one-time audit of current residents was conducted to ensure residents received ADL care including oral care by 4/25/25. Anyone that had not received ADL care including oral care was immediately completed and documented on by 4/25/25. This was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee. Element 3 The QAPI Committee reviewed the policy, Activities of Daily Living and deemed it appropriate by 4/25/25. The Director of Nursing has re-educated the certified nursing assistants and the licensed nurses on the Activities of Daily Living policy with emphasis to showers and ensuring residents are being offered and given showers on their shower days and completing and documenting ADL care including oral care every shift. This education will be completed by 4/25/25. Element 4 The Director of Nursing or Designee will conduct random audits weekly for four weeks and then monthly thereafter until substantial compliance is sustained, to verify that showers/bed baths and ADL care including oral care is being offered, given and/or documented if refused. Audits will be reviewed by the QAPI committee monthly for 3 months until substantial compliance is met. The Administrator is responsible to maintain compliance.
Deficiency Due to Insufficient Nursing Staff Levels
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure sufficient nursing staff with appropriate competencies and skill sets to meet the needs of its residents, as evidenced by multiple observations, interviews, and record reviews. The census was reported at 69, with a significant portion of residents dependent on staff for care, including a ventilator unit. Several complaints were received by the State Agency alleging insufficient staffing, which resulted in unmet care needs such as failure to prevent worsening of pressure ulcers and avoidable falls with injury. The CMS PBJ Staffing Report also indicated excessively low weekend staffing. Specific resident cases highlighted the impact of insufficient staffing. One resident, with a history of hip fracture and high fall risk, suffered a fall resulting in rib fractures. Staff reported that necessary safety equipment, such as positioning wedges, was not in place at the time of the fall, and the resident's wife had to remain at the bedside due to concerns for safety and confusion. Another resident, dependent on staff for all care, experienced worsening and new pressure ulcers, with documentation showing missed wound treatments and incomplete turning and repositioning logs. Additional residents experienced missed showers, oral care, and repositioning, with documentation reflecting numerous shifts where required care was not provided or not documented as completed. Interviews with staff, residents, and family members consistently reported ongoing staffing shortages, particularly on second and third shifts, leading to basic care needs not being met. Staff described being unable to provide care as frequently as required, with restorative staff being pulled to cover floor duties and managers picking up shifts to meet minimum requirements. Resident council and grievance forms further corroborated concerns about missed care and insufficient staffing, with reports of residents being left in soiled conditions and not receiving scheduled showers or repositioning.
Plan Of Correction
Element 1: The facility assessment has been updated by 4/25/25 and reviewed by the QAPI Committee to ensure staffing levels are appropriate to meet the current resident population needs. Current residents with a BIMS of 9 or above and responsible parties for residents with a BIMS of 8 or below were interviewed for any negative outcomes related to delay in call light response time by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 4/25/25 and did not have any negative outcomes. Residents’ concerns were placed on a Quality Assurance form and ran through the Quality Assurance process by 4/25/25. Element 2: Current residents and/or responsible parties have been interviewed to ensure that their needs are being met by the Director of Nursing and/or designee by 4/25/25. Any concerns identified have been addressed immediately. Element 3: The QAPI Committee reviewed the policy, Nursing Services and Sufficient Staff, and deemed it appropriate by 4/25/25. The Regional Director of Operations has re-educated the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and the Scheduler on the Nursing Services and Sufficient Staff Policy, including staffing to meet resident needs. This education will be completed by 4/25/25. During the morning stand-up meeting and as needed, staffing will be reviewed to ensure supervision. Adjustments will be made as needed. Element 4: A weekly audit of 10 residents will be conducted by the Administrator and/or designee to ensure needs are being met timely for 4 weeks and then monthly thereafter until substantial compliance is sustained. Audits will be reviewed by the QAPI committee monthly for 3 months until substantial compliance is met. The Administrator is responsible to maintain compliance.
Failure to Implement Fall Prevention Interventions for High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when staff failed to provide adequate supervision and implement care planned interventions for a resident with a known high risk for falls. The resident, an 82-year-old male with a recent left hip fracture, post-surgical revision, and multiple comorbidities including peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and anemia, was admitted to the facility. The resident's care plan included specific fall prevention interventions such as a low bed, floor mat, non-skid footwear, and placement of wedges at the right shoulder and knee when resting in bed. Despite these interventions being documented, they were not in place at the time of the incident. On the day of the incident, the resident experienced an unwitnessed fall from bed. Staff interviews and documentation revealed that the positioning wedges were not in use and were found on a chair or nightstand, the floor mat was not in place, and the bed was not at its lowest position. The resident was found on the floor, confused, with bleeding from the surgical incision and signs of injury. Staff confirmed that the care planned interventions were not followed, and the resident's confusion and restlessness were known risk factors that had been communicated to the facility by the family. Following the fall, the resident required emergency room treatment and hospital admission, where additional injuries including rib and pelvic fractures were identified. The failure to implement and maintain the prescribed fall prevention measures directly contributed to the resident's fall and subsequent injuries. Staff interviews confirmed a lack of adherence to the care plan and an inability to provide one-on-one supervision despite the resident's high risk status and family concerns.
Plan Of Correction
Element 1: Resident 102 no longer resides in the facility. Resident was discharged to the hospital on 12/15/25. Element 2: A one-time audit of current residents' fall interventions was completed by the Director of Nursing / Designee by 4/25/25 to ensure fall interventions are in place and reflect residents' current needs. Element 3: The QAPI Committee reviewed the Falls Clinical Protocol policy and deemed it appropriate by 4/25/25. The Director of Nursing and/or designee educated the Nurses and C.N.As on the Falls Clinical Protocol policy, with an emphasis on ensuring interventions are in place and that the interventions are noted on the incident reports. This education will be completed by 4/25/25. Element 4: The Director of Nursing/designee will audit 10 residents to ensure fall interventions are in place and will audit residents with falls to ensure that fall interventions in place at the time of the fall were documented on the incident report and that the care plan is updated with new interventions. These audits will be conducted weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly thereafter. Results will be reviewed monthly by the QAPI Committee until substantial compliance is achieved. The Administrator is responsible for maintaining compliance.
