Sanford Hillsboro Care Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Hillsboro, North Dakota.
- Location
- 12 3rd St Se, Hillsboro, North Dakota 58045
- CMS Provider Number
- 355061
- Inspections on file
- 15
- Latest survey
- July 7, 2025
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 0
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Sanford Hillsboro Care Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident receiving Lasix and Tramadol did not have their care plan updated to identify problems or interventions related to these medications. Facility policy requires care plans to be modified to reflect current care needs, but this was not done, as confirmed by administrative staff.
A medication aide prepared medications for a resident and later handed them to a nurse, who then administered them, contrary to facility policy and professional standards requiring staff to administer only medications they have personally prepared. The resident's medication administration record reflected the aide as the person who administered the medications, despite the nurse actually giving them.
A resident with a history of frequent falls and weakness experienced a fall during a transfer from a tub chair to a wheelchair when staff failed to lock the tub chair brakes as required by facility policy. The tub chair rolled back, causing the resident to fall, as confirmed by interviews and documentation.
A resident suffered burns from hot coffee due to the facility's failure to monitor beverage temperatures, with machines dispensing liquids at up to 181°F. Despite instructions to cool beverages, staff did not routinely check temperatures, leading to an Immediate Jeopardy situation. Additionally, the resident experienced an unsafe transfer with a mechanical lift, highlighting inadequate assistance and improper use of assistive devices.
A facility failed to accurately communicate a resident's code status, leading to a potential misinterpretation of their advance directives. The resident's medical record indicated a preference for chest compressions but no intubation, yet a red dot on their chart suggested a DNR status. An administrative nurse confirmed this discrepancy, which could mislead staff during a medical emergency.
A facility failed to provide a written notice of transfer to a resident or their representative, as required by their policy. The deficiency was identified during a review of the facility's 'Transfer to Hospital Guide,' which mandates timely notification and documentation in the medical record. A review of a resident's medical record revealed a lack of documentation for a hospital transfer, and an administrative staff member confirmed the failure to provide the necessary written notice.
A nurse failed to prime a Humalog insulin pen before administering it to a resident, contrary to the facility's policy. The policy requires priming by turning the dosage knob to '2' units and ensuring a drop of insulin appears. An administrative staff member confirmed the expectation for staff to follow this procedure.
The facility failed to follow infection control standards during care for three residents, involving improper hand hygiene and glove use. A CNA and a nurse did not perform hand hygiene after removing gloves during perineal care, dressing changes, and insulin administration, potentially spreading infections. An administrative nurse confirmed the expectation for staff to adhere to infection control guidelines.
The facility did not post daily staffing data for nine out of fifteen days, affecting six day shifts, six evening shifts, and one night shift. This omission was confirmed by an administrative staff member, hindering transparency about staffing levels for residents and visitors.
Failure to Update Care Plan for Resident Receiving Diuretic and Opioid
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to review and revise the care plan to reflect the current status for one resident who was receiving unnecessary medications. Record review showed that the resident had physician's orders for Lasix, a diuretic, and Tramadol, an opioid pain medication, both administered twice daily. However, the resident's care plan did not identify problems or interventions related to the use of these medications. This omission was confirmed by an administrative staff member, who acknowledged that the care plan had not been updated as required by facility policy, which states that the plan of care should be modified to reflect the care currently required or provided for the resident.
Failure to Follow Professional Standards for Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
A medication aide prepared a cup of medications and applesauce for a resident and placed them in the medication cart drawer. Later, the aide handed these prepared medications to a nurse, who confirmed the resident's name and then administered the medications to the resident. The aide acknowledged that she had prepared the medications earlier that morning and had attempted to administer them twice before handing them to the nurse. The facility's policy and professional nursing standards both require that staff only administer medications they have personally prepared, and not those prepared by another individual. Review of the resident's electronic medication administration record showed that the medications were documented as administered by the medication aide, despite the nurse actually giving them. An administrative staff member confirmed that the facility's expectation is for medication aides and nurses to administer only those medications they have personally prepared. This sequence of actions did not follow the facility's policy or professional standards for medication administration.
