SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure one (#30) of four residents reviewed for accidents out of 2...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure one (#30) of four residents reviewed for accidents out of 28 sample residents remained as free from accident hazards as possible.
Resident #30, who was identified as a high fall risk, had numerous predisposing factors which included dementia, confusion, unsafe sleeping habits and poor safety awareness. The facility failed to develop, communicate and implement effective interventions to prevent the resident from falling on multiple occasions. Due to the facility's failures, the resident sustained a fracture to her right femur (hip) subsequent to a fall on 12/5/22, requiring hospital treatment.
Findings include:
I. Facility policies and procedures
The Fall Prevention policy, revised 4/1/19, was provided on 4/11/23 by the nursing home administrator (NHA). The policy read in part:
The facility utilizes a standardized risk assessment for determining a resident's fall risk.
a. The risk assessment categorizes residents according to low, moderate, or high risk.
b. For program identification purposes, the facility utilizes high risk and low/moderate risk, using
the scoring method designated on the risk assessment.
Upon admission, the nurse will complete a fall risk assessment along with the admission assessment to determine the resident's level of fall risk.
The nurse will indicate on the (specify location) the resident's fall risk and initiate interventions on the resident's baseline care plan, in accordance with the resident's level of risk.
The nurse will refer to the facility's High Risk or Low/Moderate Risk protocols.
High Risk Protocols:
a. The resident will be placed on the facility's Fall Prevention Program.
i. Indicate fall risk on care plan.
ii. Place Fall Prevention Indicator (such as star, color coded sticker) on the nameplate
to the resident's room.
iii. Place Fall Prevention Indicator on the resident's wheelchair.
b. Implement interventions from Low/Moderate Risk Protocols.
c. Provide interventions that address unique risk factors measured by the risk assessment tool:
medications, psychological, cognitive status, or recent change in functional status.
d. Provide additional interventions as directed by the resident's assessment, including but not
limited to:
i. Assistive devices
ii. Increased frequency of rounds
iii. Sitter, if indicated
iv. Medication regimen review
v. Low bed
vi. Alternate call system access
vii. Scheduled ambulation or toileting assistance
viii. Family/caregiver or resident education
ix. Therapy services referral.
II. Resident #30
A. Resident status
Resident #30, age [AGE], was admitted on [DATE]. According to the April 2023 computerized physician orders (CPO), diagnoses included metabolic encephalopathy, (a problem in the brain caused by a chemical imbalance in the blood), and severe dementia with anxiety.
The 2/14/23 minimum data set (MDS) assessment revealed the resident was moderately cognitively impaired with poor decision making and supervision required. The resident required extensive assistance with transfers, walking in the room, eating, dressing, toileting and personal hygiene. Falls were not indicated on the assessment.
The behavior section indicated the resident did not resist the care, she did not have hallucinations, delusions or other types of behaviors.
B. Resident observations
The resident was observed on 4/10/23 at 9:25 a.m. The resident was laying at the edge of the bed with her closed eyes. The resident's bed was not fitted with bed canes, there was no fall mat next to her bed and body pillows on the side of the bed (as indicated in the care plan, see below).
C. Record review
The resident was assessed for fall risk on several occasions since 11/10/22. Specifically, she was assessed on 11/23/22, 12/2/22 and 12/5/22. She consistently scored high risk for falls. Upon admission, she was referred to a physical and occupational therapy (PT/OT) program.
The care plan for activities of daily living (ADLs), initiated on 11/10/22 and revised on 2/22/23, revealed that the resident had potential for self care related deficit due to cognitive deficit. Interventions included to provide extensive assistance with one staff with bed mobility, transfer, dressing, toileting, personal hygiene, bathing, eating and locomotion.
The care plan for falls, initiated on 11/10/22 and revised on 2/22/23, revealed the resident was at risk for falls due to cognitive status, poor safety awareness, and history of falls. Interventions included to make sure call light was within the reach and encourage resident to use it, and to maintain an uncluttered environment.
Interventions including bilateral bed canes for increased mobility, transfers, and positioning, as well as mat on floor by bed, keep bed in low position, body pillow both sides of bed, and close supervision were added 12/11/22 (after fall #4, see below).
-There were no interventions added to the care plan for the resident after her fall #1, #2 and #3. After fall #4 (which resulted in femur fracture), interventions were put into place six days after the incident occurred.
1. Fall #1 on 11/23/22
The incident report dated 11/23/22, revealed Resident #30 sustained a fall on 11/23/22. Resident was observed by OT sitting on the floor near the head of bed. Resident stated she fell and hit her head.
Resident was assessed by a registered nurse and staff assisted the resident to her wheelchair.
Predisposing factors for the fall were listed as weakness, and ambulating without assistance to get out of bed.
The incident report included intervention from the care plan to anticipate and meet the resident's needs.
-No other interventions were noted.
The therapy team assessed her fall on 11/23/22 and noted that they would continue with PT/OT/speech therapy (ST) to address deficits and increase safety.
-The interdisciplinary team (IDT)/Risk Management review did not occur after the fall to discuss the incident or any further interventions.
-The resident's care plan was not updated with any further interventions.
2. Fall #2 on 12/2/22
The incident report dated 12/2/22, revealed Resident #30 sustained a fall on 12/2/22. Resident #30 was witnessed self-propelling down hallway per baseline behavior. She rolled
toward the handrails on the wall and pulled herself to a standing position. She lost balance and fell back into a seated position in her wheelchair and then laid-back rolling to her right side onto the floor.
-Predisposing factors were not identified in the report.
-The incident report did not include any immediate interventions that were put in place to prevent any further falls.
-The IDT/Risk Management review did not occur after the fall to discuss the incident or any further interventions.
-The resident's care plan was not updated with any further interventions.
3. Fall #3 on 12/5/22
The incident report dated 12/5/22, revealed Resident #30 sustained a fall on 12/5/22. Resident was sitting in a wheelchair in front of the TV (television) in the living room watching TV. She was leaning back in her wheelchair, as she routinely does. Resident slid out of her chair slowly and fell to the floor on her bottom and laid back. It was witnessed by the certified nurse aide (CNA) and RN (registered nurse). Resident was lying on the floor perpendicular to the two chairs facing the TV between those chairs and the refrigerator with her head toward the hallway. Resident was assessed by a registered nurse with no adverse findings. Full assessment completed with vital signs, pain assessment, and range of motion assessment. Patient returned to wheelchair where she immediately began rolling away self-propelled.
-Predisposing factors were not identified in the report.
The incident report documented immediate interventions included continued PT/OT/ST, ST and activities team to collaborate on a structured activity for resident's cognitive level.
4. Fall #4 on 12/5/22 (second fall in the last 24 hours)
The incident report dated 12/5/22, revealed Resident #30 sustained another fall on 12/5/22 at 11:00 p.m. (this was her second fall in less than 24 hours). Resident was sitting in her wheelchair, when she suddenly stood up and promptly fell to the floor, as she was reaching for another chair. CNA stated that she was not more than 10 feet from the resident but was unable to reach the resident in time to prevent the fall. Registered nurse immediately assessed resident eliciting a strong pain response, upon palpation of the right hip/thigh area. The on-call physician was notified, as well as the emergency contact. The resident was transported via emergency medical services (EMS) to hospital. X-ray results from the hospital showed a fracture to the right hip.