Failure to Implement Comprehensive Care Plan for Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a comprehensive care plan was in place and properly executed for a resident, leading to the development and worsening of pressure ulcers. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including knee contractures, was observed without offloading boots, which were supposed to be on at all times as per the care plan. The boots were found on the floor, and staff members were unclear about their responsibility for ensuring the boots were worn, leading to the resident's feet resting directly on the mattress. The resident was observed to have a pressure ulcer on the left trochanter and a coccyx pressure ulcer, both of which were not properly documented or staged in the care plan. The left foot was initially documented as a hematoma but was later identified as a deep tissue injury (DTI). The care plan did not include updated interventions for the pressure ulcers, and there was no evidence of a root cause analysis or interdisciplinary team meetings to address the skin breakdown. Interviews with staff, including CNAs, a COTA, an LPN, and the wound nurse, revealed a lack of clarity and communication regarding the care plan and interventions for the resident's pressure ulcers. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the resident's Kardex indicated the need for offloading boots at all times, but this was not consistently followed. The facility's failure to implement and revise the care plan contributed to the resident's pressure ulcers not being properly managed or prevented.
Plan Of Correction
Element 1 Resident 7 continues to reside in the facility. The skin care plan was reviewed and updated to include the correct classification and staging of current wounds and include appropriate interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 3/14/25. Element 2 A one-time audit of current residents with wounds was completed to ensure their skin care plans have the correct classification and staging of current wounds and they include appropriate interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds. This was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 3/14/25. Element 3 The QAPI Committee has reviewed the Comprehensive Care Plan policy and has deemed it to be appropriate by 3/14/25. The Director of Nursing and/or designee educated the Wound Care Nurse and the licensed nurses on the Comprehensive Care Plan policy by 3/14/25 with emphasis on ensuring skin care plans have correct classification and staging of wounds and that they include appropriate interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Nurse Aides were educated on checking resident kardex s and ensuring interventions are in place. This was completed by the Staff Development Coordinator/Designee by 3/14/25. Wounds will be reviewed weekly in standard of care meeting to ensure wounds are classified and staged correctly and interventions are in place to prevent and promote wound healing. Element 4 The Director of Nursing/designee will audit Skin care plans of residents with wounds weekly x4 weeks then monthly thereafter to ensure wounds are classified and staged correctly and interventions are in place to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Results will be reviewed monthly by the QAPI Committee until substantial compliance is achieved. The Administrator is responsible to maintain compliance.
Failure to Prevent and Manage Pressure Ulcers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate care and services to prevent and promote the healing of pressure ulcers for one resident, resulting in worsening wounds. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including knee contractures, was observed without offloading boots, which were supposed to be on at all times as per the care plan. The boots were found on the floor, and staff members, including CNAs and a COTA, were unclear about their responsibility to ensure the boots were worn. Observations revealed pressure ulcers on the resident's left trochanter and coccyx, with the resident's feet resting directly on the mattress without pressure relief. The resident's care plan indicated the need for padded boots to be worn at all times, but this intervention was not consistently implemented. Interviews with staff, including CNAs, LPNs, and the wound nurse, revealed a lack of clarity and communication regarding the responsibility for ensuring the boots were worn. The wound nurse acknowledged that the resident's left foot wound was misidentified as a hematoma instead of a deep tissue injury, and the left trochanter wound was incorrectly documented as a blister rather than an unstageable pressure ulcer. The facility's failure to conduct a root cause analysis or hold care conferences to address the resident's pressure ulcers further contributed to the deficiency. The resident's coccyx pressure ulcer, initially documented as a stage 4, worsened over time, with increased drainage and slough covering the wound bed, rendering it unstageable. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the resident's care plan required the boots to be worn at all times, but this was not effectively communicated or enforced among the staff.
Plan Of Correction
Element 1 Resident 7 wounds were reviewed by the Director of Nursing, Wound Nurse, and wound care provider by 3/14/25, and it was determined reclassification of wounds was appropriate. The Coccyx Wound was reassessed on 3/13/25 by the wound care provider and determined that the wound needed to be reclassified again back to a stage 4 due to the resolving of slough in the wound bed from the previous week. Skin/Wound evaluations and care plans were updated to reflect the correct classification and staging of current wounds and include appropriate interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Element 2 A one-time audit of current residents with wounds was completed to ensure the wounds are classified and staged correctly, and the care plans are updated and include appropriate interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Any wounds not classified correctly were immediately reclassified and care plans updated. This was completed by the Director of Nursing/Designee by 3/14/25. Element 3 The QAPI Committee has reviewed the Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management policy and has deemed it to be appropriate by 3/14/25. The Director of Nursing and/or designee educated the Wound Care Nurse and the licensed nurses on the Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management policy by 3/14/25, with emphasis on correct classification and staging of wounds and ensuring that the care plans are updated and include appropriate interventions to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Nurse Aides were educated on checking resident kardexes and ensuring interventions are in place. This was completed by the Staff Development Coordinator/Designee by 3/14/25. Wounds will be reviewed weekly in the standard of care meeting to ensure wounds are classified and staged correctly, care plans are updated, and appropriate interventions are in place to prevent and promote wound healing. Element 4 The Director of Nursing/designee will audit residents with wounds weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly thereafter, to ensure wounds are classified and staged correctly, care plans are updated, and interventions are in place to prevent and promote healing of wounds. Results will be reviewed monthly by the QAPI Committee until substantial compliance is achieved. The Administrator is responsible to maintain compliance.
Inadequate Infection Control Surveillance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper infection control surveillance for all 62 residents, as it was not monitored, mapped, and documented monthly. The deficiency was identified when the facility was unable to provide complete infection control line listings and color-coded maps for the months of August through December 2024. Specifically, only the line listings for August, September, and October 2024 were available, and only the map for September 2024 was provided. During interviews, it was revealed that no nurse had been performing the duties of the infection control program since November 1st, 2024, due to the absence of the Infection Control Preventionist (ICP). The Director of Nursing (DON) and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) admitted that no staff was monitoring the infection control program, and they only reviewed new antibiotic orders during morning meetings without tracking infection clusters. Consequently, there was no infection control monitoring for November 2024.
Failure to Implement Adequate Care Plan for High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a person-centered baseline care plan for a resident admitted for a 10-day respite stay. Upon admission, the resident was assessed as a high risk for falls due to various factors, including altered perception, disorganized speech, restlessness, and the use of multiple medications. Despite these identified risks, the care plan only included general interventions such as educating the resident on safety, encouraging the use of a call light, and ensuring the room was free from hazards. However, these interventions were not adequately tailored to address the resident's specific needs, such as wandering, confusion, and improper footwear. The resident experienced a fall on 8/21/2024, which highlighted the inadequacy of the care plan. The interdisciplinary team updated the care plan five days later, but the revisions were insufficient as they did not address the resident's wandering, confusion, or need for proper footwear. Subsequently, the resident had another fall on 8/28/2024, resulting in a hospital transfer due to hip pain. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the resident required close supervision and should have been kept in view in common areas, but these needs were not reflected in the care plan or Kardex, contributing to the resident's falls and injuries.