Failure to Lock Tub Chair Brakes During Transfer Results in Resident Fall
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when staff failed to properly utilize assistive devices necessary to prevent accidents for a resident with a history of frequent falls and an ADL deficit related to weakness. The facility's policies required staff to lock brakes on wheelchairs and tub chairs during transfers, and to ensure safe and proper use of assistive devices. However, during a transfer from a tub chair to a wheelchair in the shower room, the brakes on the tub chair were not locked. As a result, the tub chair rolled back while the resident was being assisted to stand, causing the resident to fall onto his right side. The incident was confirmed through resident and staff interviews, as well as a review of the medical record and facility policies. The event review documented that the CNA did not lock the tub chair brakes, directly leading to the fall.
Failure to Prevent Burn Hazards and Ensure Safe Transfers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an environment free from accident hazards, resulting in a burn injury to a resident. During the on-site recertification survey, it was observed that the coffee and hot water machines dispensed liquids at dangerously high temperatures, reaching up to 181 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite posted instructions to add ice or wait three minutes before serving, staff did not routinely monitor or adjust the temperatures, leading to a resident spilling hot coffee and sustaining burns on her thighs and labia. The resident involved in the incident had a history of falling and was diagnosed with dementia. On the day of the incident, she was sitting in the dining room when she spilled hot coffee onto her lap. Immediate first aid was administered, and the resident was treated for first and second-degree burns. The survey team identified an Immediate Jeopardy situation due to the lack of temperature monitoring and the potential risk of serious burns to all residents. Additionally, the facility failed to provide adequate assistance during a mechanical lift transfer for the same resident. The resident, who required assistance due to her medical condition, was observed having difficulty holding onto the lift handles, resulting in an improper transfer. The harness sling slid up her back, causing her elbows to bow outward, indicating improper use of the assistive device. This placed the resident at risk for accidents and injury during transfers.
Removal Plan
- Disconnected power to coffee machines, coffee and hot water with temperatures at or below 150 degrees were made available in carafes
- Implement focus audit to monitor coffee and hot water temperatures in carafes
- Education was provided to dietary and nursing staff
- Message sent to nursing staff to review the policy related to hot liquids
Inaccurate Communication of Resident's Code Status
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all forms of communication accurately reflected a resident's code level status, which is crucial for honoring the resident's advance directives. Specifically, for one resident, the medical record indicated a preference for Code Level 1, which included chest compressions but no intubation. However, a red dot on the resident's chart, which staff interpreted as a do not resuscitate (DNR) order, contradicted this directive. An administrative nurse confirmed that the red dot would lead staff to mistakenly identify the resident as DNR, highlighting a discrepancy between the resident's documented wishes and the facility's communication system. This inconsistency limited the facility's ability to convey the resident's choices accurately in a medical emergency.
Failure to Provide Written Transfer Notice
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a written notice of transfer to a resident or their representative, as required by their policy. This deficiency was identified during a review of the facility's policy titled 'Transfer to Hospital Guide,' which mandates timely notification to the resident, family member, or legal representative, with documentation in the medical record. The review of the medical record for a resident who was transferred to the hospital revealed a lack of documentation indicating that a written transfer notice was provided. An administrative staff member confirmed the failure to provide the necessary written notice during an interview.
Failure to Prime Insulin Pen as per Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards of practice in the administration of insulin for a resident. During an observation, a nurse prepared a Humalog insulin pen for a resident without priming it as required by the facility's policy. The policy, revised in December 2023, mandates that the insulin pen should be primed by turning the dosage knob to '2' units and pressing the button until a drop of insulin appears. However, the nurse directly dialed the pen to the prescribed units without priming it, which could lead to an inaccurate dose being administered. An administrative staff member confirmed that it is expected for staff to prime insulin pens according to the policy. This oversight was identified during a review of the facility's policy on insulin administration and through direct observation of the nurse's actions.
Infection Control Breach in Hand Hygiene and Glove Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to infection control standards during the care of three residents, specifically in the areas of hand hygiene and glove use. A certified nurse aide assisted a resident with perineal care and other tasks without performing hand hygiene after removing gloves, which is a breach of the facility's hand hygiene policy. Similarly, a nurse conducted perineal care, dressing changes, and applied ointment to another resident without changing gloves or performing hand hygiene between tasks, further violating infection control protocols. Additionally, the same nurse failed to remove gloves and perform hand hygiene after scanning a resident's blood glucose levels and before administering insulin. The nurse continued to use the same gloves while handling equipment and typing on a computer, which could potentially spread infections. These actions were observed and documented, and an administrative nurse confirmed that staff are expected to follow infection control guidelines, indicating a lapse in adherence to established procedures.
