Memorial Heights Nursing Center
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Idabel, Oklahoma.
- Location
- 1305 Southeast Adams, Idabel, Oklahoma 74745
- CMS Provider Number
- 375123
- Inspections on file
- 20
- Latest survey
- April 15, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 14
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Memorial Heights Nursing Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Failure to Monitor and Document Food Temps: The dietary manager was observed preparing puree roast, peas, and rice pilaf and placing the roast on the steam table without first checking final cooking temps. The temp was taken only after the food was already on the steam table, and the temp log was largely blank for multiple meal services. The dietary manager and cook could not explain how proper cooking temps were ensured.
Missing dialysis assessments and weights: A resident with renal failure who received hemodialysis had no documented before and after dialysis assessments or weights for multiple scheduled treatments. An LPN stated assessments were completed and paperwork was sent with the resident to the dialysis center, but the documentation could not be located, and the weights were not appearing correctly in the EMR due to an incorrectly entered order.
Failure to notify resident representatives of significant changes in condition. Two residents had major events, including CPR with EMS transfer and a fall with injuries and hospital transfer, but the facility had no documentation that family or next of kin were notified at the time. The DON stated staff were to notify the physician and family, but the family for one resident was not reached until later when they came to the facility.
Failure to provide and document catheter care for a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter. The resident had orders for catheter drainage and monthly catheter changes, a recent UTI, urinary retention, and dependence with toileting, but the EMR had no catheter care order. The resident said staff changed the catheter monthly but did not provide catheter care, while the resident performed their own daily catheter care. An LPN said catheter care was done every shift and should have had an order, and the DON said catheter care should have been documented.
A resident who required 2-person assist for ADLs was observed in bed with the call light on the floor behind the head of the bed and not within reach. A CNA later retrieved the call light, even though the resident was able to use it and staff stated call lights were kept within residents' reach and checked constantly.
A resident with a fractured femur, HTN, and edema was discharged home, but the discharge resident assessment was not completed or transmitted as required. The DON said the MDS coordinator was responsible for MDS assessments, and the administrator later confirmed the discharge assessment had not been completed and that they were responsible for ensuring MDS completion.
A resident with COPD was receiving hospice services, but the care plan did not include hospice interventions. The quarterly assessment documented hospice, and both the DON and administrator confirmed the care plan lacked hospice-related interventions.
Medication refrigerators in the med room contained medications mixed with staff food and drinks. One refrigerator held tuberculin medication with yogurt and soda and water bottles, and another held insulin bottles and pens with an ice cream sandwich and a packaged sandwich. The DON stated the food and drink items belonged to staff and should not have been stored in the medication refrigerators.
A facility failed to notify a physician about a significant change in a resident's wound condition. The resident, with a displaced fracture and heart failure, had a sore that worsened without physician notification. Interviews with LPNs and the administrator confirmed the requirement for immediate reporting of such changes.
A facility failed to implement enhanced barrier precautions for a resident with a stage four pressure ulcer. The policy requires gowns and gloves during high-contact care to prevent the spread of MDROs. An LPN began wound care without a gown and only donned it after starting, while a CNA did not wear a gown at all. The LPN admitted forgetting the gown, and the CNA was unfamiliar with the precautions. Another LPN confirmed the requirement for gowns during such care.
The facility failed to implement its abuse policy for three residents involved in separate incidents of abuse or altercations. Despite notifying some internal staff and authorities, the facility did not report these incidents to the state agency as required by their policy. The administrator acknowledged the oversight, noting that the incidents should have been reported within two hours and thoroughly investigated.
The facility failed to report abuse allegations to the state agency within the required timeframe for three residents involved in separate incidents. Despite the facility's policy requiring immediate reporting, the administrator did not initially consider the incidents as abuse, leading to a lack of timely notification and investigation.
The facility failed to investigate and report abuse allegations involving three residents. One resident with anxiety and depression was slapped by another, but the administrator was not notified, and no state report was filed. Another resident involved in a similar incident had no state report or witness statements documented. A third resident with chronic conditions was pushed, resulting in a fall, but the incident was not reported to the state. The administrator admitted these incidents should have been reported and investigated per policy.
Failure to Monitor and Document Food Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper final cooking temperatures were monitored before food was placed on the steam table for holding before meal service, and it also failed to maintain a log documenting final cooking temperatures and holding temperatures for one observed meal service. During observation, the dietary manager was seen preparing puree roast, peas, and rice pilaf, and then placing the roast on the steam table, but there was no observation that temperatures were taken before the food was held. The dietary manager later obtained a temperature of the roast at 209 degrees Fahrenheit after it had already been placed on the steam table. Record review showed the temperature book for April contained only one documented temperature for each meal item for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the page was blank for all meals from 04/09/26 through 04/14/26. The dietary manager stated they had breakfast and lunch cooking temperatures written on paper but left the paper at home, and [NAME] #1 stated they were the evening cook and had not done the temperatures. The dietary manager further stated they cooked the food, placed it on the steam table, and then obtained the temperature of the food, and both the dietary manager and cook #1 were unable to state how proper cooking temperatures were ensured.
Missing dialysis assessments and weights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident who required hemodialysis received documented before and after dialysis assessments and weights. Resident #26 had a diagnosis of renal failure and was receiving dialysis while residing in the facility. Physician orders directed that the resident be assessed at the dialysis site every day and night shift, receive hemodialysis every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and be weighed before and after dialysis on those treatment days. Record review showed no documentation of before and after dialysis assessments for Tuesday 03/31/26, Thursday 04/02/26, or Saturday 04/04/26. There were also no weights located for before and after dialysis. An LPN stated that a head-to-toe assessment was completed before each treatment and that the documentation was on paper and scanned into the EMR, and that a form was sent with the resident to the dialysis center and returned for scanning. The LPN later stated they were unable to locate the before and after dialysis documentation for the dates in question and did not see documentation that the resident refused dialysis. The LPN also stated the before and after weights were in the EMR weights section, but the order had been entered incorrectly and did not show up on the treatment sheet.