Inaccurate MDS Assessments for Three Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate completion of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for three residents. For Resident #36, the MDS indicated that the resident received insulin injections during the seven-day look-back period, but a review of the medical record revealed that the resident did not receive insulin during that time. This discrepancy was confirmed by the Regional Director of Assessment Coordination. For Resident #59, the quarterly MDS did not reflect a significant weight loss of 5.8% in one month, despite a Nutrition Evaluation indicating this weight loss. The Regional Director of Assessment Coordination noted that the medical record's weights and vital signs section would show triggers for weight loss. Additionally, Resident #68's MDS inaccurately documented a discharge to a short-term hospital, while a progress note indicated the resident was discharged home with family. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed the resident was discharged home.
Failure to Implement Comprehensive Care Plans
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement comprehensive care plans for three residents, resulting in potential unmet care needs. Resident #22 was admitted with major depressive disorder and moderate protein calorie malnutrition. Despite a physician's order for a mechanical soft diet with double portions, observations revealed that the resident's meals were not being consumed, and the registered dietician confirmed that the resident should have received double portions, which were not provided. Resident #28, diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and gastroparesis, was observed to have meals lacking the ordered double protein portions and butter/margarine packets, which were necessary due to his increased needs from dialysis. The resident reported weight loss and frequent nausea and vomiting, and the registered dietician confirmed the dietary orders were not being followed, as the resident's meal trays did not include the required items. Resident #4, with a history of dementia, schizophrenia, and a stage 4 pressure ulcer, was found to have a non-functioning air mattress, which was a critical intervention for her wound care. Despite documentation indicating the mattress was functioning, observations and interviews revealed it was not operational, contributing to the resident's reported pain and potential decline in wound healing. The unit manager confirmed the malfunction and replaced the pump only after the surveyor's inquiry, highlighting a lapse in the implementation of care plan interventions.
Delayed Urinalysis Collection for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the timely collection of an ordered urinalysis for a resident with diagnoses including diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The resident, who was cognitively intact, reported symptoms of cloudy urine and burning with urination on a Monday. A Nurse Practitioner noted the need for a urinalysis, complete blood count, and basic metabolic panel on the following Wednesday. However, the urinalysis result was rejected due to 'Supplies Unavailable,' and the laboratory did not receive the urine sample until the following Sunday night. During interviews, a registered nurse was unsure of the meaning behind the 'Supplies Unavailable' note, and a laboratory representative confirmed the delay in receiving the urine sample. The resident's urinalysis was eventually sent for further testing due to the presence of leukocytes. This delay in collecting and processing the urinalysis represents a deficiency in providing timely care according to the resident's needs and medical orders.
Failure to Ensure Functioning Pressure Relief Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement necessary interventions to promote the healing of a pressure ulcer and prevent its worsening for a resident. The resident, a cognitively intact female with multiple diagnoses including a stage 4 pressure ulcer, was observed with a non-functioning air mattress, which was supposed to be a part of her care plan to relieve pressure and aid in wound healing. Despite the care plan requiring the air mattress to be checked each shift, the nursing staff documented that it was functioning even when it was not, as observed by the surveyor over three shifts. The resident reported significant pain associated with the pressure ulcer, and the wound was noted to have worsened slightly over a week. The air mattress pump was found to be non-functional, and the issue was only addressed after the surveyor's inquiry. The facility's staff, including the LPN and Unit Manager, confirmed the malfunction and took steps to replace the pump. However, the failure to ensure the air mattress was functioning as intended contributed to the deficiency in care provided to the resident.
Failure to Obtain Physician Order for Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain a physician order for oxygen for a resident, identified as R4, who was observed using oxygen therapy without a documented order. R4, a female resident with a history of respiratory failure, dementia, schizophrenia, cardiac disease, hypertension, kidney disease, stage 4 pressure ulcer, anxiety, and depression, was admitted to the facility and most recently readmitted on 10/15/24. During observations on 10/27/24 and 10/28/24, R4 was seen using a nasal cannula connected to an oxygen concentrator set at 4 liters, without humidified air, and reported discomfort due to dryness. A review of R4's physician orders from 10/15/24 to 10/29/24 showed no evidence of an order for oxygen therapy. Interviews with facility staff, including the Nursing Home Administrator, Registered Nurse, Unit Manager, and Director of Nursing, confirmed the expectation that residents using oxygen should have a physician's order. The Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged the lack of an order for R4 and indicated that the issue would be addressed. The Unit Manager, who had been in the position for only two weeks, was expected to ensure all orders were correctly transcribed following hospital readmissions, but this oversight occurred.
Verbal Abuse Incident by RN
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident's right to be free from verbal abuse by staff. The incident involved a resident with severe cognitive impairment, who was able to make herself understood and comprehend others. The resident had a history of cerebral infarction, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. On the day of the incident, a Registered Nurse (RN) was reported to have yelled at the resident and blamed her for an ostomy bag that had come off. The RN allegedly grabbed the resident's arm forcefully, causing the resident to cry. A Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) who witnessed the incident reported it to the Social Worker (SW), who confirmed the resident's account through limited communication. The RN involved in the incident was interviewed and acknowledged being in the room with the resident and the CNA but denied yelling, stating instead that she was firm with the resident. The CNA, however, provided a detailed account of the RN's actions, including yelling and blaming the resident. The SW corroborated the CNA's report by confirming the resident's non-verbal affirmation of the incident. The facility substantiated the abuse claim and terminated the RN's employment following the investigation.
Failure to Notify Physician of Unfulfilled ER Transfer Order
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify the physician of a change in treatment orders when a resident, who was suspected to have a femoral artery bleed, was not transferred to the emergency room as ordered. The resident, who was cognitively intact and responsible for their own care, was admitted with diagnoses including respiratory failure, tracheostomy status, and severe obesity. On the day of the incident, the nurse observed profuse bleeding from the resident's lower right abdomen and a large blood clot, prompting a physician's order for the resident to be sent to the ER. However, the EMS was unable to transport the resident due to weight limitations, and an alternate ambulance service could not transfer the resident until later. Despite the situation, the Assistant Director of Nursing did not inform the physician that the resident was not transported to the hospital as initially ordered. The medical record did not reflect any notification to the physician about the failure to transfer the resident, and the physician confirmed that they were not made aware of the situation beyond the initial call about the bleeding.