Failure to Post Daily Staffing Data
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to post daily staffing data for all shifts on nine out of fifteen days reviewed, specifically from May 14 to May 28, 2024. This deficiency was identified through a review of daily staffing information and confirmed during an interview with an administrative staff member. The missing data included the number of staff working on six day shifts, six evening shifts, and one night shift, which prevented residents and visitors from being informed about the staffing levels for each shift.
Latest citations in North Dakota
A resident with dementia, restlessness, agitation, and a documented history of entering others’ rooms, rummaging, and exhibiting verbal and physical behaviors was involved in multiple abusive encounters with other residents. In separate incidents, this resident hit another resident in a TV lounge after handling that resident’s bag, punched a resident on the chin/cheek while following behind with a walker, grabbed another resident’s arm near the TV leading to mutual hitting and a fall onto a recliner occupied by a third resident, kicked a resident while being escorted to dinner, and lifted a resident’s chair cushion while searching for a wallet, leading to a profane verbal exchange. Several of the involved residents had impaired cognition, while others had intact cognition but histories of mood and behavioral issues. Staff interviews showed limited description of immediate protective actions when witnessing resident-to-resident aggression, and an administrator noted that the aggressive resident had not been evaluated by psychiatry for an extended period. The facility failed to prevent repeated verbal and physical abuse among residents, resulting in retaliatory abuse toward the aggressive resident.
Two residents did not receive care that maintained their dignity during grooming and personal hygiene. One resident had noticeable facial hair and reported preferring to be shaved with an electric razor, but stated that only a straight razor was available, despite facility policy and administrative statements that grooming should follow resident preference and that shaving materials are provided. Another resident was transferred to bed by a nurse and a CNA, given perineal care, and placed in a clean brief, but staff left the resident’s pants down and simply covered the resident with a blanket, contrary to administrative expectations that pants be pulled up or removed in bed according to resident preference.
A resident with Parkinson’s disease, muscle weakness, unsteadiness on feet, and gait/mobility abnormalities had a care plan requiring a stand-pivot transfer with two staff and a gait belt. During an observed toileting transfer, two CNAs assisted the resident, who showed visible shakiness and an unsteady gait, but one CNA placed her hands around the resident’s ribcage to move the resident back to the wheelchair instead of using a gait belt as required. The CNA later acknowledged not using a gait belt, and administrative staff confirmed their expectation that gait belts be used during transfers per the care plan.
Staff failed to follow infection prevention and control policies when handling reusable equipment and soiled linens for two residents, including one on enhanced barrier precautions (EBP). A CNA removed a full body mechanical lift from a resident’s room without disinfecting it, despite facility expectations for cleaning after each use. In a separate incident, CNAs entered the room of a resident on EBP wearing only gloves initially, and one CNA placed soiled linens on the floor instead of directly into a bag, even after donning a gown. An RN later confirmed that staff were expected to disinfect lifts after every use, avoid placing soiled linen on the floor, and wear gowns upon entering EBP rooms.
The facility failed to prevent resident-to-resident physical abuse when a cognitively impaired resident with dementia-related behavioral issues, already care planned for aggressive mood fluctuations and a history of physical contact, grabbed and forcefully squeezed another resident’s arm in a hallway and, in a separate episode, yelled and struck another cognitively impaired resident in the face multiple times while they were seated together. In both incidents, the affected residents, who had dementia and other psychiatric diagnoses, reported or were documented as having been physically assaulted, though no injuries were ultimately noted, demonstrating that residents were not kept free from abuse by another resident as required by facility policy.
The facility failed to investigate two separate resident-on-resident altercations involving a cognitively impaired resident with dementia, anxiety, and a care plan noting aggressive mood fluctuations and prior physical contact with others. In the first incident, this resident grabbed and forcefully squeezed another resident’s arm in a hallway after being tapped on the shoulder, but the facility did not complete the interviews and root cause analysis required by its abuse policy. In the second incident, the same resident began yelling, swinging, and striking another resident in the face multiple times while they were sitting and talking; although the assaulted resident had no noted injuries and the aggressor was moved to a quiet area, there is no evidence of a thorough abuse investigation or evaluation of interventions after the initial event.