Failure to Notify Resident Representatives of Significant Changes in Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure resident representatives were notified of changes in condition for 2 of 3 sampled residents reviewed for change of condition. The facility’s Notification of Changes policy stated the facility must immediately inform the resident representative(s) when there is a significant change in the resident’s physical, mental, or psychosocial status. For Resident #98, a nursing note documented cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed and EMS transported the resident to the hospital, but there was no documentation that the resident’s representative was notified of the change in condition or transfer. The resident representative stated they were not notified, and the DON stated staff were to notify the physician and family of a change in condition but could not locate documentation that the family was notified. For Resident #100, a nursing note documented the resident was found seated on the floor in their room with injuries including a large hematoma to the right elbow and right inner forearm, a skin tear to the left inner wrist, and an abrasion to the left knee, and the resident stated they fell while going to the bathroom and hit their head. The note also stated the facility was unable to locate the next of kin contact information at the time of the event. There was no documentation that the next of kin was notified when the resident was sent to the hospital. Although the resident’s family contact information was later uploaded into the EMR and the family member was present in the facility that morning and spoke with the DON and administrator, the DON stated the family was not notified at the time the resident was sent out and was notified later when they came to the facility.
Failure to Document and Provide Catheter Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure catheter care was performed for a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter. The resident had physician orders for a catheter to gravity and for the catheter to be changed monthly, but there were no orders for catheter care located in the EMR. The resident’s quarterly assessment showed urinary retention, an indwelling urinary catheter, an ileostomy, partial to moderate assistance with mobility, dependence with toileting, and a urinary tract infection within the last 30 days. The resident’s care plan did not show that the resident performed their own catheter care and did not indicate that staff would provide catheter care. During interviews, the resident stated staff changed the catheter monthly but did not provide catheter care, and the resident reported performing their own peri care and catheter care with a washcloth every day, although this was not their preference. An LPN stated the resident received catheter care every shift, that the LPN provided the care, and that there should have been an order for it. The LPN also stated the resident should not do their own catheter care. The DON stated catheter care should have been documented, that the CNA did the catheter care, and that there was no order for catheter care even though there should have been one.
Call Light Not Within Reach
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the call light was within reach for Resident #84. During observation, the resident was found in bed with the call light on the floor behind the head of the bed. A CNA later entered the room and picked up the call light from the floor. The facility policy stated that all call lights must be placed within each resident's reach and never on the floor or bedside stand. The resident stated they would yell out when they needed assistance, and the CNA stated the resident required two people for assistance with activities of daily living and was able to use a call light. The CNA also stated call lights were kept within residents' reach and checked constantly, but later acknowledged that the call light was on the floor and not within the resident's reach.
Incomplete Discharge Assessment and MDS Transmission
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident discharge assessment was completed and transmitted to the State within 7 days of assessment for Resident #74. Resident #74’s electronic record showed diagnoses including fracture of the left femur, hypertension, and edema, and a Post-Discharge Plan of Care dated 02/28/26 showed the resident was discharged to home. However, there was no documentation that a discharge resident assessment was completed. During interview on 04/13/26, the DON stated the MDS coordinator was responsible for completing MDS assessments, and the administrator later reviewed the record and stated the discharge assessment had not been completed and should have been completed. The administrator also stated they were responsible for ensuring the MDS was completed and that they were the RN who signed off for completed MDS assessments.
Care Plan Did Not Address Hospice Services
Penalty
Summary
Facility failed to ensure a comprehensive care plan was developed to address hospice services for Resident #60, who had a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and had been receiving hospice services since 04/17/25. The resident’s quarterly assessment dated 01/18/26 documented hospice services, and the care plan was revised on 01/30/26, but it did not address hospice services. During interviews on 04/15/26, the DON stated the resident’s care plan did not include hospice interventions, and the administrator stated the care plan should include hospice interventions and confirmed that it did not.
Medication Refrigerators Contained Staff Food and Drinks
Penalty
Summary
Medication storage was not kept separate from personal food and drink items in the facility's medication room. During observation, one small refrigerator contained tuberculin medication along with yogurt, two half-empty bottles of soda, and two bottles of water, one of which was partially empty. A second small refrigerator contained insulin bottles and insulin pens along with an ice cream sandwich and a packaged roast beef and cheddar sandwich. The facility's undated policy stated that medications must be stored separately from food and properly labeled. The DON stated that the food and drink items belonged to staff and should not have been stored in the medication refrigerators.
Failure to Notify Physician of Wound Condition Change
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify the physician of a change in the condition of a wound for one of the residents reviewed. The resident had a displaced fracture of the left tibia and heart failure, and was receiving wound care to the sacral area three times a week as per a physician's order. On January 18, a nurse's note indicated the presence of a small open sore on the resident's right buttock. By January 20, the sore had become blackish in color and emitted a foul odor, yet there was no documentation that the physician had been informed of this change. Interviews with two LPNs and the administrator confirmed that significant changes in a wound should be reported to the physician immediately, which was not done in this case.