Failure to Monitor and Transfer Resident with Hemorrhage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to routinely assess and monitor a change in condition for a resident who was admitted with diagnoses including respiratory failure, tracheostomy status, and morbid obesity. The resident experienced a suspected femoral artery bleed, which was documented in an SBAR on 6/8/24. The nurse observed profuse bleeding and a large blood clot in the resident's abdominal fold, and the physician ordered the resident to be sent to the emergency room. However, due to the resident's weight, EMS was unable to transport him, and an alternate ambulance service was not available until later in the afternoon. Despite the physician's order for hospital transfer, the resident remained in the facility without further orders for treatment, assessment, or monitoring of his condition. The medical record did not reflect that the physician was notified of the failed transfer. The resident's condition worsened, and he began hemorrhaging again early on 6/9/24. Staff frequently checked for bleeding and changed towels, but the resident's blood pressure continued to drop, indicating a lack of adequate monitoring and intervention. The resident's medical record showed a significant drop in blood pressure from 117/70 mmHg on 6/8/24 to 70/42 mmHg on 6/9/24, with corresponding changes in pulse rate. EMS was eventually able to transport the resident to the hospital using a flatbed truck, but the delay and lack of appropriate monitoring and intervention contributed to the deficiency. The physician later stated that if she had been informed of the situation, she would have expected more frequent monitoring of vital signs.
Inconsistent Treatment Orders for Pressure Ulcer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure appropriate treatment orders for a resident with a facility-acquired pressure ulcer on the sacrum. The resident, who had a history of cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and anoxic brain damage, developed an unstageable pressure ulcer characterized by slough and granulation tissue. Over the course of several weeks, the ulcer increased in size, and the treatment orders were inconsistent and overlapping. Initially, the treatment involved cleansing the wound, applying collagen, and covering it with hydrofera blue and bordered foam, to be changed every other night. Subsequent orders introduced different treatments, including Dermasyn AG and Medihoney, which were to be applied daily at bedtime. These orders ran concurrently with the original treatment plan, leading to confusion and improper application of treatments. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that the staff was applying treatments incorrectly, with hydrofera being used on an old wound and collagen and Medihoney on the new sacral wound. This inconsistency in treatment orders and application contributed to the deficiency identified during the survey.
Failure to Prevent Medical Device-Related Pressure Ulcer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prevent the development of a medical device-related pressure ulcer for a resident, resulting in a deep tissue injury (DTI). The resident was readmitted with multiple diagnoses, including acute respiratory failure and protein-calorie malnutrition, and was dependent on all care. The resident had an indwelling catheter and was at risk for developing pressure injuries but was not on a turning/repositioning program. Initial assessments noted several stage 1 pressure injuries and a bruise on the left buttock, which was later identified as a DTI related to the catheter tubing placement. Observations and interviews revealed that the resident was frequently repositioned due to incontinence and existing wounds. However, the catheter tubing was not properly managed, leading to pressure on the left buttock. The wound nurse and DON assessed the area and initially documented it as a bruise. Despite staff education on proper catheter placement, the area worsened, opening and presenting with deep reddish/purple discoloration. The wound nurse updated the physician and received treatment orders, but the wound continued to deteriorate. Further assessments and interdisciplinary team discussions led to the reclassification of the wound as a DTI. The facility's wound management program included weekly assessments and staff education, but the improper management of the catheter tubing resulted in the development of the pressure ulcer. The resident's care plan was updated to reflect the new wound classification, and the facility continued to monitor and treat the wound.
Latest citations in Michigan
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions, including vascular dementia and thoracic spine fractures, had a care plan and Kardex requiring two-person assist for bed mobility and toileting at bed level. A CNA, who acknowledged knowing the resident was a two-person assist but did not seek help because staff were busy and was unfamiliar with the facility’s fall-prevention protocol, provided incontinence care and changed bed linens alone. During this one-person care, the resident rolled out of bed, sustained a head laceration, was found on the floor in a pool of blood, and required hospital evaluation and suturing before returning to the facility, where the resident was later observed crying and pointing to the sutured forehead.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment, a history of elopement, and daily wandering exited the building in the early morning while wearing an electronic elopement-prevention device. When the front door and device alarms sounded, the DON shut off the main alarm without an immediate overhead headcount or clear communication about which door had alarmed, and staff, affected by frequent door alarms from smokers, were confused about whether it was an elopement. While staff searched inside and around the building, the resident walked a significant distance along a main road without a coat in freezing weather before being located by nursing staff. Three additional residents with severe cognitive impairment and wandering behaviors were found to be wearing electronic devices, but for some there were no physician orders, no documented device checks, missing inclusion on the elopement risk list, and care plans that did not include the devices as interventions, demonstrating inconsistent elopement risk identification and planning.
A resident with a known history of attempting to leave the facility exited through the front door in the early morning, triggering both the door alarm and an elopement prevention device. The DON shut off the main alarm, looked outside but did not immediately exit the front door or make an overhead announcement, leading to confusion among staff about which door had alarmed and whether anyone was missing. CNAs searched the grounds, and an LPN used a car to search nearby streets, eventually locating the resident walking with a walker near a gas station, cold and without a coat, in freezing temperatures along a main highway. An RN then assisted in persuading the resident to return, with the total time away exceeding 25 minutes. The incident, which posed a risk to the resident’s health and safety, was not reported to the State Agency as required by the facility’s abuse, neglect, and exploitation reporting policy.
A resident at risk for elopement exited the facility through a front door in the early morning, triggering both the door alarm and an elopement device alarm. The DON shut off the main alarm and looked outside but did not immediately exit the front door, while CNAs and an LPN searched the building and surrounding areas. The resident, wearing everyday clothes and no coat in freezing weather, was eventually located by an LPN walking with a walker near a gas station on a busy road, and a second nurse assisted in persuading the resident to return. The facility’s investigation failed to preserve or document key information from available video footage, did not record specific times, route, distance traveled, or weather conditions, and included incomplete and delayed risk management documentation with limited witness statements, contrary to facility policy requiring prompt incident reporting and medical record entries after an elopement event.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment, mobility limitations, and a history of falls was observed in bed with the call light wrapped around the television and out of reach, despite a care plan requiring the call light to be kept within reach. Another cognitively intact resident with neuromuscular impairment, care planned for weighted utensils and a plate guard, received a meal tray containing only a weighted fork and no weighted knife or spoon, causing visible difficulty and frustration while attempting to cut and eat a chicken breast. Resident Council minutes from two consecutive months documented repeated complaints from residents that call lights were not accessible and were not answered in a timely manner.