A resident with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, who was non-verbal, non-ambulatory, and unable to self-transfer, had a care plan requiring substantial assistance by two staff and use of a sit-to-stand lift for transfers after 5 p.m. Facility policy also required use of mechanical lifts as a safer alternative and mandated two staff for mechanical lift transfers. Despite these requirements, a CNA did not follow the care plan during a transfer, and the resident was later found with a head lump, facial and hand lacerations, and blood on the floor. An investigation concluded the injuries likely occurred during or shortly after this improper transfer, in which the required lift and two-person assistance were not used.
A resident with a breast lump had ongoing right breast hardness and later worsening scabbed, reddened, and draining changes, but the record lacked evidence of provider assessment or a mammogram order before the resident was sent to the ER and hospitalized for breast infection and possible cancer. Another resident with dysphagia was ordered nectar thick liquids via straw, but staff offered liquids in a glass and later a sipper cup instead, and the resident immediately coughed after each attempt; the care plan still listed sipper cups with spouts.
Failure to maintain resident dignity and provide timely assistance: staff used residents’ clothing protectors and a spoon to wipe food from residents’ mouths during meals instead of a napkin, left one resident calling out for help in the room for an extended period, and did not adequately supervise or assist two residents who needed meal cueing, encouragement, or help. One resident with stroke-related weakness, mild cognitive impairment, and dysphagia struggled to self-feed with adaptive utensils out of reach, while another resident with dysphagia was left with a barely eaten meal and repeated requests for help.
Medication administration errors exceeded the allowed rate when an LPN made four errors during 27 observed med passes, resulting in a 14% error rate. Errors included crushing finasteride ordered not to be crushed, giving levothyroxine with food instead of on an empty stomach, and priming insulin pens at the wrong angle for two residents. Facility policy and staff interview confirmed the correct administration requirements.
Failure to Prevent Repeated Resident-to-Resident Verbal and Physical Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to protect multiple residents from verbal and physical abuse by another resident with known behavioral issues. Facility policies on resident-to-resident altercations and abuse/neglect defined verbally aggressive behaviors such as screaming and cursing, and physically aggressive behaviors such as hitting, kicking, grabbing, pushing, and rummaging through others’ property, and affirmed residents’ right to be free from verbal, physical, and mental abuse. Resident #1 had documented diagnoses including dementia, restlessness, and agitation, with a care plan noting a history of entering other residents’ rooms, rummaging, and exhibiting verbal and physical behaviors. Despite this, Resident #1 was involved in multiple altercations with other residents over a short period. In one incident with Resident #3, video and investigation documentation showed Resident #3 sitting in a recliner in a common TV area while Resident #1 was near other recliners. Resident #3 told Resident #1 to leave electrical cords alone, then got up and approached Resident #1. Resident #1 began to handle Resident #3’s bag on the recliner, after which Resident #3 hit Resident #1 on the left side of the head, and Resident #1 hit Resident #3 on the left arm. Resident #3 had a history of depression, anxiety, mental disorder, mild cognitive disorder, and prior verbal and physical behaviors, with an MDS indicating intact cognition. In another incident with Resident #4, video review and notes showed Resident #4 ambulating with a walker past the nurse’s station into the TV area, followed closely by Resident #1. Resident #1 was seen standing directly behind Resident #4, appearing to make a comment; Resident #4 swatted at Resident #1, and Resident #1 then struck Resident #4 on the left chin/cheek area. A progress note documented that Resident #1 punched Resident #4 when Resident #4 did not respond to Resident #1’s attempt to engage in conversation. Additional altercations involved Resident #2, #5, and #6. In the incident with Resident #2, video review showed Resident #1 standing in front of the TV fidgeting with the control box, then later walking over to Resident #2 and grabbing her arm as if to guide her away from the TV. Resident #2 responded by hitting Resident #1’s left arm, and Resident #1 hit her back on the right arm; both then grabbed each other, fell onto a recliner occupied by another resident, and staff intervened. Resident #2’s MDS indicated severely impaired cognition, and she sustained transient red marks on her head and upper inner arm. In another event, the activity director was walking residents to dinner when Resident #1 kicked Resident #5, who was walking in front, and then chuckled; Resident #5, who also had severely impaired cognition, recalled being kicked and stated the other resident was “not 100 percent.” In a separate episode with Resident #6, staff heard Resident #6 yelling profanities at Resident #1, who was lifting her chair cushion looking for his wallet; Resident #1 raised his voice and called her an explicit name, and Resident #6 prepared to remove her shoe to use toward him before staff intervened. Resident #6, with intact cognition, later stated that Resident #1 wanted to hurt her and that he had hit her friend (Resident #4) for no reason. Staff interviews further illustrated gaps in protecting residents from abuse. One staff member, when asked what she would do if she witnessed a resident hit another resident, stated she would get the RNs and “try to get a hold of someone,” without describing immediate protective interventions. An administrative staff member reported that Resident #1 had not been seen by psychiatry since 2024, despite his documented dementia with psychotic disturbances and ongoing behavioral issues. Across these events, the facility did not prevent repeated verbal and physical altercations initiated or escalated by Resident #1 toward other residents, which led to retaliatory physical and verbal abuse by those residents toward Resident #1.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Grooming and Personal Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promote and maintain resident dignity for two residents who required assistance with personal hygiene and care. Facility policy on promoting/maintaining resident dignity stated that residents should be groomed and dressed according to their preferences, and the grooming policy specified assisting residents with facial hair care to maintain proper hygiene. During observation, one resident was noted to have noticeable facial hair and, in an interview, stated a preference to have facial hair shaved with an electric razor; the resident reported that the facility only had a straight razor available. An administrative staff member stated that all residents are shaved per their preferences and that shaving materials are provided, which conflicted with the resident’s report. In a separate observation, a nurse and a CNA transferred another resident from a wheelchair to a bed, completed perineal care, applied a clean brief, and then covered the resident with a blanket without pulling up the resident’s pants. Later, an administrative staff member stated that she expected staff to either pull up or remove residents’ pants in bed according to resident preference, indicating that the observed practice did not align with facility expectations or policies regarding resident dignity and grooming.
Failure to Use Gait Belt During Stand-Pivot Transfer
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to the facility’s failure to follow its Safe Resident Handling/Transfers policy and the resident’s care plan requiring use of a gait belt during transfers. The facility policy stated that residents are to be handled and transferred safely to prevent or minimize risk for injury and that lifting and transferring will be performed according to the resident’s individual plan of care. Resident #2’s medical record showed diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease, muscle weakness, unsteadiness on feet, and abnormalities of gait and mobility. The resident’s current care plan specified a stand-pivot transfer with two staff assisting and the use of a gait belt. During an observation, two CNAs wheeled Resident #2 to the toilet, where the resident used grab bars to transfer from the wheelchair to the toilet, exhibiting visible shakiness and an unsteady gait. After toileting, one CNA cued the resident to stand, applied a clean brief and pants, then placed her hands around the resident’s ribcage to assist the resident back to the wheelchair instead of using a gait belt as required by the care plan. The CNA later confirmed in an interview that a gait belt was not used during toileting care. In a separate interview, three administrative staff members stated they expected staff to utilize a gait belt during transfers as care planned.
Failure to Follow Infection Control Practices for Equipment Cleaning and EBP
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that staff did not follow the facility’s infection prevention and control policies related to cleaning reusable equipment, handling soiled linen, and implementing enhanced barrier precautions (EBP). The facility’s policies required that reusable equipment be cleaned and disinfected according to current procedures and manufacturer’s instructions after each resident use, and that EBP involve targeted gown and glove use during high-contact resident care activities. During observation, a CNA removed a full body mechanical lift from a resident’s room and failed to disinfect it, while stating that lifts and wheelchairs were cleaned by the night shift, contrary to the facility’s expectation that the lift be disinfected after every use. Surveyors also observed failures in infection control practices for a resident on EBP. Two CNAs entered the resident’s room and initially only applied gloves. One CNA placed soiled linen from the floor into a bag, and after being instructed by a nurse to apply PPE, the CNA then donned a gown but removed soiled linen from the bed and again placed it on the floor. The nurse stated that soiled linens should be placed directly into a bag and not on the floor. An administrative staff member later confirmed that staff were expected to disinfect full body mechanical lifts after every use, avoid placing soiled linen on the floor, and wear gowns when entering rooms requiring EBP precautions.