Failure to Implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement enhanced barrier precautions for a resident with a pressure ulcer. The Enhanced Barrier Precautions policy requires the use of gowns and gloves during high-contact resident care activities, such as wound care, to prevent the transfer of multidrug-resistant organisms. A resident with a stage four pressure ulcer on the sacral region was observed receiving wound care from an LPN and a CNA. The LPN initially began the wound care without wearing a gown and only donned it after starting the procedure. The CNA did not wear a gown at any point during the care. The LPN admitted to forgetting to wear a gown, and the CNA was unfamiliar with the enhanced barrier precautions. Another LPN confirmed that gowns should be worn when providing direct care to residents under enhanced barrier precautions.
Failure to Implement Abuse Policy for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its abuse policy for three of four sampled residents reviewed for abuse. Resident #1, diagnosed with anxiety and major depressive disorder, was involved in an incident where another resident slapped them. Although the physician and local police were notified, the facility administrator was not informed, and no state agency incident report or investigative findings were provided. Resident #2, with diagnoses including major depressive disorder and nicotine dependence, was involved in a similar incident where they slapped another resident, claiming it was in retaliation. The facility's incident report noted that the physician, DON, CCO, and administrator were informed, but again, no state agency report or findings were submitted. Resident #4, with chronic kidney disease and other conditions, was involved in an altercation in the dining area, resulting in a fall and head abrasion. The family, administrator, and physician were notified, but no report was made to the state agency. The administrator acknowledged that, according to the facility's abuse policy, these incidents should have been reported to the state agency within two hours, and thorough investigations should have been completed. The lack of timely reporting and comprehensive investigation constitutes a failure to adhere to the facility's abuse policy.
Failure to Report Abuse Allegations Timely
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report allegations of abuse immediately to the state agency, as required by their policy, for three of the four residents reviewed. The policy mandates that all alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment must be reported immediately, but no later than two hours after the allegation is made. However, in the cases of three residents, the facility did not adhere to this policy. For Resident #1, an incident report documented that another resident slapped them, but there was no documentation that the state agency was notified. Similarly, for Resident #2, who was involved in the same incident, the facility failed to provide a state agency incident report. Resident #4 was involved in an altercation that resulted in a fall and injury, yet again, no report was made to the state agency. The administrator acknowledged the oversight upon reviewing the incidents and the facility's policy definition for abuse. Despite being notified of the incidents, the administrator did not initially consider them as abuse, which led to the failure in reporting. The administrator later admitted that, according to the facility's policy, these incidents should have been reported to the state agency within the stipulated two-hour timeframe, and thorough investigations should have been conducted. This failure to report and investigate in a timely manner constitutes a deficiency in the facility's adherence to its own policies and state regulations.
Failure to Investigate and Report Abuse Allegations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to thoroughly investigate allegations of abuse for three residents. Resident #1, diagnosed with anxiety and major depressive disorder, was reportedly slapped by another resident. Although the physician and local police were notified, there was no documentation that the facility administrator was informed, nor were any investigative findings reported to the state agency. Resident #2, with diagnoses including major depressive disorder and nicotine dependence, was involved in a similar incident where they reportedly slapped another resident. The incident was reported to the physician, DON, CCO, and administrator, but again, no state agency report or investigative findings were provided. Additionally, the police were involved, but the facility's documentation lacked resident or staff witness statements. Resident #4, with chronic kidney disease and other conditions, was involved in an altercation in the dining area, resulting in a fall and head abrasion. The family, administrator, and physician were notified, but no report was submitted to the state agency. The administrator acknowledged that, according to the facility's abuse policy, these incidents should have been reported to the state agency within two hours, and thorough investigations should have been completed. The lack of proper reporting and investigation constitutes a deficiency in handling abuse allegations as per the facility's policy and state regulations.
Latest citations in Oklahoma
Surveyors found that staff failed to follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) during catheter care for a resident with an indwelling catheter. Facility policy required targeted gown and glove use for high-contact care under EBP, and the resident had physician orders for catheter care every shift and placement on EBP. During an observation, two CNAs provided catheter care without wearing gowns. Both CNAs later acknowledged that gowns should have been used, and the DON confirmed that gowns are required for catheter care for residents on EBP. The resident, who was cognitively intact, reported that staff usually did not wear gowns during catheter care.
The facility did not update its facility-wide assessment as resident acuity increased, resulting in an inaccurate determination of needed licensed nursing staff. The written assessment specified one RN for one day shift per week and projected a need for 10 LPNs across 24 hours, with detailed LPN coverage by shift, and stated it should be reviewed and updated as needed to guide staffing decisions. At the time of survey, the DON reported 36 residents in the facility, acknowledged that resident acuity was higher than when the assessment was completed, and stated that the actual pattern was two LPNs on the floor for the day shift and two LPNs for the night shift, with the DON, ADON, and MDS coordinator available only during weekday business hours. The DON identified a total of seven licensed staff available and stated that more staff were needed to work directly with residents, confirming that the facility assessment no longer reflected current resident needs or staffing resources.
A resident with a pressure ulcer received wound care during which an LPN and CNAs failed to follow basic infection control practices. The overbed table was not sanitized before wound supplies were placed, gloves were not changed after contact with feces, and the resident was repositioned onto a clean bed pad while still soiled. The LPN used the same contaminated gloves to handle personal items, suction equipment, wound care supplies, and to cleanse the resident’s skin and pressure ulcer, including applying collagen paste and calcium alginate with gloved fingers. Hand hygiene was not performed between glove changes, and the resident’s open wound came into contact with a cloth bed pad or pillow after cleansing and medication application but before the final dressing was applied.