Predisposing factors were identified as resident was high risk for falls due to gait and balance problems, incontinence, poor communication and comprehension, and unaware of safety
needs.
-The incident report did not include any new immediate interventions that were put in place to prevent any further falls.
-The IDT review on 12/6/22 determined the cause was poor safety awareness resulting in the resident attempting to stand unassisted where she lost her balance and fell.
-The resident's care plan was not updated with any specific interventions based on the cause of fall.
III. Staff interviews
CNA #4 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 10:30 a.m. She said she was familiar with the resident's care but was not at the facility before the resident fell. She said the only fall interventions she was aware of was the resident had safety checks while the resident was in bed. She said the resident was effective at propelling herself in her wheelchair.
RN #1 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 11:00 a.m. She said the resident was confused due to her dementia diagnosis. She said the resident was hospitalized and diagnosed with a femur fracture. She said she did not work the shift when the fall occurred. She said for her fall prevention staff were checking on the resident frequently due to her unsafe gait and safety awareness and always performing two person transfers with the resident to ensure safety. She said the resident occasionally refused care but was easy to redirect after a couple attempts. She said she was not aware that the resident required bed canes since the fall with injury on 12/5/22 and she had not seen any devices installed on the resident's bed. She said the resident had a fall mat next to her bed starting before the fall with injury on 12/5/22.
-However, the fall intervention was not in place until 12/11/22. In addition, no fall mat was observed (see above).
The director of rehabilitation (DOR) was interviewed on 4/11/22 at 1:00 p.m. She said the resident was receiving physical, speech, and occupational therapy services since arriving at the facility last November 2022. She said after the fall with injury on 12/5/22, the resident was recommended to have bilateral bed canes installed and a fall mats for safety measures. She said it was not the therapy department's responsibility to ensure that those interventions were installed/implemented. Once the order was written, it went to the maintenance staff to install and then on to the nursing staff to ensure the order was carried out. In addition, the resident received education on safely operating her wheelchair and was being evaluated for wheelie bars for her wheelchair to prevent her from falling back.
The director of nursing (DON) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 12:00 p.m. She said after every fall the resident had, the IDT team concluded that no further interventions were necessary until the resident's fall with injury on 12/5/22. She said upon arriving at the facility, residents were assessed for fall risk and immediately placed on standard fall risk protocols. She said that Resident #30 was a high risk for falls when she admitted however the resident was not placed on high risk protocols or interventions according to the facility's fall prevention policy.
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure one (#30) of six residents observed for...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure one (#30) of six residents observed for nutrition out of 28 sample residents to maintain acceptable parameters of nutritional status.
The facility failed to provide meal supplements per registered dietitian (RD) order and provide assistance during meal times.
Resident #30, who was identified as having a significant weight loss, had numerous predisposing factors which included dementia, lack of appetite and confusion. She was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with a weight of 126 pounds. Due to the facility's failures, the resident sustained a weight loss of 10.4% in six months.
Resident #30 sustained a weight loss of 10.4% (14 lbs) from admission on [DATE] through 4/1/23 which was considered significant. Observations revealed that the nutritional interventions were not consistently implemented.
Findings include:
I. Resident status
Resident #30, age [AGE], was admitted on [DATE]. According to the April 2023 computerized physician orders (CPO), diagnoses included metabolic encephalopathy (a problem in the brain caused by a chemical imbalance in the blood), and severe dementia with anxiety.
The 2/14/23 minimum data set (MDS) assessment revealed the resident was moderately cognitively impaired with poor decision making and supervision required. The resident required extensive assistance with transfers, walking in the room, eating, dressing, toileting and personal hygiene.
The behavior section indicated the resident did not resist the care, she did not have hallucinations, delusions or other types of behaviors.
II. Observations
On 4/5/23 at 10:30 a.m. the resident was observed drinking a shake in the dining area. She was not offered ice cream with the shake as per RD orders. The resident drank less than half of the shake and did not finish it.
-However, the nurse charted the resident drank 100% of the shake in the electronic medical record.
At 12:20 p.m. Resident #30 was in the memory care dining room for lunch. She was placed at the table and her tray was brought to her with no cueing to begin her meal and no assistance was offered through the entire meal. She received honey roasted chicken, wild rice blend, julienne carrots and dinner roll with butter. For dessert she was given a cookie. By the end of the meal, the resident only ate her chicken and cookie. She covered her plate with a paper napkin and drank a cup of coffee and less than half a glass of orange juice. The resident was not offered an alternative meal or encouraged to eat more.
On 4/6/23 at 11:36 a.m. Resident #30 was given a health shake with crushed medications mixed in. She was not offered ice cream as per RD orders (see below).
At 12:14 p.m. Resident #30 was in the memory care dining room for lunch. She was placed at the table and her tray was brought to her with no cueing to begin her meal and no assistance was offered through the entire meal. She received glazed ham steak, skillet fried potatoes, zucchini medley and dinner roll. For dessert, she was given a slice of chocolate mousse pie. By the end of the meal, the resident only ate her ham, dinner roll and dessert. She drank a cup of coffee during the meal. The resident was not offered an alternative meal.
On 4/10/23 at 11:54 a.m. resident was in the memory care dining room for lunch. She was placed at the table and her tray was brought to her with no cueing to begin her meal and no assistance was offered through the entire meal. She received barbecued pork chop, macaroni and cheese, steamed spinach, and dinner roll. For dessert, she was given caramel apple pudding. By the end of the meal, the resident only ate her dinner roll and dessert. The resident was not offered an alternative meal.
-The resident was not offered assistance with meals as indicated by the MDS assessment and her nutrition care plan.
III. Record review
The nutrition care plan was initiated on 12/15/22 and revised on 2/3/23, revealed Resident #30 was at risk for weight loss due to the history of weight fluctuations and gradual weight loss. Goals included to maintain adequate nutritional status as evidenced by maintaining weight within five percent of current weight, consume at least 50% for most meals, no signs or symptoms of malnutrition, and no signs or symptoms nutrition related skin breakdown. Interventions included to provide a liberalized diet as ordered which offers adequate calories and protein for estimated needs. Interventions revised on 1/25/23 included to provide supplements as ordered: four ounces health shake three times a day and offer with ice cream, appetite stimulant order as mirtazapine, assist with meals and set up as needed, remind of meal times and locations, and offer meal alternates and/or snacks as needed.
The activities of daily living (ADL) functional care plan was initiated on 11/10/22 and revised on 12/1/22, revealed Resident #30 required extensive assistance with one staff member for eating.
The weight record demonstrated Resident #30 had lost 13.1 pounds (10.4 percent) in a period of six months. The resident's weight was 126 pounds in November 2022, and most current weight in April 2023 was 112.9 pounds. This demonstrated a loss of 10.4 percent from her usual weight, which was considered significant.