Failure to Prevent Resident-to-Resident Physical Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect two residents from physical abuse by another resident. Facility policy on abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and misappropriation of resident property, dated 07/07/21, states that all residents have the right to be free from verbal, sexual, and physical abuse and must not be subject to abuse by anyone, including other residents. Despite this policy, one resident with Alzheimer's disease, restlessness and agitation, anxiety disorder, and severely impaired cognition, who had a care plan noting aggressive mood fluctuations related to dementia and anxiety and a history of physical contact with another resident, physically grabbed, pulled, and squeezed another resident's arm in a hallway incident. The resident whose arm was grabbed had non-Alzheimer's dementia, anxiety disorder, depression, and intact cognition, and later reported that the aggressor was strong and that she had to pull her arm away, though she stated she was not hurt. In a separate incident, the same cognitively impaired resident with dementia-related behavioral issues struck another resident multiple times in the face while they were sitting next to each other and talking. The progress note documented that the aggressor began yelling and swinging, hitting the other resident in the face multiple times. The resident who was hit, who had dementia, anxiety, behavior disturbance, psychotic disorder, and severely impaired cognition, reported at the time that the other resident “just started hitting me in the face” and that she moved away, and no injuries or pain were noted on assessment. Both involved residents in this second incident were described as confused and unable to be interviewed for the facility’s FRI investigation. The facility’s failure to prevent these two episodes of resident-to-resident physical abuse, despite known behavioral risks and a care plan addressing aggressive behavior, resulted in residents not remaining free from abuse as required by facility policy.
Failure to Investigate Resident-on-Resident Abuse Incidents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to investigate alleged violations of abuse involving two residents who were physically assaulted by another resident with a known history of aggressive mood fluctuations related to dementia and anxiety. Facility policy on Abuse, Neglect, Mistreatment, and Misappropriation of Resident Property required that the nurse begin an investigation immediately, including root cause analysis and interviews with staff, roommates, family, and visitors. An FRI dated 01/25/26 documented an incident in which one resident grabbed, pulled, and squeezed another resident’s arm in the west hallway. The final investigation note only reflected that the resident whose arm was grabbed reported that the aggressor was strong but that her arm was okay, and later described that she had tapped the aggressor on the shoulder to compliment her sweater, after which the aggressor grabbed her arm hard and she had to pull away. There is no documentation in the report of a comprehensive investigation consistent with facility policy. A second FRI dated 02/02/26 documented that the same aggressive resident began yelling, swinging, and hitting another resident in the face multiple times while they were sitting together and talking. The assaulted resident stated that the aggressor “just started hitting me in the face, so I moved away from her” and suggested the aggressor “needs a shot or something.” Assessment at that time showed no injuries and no pain, and the aggressor was moved to a quiet area. Medical records showed the aggressor had Alzheimer’s disease, restlessness and agitation, anxiety disorder, severely impaired cognition, and a care plan noting aggressive mood fluctuations and a history of physical contact with another resident, with an intervention to maintain distance from others when appropriate for safety. The other involved residents had dementia and anxiety disorders, with one having intact cognition and the other severely impaired cognition. Although both incidents were reported to facility administration and the state agency, the facility did not conduct investigations of the altercations in accordance with its policy, nor did it implement and evaluate appropriate interventions following the first incident.
Improper Transfer Without Required Lift and Staff Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to properly utilize required assistive devices and staff assistance during a resident transfer, contrary to its Safe Resident Handling/Transfers With Use of Mechanical Lifts policy. The policy required that mechanical lifts be used as a safer alternative when appropriate and that two staff members be utilized when transferring residents with a mechanical lift. The care plan for Resident #1, who had diagnoses including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease and could not self-transfer, specified that the resident required substantial assistance by two staff to move between surfaces from morning until evening, and that after 5 p.m. transfers were to be completed using a sit-to-stand lift with assistance from two staff. On the date of the incident, Resident #1’s progress notes documented that the resident, who was non-verbal and non-ambulatory, was found with a significant lump on the right forehead, a small laceration above the right eye, and a laceration on the right hand, with a small amount of blood on the floor. The resident was unable to undergo a complete neurological assessment due to their condition and was sent to the ER for further evaluation. The facility’s incident investigation concluded that the injuries likely occurred during or shortly after an improper transfer and that a CNA failed to follow the resident’s care plan requiring use of a sit-to-stand lift with two staff, resulting in the unsafe transfer and subsequent injuries.