A deficiency was cited for failure to prevent elopement and recurrent falls due to inadequate supervision, unsecured exits, and incomplete care planning. A newly admitted resident assessed as at risk for elopement and wandering had no related interventions on the baseline care plan, despite moderately impaired cognition and psychiatric and seizure diagnoses. This resident later left the building, was found several blocks away after falling and sustaining abrasions, and was subsequently observed at times without the one-on-one supervision that had been ordered, while a dining room exit door and perimeter gate remained unlocked and accessible. Another resident with vascular dementia, muscle weakness, and a history of multiple falls experienced several unwitnessed falls over months, culminating in two right hip fractures requiring surgical repair, yet fall-prevention interventions were not added to the care plan, and staff relied on verbal instructions and vague "close observation" rather than documented, individualized fall-prevention measures.
A resident with atrial fibrillation on Eliquis, with documented orders and a care plan to monitor and report signs of bleeding, experienced multiple episodes of active rectal bleeding while on the toilet, accompanied by anxiety, complaints of not being able to breathe, pain, pallor, and shivering. An ACMA and an LPN observed and documented that the toilet was full of blood and that the resident repeatedly refused transfer to the ER, but the LPN did not contact the physician or the family and instructed staff to continue monitoring. ACMA staff later attempted to follow instructions to contact family but reported no family contact information in the medical record, did not notify the physician, and ultimately called EMS only when the resident became pale and shivering; EMS found the resident unconscious amid evidence of a significant hemorrhagic event. Progress notes contained no documentation of physician or family notification during the change in condition, and the family, listed as POA and emergency contact in admission paperwork, reported they were not informed of the change in condition and learned of the resident’s death hours later.
A resident with recent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and a history of circulatory surgery was on multiple anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents (Eliquis, aspirin, Plavix) and had care plans directing staff to monitor for and report abnormal labs and signs of bleeding, including black or bloody stools. A critical hemoglobin of 6.3 g/dL was reported by the lab, which documented unsuccessful attempts to reach nursing staff; the result was later signed by facility staff, but the DON confirmed the physician was never notified and no intervention was documented. Subsequently, during a night shift, the resident developed acute profuse rectal bleeding with screaming, shortness of breath, and anxiety while on the toilet; an ACMA notified an LPN, who did not promptly assess the resident and instead instructed continued monitoring and attempts to convince the resident to go to the hospital. Nursing notes and EMS documentation showed a significant hemorrhagic event with extensive blood in the room and on the resident, yet there was no evidence of ongoing assessment, monitoring, or timely physician notification for the change in condition or the critical lab, leading surveyors to cite a deficiency under F684 for failure to provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders and the resident’s condition.
A resident with a history of circulatory surgery, an aortocoronary bypass graft, and on anticoagulant therapy experienced an acute onset of profuse rectal bleeding and shortness of breath during a night shift. An ACMA was functioning as charge on one hall while an LPN covered the other hall; the ACMA reported the resident’s bleeding and distress, and the LPN came once to the room but did not provide ongoing assessment or monitoring, later stating they were behind on work and relying on the ACMA to monitor. EMS later found the room with evidence of a significant hemorrhagic event and the resident unconscious on the toilet. Progress notes lacked documentation of significant change in condition, assessments, or interventions for the bleeding and respiratory distress, and the facility failed to notify the medical provider of a critical Hgb of 6.3 or of the acute bleeding. The facility also could not produce annual competency records for the LPN or ACMA, and the resident’s family was not notified of the change in condition or death until later.
A resident with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and on anticoagulant therapy had a critically low Hgb on lab testing, but the lab’s critical results were not successfully communicated to a nurse and the physician was not notified. Later, the resident developed anxiety, SOB, screaming, and profuse rectal bleeding while on the toilet. An LPN was notified of these symptoms and received a photo showing a large amount of blood but did not perform an assessment or ongoing monitoring, relying instead on an ACMA despite acknowledging this was not standard procedure. There was no documentation of a significant change in condition or interventions in the progress notes. EMS was eventually called and found evidence of a major hemorrhagic event in the room before transporting the resident, and the incident was identified by the regional nurse consultant as neglect.
Surveyors found multiple food safety deficiencies involving approximately 80 residents, including unlabeled and undated stored food items, and an ice machine with visible pink and brown residue on the chute above the ice. The dietary manager acknowledged that food should be labeled and noted visible dirt when wiping the ice machine. A cook was observed preparing pureed food with one gloved and one ungloved hand, using the same gloved hand to handle both ready-to-eat food and kitchen surfaces without changing gloves or performing hand hygiene until after taking equipment to the dishwasher. The DON reported there was no policy for food storage or ice machine maintenance, and only prior-year invoices were available to show servicing of the ice machine, with no recent documentation provided.
A resident with moderately impaired cognition who required partial to moderate assistance with ADLs expired in an ambulance, but staff documentation did not accurately reflect the resident’s status. A nursing progress note describing severe anxiety, complaints of inability to breathe, and blood in the toilet was entered without being identified as a late entry. Task logs showed ADL assistance documented as completed after the resident’s death, instead of being marked as not available or not applicable. Staff interviews confirmed that tasks should not be documented as completed when a resident is no longer in the facility or has died, indicating a failure to follow the facility’s nursing documentation policy.
Failure to Use Gowns During Catheter Care Under Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s infection prevention and control program related to the use of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) during catheter care. The facility’s Infection Control policy dated 04/01/24 required targeted gown and glove use during high-contact resident care activities under EBP. Physician orders showed that Resident #7 had an indwelling catheter with catheter care ordered every shift as of 01/07/26 and was placed on EBP as of 01/16/26. A quarterly assessment dated 03/27/26 documented that Resident #7 had intact cognition, with a Brief Interview for Mental Status score of 15, and an indwelling catheter. On 04/29/26 at 11:03 a.m., CNA #1 and CNA #2 were observed providing catheter care to Resident #7 without wearing gowns, despite the resident being on EBP and the facility’s policy requiring gown use for such care. CNA #1 acknowledged that gowns should have been worn under EBP, and CNA #2 stated they had forgotten to put on a gown. Resident #7 reported that staff usually did not wear gowns during catheter care, and on 04/30/26 the DON confirmed that gowns should be worn when providing catheter care to residents on EBP.