The nutritional assessment on admission was conducted by the registered dietitian (RD) on 11/10/22. Recommendations were regular diet, regular texture, and thin liquids. Her average meal intake was around 50% with prompting. Staff to encourage eating and drinking fluids at and between meals as the resident was a potential nutritional risk due to diagnosis of dementia, anxiety, and hypothyroidism.
The RD completed an updated nutritional assessment on 12/15/22. At that time, the resident's weight was 120.6 pounds (six pounds less than her weight in November 2022). The RD assessment indicated that the resident had a 4.8% weight loss in 30 days, and her average meal intake was around 25 percent. The resident required extensive assistance with meals at this time per nursing. Recommendations included supplement shake twice a day while working on self-feeding and improved intakes at meals.
According to the April 2023 CPO:
-Provider order for health shake three times a day for weight loss, offer with one container ice cream initiated on 12/30/22.
-Medication order for Mirtazapine 15 mg was initiated on 1/24/23. Prescribed as one time a day for appetite stimulation.
IV. Staff interviews
Certified nurse aide (CNA)#5 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 11:00 p.m. She said that she was unaware the resident was on any particular nutritional plan. She said that when the resident was assisted to the dining area, she would eat by herself. She said the resident did not need any assistance at meal times. She said that CNAs were responsible for documenting the intakes of the residents in the electronic medical record.
Registered nurse (RN) #1 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 11:00 a.m. She said that the resident usually slept in until around 10:30 a.m. every day. She said that lunch was usually the resident's first meal of the day. She said that she offered the resident health shakes with ice cream at least twice a week. She said the resident did not require any assistance at meal times.
-However, the health shake with ice cream was supposed to be offered three times per day.
The director of nursing (DON) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:37 a.m. She said that the resident only required assistance with dining as needed but the staff should have been providing extensive assistance according to the resident's care plan. She said extensive assistance would include sitting with the resident and verbally cueing the resident to eat. Staff could assist the resident with bites to ensure the resident was getting the appropriate nutrition intake. She said that the resident should have been receiving assistance with eating as well as receiving supplement shakes according to the provider's orders and by not doing so could have contributed to the resident's weight loss.
The RD was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 2:29 p.m. She said she had been in the position since March 2023. She said she reviewed residents' nutritional status on admission, quarterly and when weight loss was noticed. She said Resident #30 had a significant weight loss of 10% in the past six months. She said she did not observe her meal intake in person, but looked at the intake log in the computer. She said if the resident had received the interventions of extensive assistance when eating and having the health shakes with the ice cream that the weight loss could have been avoidable. She said that the care plan should have been updated in a more timely manner after significant weight loss was noted to ensure effective nutritional interventions.
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0697
(Tag F0697)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review and interviews the facility failed to provide effective pain management during wound care f...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review and interviews the facility failed to provide effective pain management during wound care for one (#10) of three out of 28 sample residents.
The facility failed to assess Resident #10 for pain after he developed two stage 3 pressure injuries. Nursing staff did not offer pain medication to the resident prior to the dressing changes. The resident experienced severe pain during dressing changes and refused the care due to the pain. In addition, nursing staff did not follow up with the physician regarding pain management and did not obtain an order for pain control prior to wound care and continued to provide dressing changes without offering pain medication. Resident #10 frequently refused care and his wounds deteriorated.
Findings include:
I. Facility policies and procedures
The Pain Management policy, updated [DATE], was received from the director of nursing (DON) on [DATE] at 8:27 a.m. It read in pertinent part:
The facility must ensure that pain management was provided to those residents who require such services consistent with professional standards of practice and the residents goals and preferences.The nurse on duty should evaluate residents for pain upon admission and when a significant change in status occurs.The facility should manage or prevent pain according to the comprehensive assessment and plan of care. The facility staff will observe for non-verbal communicators which may indicate the presence of pain. The facility will use a pain assessment tool which is appropriate for the resident's cognitive status.The resident should be asked the level of his or her pain using a numeric scale, a virtual or visual description of the pain, that is appropriate for the resident and approved by the resident. The pain could be described as stabbing, aching, pressure or spasms.
II. Resident #10
A. Resident status
Resident #10, age [AGE], was admitted on [DATE]. According to the [DATE] computerized physician orders (CPO) diagnoses included type two diabetes mellitus, artificial left hip joint, morbid obesity, generalized muscle weakness, pressure ulcer stage 3 on right and left buttock region.
The [DATE] minimum data set (MDS) assessment revealed the resident was cognitively intact with a brief interview of mental status score (BIMS) of 13 out of 15. The resident required extensive assistance with toilet use, was totally dependent on staff for shower assistance, dressing assistance, and required moderate assistance with bed mobility. The resident did not display verbal and physical behaviors. The resident did not reject care.
The skin section documented that the resident was not at risk for development of pressure ulcers and that the resident did not have two pressure ulcers.
The pain section documented that the resident received PRN (as needed) pain medication. Resident #10 did not receive non-medication interventions for pain.
B. Resident interview
Resident #10 was interviewed on [DATE] at 10:00 a.m. The resident said he had two pressure ulcers on his bottom area. Resident #10 said the wounds were painful when the staff tried to perform wound care on him. Resident #10 said he refused the treatments because he knew they would hurt. The resident said the worst pain he had was when the wound dressing was changed and the wound was cleaned.
C. Wound care observations and resident interview
Wound care treatment was observed for Resident #10 on [DATE] at 12:40 p.m. The wound care physician (WCP) was accompanied by a medical student (MS) who treated the resident's wounds. An infection preventionist (IP) was in the resident's room and assisted with resident care.
The resident was able to roll to his left side, and the brief was removed. Two undated dressings stained in red blood were observed on the left and right buttock.
The right buttock dressing was removed first, and the resident moaned in pain. The dressing was moderately saturated in bright red blood. The left buttock dressing was removed, the resident moaned in pain and leaned away from the physician. The dressing was 100 percent saturated in bright red blood and two lines of blood were observed dripping down left buttocks to the brief. Both wounds were cleaned with normal saline and gauze while the resident continued to moan in pain. The WCP sprayed lidocaine spray to the left wound bed. Silver alginate was applied to the wound to control the bleeding, the resident was warned by the physician that it would sting. The resident moaned in pain when silver alginate was applied. The bleeding from the left wound stopped after two more gauze dressings were applied and pressed to the wound. A calcium alginate dressing was applied to both wounds and covered with large foam dressing. The foam dressing was pressed into place, no tape was applied to secure the dressing in place. The WCP stated it was a temporary dressing and it would be replaced later by the floor nurse when pain went away. The WCP instructed the floor nurse to administer some pain medication to the resident before he was cleaned up by the staff.
-The WCP and IP who were in the room during wound care did not ask the resident about his pain on the pain scale.
The resident was interviewed right after the above observations. He said his pain level was 11 out of 10 (on a scale from 0-10, with 10 being the worst) during this wound care. He said pain medications were not offered to him prior to wound care. He said he would start asking for it because the pain was getting worse.
D. Record review
The care plan for wounds was initiated on [DATE] and revealed the resident had two stage 3 pressure ulcers, one on left buttock and one on the right buttock.