Failure to Follow Up on Breast Lump and Provide Ordered Thickened Liquids
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary care and services to maintain the highest practicable physical well-being for a resident with an identified breast lump. The resident’s record showed a breast lump was identified on 10/19/24, and the facility notified the provider on 10/21/24 after the resident agreed to a mammogram. From October 2024 through June 2025, nursing notes continued to document a hard lump on the right breast, but the record lacked evidence that the provider assessed the lump or ordered a mammogram. Later progress notes documented worsening findings of the right breast area, including a scab below the right areola, hardness around the areola, minimal discharge, erythema, increased size, purulent exudate, and a larger reddened and hardened area with tenderness. On 08/06/25, the resident was sent to the ER for evaluation after no improvement in the right breast region. The facility later documented that the resident was admitted to the hospital for infection and possible breast cancer, received IV antibiotics for breast infection, and that a CT scan showed the underlying breast tissue was cancerous. The facility also failed to ensure safe oral intake for a resident with dysphagia who required nectar thick liquids via straw. The resident had diagnoses including cerebrovascular disease, dementia, oropharyngeal dysphagia, and reflux disease, and the speech therapy evaluation identified coughing with thin liquids and ordered a mechanically altered diet with nectar thick liquids via straw sip. The care plan still included sipper cups with spouts, and observations showed staff offering nectar thick liquids in a glass and later in a sipper cup rather than via a straw; each time the resident immediately coughed. Staff also observed that water in the room had not been thickened before it was offered.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity and Timely Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide care in a manner that maintained and respected resident dignity during meals for two sampled residents and two supplemental residents. During dining observations, a CNA fed two residents and used their clothing protectors to wipe excess food from the corners of their mouths, and a nurse used a small coated spoon to remove excess food from one resident’s mouth. On another meal observation, a CNA again used a resident’s clothing protector to wipe food from the resident’s mouth, and the nurse repeated the use of a small coated spoon to remove food from the resident’s mouth. Administrative staff confirmed staff should use a napkin to remove excess food from a resident’s face. The facility also failed to respond in a timely manner to a resident who requested assistance in the room. The resident’s care plan stated the resident needed prompt response to all requests for assistance, could make self understood, and should be encouraged to use the call bell. During observation, the resident’s room door was closed and the resident repeatedly hollered for staff assistance for 37 minutes until the surveyor summoned help. In addition, two residents who required meal supervision, cueing, encouragement, and/or assistance were observed at lunch with inadequate staff support: one resident with hemiplegia, hemiparesis, mild cognitive impairment, dysphagia, and a history of stroke had adaptive silverware out of reach and was left to attempt self-feeding, spilling juice and dropping food into the lap, while another resident with dysphagia was observed drinking from a coffee cup, repeatedly saying, 'Take this,' with the meal barely eaten and no effective cueing or assistance provided.
Medication Administration Errors Exceeded Allowed Rate
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a medication error rate of less than five percent for 3 of 6 residents observed during medication administration. During observation of 27 medications administered by nurse #7, four medication errors occurred, resulting in a 14 percent error rate. The report states that failure to follow physician's orders and/or pharmacy recommendations may inhibit the effectiveness of the medication, cause subtherapeutic levels, and may have a negative impact on the resident's overall health. For Resident #12, the medical record showed orders for finasteride 5 mg with directions not to crush or split, and levothyroxine 50 mcg. During observation, nurse #7 crushed the finasteride and placed it, along with the levothyroxine and other medications, in strawberry ice cream for administration. For Residents #3 and #77, nurse #7 primed their insulin pens at a 45-degree angle. Facility policy and reference information reviewed by surveyors stated that finasteride should not be crushed, levothyroxine should be given on an empty stomach, and insulin pens should be primed with the needle pointing upward at a 90-degree angle. Administrative staff confirmed these administration expectations during interview.
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