Failure to Update Facility Assessment to Reflect Increased Resident Acuity and Staffing Needs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to update its facility-wide assessment as resident acuity increased, resulting in an inaccurate determination of needed nursing resources. The written facility assessment dated 10/15/25 stated that one RN was needed for one day shift per week, including weekends, and projected a total of 10 LPNs needed to provide care in a 24-hour period. The assessment further specified that seven LPNs were needed for the day shift, five for the evening shift, and four for the night shift. The assessment document itself stated that it was to be reviewed annually and updated as needed, and that it was to be used to evaluate the resident population and determine the resources necessary to care for residents competently during day-to-day operations and emergencies, and to drive staffing decisions. At the time of the survey, the DON identified that 36 residents resided in the facility and reported that the acuity level of the residents was higher than it had been in October 2025 when the facility assessment was completed. The DON stated that the projected need for ten LPNs in a 24-hour period was not correct and described the actual staffing pattern as two LPNs working on the floor from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and two LPNs working on the floor from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with the DON (RN), assistant DON (RN), and MDS coordinator (LPN) available to assist with resident needs during business hours, five days a week. The DON counted a total of seven licensed staff members available and acknowledged that more staff were needed to work directly with residents given the current higher acuity, demonstrating that the facility assessment had not been updated to reflect the current resident population and resource needs.
Improper Infection Control During Pressure Ulcer Care
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide pressure ulcer care in a manner that prevented contamination and potential infection for one resident with a pressure ulcer. During an observed dressing change, an LPN entered the resident’s room, pushed personal items aside, and placed plastic trash bags and wound care supplies on the overbed table without sanitizing the surface. The LPN and CNAs provided incontinent care during which feces remained on the resident’s legs and buttocks, and at least one CNA did not change gloves after wiping feces and before placing a clean cloth bed pad under the resident. The resident was repositioned onto the new pad while still soiled with feces. Wearing the same gloves used during incontinent care, the LPN handled the resident’s personal items, oral suction yankauer, and suction machine, and prepared wound care supplies, including soaking gauze in a cleansing solution. The LPN then used the same contaminated gloves to obtain wet gauze from the cleansing solution and clean feces from the resident’s legs and buttocks before proceeding to remove the old dressing and packing from the pressure ulcer. Some packing fell onto the cloth bed pad, and the resident’s back and buttocks, including the open pressure ulcer area after cleansing and medication application but before placement of the absorbent dressing, came into contact with the cloth bed pad or pillow. The LPN applied a collagen paste to the wound bed by inserting gloved fingers into a cup of white paste and then applied calcium alginate with the same gloved fingers, without using an applicator. The LPN discarded the gloves but did not perform hand hygiene before donning a new pair of gloves stored on the overbed table. During a post-observation interview, the LPN acknowledged feeling nervous, recognized that their gloves and multiple items and surfaces may have been contaminated by contact with feces, and stated that the resident’s bed pad and wound bed were likely contaminated during the dressing change.
Failure to Prevent Elopement and Recurrent Falls Due to Inadequate Supervision and Care Planning
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure the environment was free from accident hazards and that residents received adequate supervision to prevent accidents, specifically related to elopement risk and fall prevention. One resident identified as a new admission was evaluated on 02/28/26 as being at risk for elopement and wandering, with documentation that the resident wandered around the facility and into rooms. Despite this evaluation, the baseline care plan dated the same day did not include any interventions for wandering or elopement risk. An admission assessment dated 03/06/26 documented moderately impaired cognition with a BIMS score of 09 and diagnoses including schizophrenia and seizure disorder. On 03/07/26, the resident was reported missing from their room around 11:20 a.m., and an incident report and progress note showed the resident was found a couple of blocks from the facility, having tripped and fallen outside and sustaining abrasions to the hand and knee that required first aid. Following the elopement, documentation showed the resident was placed on one-on-one staff supervision and the care plan was updated; however, subsequent observations revealed lapses in supervision. On 03/11/26, the resident was observed in bed with a staff member seated outside the door, and the resident stated they were not allowed to leave the facility alone. On 03/12/26, the resident was observed in bed with no staff supervision, then walking out of the room toward the dining room without staff present, until an unidentified staff member later noticed the resident in the hall and alerted the charge nurse. Interviews indicated that prior to the elopement the resident had not been on frequent checks because staff did not consider them an elopement risk, despite the earlier evaluation. The ADON later stated the baseline care plan lacked elopement/wandering interventions because they had failed to communicate with the weekend RN who completed the elopement evaluation and were unaware the resident was at risk. Environmental observations on 03/13/26 showed the dining room exit door and the outside perimeter gate in the smoking area were unlocked and accessible to residents, and the DON and administrator acknowledged the dining room exit door was not