Interventions included administer pain medications as ordered and monitor for effectiveness.
The care plan for behaviors was initiated on [DATE] and revealed the resident had verbal behaviors and ineffective coping skills related to meal time frustrations.The resident would often refuse to do care and refuse to have bedding changed at times. The staff were to come back later in the day and try again.
Interventions included monitor changes that may contribute to activities of daily living (ADL) decline including metabolic changes like diabetes, liver disease or alcohol withdrawal. Monitor for decline in ADL function. Monitor medications, especially new, changed or discontinued. Monitor for pain, attempt non-pharmacological interventions and assess for effectiveness Administer pain medication as ordered and document effectiveness. Provide a consistent trusted caregiver and structured daily routine. The resident will be educated on the importance of caregiver assistance.
-The resident did not have a care plan for the refusal of care related to pain management and wound care.
According to the medication administration orders (MAR) for [DATE] the resident was receiving following medications for pain:
Acetaminophen 325 milligram (mg), two tablets every four hours as needed for general discomfort. The order was started on [DATE].
-There were no parameters indicated when to administer Acetaminophen.
The most recent wound assessment completed on [DATE] by the wound care physician (WCP) revealed the resident had two wounds.
Wound #1 on the right buttock was a stage 3 pressure injury. The patient reports a wound pain level of zero out of ten.
Wound #2 on the left buttock was a stage 3 pressure injury. The patient reports a wound pain of level zero out of ten. The wound was deteriorating.
-However, according to the observations (see above) the resident was screaming out multiple times during the wound care. The resident was not asked what his pain level was during the course of the treatment.
The progress notes were reviewed from [DATE] to [DATE]. There were no documented nursing notes mentioning the wound care on [DATE]. There were no notes by the IP who was present during the wound care or by the staff nurse who was supposed to follow up on pain assessment and replace the dressing when pain went away (per the WCP statement on [DATE] during wound care).
The review of the MAR for [DATE] and next consecutive days until [DATE] revealed the resident was not given any pain medication prior to dressing changes. The dressing changes were ordered to be completed daily.
The nurses note on [DATE] documented that the resident continued to refuse dressing changes.
The review of the assessments between [DATE] and [DATE] revealed that the resident was not assessed for pain with a formal assessment tool.
The last documented pain assessment was completed on [DATE]. The pain assessment included that the resident had no pain for the last five days.
The most current wound care note on [DATE] noted Resident #10's wounds were expected to heal at a slower pace due to identified factors: diabetic complicating factors, impaired mobility, incontinence, inevitable effect of aging and non-compliance.
III. Staff interviews
Certified nurse aide (CNA) #2 was interviewed on [DATE] at 9:30 a.m. She said Resident #10 could get up and walk but he would not do it. She said the resident did not get out of bed because he felt more comfortable there. CNA #2 said Resident #10 experienced pain but only with wound care. She said Resident #10 refused to get out of bed to go to the shower room and only took a sponge bath.
LPN #2 was interviewed on [DATE] at 11:10 a.m. He said Resident #10 had stage 3 pressure ulcers on his right buttocks and on his left buttocks. He said the resident was monitored for pain twice daily. LPN #2 said the resident said he had excruciating pain when the wound dressings were changed. LPN #2 said the resident was prescribed 650 milligrams of Tylenol (Acetaminophen) every four hours as needed for pain. Resident #10 refused to get pain medication before wound treatment. The resident said the treatment was painful especially when they took the tape off. LPN #2 said he did not think the wound treatments were helping Resident #10 very much.
The WCP was interviewed [DATE] at 1:30 p.m. immediately after the wound care observations. She said the resident had many behaviors including refusal of care for personal hygiene and repositioning. She said the resident often refused care and dressing changes. The WCP said she tried to educate the resident that his behavior just made his condition worse. She said the resident was able to reposition himself, however refused to follow the recommendations. She said today he displayed more pain than before and during previous rounds he was not in so much pain. She said his wounds had deteriorated since last week and it was expected due to the lack of resident's cooperation and refusals.
LPN #2 was interviewed again on [DATE] at 2:48 p.m. He said the resident was prescribed hydrocodone previously for pain as needed. LPN #2 said the hydrocodone expired so now the resident took Acetaminophen 650 milligrams for pain as needed. The LPN said Resident #10 refused pain medication most of the time.
The IP was interviewed on [DATE] at 1:16 p.m. in the presence of the director of nursing. She said the WCP did not have a set time for the wound care rounds and would notify her or the DON by phone about five to ten minutes prior to the arrival. She said she followed the WCP during wound rounds only for the purpose of helping the physician to document the measurements. She said she did not document her observations or any notes about wound care after the rounds. She said she did not document her observations of wound care on [DATE]. She said LPN #4 who was a floor nurse for the Resident #10 on [DATE] was informed verbally by the physician about the pain that resident had and was supposed to follow up.
The director of nursing (DON) was interviewed on [DATE] at 1:16 p.m. She said Resident #10 was offered Acetaminophen 650 milligrams every four hours as needed for pain especially before a wound treatment. The DON said Resident #10 did not take pain medication very often. She said she did not know why Resident #10 would say that he had no pain when he actually did.
She said she was not aware he was in pain during wound care on [DATE]. She said floor nurses were expected to use formal tools for assessing residents for pain and document results in the residents' progress notes.
LPN #2 was interviewed for the third time on [DATE] at 2:15 p.m. He said he did recall talking to the WCP on [DATE]. He said his understanding was that the resident was in pain when dressing with the tape was removed therefore tape was no longer applied to the dressing. He said he did not receive any additional orders for pain medications prior to wound care. He said he did come to the room to assess the resident for pain, but the resident was asleep and when he asked him later, the resident was not in pain. He said he did not complete any formal pain assessment and he could not recall if he documented his verbal pain assessment on [DATE].
IV. Facility follow-up
Following the exit of the survey, the facility emailed on [DATE] the following: Prior to doing wound rounds on [DATE], This nurse spoke with the resident's floor nurse regarding his level of pain. His Nurse for the shift had already performed wound care due to an incontinence episode and told the resident that the wound care physician would still be in to assess the wound that day. At this time the floor nurse asked the resident if he wanted any of his PRN Tylenol prior to the wound care physician seeing him. Resident denied having any pain and did not want to take Tylenol prior to the wound care physician assessment. During wound care resident had signs of pain and stated that the area was hurting during the procedure. The resident's nurse that day was notified of him having pain and went in to speak with the resident. After wound care was performed, the resident was asleep in bed when his nurse woke him up and asked what his pain was on a scale of 0-10. Resident stated that his pain was a 0 and denied the Tylenol that his nurse was offering to give him.
-According to the documentation provided, the facility indicated that the resident did have signs of pain during the wound procedure and he was hurting. In addition, the floor nurse offering pain mediation prior to the wound procedure was not documented.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and interviews, the facility failed to provide a clean, safe, homelike environment for the residents in one of four units.
Specifically, the facility failed to store medical equip...
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Based on observation and interviews, the facility failed to provide a clean, safe, homelike environment for the residents in one of four units.