A resident with stroke-related hemiparesis, abnormal gait, dementia, CKD, and hypertension, care planned as at risk for falls, experienced an unwitnessed fall while attempting to use the bathroom, having taken an IV pole instead of a walker and tripping over IV tubing. A CNA found the resident on the bathroom floor, sitting upright and holding assist bars, and, seeing no obvious injury, helped the resident back to bed before notifying an LPN. The LPN’s documentation and post-fall evaluation reflected assessment only after the resident was already in bed, with no injuries identified. Facility leadership and written fall management guidelines state that after a fall, the nurse must be notified immediately and must evaluate the resident for possible head, neck, spine, and extremity injuries prior to moving them, which did not occur in this case.
A resident with hemiplegia, dementia, and moderate cognitive impairment had a documented ADL self-care deficit and a care plan specifying assisted evening showers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays per his and his family’s request. Facility records, including the Kardex and nursing notes, reflected this schedule, but shower documentation for one month showed three missed, undocumented showers out of 13 scheduled. A family member reported that showers were not always completed as scheduled, and the DON confirmed the three-times-weekly schedule but could not provide documentation that showers were offered or completed on the missing dates, contrary to the facility’s ADL policy requiring provision and documentation of hygiene care.
Surveyors found that staff failed to maintain accurate and complete treatment documentation for multiple residents, including missing TAR entries for ordered compression stockings, skin care, wound care, and monitoring, inconsistent and unexplained use of an incentive spirometer order with no supporting progress notes, and conflicting records about nebulized Ipratropium-Albuterol treatments that residents and the NP reported were never given due to lack of equipment. Nurses sometimes charted treatments as completed or used the "07-Other/See Progress Notes" code without any corresponding notes, while leadership acknowledged there was no systematic oversight of treatment documentation, contrary to the facility’s own documentation policy requiring factual, complete, and non-false entries.
A resident with dementia, heart disease, and multiple pressure and skin wounds had a complex care plan with numerous updates for conditions such as cognitive fluctuation, UTI, anemia, hypothyroidism, constipation risk, and nutritional risk, but the POA reported never receiving a copy of the care plan. Care conference documentation left the “Plan of Care” section blank, and although the SW stated it was standard to offer and provide the plan, there was no evidence this occurred. The resident’s representatives and POA repeatedly reported poor communication, including not being informed when PT and OT services ended and not receiving timely responses to messages and emails about care concerns. Wound orders and conditions changed over time, including new wounds and merging buttock wounds, yet the record did not show that the POA was notified of these significant changes, contrary to facility policy requiring notification of the resident and representative for major changes in condition and treatment.
Two residents did not receive appropriate treatment and care according to orders and needs. A resident with DM, peripheral vascular disease, prior toe amputation, and osteomyelitis had an in-house–acquired right second toe ulcer that was documented and treated, but dark eschar on the right third toe seen in a wound photo and described by a PA as eschar on the second and third toes was not added to the wound tracking spreadsheet or clearly documented as a separate wound before the resident was later hospitalized and underwent amputation of the second and third toes. Nursing notes and NP documentation focused on the second toe only, and staff interviews showed uncertainty about whether the entire foot was consistently assessed during dressing changes. Another resident with dementia and severe cognitive impairment had increasing difficulty hearing; the guardian reported requesting that the resident’s hearing be checked due to suspected earwax buildup, but no assessment or intervention was documented.
Failure to Provide Required Two-Person Assist During Bed Mobility Resulting in Fall
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow a resident’s care plan requiring two-person assistance for bed mobility and toileting at bed level, resulting in a fall from bed. The resident had multiple diagnoses, including cerebral infarction, vascular dementia, thoracic spine wedge compression fractures (T11–T12), major depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, and had a BIMS score of 2/15 indicating severely impaired cognition. The resident’s care plan, in place prior to the incident, specified that two staff members were required to assist with bed mobility and toileting at bed level. On the day of the incident, a CNA provided incontinence care and changed bed linens for the resident without obtaining the required second staff member, despite acknowledging awareness that the resident was a two-person assist and having reviewed the Kardex that specified two-person assistance for bed mobility. The CNA reported not seeking assistance because other staff were busy and also stated unfamiliarity with the facility’s “Happy Feet” fall prevention protocol. During this one-person care, the resident rolled out of bed and fell to the floor. Following the fall, a nurse responded to the room and found the resident on the floor with a pool of blood and an abrasion on the right side of the forehead, later documented as a facial laceration requiring five sutures at the hospital. The resident was transported to the hospital for evaluation, including imaging and other diagnostic tests, and returned the same day with instructions for suture care and pain relief. Later observation documented the resident lying in bed, nonverbal, crying, and pointing to the forehead where the stitches were present. Interviews with the Administrator and DON confirmed that the fall was attributed to the CNA not following the care plan and not waiting for another staff member to assist with ADL care and bed mobility.