secured and that the resident likely exited through the unlocked door and perimeter gate. The deficiency also includes the facility’s failure to provide adequate supervision, reassess fall risk, investigate root causes, and implement fall-prevention interventions for a resident with a history of multiple falls. Facility records identified this resident as having several falls without injury on 06/04/25, 06/05/25, 06/18/25, 06/30/25, and 07/31/25, with no fall-prevention interventions documented for any of these events. A fall on 09/25/25 resulted in severe right leg pain and an emergency room visit, with a subsequent nurse’s note documenting a right hip fracture requiring surgical repair. Review of the care plan dated 07/31/25 showed no fall-prevention interventions in place for the 09/25/25 fall, and a later care plan dated 10/06/25 documented the resident’s diagnoses, including vascular dementia and muscle weakness, and the prior falls, but still showed no interventions for those falls. A nurse’s note dated 10/20/25 documented another fall on 10/19/25 that resulted in a second right hip fracture, again with no documentation of interventions in place to prevent that fall. Observations and interviews further demonstrated the lack of systematic fall-prevention planning for this resident. On 03/12/26, the resident was observed sitting in a geriatric chair near the nurse’s station with a fall mat at bedside and was later assisted to stand and ambulate with a walker. The resident reported falling frequently and not knowing why, and stated that staff followed them everywhere to prevent falls but were unsure what specific interventions were in place. An LPN stated the resident had frequent falls and that interventions included a fall mat at bedside and keeping the resident under close observation, but could not clarify what “close observation” entailed and acknowledged that interventions were communicated verbally rather than being reflected in the care plan. Another LPN stated they relied on the care plan to know fall-prevention interventions and, if not listed, had to depend on other staff for guidance. The MDS coordinator stated all falls, regardless of injury, should result in care plan interventions to prevent recurrence and did not know why this resident’s falls lacked interventions, and the DON confirmed there were no interventions on the care plan for the resident’s falls despite the expectation that such interventions should have been in place. Facility policies reviewed by surveyors underscored the deficiencies. An undated wandering policy stated that the facility would ensure the safety of residents who wander and that the MDS nurse would complete a wandering assessment on admission and work with the care plan team to develop, maintain, and update a care plan for each resident who wanders. A Falls – Clinical Protocol dated 03/2018 stated that staff and the physician would identify pertinent interventions to prevent subsequent falls and address the risks of clinically significant consequences of falling. A Care Plan Completion policy stated the facility would develop a comprehensive person-centered care plan for each resident that includes measurable objectives, timeframes, and services to meet medical, nursing, mental, and psychosocial needs. Despite these policies, the facility did not ensure that the elopement risk assessment for the first resident was communicated and incorporated into the baseline care plan, did not secure exit doors and perimeter fencing to prevent elopement, and did not consistently implement or document individualized fall-prevention interventions for the second resident after multiple falls and two hip fractures.
Failure to Notify Physician and Family of Significant Bleeding Episode in Anticoagulated Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to notify a resident’s physician and family of a significant change in condition. The resident had a history of atrial fibrillation and was on Eliquis, with physician orders and a care plan directing staff to monitor and report signs of bleeding such as blood in urine or stool, black tarry stools, and other symptoms. The resident’s cognition was moderately impaired, with a BIMS score of 11, and they required supervision with ambulation and transfers and partial to moderate assistance with toileting hygiene. The admission contract identified a family member as the emergency contact and POA, with contact information provided. On the night of the incident, staff observed multiple episodes of active bleeding while the resident was on the toilet. Around 1:15 a.m., the resident was on the toilet and bleeding, with the toilet full of blood, and was reported to be screaming that they could not breathe. ACMA staff notified the LPN, left the blood in the toilet for the LPN to observe, and reported that the resident refused to go to the ER. The LPN assessed the resident at approximately 1:32 a.m., documented increased anxiety, complaints of not being able to breathe, and that most of the toilet contents were blood, and noted that the resident refused transfer to the emergency department. The LPN instructed ACMA staff to continue monitoring the resident and did not contact the physician or the family at that time. The resident continued to have episodes of bleeding while on the toilet around 2:00 a.m. and again around 2:50 a.m., with reports of pain, pallor, and shivering, and continued refusals to go to the hospital and to take pain medication. ACMA staff reported they were instructed by text to contact the family to encourage the resident to go to the ER but stated no family contact was listed in the medical record and did not call the physician. EMS was eventually called by ACMA staff when the resident became pale and shivering; EMS arrived to find the resident unconscious on the toilet with evidence of a significant hemorrhagic event in the room, including saturated towels and blood on the floor and on the resident. Progress notes did not show any contact with the physician or family during the change in condition, and the family member later stated they were not notified of the change in condition and did not learn of the resident’s death until several hours later. The facility’s failure to notify the physician and family of the resident’s serious change in condition was cited as an Immediate Jeopardy deficiency.