Specifically, the facility failed to store medical equipment in a specified area away from the resident's rooms and high traffic areas.
Findings include:
I. Facility policy and procedures
The Homelike Environment policy, revised August 2019, was received from the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 411/23. It read in pertinent part:
Residents should be provided with a safe, clean and homelike environment and encouraged to use their personal property to the extent possible. Staff shall provide person centered care emphasizing the residents comfort, independence and personal needs.
A homelike environment is clean,sanitary and orderly. Clean bed and bath linens that are in good condition are supplied for the residents. Comfortable and adequate lighting makes maximum use of daylight and night lighting helps to promote safety and independence.
II. Observations on unit two
On 4/11/23 at 9:59 a.m. there were six hoyer (mechanical) lifts lined up right behind each other down the hall. These lifts were close to the entrance of the residents' rooms which made it cluttered and often difficult for the residents to leave their room and travel up and down the hall.
At 10:13 a.m. each of the lifts had a dark brown substance on the wheels. The handles contained a light dusty looking substance.
III. Interviews
Certified nurse aide (CNA) #2 was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 10:30 a.m. She said the lifts were sometimes stored in the hall outside the therapy room. She said there were no specific areas designated to store medical equipment. She said there was not enough room to put the lifts in the shower rooms. She said the CNA who used the lifts should be the ones to clean them right after use. CNA #2 said they used disinfectant wipes to clean any of the medical equipment.
The director of nursing (DON) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 3:05 p.m. She said the CNAs should clean all medical equipment right after use including the hoyer lifts and sit to stand lifts. She said she would work with the maintenance department to find an appropriate storage place for the lifts. The DON included she would incorporate more training for the staff about cleaning and storage of medical equipment.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to provide necessary assistance with activities of daily ...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to provide necessary assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) for one (#12) out of 28 sample residents to maintain personal hygiene.
Specifically, the facility failed to provide assistance with showers as scheduled to maintain personal hygiene and grooming for Resident #12, who was dependent for care.
Findings include:
I. Resident #12
A. Resident status
Resident #12, under age [AGE], was admitted on [DATE]. According to the April 2023 computerized physician orders (CPO), diagnoses included multiple sclerosis (MS), attention and concentration deficit, muscle weakness, dysphagia (swallowing difficulty), anxiety, lack of coordination and polyneuropathy (malfunction of nerves in the body).
The 3/8/23 minimum data set (MDS) assessment revealed Resident #12 was cognitively intact with a brief interview for mental status (BIMS) score of 13 out of 15. She needed set up assistance for eating and oral hygiene and was totally dependent on two person assistance for toileting and showering/bathing. She needed substantial/maximum assistance for dressing, and putting on and taking off footwear. She also needed substantial/maximum assistance to move from sitting to lying and lying to sitting, and was totally depending for a chair/bed to chair transfer.
II. Resident interview and observation
Resident #12 was interviewed on 4/5/23 at 10:55 a.m. She said she sometimes received a shower as scheduled. She said there were times she did not get her shower and was not offered to shower on an alternate day; the alternate day was already filled and the staff were unable to fit her in the schedule.
The white board in the Resident #12's room had shower written next to the days Tuesday and Friday.
III. Record review
Resident #12's care plan for ADLs (activities of daily living), revealed the resident was at risk for decreased ability to perform ADL(s) in bathing, grooming, personal hygiene, dressing, eating, bed mobility, transfer, locomotion, toileting related to: Decreased mobility related to her diagnosis of MS. Pertinent intervention included to provide opportunity for bathing preference: preferred: shower, based on residents/patient's tolerance; initiated 3/11/21.
Resident #12's care plan for refusal of care revealed she refused showers and weights frequently. A pertinent intervention included that staff would encourage resident to be compliant with care and provide education to risk (s) of refusing care; initiated 1/12/23.
A shower task in the Resident #12's electronic record was reviewed with a lookback period of thirty days, retrieved on 4/11/23.
A shower was marked as provided on 3/28/23 and 4/4/23. On 3/15/23 and 3/22/23 the response was marked NA (meaning not applicable) and on 3/25/23 the response was marked resident not available. There were no refusals marked in the record.
-The responses in the record revealed a shower was offered twice to the resident in the lookback period.
-The facility failed to document further attempts to offer showers, if and when the resident refused.
-The facility failed to document resident refusals and attempts to offer the resident showers in resident's progress notes, and the facility failed to document any follow up to offer shower or hygiene activities or education to the resident regarding compliance of cares.
IV. Staff interviews
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) #2 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 12:30 p.m. He said said Resident #12 frequently refused showers and sometimes did not want to get up from bed to shower.
Certified nurse aide (CNA) #2 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 1:19 p.m. She said she has provided showers for Resident #12, the resident normally chose a shower, and her showers were scheduled on Tuesday and Friday. She said the resident occasionally did refuse a shower which was once a month or once every three weeks. CNA #2 said Resident #12 would say she did not want the shower for a health reason or that she (the resident) was not feeling up to it. CNA #2 said Resident #12 sometimes requested a shower on a day she was not scheduled, and the staff tried to get her a shower on the requested day. CNA #2 said this information was recorded in the resident's electronic record and it was in tasks under bathing.
The director of nursing (DON) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:30 a.m. The DON said Resident #12 had showers scheduled Tuesday and Friday. She said Resident #12 did refuse showers quite a bit and her refusals depended on who the CNA was scheduled for her shower, and the resident's overall affect for the day.
The DON said if Resident #12 did refuse a shower the CNA should have notified a nurse. The DON said the facility offered a make-up shower day on Saturday. The DON said while Resident #12's care plan was written for showers, Resident #12's refusal was usually to bathing in general. She said Resident #12 needed prompting multiple times to get her prepared for the shower, and then often the resident said she thought about it so much she was tired. She said Resident #12 had anxiety regarding things outside of her room and she was offered bed baths as an alternative, and bed baths were something the facility offered as an alternative.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0685
(Tag F0685)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, resident interview and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure proper treatment and assistive de...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, resident interview and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure proper treatment and assistive devices to maintain vision abilities for one (#7) of three residents reviewed for visual problems out of 28 sample residents.
Specifically, the facility failed to provide assistance with hearing aids to Resident #7 and ensure hearing aids were stored safely.
Findings include:
I. Resident #7
A. Resident status
Resident #7, age under 88, was admitted on [DATE] and readmitted on [DATE]. According to the April 2023 computerized physician orders (CPO), diagnoses included cerebral infarction (stroke), dysphagia (swallowing difficulty), anxiety and history of falling.
The 1/28/23 minimum data set (MDS) assessment revealed the resident's cognition was intact, with a brief interview for mental status (BIMS) score of 14 out of 15. The hearing assessment indicated the resident had no hearing aids and had adequate hearing. The resident did not have any behaviors and did not reject the care.
B. Resident interview
Resident #7 was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 10:02 a.m. She said she had a box in her room that had only one hearing aid. She said the other one was lost a while ago. She said she did not know how to use her hearing aids and no staff came to help her with them. She said she would use them if she could because she could not hear the television and had to increase the sound too much.