Failure to Prevent Elopement and Inadequate Elopement/Wandering Safeguards
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to prevent an elopement and to ensure adequate elopement and unsafe wandering safeguards for multiple residents identified as at risk. One resident with severe cognitive impairment, a history of elopement, and documented daily wandering exited the building in the early morning hours while wearing an electronic elopement-prevention device. The front door alarm and the device alarm sounded, but the DON shut off the main alarm and did not immediately initiate an overhead headcount or clearly communicate which door had alarmed. Staff described confusion about whether the alarm was due to smokers using the door or an elopement, and some staff reported they could not hear the device alarm from certain halls. While staff searched rooms and areas inside the building and around the exterior, the resident walked away from the facility in freezing temperatures without a coat. Interviews and record review showed that the resident who eloped had multiple psychiatric and cognitive diagnoses, a BIMS score indicating severely impaired cognition, and an MDS indicating daily wandering. The resident’s care plan identified her as an elopement risk with exit-seeking behavior, a history of elopement, and triggers such as frustration, desire to leave, and difficulty with change. On the same night as the elopement, documentation showed the resident was aggressive, frustrated, and disoriented after a room change, which matched her identified triggers. Despite these known risks and triggers, when the alarm sounded early that morning, staff did not immediately verify at the front door whether the resident had exited, did not keep the elopement alarm active until she was found, and relied on delayed, word-of-mouth communication to begin a headcount and search. Staff ultimately located the resident approximately a half mile away on a main road, walking with a walker and no coat, and reported that she was cold and initially refused to return. The deficiency also includes failures in elopement risk identification and care planning for three additional residents who wore electronic elopement-prevention devices. One resident with severely impaired cognition and documented wandering behavior was observed wearing a device, which triggered an alarm when she attempted to go through a service hallway door toward an outside exit. However, there was no physician order for the device, no order to check its function, and her care plan for wandering did not include the use of the device. Another resident with severely impaired cognition and daily wandering had a physician order to check the device’s function and was listed on the facility’s elopement risk list, but her care plan did not include the device as an intervention. A third resident with severely impaired cognition and daily intrusive wandering also wore a device and had an order to check its function, yet her care plan did not include the device, and she was not listed on the elopement risk list. The staff member responsible for tracking elopement risk residents presented a handwritten list that was supposed to include all residents with devices, but at least two residents wearing devices were not on that list, demonstrating inconsistent identification and care planning for elopement risk. Facility policy on Unsafe Wandering and Elopement Prevention stated that every effort would be made to prevent unsafe wandering and elopement while maintaining the least restrictive environment, and that nursing personnel must report and investigate all reports of missing residents. Staff interviews revealed frequent door and alarm use by smokers, contributing to what staff described as “alarm fatigue” and confusion when alarms sounded. In the elopement incident, staff reported that the elopement protocol required leaving the device alarm on and calling an overhead headcount, but this did not occur as required. The combination of alarm fatigue, failure to follow elopement procedures, incomplete or missing physician orders and care plan interventions for residents wearing devices, and inconsistent maintenance of the elopement risk list led to the cited deficiency for failure to ensure the environment was free from accident hazards and that adequate supervision and elopement prevention measures were in place.
Failure to Report Resident Elopement in Freezing Conditions
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to report an elopement incident to the State Agency (SA) as required by its abuse, neglect, and exploitation policy. A resident identified as R10, who was known by staff to have previously attempted to leave the facility and was considered an elopement risk, exited the building through the front door in the early morning hours. When R10 left, both the front door alarm and the elopement prevention device alarm were activated. The DON was in the building, went to the front door, shut off the main alarm, and realized the elopement prevention device was sounding. The DON looked outside but did not exit through the front door, and there was no immediate overhead announcement identifying which door had alarmed or whether a resident was missing, which created confusion among staff. Following the alarm, CNAs went outside to look in the parking lot and surrounding areas around the building, and another CNA spoke with the DON at the door. A head count was then called, and an LPN determined that R10 could not be found in the building. The LPN got into her car and drove to the main street to search for the resident. During this time, the service drive was described as snowed in with no footprints in the snow, and staff did not initially know which door had alarmed. The LPN eventually located R10 walking near a gas station but reported that the resident refused to get into the car, prompting an RN to drive to the location to assist. The RN later stated that it took about 20 minutes to find R10 and additional time to pick her up and convince her to get into the car. The facility’s investigation confirmed that R10 left the building at approximately 5:15 AM and was gone for over 25 minutes, walking with a walker outdoors. Historical weather data reviewed by the surveyor showed temperatures between 22 and 29 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of the incident, and the resident was described as cold and freezing, without a coat, while walking on a sidewalk next to the main highway. The surveyor determined that this situation represented a risk to the resident’s health and safety, and it was further found that the elopement incident was not reported to the SA, despite the facility’s policy requiring reporting of such events within specified timeframes.
Failure to Thoroughly and Timely Investigate Resident Elopement
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to conduct a complete, thorough, and timely investigation of an elopement involving one resident. A complaint to the State Agency alleged that the resident left the facility in the early morning hours in freezing temperatures, walking several blocks on a highway with a walker and without a jacket, and that staff discovered the resident missing only after some time had passed. The complaint further alleged that the DON shut off the main door alarm that alerts staff when residents wearing an elopement prevention device leave the facility, did not immediately initiate a headcount, and returned to other tasks, while another nurse later determined that an elopement‑risk resident was not in the building and initiated a search. The resident was reportedly found 15–20 minutes later about a half mile away on a busy road and returned to the facility uninjured. The facility’s written investigation, presented nearly four weeks after the event, described that the resident exited the front door, triggering both the door alarm and the elopement device alarm. The DON responded to the alarm, shut off the main alarm, and looked outside but did not go out the front door, while CNAs searched the parking lot and surrounding areas and another CNA spoke with the DON. A headcount was called, and an LPN reported she could not find the resident, then drove her car to the main street, located the resident walking near a gas station, and reported that the resident initially refused to get into the car. A second nurse drove to the location, and together they persuaded the resident to return. The facility’s own summary of concerns noted that the resident was able to leave the building, that the DON did not go out the front door, that other staff exited through the back door, and that no one went immediately out the front door, and also noted that the resident had been triggered earlier and had previously attempted to leave the facility. The investigation was incomplete and inaccurate in multiple respects. The facility had camera footage of the exit door used by the resident, but the NHA reported that the footage was not saved because they did not know how to preserve it, and it was taped over. The Maintenance Director stated he viewed the video and could see the resident exit in everyday clothes and later re‑enter, but he did not record the times, and those times were not included in the investigation. The investigation did not document the time the resident exited, who went out the door, when the resident was found, or when she re‑entered the building. It did not address the route taken, did not measure the distance traveled, and did not document the weather conditions, even though historical data showed temperatures between 22–29°F and there was snow that might have shown the resident’s path. The risk management report, authored by the DON, contained an internal inconsistency in timing (stated as written before the alarm response time), included written witness statements from only a limited number of involved staff, omitted the second nurse who assisted in returning the resident, and the DON’s witness statement was linked to a late entry progress note written over two weeks after the event. A regional RN stated she would have expected the risk management report and documentation to be completed as part of the investigation as soon as possible and certainly sooner than two weeks later, and the facility’s own elopement policy required completion and filing of an incident report and appropriate medical record entries upon the resident’s return, which was not timely or thoroughly done in this case.