Failure to Respond to Critical Lab and Acute Bleeding in Anticoagulated Post-Surgical Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to promptly assess, identify, and intervene when a resident with a recent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair experienced an acute change in condition, including profuse bleeding from an unknown source and a critically low hemoglobin level. The resident had diagnoses including encounter for surgical aftercare following circulatory system surgery and presence of an aortocoronary bypass graft, and was receiving multiple anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (Eliquis twice daily, aspirin daily, and Plavix daily), along with psyllium and Imodium for diarrhea. Facility policies required nurses to assess acute condition changes, obtain and report pertinent information to the physician, and promptly notify the physician in emergencies, as well as to review and act on lab and diagnostic test results based on the seriousness of abnormalities. The resident’s care plan directed staff to monitor for and report abnormal lab results and signs of bleeding, including black or bloody stools and significant changes in vital signs, and to avoid aspirin use with anticoagulant therapy. A laboratory report for the resident showed a critically low hemoglobin of 6.3 g/dL, with a normal reference range of 13.7–17.5 g/dL. The lab documented attempts to call the facility at 3:35 p.m. and again, with no answer and inability to reach a nurse, and the report was released later that afternoon. The report bore a staff signature dated several days later and a stamped physician signature without a date. The DON confirmed that the physician was not notified of this critical result and stated that the physician should have been notified immediately per facility procedure. Despite the resident’s anticoagulant therapy and care plan instructions to report abnormal labs, there was no evidence that the critical hemoglobin value was communicated to the physician or that any clinical intervention occurred in response to this lab finding. Subsequently, during a night shift, the resident developed acute profuse rectal bleeding while on the toilet, accompanied by screaming, shortness of breath, increased anxiety, and refusal to go to the hospital. An ACMA reported to an LPN around 1:15–1:32 a.m. that the resident was having bloody stool and distress, but the LPN did not immediately assess the resident and instead instructed the ACMA to monitor and convince the resident to go to the hospital. The nursing progress note later documented that the resident’s toilet contents were mostly blood and that the resident was educated about the need to go to the ED but refused. EMS records indicated that when they arrived, the resident’s room showed signs of a significant hemorrhagic event, with towels saturated with blood and blood on the floor, legs, socks, and in the toilet. The nursing documentation showed no ongoing assessment, monitoring, or intervention for the resident’s shortness of breath, screaming, blood in the toilet, or refusal of transfer during the period before EMS was called. The facility’s failure to identify, monitor, and provide continuing assessments for the resident’s change in condition, to notify the medical provider of the critical hemoglobin result, and to promptly notify the provider and intervene for the acute onset of profuse bleeding constituted the cited deficiency. The report also notes that staff interviews revealed gaps in practice and understanding related to change in condition and bleeding. The LPN acknowledged being concerned the resident was “bleeding out” and stated they were traumatized by the amount of blood, yet did not perform an immediate assessment when first notified of bloody stool and pain, relying instead on the ACMA to monitor and attempt to persuade the resident to accept transfer. The LPN further stated they typically remained on one side of the building and did not routinely go to the other side unless needed, and that they did not visually see the resident in distress until later. A CNA reported having seen dark, clumped stool earlier in the week and indicated they had only minimal education on signs and symptoms of bleeding. These documented actions and inactions, in the context of the resident’s high-risk status and existing policies and care plans, led surveyors to determine that the facility failed to provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, the resident’s condition, and established protocols for change in condition and critical lab results. The resident’s family reported that the resident had ongoing diarrhea with horrendous odor and black color since before admission, and that staff were aware of the stool characteristics. Another CNA described the resident’s stool as dark black and mixed solid/liquid, resembling stool from someone taking iron, though they only observed it once and did not report red blood. The care plan specifically directed staff to monitor for black tarry stools and other signs of bleeding in the context of anticoagulant therapy, and to report such findings to the physician. Despite these documented risk factors, symptoms, and care plan directives, the record lacked evidence that staff recognized and escalated these signs as potential bleeding or that they communicated them to the physician prior to the acute hemorrhagic event. This pattern of missed recognition, lack of timely assessment, and failure to notify the physician of both critical lab results and acute bleeding formed the basis of the deficiency under F684 (Quality of Care).
Failure to Assess, Monitor, and Notify Provider for Resident With Profuse Bleeding and Critical Lab Value
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure sufficient and competent nursing staff to assess, monitor, and intervene for a resident with a known high-risk medical history who experienced an acute onset of profuse bleeding. The resident had a history of surgical aftercare following surgery on the circulatory system, including the presence of an aortocoronary bypass graft, and was receiving anticoagulant therapy (Eliquis) for atrial fibrillation. The resident’s care plan and physician orders directed staff to monitor for specific signs of bleeding and adverse reactions to anticoagulant therapy, such as blood in the stool or urine, changes in mental status, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. The facility also had an Acute Condition Changes – Clinical Protocol policy requiring baseline assessments, monitoring, and timely physician notification for acute changes in condition. On the night of the incident, assignment sheets showed that an ACMA was the charge nurse on one hall (South hall) for the 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. shift, while an LPN was the charge nurse on the other hall (North hall). EMS records documented that they were dispatched in the early morning hours after facility staff reported that the resident had blood in the stool starting about three hours earlier and was recovering from abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. When EMS arrived, they observed the resident’s room with signs of a significant hemorrhagic event, including towels saturated with blood and blood on the floor, and found the resident unconscious on the toilet with blood on their socks, legs, and in the toilet. Progress notes for that date did not show documentation of a significant change in condition, nor did they show assessments, monitoring, or interventions for the resident’s shortness of breath, screaming, blood in the toilet, or refusal to be transported to the hospital. Interviews revealed that the LPN was the only licensed nurse in the building on the weekend and did not obtain a full report on the South hall because the ACMA was functioning as the charge for that hall. The LPN stated that the ACMA reported the resident was screaming, hurting, having a bowel movement, and there was blood, and that the resident had a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, raising concern about bleeding. The LPN instructed the ACMA to send the resident to the hospital, but the resident refused, and the LPN did not perform ongoing assessments or monitoring, citing being behind on work and relying on the ACMA to monitor and report. The ACMA reported that the resident was on the toilet and bleeding around 1:15 a.m., with vital signs within normal limits, and refused to go to the ER; the ACMA contacted the LPN, who came once at about 1:32 a.m. to check on the resident while the resident was back in bed, with blood left in the toilet for the LPN to see. The ACMA stated that later, as the resident continued to pass blood, became pale and shivering, and remained in pain while refusing pain medication and hospital transfer, they eventually called 911 when the resident’s condition worsened. The facility was unable to produce annual skills competencies for either the LPN or the ACMA, and a family member reported they were not notified of the resident’s change in condition or of the resident’s death until later, despite the resident’s room being on the South hall where the events occurred. The report also notes that the facility failed to notify the medical provider of a critical hemoglobin lab value of 6.3 (normal reference range 13.7–17.5) and failed to notify the medical provider of the acute onset of profuse bleeding. There is no documentation that the physician was contacted regarding the critical lab result or the resident’s active bleeding, despite facility policy requiring timely physician notification for acute changes in condition and the resident’s known risk factors and anticoagulant therapy. Additionally, the facility’s own policy required that direct care staff, including nursing assistants, be trained to recognize and report significant changes, and that phone calls to physicians be made by adequately prepared nurses with organized, pertinent information; however, the documented events and interviews show that the ACMA was functioning as charge on one hall and that the LPN did not consistently assess or directly manage the resident’s rapidly changing condition. These combined failures to assess, monitor, intervene, and notify the medical provider for a resident with profuse bleeding and a critical hemoglobin value constituted the cited deficiency.