The resident picked up a box with hearing aids, she was not able to open it, and asked for help to open it. Upon opening the box, only one hearing aid was observed inside. The resident stated the second one was lost.
C. Record review
Review of the resident's comprehensive care plan revealed no care plan for resident's hearing or her hearing aids.
The resident's [NAME] (abbreviated staff directive) review revealed no mention of hearing aids.
The [NAME] assessment report completed on 2/14/23 by audiologist read: (Resident) remembers receiving hearing aids in March 2022, but has not worn them because she does not feel comfortable operating them. Hearing aid case was found in the patient's room without a charging cord. Only one hearing aid was located in the case. Asked resident to look for missing hearing aid.
Recommendations included: Schedule appointment at next visit for hearing aid check after resident locates missing hearing aid. Annual audiological evaluations are recommended to monitor for any changes in hearing health.
II. Staff interview
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) #2 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 2:09 p.m. He said Resident #7 was hard of hearing, but did not have hearing aids. He said the resident was able to hear him well and did not want any hearing aids.
Certified nurse aide (CNA) #2 was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 10:20 a.m. She said the resident had moderate hearing problems, but she was not using any hearing aid devices and to her knowledge never used one. She said speaking loud to the resident usually helped with communication. She said the resident had her television very loud, which led to complaints from her roommate.
The social services director (SSD) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 10:24 a.m She said the resident's hearing was poor. She said the resident had an audiology consult, and she did not report tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in ears). There was a concern from the roommate that the resident had the television too loud and the resident was offered the headset and declined.
Regarding the audiology report, she said she submitted it to a primary care physician. She said she did not read the report and did not know what was in it. She said to her knowledge the resident never had or used hearing aids.
The SSD was interviewed a second time on 4/11/23 at 11:14 a.m. She said she spoke with a resident and the resident said she wanted to use hearing aids. She said she would reach out to audiology to re-order the hearing ads.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0700
(Tag F0700)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure assessment, inspection and maintenance of a bed...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure assessment, inspection and maintenance of a bed cane (fixed bed rail assistive device) was completed for one (#12) resident using bed cane (type of bed rail) for positioning out of 28 sample residents.
Specifically, for Resident #12, the facility failed to:
-Assess the resident for risk of entrapment prior to installing or using a bed cane/bed rail; and,
-Check bed rail/bed cane regularly according to manufacturer's instructions for ongoing maintenance to make sure device was still installed correctly as rails may shift or loosen over time.
Findings include:
I. Professional standard
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Clinical Guidance For the Assessment and Implementation of Bed Rails In Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities, last updated 2/27/23 and retrieved on 4/13/23 from https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/adult-portable-bed-rail-safety/recommendations-health-care-providers-using-adult-portable-bed-rails included bed rail safety guidelines read in pertinent part:
-Any decision regarding bed rail use or removal from use should be made within the framework of an individual patient assessment.
-Bed rail use for patient's mobility and/or transferring, for example turning and positioning within the bed and providing a hand-hold for getting into or out of bed, should be accompanied by a care plan.
-The equipment (beds/mattresses/bed rails) should be inspected, evaluated, maintained, and upgraded to identify and remove potential fall and entrapment hazards and appropriately match the equipment to patient needs, considering all relevant risk factors.
-The patient's needs should be re-assessed and the equipment re-evaluated if an episode of entrapment or near-entrapment occurred, with or without serious injury; this was done immediately because fatal 'repeat' events can occur within minutes of the first episode.
-The bed, mattress and any accessories should be monitored and maintained on an ongoing basis.
II. Facility policy and procedure
The Proper Use of Side Rails policy, dated April 2019, was provided by the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 4/11/23 at 11:18 a.m. It read in pertinent part, Side rails/bed rails are adjustable metal or rigid plastic bars that attach to the bed. They (side rails/bed rails) are available in a variety of types, shapes, and sizes ranging from full to one-half, one-quarter, or one-eighth lengths. Also, some bed rails are not designed as part of the bed by the manufacturer and may be installed on or used along the side of a bed. Examples of bed rails include, but are not limited to side rails, bed side rails, safety rails, grab bars and assist bars.
As part of the resident's comprehensive assessment, the following components will be considered when determining the resident's needs, and whether or not the use of side/bed rails meets those needs: medical diagnosis, conditions, symptoms, and/or behavioral symptoms; size and weight; sleep habits; medication; acute medical or surgical interventions; underlying medical conditions; existence of delirium; ability to toilet self safely; cognition; communication; mobility (in and out of bed); and risk of falling.
The facility will assure the correct installation and maintenance of bed rails prior to use. This includes: Inspecting and regularly checking the mattress and bed rails for gaps and areas of possible entrapment; checking rails regularly to make sure they (side rails/bed rails) are still installed correctly, and have not shifted or loosened over time.
Side rails that were permanently installed on the bed frame shall not be used, even incidentally, without proper assessment, informed consent, and physician orders.
The facility will provide ongoing monitoring and supervision of side rail/bed rail use for effectiveness, assessment of need and determination when the side rail/bed rail will be discontinued. The maintenance director, or designee, is responsible for adhering to a routine maintenance and inspection schedule for all bed frames, mattresses, and rails.
III. Assistive device manual
The assistive device manual for the Joerns deluxe assist handle model F028 was provided by the NHA on 4/12/23 (after survey) at 11:33 a.m. The manual read in pertinent part, Do not use this assist device until you have verified that it is locked in place. Injury to resident or caregiver may result if this procedure is not followed. An optimal bed system assessment should be conducted on each resident by a qualified clinician or medical provider to ensure maximum safety of the resident. Do not use the device as an assist if the hand grip was wet. A wet surface may lead to the resident's hand slipping on the assist device and result in injury or death.
Maintenance/inspection information: Visually inspect the assist handle and mounting bracket, and check for loose hardware on a monthly basis. Tighten loose hardware as stated in the installation instructions.
IV. Resident #12
A. Resident status
Resident #12, under age [AGE], was admitted on [DATE]. According to the April 2023 computerized physician orders (CPO), diagnoses included multiple sclerosis (MS), attention and concentration deficit, muscle weakness, dysphagia (swallowing difficulty), anxiety, lack of coordination and polyneuropathy.
The 3/8/23 minimum data set (MDS) assessment revealed Resident #12 was cognitively intact with a brief interview for mental status (BIMS) score of 13 out of 15. She needed set up assistance for eating and oral hygiene and was dependent on assistance for toileting and showering/bathing. She needed substantial/maximum assistance for dressing, and putting on and taking off footwear. She also needed substantial/maximum assistance to move from sitting to lying and lying to sitting, and was totally depending for a chair/bed to chair transfer. The MDS assessment was not marked to indicate a bed cane/bed rail was in use.
B. Resident interview
Resident #12 was interviewed on 4/6/23 at 1:50 p.m. She said she did not think her bed/bed rail fit the bed correctly, and she used it to reposition herself in bed.
C. Record review
A review of the Resident #12's March 2023 CPO showed an order on 11/28/22 for a bed cane added to the resident's bed for mobility and positioning.