Failure to Ensure Accessible Call Lights and Consistent Provision of Adaptive Eating Devices
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves failure to honor residents' rights to dignity, self-determination, communication, and exercise of rights by not ensuring call lights were accessible and answered timely, and by not providing ordered adaptive eating equipment. One resident with a displaced intertrochanteric fracture of the right femur, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, deafness, nonverbal status, difficulty walking, and severely impaired cognition (BIMS score of 0) was observed lying in bed with the bed in the lowest position and the call light wrapped around the television, tucked away and far from the resident’s reach. The resident’s MDS documented dependence in toileting, showers, and ADLs, and the care plan identified risk for falls with interventions including keeping the call light within reach and orienting the resident to surroundings and use of the call light. During the observation, the RN confirmed the call light was not within the resident’s reach. Another resident with diagnoses including rhabdomyolysis, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuritis, and a BIMS score of 15 indicating intact cognition, was care planned to receive adaptive equipment for eating, including weighted utensils and a plate guard. The resident reported that meal portions were sometimes too small and that they had been receiving double portions recently. While eating independently, the resident struggled to cut a chicken breast using only a weighted fork, became frustrated, and resorted to picking up the chicken breast with the fork and nibbling it, leaving crumbs and honey glaze on their face. The resident stated that a weighted knife and spoon were supposed to be provided but were not sent with the meal this time, and that sometimes they were provided and sometimes not. The lunch meal ticket documented that a weighted fork, weighted knife, and weighted spoon were ordered, but only a weighted fork was present on the tray. Resident Council minutes from two consecutive months documented repeated complaints that call lights were not answered timely, were not accessible, and were not within reach.
Failure to Perform Nurse Assessment Before Moving Resident After Fall
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its fall management policy and professional standards of practice by not ensuring a licensed nurse completed a comprehensive post-fall assessment before the resident was moved. The resident involved was a male with right-sided hemiplegia/hemiparesis following a stroke, abnormal gait/mobility, depression, dementia with moderate cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 9/15), chronic kidney disease, and hypertension with periods of hypotension. His care plan identified him as at risk for falls due to these conditions and potential medication side effects. On the date of the incident, an unwitnessed fall occurred in the resident’s room at approximately 1:15 AM. Documentation in the Incident/Accident Report and Post Fall Evaluation indicated the resident reported he had attempted to use the bathroom, took his IV pole instead of his walker, and tripped over the IV tubing. The report stated that upon the nurse’s entry to the room, the resident was sitting on the bed, his skin was assessed, vital signs were within normal limits, range of motion was performed, and neurological checks were initiated, with no injuries identified. The nursing progress note reflected similar information, indicating the fall was reported to the nurse by a CNA and that the assessment was conducted with the resident already in bed. However, interview statements revealed that the resident had actually been on the bathroom floor immediately after the fall. The CNA who responded to the bathroom call light reported finding the resident sitting upright on the floor with his hands on the assist bars and the IV pole in front of the sink. Believing he had no visible injuries, the CNA assisted him up from the floor and back to bed before notifying the nurse. The CNA stated she normally would not move a resident before the nurse’s assessment. The DON and ADON both reported that facility practice and the written Fall Management Guidelines require that when a resident falls or is found on the floor, the nurse must be notified immediately and the resident must be evaluated for possible injuries to the head, neck, spine, and extremities prior to moving the resident. This did not occur for this resident, resulting in the lack of a comprehensive assessment for injury by a licensed nurse while the resident was still on the floor post-fall.
Failure to Provide Scheduled Showers per Resident Preference and Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide bathing care according to a resident’s stated preferences and plan of care. A male resident with right-sided hemiplegia/hemiparesis following a stroke, abnormal gait/mobility, depression, dementia, and moderate cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 9/15) had a documented self-care ADL deficit related to CVA, cognitive impairment, and history of failure to thrive. His care plan, revised on 3/18/26, and the Kardex both specified that he preferred showers on the evening shift, scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and that staff were to assist him to bathe/shower as preferred per the shower schedule and as needed. A nursing progress note dated 3/18/26 documented that his shower dates were updated per resident request to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Review of shower/bath documentation for the month of April showed that, out of 13 scheduled showers, there was no documentation of showers being provided on three scheduled days: 4/3/26, 4/20/26, and 4/27/26. A family member reported that the resident was supposed to receive showers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, but these were not always completed as scheduled. The DON confirmed that the resident’s shower schedule had been changed to three times per week on those days per family request and was unable to provide documentation of showers offered or completed on the three missing dates prior to survey exit. This was inconsistent with the facility’s ADL policy, which required provision of appropriate hygiene care and documentation of the assistance needed in the care plan and Kardex.
Inaccurate and Incomplete Treatment Documentation for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain accurate and complete medical records and treatment documentation for multiple residents, resulting in uncertainty about whether ordered care was provided and conflicting information between records and staff reports. For one resident with muscle weakness and type 2 diabetes, review of the Treatment Administration Record (TAR) showed repeated missing documentation for several ordered treatments, including daily compression stockings for edema, daily vital signs with SpO2 monitoring, use and replacement of a PureWick external catheter, application of Calmoseptine for MASD every shift, monitoring of an alternating pressure mattress every shift, application of lymphedema boots every shift with progress notes for refusals, and wound care to the right lateral thigh every shift. On multiple dates in April, there was no documentation indicating whether these treatments were completed or missed, and no reasons recorded for any missed care. The DON stated that nurses were supposed to document completion or missed treatments with reasons, and acknowledged there was no one ensuring that nurses completed all treatment documentation and that she was unaware of the multiple missing treatment records for this resident. For another resident admitted with repeated falls and difficulty walking, the TAR contained an order to encourage use of an incentive spirometer every four hours, with staff assistance, for respiratory health. On numerous entries, nursing staff documented the code “07-Other/See Progress Notes,” but there were no corresponding progress notes explaining what occurred with the treatment. The TAR also showed the treatment documented as administered at certain times, while interviews with the family member, NP, RN, and DON revealed conflicting accounts about whether the resident had an incentive spirometer available and whether it was being used. The family member reported believing staff were not using the spirometer and that it might have been lost. The NP reported the order was placed at the family’s request, that the resident was not capable of using the device, and that she had heard staff might have lost it, creating a conflict with TAR entries showing the treatment as given. An RN reported the facility did not have an incentive spirometer and did not think the resident ever had one, and could not explain why she had documented “07-Other/See Progress Notes” without any corresponding note. The DON confirmed the resident had been admitted with an incentive spirometer and that nurses were supposed to write a progress note when using the “07” code, but she could not explain why some nurses documented the treatment as administered while others used “07” without explanation, leaving her unable to confirm whether the treatment was actually offered. For a third resident with sarcoidosis and muscle weakness, who was cognitively intact per a recent MDS BIMS score, the TAR showed an order for Ipratropium-Albuterol (DuoNeb) inhalation solution three times daily for three days for asthma exacerbation. The TAR reflected the treatment as administered twice on the first day, three times on the second day, and once on the third day, with subsequent entries coded as “07-Other/See Progress Notes” by an LPN, but without any related progress notes in the record. Progress notes from the NP documented that nebulizer treatments had been ordered for wheezing and cough, but later entries stated that the resident reported she never received the nebulizer treatments and that these were never administered because staff could not locate a nebulizer. In interview, the resident reported having a severe cough and shortness of breath since early in the month and stated that although albuterol treatments were ordered, nursing staff never administered them despite her informing staff and the NP. The NP confirmed the resident’s report that she had not received the treatments and stated she had informed the DON. The LPN who documented “07-Other/See Progress Notes” reported she did so because the facility did not have a nebulizer and she had to call to get one ordered, and she could not explain why other nurses had documented the treatments as administered when there was no nebulizer available. The DON acknowledged there was a delay in obtaining a nebulizer, which delayed the resident’s ordered treatments, and could not explain why staff documented administration of treatments that could not have been given. The facility’s own documentation policy stated that documentation should be factual, objective, accurate, relevant, complete, and that false information would not be documented, which conflicted with the observed charting practices.