Failure to Assess and Respond to Resident’s Significant Bleeding and Change in Condition
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure a resident experiencing a significant change in condition and profuse bleeding was assessed and monitored by a licensed nurse. The facility had an Acute Condition Changes - Clinical Protocol requiring nurses to assess and document vital signs, neurological status, pain, level of consciousness, cognitive and emotional status, onset and severity of symptoms, and other clinical information, and to promptly contact the physician for emergencies. The resident had a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and was on anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation, with care plans directing staff to monitor and report signs and symptoms of cardiovascular issues and adverse reactions to anticoagulants, including blood in stool and shortness of breath. A physician’s order required weekly CBC and CMP labs while on skilled services. A lab report for the resident showed a critically low hemoglobin level of 6.3 g/dl, but the lab’s attempts to call the facility at 3:35 p.m. and again later were unsuccessful, and the physician was not notified of the results. Subsequently, during the night, the resident experienced increased anxiety, was screaming that they could not breathe, was on the toilet with most of the contents being blood, and refused to go to the emergency department. LPN #1 was notified at 1:32 a.m. of the resident’s condition, including shortness of breath, screaming, and blood in the toilet, but did not perform an assessment or ongoing monitoring, and there was no documentation of a significant change in condition or interventions for these symptoms in the progress notes. LPN #1 reported typically being the only licensed nurse in the building on weekends and stated they did not go to the resident’s hall for a full report, relying instead on an ACMA to monitor residents and report concerns. LPN #1 acknowledged being told that the resident was screaming, hurting, having bloody stool, and had a recent abdominal aortic aneurysm, and expressed concern about the resident bleeding out. LPN #1 received a texted picture of the blood at 2:25 a.m. and described being traumatized by the amount of blood, but still did not assess or monitor the resident, citing being behind on work and relying on the ACMA, despite stating that it was not standard procedure for an ACMA to assess, monitor, and send a resident to the hospital. EMS was finally contacted at 3:12 a.m., arrived to find evidence of a significant hemorrhagic event with blood-saturated towels and blood on the floor, and transported the resident, who expired in the ambulance shortly thereafter. The regional nurse consultant stated the incident was considered neglect.
Improper Food Storage, Ice Machine Sanitation, and Glove Use in Dietary Services
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in food storage and ice handling practices during kitchen observations. In one kitchen tour, they observed a white paper bowl containing orange ice cream wrapped in plastic wrap that was unlabeled and undated, as well as an opened bag of hamburger buns that was also unlabeled and undated. The ice machine had a pink substance on the white plastic chute directly above the ice, which, when wiped with a clean paper towel, resulted in a pink and brown speckled residue. The dietary manager acknowledged that the food items should have been labeled and stated they saw dirt on the towel used to wipe the ice machine chute. The DON reported there was no policy for food storage or the ice machine, and stated that ice machine maintenance was based on the machine’s indicator and then calling an outside company, with invoices available only for servicing dates in the prior year and no documentation provided for recent cleaning or maintenance. Additional deficiencies were observed in food handling and glove use by kitchen staff. One cook was seen working with one hand gloved and one hand ungloved, using the gloved hand to place cornbread into a blender, then touching the blender, a utensil, and returning to touch the cornbread without changing gloves or performing hand hygiene between contact with food and other surfaces. The cook later took the blender to the dishwasher and only then removed the glove and washed their hands. When interviewed, the cook stated their process for changing gloves was when changing the type of food and after touching utensils, and acknowledged they did not change gloves after touching the cornbread. The dietary manager stated the process for changing gloves was to change when staff touched something or something was dirty. The administrator identified that 80 residents resided in the facility at the time of the survey.
Inaccurate Post-Death Documentation and Failure to Follow Nursing Charting Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate and timely documentation in the medical record for a resident who died. Facility policy on nursing documentation required staff to chart as soon as possible after care, to enter the actual date and time of charting, and to clearly label any late entries with the date and time being documented. The admission assessment for the resident showed moderately impaired cognition with a BIMS score of 12 and a need for partial to moderate staff assistance with most ADLs. An EMS report documented that the resident expired in the ambulance at 3:40 a.m. on a specified date. A progress note for that same date, timed at 1:32 a.m., described the nurse being notified that the resident was on the toilet, screaming that he could not breathe, with oxygen saturation at 98% and most of the toilet contents being blood; this note was not identified as a late entry despite the timing and circumstances. Task logs for the resident showed that staff documented completion of ADL assistance after the resident’s death. Specifically, the task log reflected that the resident received ADL assistance at 10:08 a.m. on the date of death, and additional ADL assistance entries at 6:54 a.m., 8:32 a.m., and 11:59 p.m. on another date, even though the resident had already expired. During interviews, a CNA stated that if a resident was not in the facility, the scheduled ADL task should be documented as the resident not being available. The RNC confirmed that if a resident had passed away, staff should not document task completion for that resident and that any remaining scheduled tasks should be documented as not applicable. These findings showed that staff documentation did not accurately reflect the resident’s status or comply with the facility’s documentation policy.
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