Resident #12's care plan was reviewed. The care plan for pressure ulcers was with the resident actual or at risk due to: Assistance required in bed mobility, and the resident insistent on multiple cushions, wedges, blankets in bed with her at all times; staff education ineffective, was initiated on 11/14/22. The intervention for the left bed cane/bed rail for bed mobility and positioning was initiated on 11/28/22.
Resident #12's care plan for decreased ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL(s) in bathing, grooming, personal hygiene, dressing, eating, bed mobility, transfer, locomotion, toileting related to: Decreased mobility due to diagnosis of MS, revised on 3/25/21. The intervention for the left bed cane for mobility and positioning was initiated on 10/16/22.
A review of Resident #12's quarterly comprehensive assessments showed the assessment included a section for a side rail/patient positioning device. The quarterly assessments for Resident #12 were signed on 12/7/22 and 3/4/23. The safety measures reviewed in the section that were checked included: Side rails attached to the frame are easily raised and lowered; the gap between the rail/bed frame and mattress edges was less than 2.5 inches; and did the side rail fit appropriately to prevent potential entrapment.
-There was no documentation in the quarterly assessment that the staff visually inspected the assisted device (bed cane/bed rail) handle and mounting bracket, and checked for loose hardware on a monthly basis per the device's manufacturers instructions.
The initial assessment for Resident #12's bed cane/bed rail was completed on 4/11/23 (during the survey).
V. Staff interviews
The director of nursing (DON) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:30 a.m. She said Resident #12's bed cane/bed rail was for bed mobility and that the therapy department oversaw quarterly assessments to see if the bed cane/bed rail was appropriate.
The director of therapy service (DTS) on 4/11/2 at 1:00 p.m. She said she completed the initial assessment for Resident #12's bed cane/bed rail today. She said she used a checklist to ensure all the necessary steps were completed and the initial assessment was checked as completed but the initial assessment was not done. She said the initial bed cane/bed rail assessment was a digital form and was found in the resident's electronic medical record. She said she did not obtain written consent from the resident but obtained verbal consent instead because she did not think a bed cane was a bed rail. She said any resident who had an order for a bed cane should have an assessment, a physician's order and have it on their care plan. She said the maintenance department installed the bed canes/bed rails. She said staff should check the bed cane/bed rails daily for safety, but staff had not checked daily as it was not documented.
The DON was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 1:10 p.m. She said the quarterly nursing assessments included a check of the bed cane for Resident #12 and these could be found in the resident's electronic medical record. She said she did not know if the assessment was based on the bed cane/bed rail's manufacturing instructions.
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that residents were free of unnecessary psychotropic medica...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that residents were free of unnecessary psychotropic medications for one (#247) of one resident reviewed for psychotropic medications out of 16 sample residents.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
-Ensure the staff monitored Resident #247 for side effects of eight psychotropic medications including sedation and hypotension;
-Ensure staff accurately monitored and tracked Resident #247 for target behaviors and hours of sleep for four antidepressant medications, with one being used for insomnia, one for depression, one for anxiety and one for hallucinations; two antipsychotic medications for dementia with behavioral disturbance; and, two anti anxiety medications for generalized anxiety;
-Ensure consents were signed by Resident #247's representative prior to psychotropic medication administration;
-Have the Resident #247's physician document the rationale for extending the use and indicate the duration of a PRN (as needed) psychotropic medication beyond 14 days; and,
-Document non-pharmacological interventions attempted for Resident #247's expressions and indications of distress before the use of as needed (PRN) psychotropic medications.
Findings include:
I. Facility policy and procedure
The Use of Psychotropic Medication policy, revised December 2022, was received from the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 6/8/23 at 12:47 p.m. It documented in pertinent part,
Residents are not given psychotropic drugs unless the medication is necessary to treat a specific condition, as diagnosed and documented in the clinical record, and the medication is beneficial to the resident, as demonstrated by monitoring and documentation of the resident's response to the medication(s).
The attending physician will assume leadership in medication management by developing, monitoring, and modifying the medication regimen in collaboration with residents, their families and/or representatives, other professionals, and the interdisciplinary team.
PRN (as needed) orders for all psychotropic drugs shall be used only when the medication is necessary to treat a diagnosed specific condition that is documented in the clinical record, and for a limited duration (14 days). If the attending physician or prescribing practitioner believes that it is appropriate for the PRN order to be extended beyond 14 days, he or she shall document their rationale in the resident's medical record and indicate the duration for the PRN order.
II. Resident status
Resident #247, age [AGE], was admitted on [DATE]. According to the June 2023 computerized physician orders (CPO) diagnoses included dementia with behavioral disturbance, anxiety, depressive episodes, insomnia, legal blindness, [NAME] Bonnet syndrome (visual hallucinations caused by the brain's adjustment to significant vision loss) and osteoarthritis. Resident #247 was admitted to the facility's secure unit.
The 5/31/23 minimum data set (MDS) assessment revealed the resident had severe cognitive impairment with a brief interview for mental status score (BIMS) with a score of seven out of 15. She was independent with bed mobility, transfers, dressing, personal hygiene and toileting. She ambulated without an assistive device.
The 5/31/23 MDS assessment documented Resident #247 received antipsychotic, antianxiety, and antidepressant medications daily. She did not reject care and had one day of physical and verbal aggression. She wandered daily. Resident #247 had one day of feeling down and one day of trouble sleeping.
III. Record review
The May and June 2023 medication administration record (MAR) and treatment administration record (TAR) were reviewed on 6/7/23. Since her admission on [DATE] she was unfamiliar with the care providers, environment and her daily routine had changed. She was on multiple psychotropic medications and additional psychotropic medications were added after her admission to the facility due to her behaviors.
The May and June MAR and TAR revealed the resident was administered the following psychotropic medications:
Risperdal (antipsychotic) Oral Tablet 0.5 MG (Risperidone) Give one tablet by mouth in the morning for dementia w/behavioral disturbances, ordered 5/4/23, discontinued 5/9/23;
Escitalopram Oxalate (antidepressant) Oral Tablet 10 MG (Lexapro) Give 1 tablet by mouth in the morning for Anxiety, ordered 5/4/23
Mirtazapine (antidepressant) Oral Tablet 15 mg, Give 0.5 tablet by mouth in the evening for depression, ordered 5/4/23;
Trazodone HCl Oral Tablet 50 MG (antidepressant) Give 50 mg by mouth in the afternoon for Insomnia, ordered 5/16/23;
Venlafaxine HCl Oral Tablet 75 MG (Effexor) Give 1 tablet by mouth in the evening for hallucinations, ordered 5/4/23. The medication was given in the evening despite known stimulant effects and residents history of insomnia, the medication was changed to 8:00 a.m. on 6/3/23.