Failure to Provide Care Plan Copies and Notify Representative of Significant Care Changes
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure a resident and the resident’s representatives were provided with a copy of the person‑centered care plan and updates, and were adequately informed of significant changes in care and services. The resident, admitted on 03/27/26 with diagnoses including dementia, heart disease, and a sacral pressure ulcer, had severe cognitive impairment and was dependent on staff for most ADLs per the 04/02/26 MDS. The active care plan initiated at admission included multiple problem areas such as impaired vision and hearing, fall risk, chronic pain, self‑care deficit, indwelling urinary catheter, pressure ulcer, repositioning needs, and nutritional risk. Subsequent care plan additions documented multiple new or evolving conditions, including cognitive fluctuation, risk for behavior and mood changes, risk for dehydration, anemia, hypothyroidism, constipation risk, and an actual urinary tract infection, as well as nutrition‑related monitoring and RD involvement. Despite these care plan elements and changes, the resident’s POA reported not having received a copy of the care plan and recalled only an orientation meeting without receiving the plan at that time. Care conference notes dated 03/30/26 and 03/31/26 showed that section seven, titled “Plan of Care,” was left blank, indicating that documentation of offering or providing the care plan was not completed. The social worker stated that the POA and representatives attended the initial care conference and that the standard practice would be to offer and provide a copy of the plan of care and orders, but there was no evidence this occurred. The social worker also confirmed that any listed representative in the EMR could receive information, yet reported no prior contact with the resident’s representatives other than the POA. In addition, there were multiple documented concerns from the resident’s representatives and POA about lack of information and communication regarding the resident’s care, including therapy services and wound care. Representatives reported being told that PT and OT had stopped without explanation, and the Director of Rehab Services confirmed that the therapy end date was 04/27/26 and that no notification of the end of services had been given to the POA. The POA and representatives described leaving messages for the DON and emailing the social worker, administrator, and medical director about care concerns without timely responses. Progress notes and wound documentation showed changes in wound status, including order changes for heel wounds, a new right lower extremity wound, a skin tear on the left foot, and a note that three buttock wounds had merged into one, but there was no indication in the record that the POA was contacted about these changes in the care plan and wounds, despite facility policy requiring notification of the resident and representative for significant changes in condition and treatment.
Failure to Identify and Treat New Foot Wound and Address Reported Hearing Concerns
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to identify and appropriately treat a new wound on a resident’s right third toe and to address earwax buildup for another resident, despite reported concerns. One resident with diabetes mellitus, diabetic polyneuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, prior right great toe amputation, and a new diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis of the right ankle and foot was cognitively intact and able to make needs known. He reported that after his right great toe amputation, he developed a pressure ulcer on the top of the second toe and another on the third toe that tunneled through, and he stated staff never identified and did not treat the third toe wound appropriately. Review of his medical record and nursing progress notes showed documentation and ongoing treatment of a right second toe wound but no documentation of a third toe wound prior to the later amputation of additional toes. Wound care documentation and related tools showed that a new in-house–acquired wound on the right second toe was identified and tracked over several weeks, with measurements and treatments recorded on a spreadsheet used by the wound care nurse to communicate with the NP. However, a wound care note and photograph dated 03/09/2026 showed black/brown eschar on the tips of the right third and fourth toes, while the spreadsheet for that date did not list any new wound on the third toe. The wound care nurse stated she performed weekly skin assessments on Mondays and reported that there was nothing noted on the third toe on 03/09/2026, and she indicated she did not see concerns with the third and fourth toes in the photograph, attributing the dark areas to lighting until the surveyor zoomed in on the image. The NP reported that she did not make rounds with the wound care nurse and relied on the spreadsheet to write orders; her visit notes and wound care documentation referenced only the second toe ulcer and described it as stable, with no mention of a third toe wound. Additional record review revealed that a physician assistant note dated 03/11/2026 documented eschar present on the second and third toes of the right foot, with the third distal toe eschar described as irritated, and global swelling of the foot noted. Nursing progress notes showed frequent wound care entries referencing only the right second toe, including on the day before the resident went on a leave of absence, and a note on 03/15/2026 by the wound care nurse stating that upon the resident’s return there was a new open area on the right third toe and that the resident requested transfer to the hospital for wound evaluation. Hospital records from that admission described an infected ulcer on the right third toe with subcutaneous gas, recurrent diabetic foot ulcer, and chronic ulcer on the second toe, and the resident subsequently underwent amputation of the second and third toes. Interviews with nursing staff showed poor recall of the third toe wound, with one RN stating she usually assessed the entire foot during dressing changes but did not think she did so in this instance, and the wound care nurse and DON were unable to identify when the third toe wound was first recognized in facility documentation. The deficiency also includes failure to address reported earwax buildup for another resident with traumatic subdural hemorrhage and dementia, who had severe cognitive impairment on MDS assessment but only minimal hearing difficulty and did not use hearing aids. The resident’s guardian reported by telephone that the resident seemed to have increased difficulty hearing and that they had asked for the resident’s hearing to be checked, but nothing was done. There was no documentation in the report of assessment or treatment of earwax buildup or follow-up on the guardian’s request, indicating that the facility did not provide appropriate care in response to concerns about the resident’s hearing and possible cerumen impaction.
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.