Buspirone HCl Oral Tablet 10 MG (Buspar) Give 10 mg by mouth two times a day related to generalized anxiety order, Started 5/24/23, discontinued 6/6/23 (during the survey);
Quetiapine Fumarate Oral Tablet 100 MG (Seroquel) Give 1 tablet by mouth two times a day for behaviors/hallucinations started 5/4/23, increased to three times per day on 5/9/23;
Lorazepam Oral Tablet 0.5 MG (Lorazepam) Give 1 tablet by every 8 hours PRN for anxiety, agitation, ordered 5/9/23, discontinued 5/13/23; the resident received three doses;
Lorazepam Oral Tablet 0.5 MG (Lorazepam) Give 1 tablet by mouth every 8 hours PRN for anxiety, agitation, ordered 5/14/23, discontinued 5/16/23; the resident received three doses;
Lorazepam Oral Tablet 0.5 MG (Lorazepam) Give 1 tablet by mouth three times a day for Anxiety, agitation, and aggression -started 5/16/23, orders to hold and not give the medication due to lethargy 5/19/23 to 5/20/23. However, the medication was given anyway on 5/19/23 at 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m;
Lorazepam Oral Tablet 0.5 MG (Lorazepam) Give 1 tablet by mouth every 24 hours PRN (as needed) for anxiety and agitation started 5/20/23, discontinued 5/21/23; The resident received one dose;
Lorazepam Oral Tablet 0.5 MG (Lorazepam) Give 1 tablet by mouth every 24 hours PRN for anxiety and agitation, ordered 5/21/23. The resident received one to two doses daily as needed from 5/22/23 through 6/8/23. The resident had received 23 doses in less than 16 days.
Additionally, the resident received melatonin Oral Tablet 10 MG (Melatonin) Give 1 tablet by mouth in the evening for insomnia.
-There were no hours of sleep documented for the use of the Trazodone or melatonin on the MAR, TAR or behavior monitoring for May or June 2023.
-There was no monitoring for side effects of the antipsychotic, antianxiety, or antidepressant medications.
The behavior monitoring, nursing and physician progress notes were reviewed on 6/7/23:
The behavior log was a 30 day look back period to 5/10/23.
-There was no monitoring for hallucinations, sleep or symptoms of anxiety. The behavior tracking log did document that the resident wandered almost daily and she was admitted to the secure unit for that reason.
The 5/11/23 the behavior log documented she had no behaviors except wandering, there were no behaviors in the progress notes. The SNF (skilled nursing facility) charting documented at 2:36 p.m. the resident was combative and unsteady on her feet. The resident received lorazepam at 5:45 a.m. At 11:45 a.m. the nurse documented the lorazepam was effective. It was unclear when the resident was combative and unsteady on her feet. There was no further ativan documented as given around the time the nurse wrote the note.
The physician progress note on 5/11/23 documented the resident was combative, yelling and throwing things. The note documented the resident was doing better on the Seroquel three times per day and he ordered to continue the lorazepam as needed for 14 days.
-However, there was no documentation to indicate what strategies were used for her behaviors besides administering psychotropic medications.
The 5/16/23 at 9:41 a.m. nursing progress note documented the nurse called the physician and lorazepam was ordered three times per day. The resident received lorazepam three times a day through 5/19/23.
-However, the lack of consistent documentation of the resident's behavior, made it difficult to determine what medications were effective.
The 5/18/23 at 8:39 p.m. nursing progress note documented the resident fell in her bathroom, the nurse documented she was lethargic. She had lorazepam at 5:36 p.m., even though it was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Trazodone had been started on 5/16/23. The on call physician gave orders to hold the lorazepam until the resident's physician reviewed it due to lethargy.
-However, the resident was given lorazepam twice on 5/19/23 (see below).
The 5/19/23 at 12:10 p.m. interdisciplinary (IDT) note documented the resident had fallen due to medication changes; the nursing progress notes documented the resident had all three doses of lorazepam because the nurse did not see the order to hold it (cross-reference F689 accident prevention).
The 5/20/23 at 5:44 p.m. nursing notes documented the resident had been given lorazepam and fallen at 4:30 p.m. The MAR indicated the lorazepam was given at 3:24 p.m.
The 5/21/23 at 9:21 a.m. nursing note documented the on call physician was contacted for an order for Lorazepam for symptoms of worry and anxious to wander even after toileting and food, drink and pain medication. The physician gave orders for lorazepam 0.5mg every eight hours PRN, the resident received a dose at 9:11 a.m.
Beginning 5/22/23, the resident continued to get lorazepam one to two times PRN through 6/6/23.
The 5/23/23 provider note documented she had discussed starting Buspar for anxiety with the director of nursing (DON) but did not want to change the medication yet, because the resident needed time to adjust before too many changes and to monitor her for now.
-However, according to the resident's MAR the Buspar medication was started on 5/24/23.
The 5/28/23 at 7:53 p.m. nursing note documented the resident fell again, her blood pressure was 74/50 (her blood pressure was low with normal range 120/80), she had lorazepam at 9:21 a.m. and had recently started on Buspar 5/24/23.
The 6/2/23 at 4:54 p.m. nursing notes documented the resident was given lorazepam for exit seeking and stating she is getting out of here to go home, albeit pleasantly, but increasingly anxious.
The 6/2/23 pharmacist documented a medication regimen review due to falls and hypotension. The recommendation was to schedule regular blood pressure medications. Additionally, the pharmacist documented the lorazepam, quetiapine, venlafaxine, buspirone, and trazodone (all psychotic medications) could all cause falls.
On 6/6/23, during the survey, the provider responded that the falls were due to the residents impulsive, aggressive and violent behavior. The provider declined to reduce or change the medications.
The 6/6/23 provider visit note documented a plan to discontinue lorazepam and Buspar, add Clonazepam (benzodiazepine used for seizures, panic disorders, anxiety) daily and PRN and titrate off escitalopram.
-However, according to the resident's MAR the buspar was discontinued, but the PRN Lorazepam continued and there were no orders for Clonazepam.
On 6/8/23 according to the resident's MAR the PRN lorazepam was still being given as needed and there were no orders for the clonazepam. There was no order or documented rationale by the MD to continue the medication due to it being administered PRN.
The behavior care plan, initiated 5/9/23 documented I sometimes have behaviors which include bumping into other people, kicking, shouting, pacing, exit seeking, hitting other residents when agitated, ramming the exit doors, throwing items at the exit doors, banging on the exit doors, yelling at the exit doors, entering other resident's rooms. Encourage me to verbalize my anxious feelings, offer food fluids, encourage activity before behavior begins, encourage me to take medications, do not sit me by people who disturb me, help me maintain my favorite place to sit, help me avoid people or situations that disturb me, let my physician know if my behavior interferes with daily living, observe for pain, offer 1:1 activity, occupational therapy to access for outside safety. Place a colorful sign on the resident's room door to identify her room. Place me in a room with a roommate on the memory unit that get along better if needed. Please refer me to my psychologist/psychiatrist as needed. Please tell me what you are going to do before you begin. Request medication review. Speak to me unhurriedly and in a calm voice. Take blood pressures after morning and evening medications to monitor for adverse effects.
-However, the behavior monitoring form did not document any non-pharmacological interventions attempted by staff per the resident's care plan.
-The nursing progress notes frequently did not document non-pharmacological interventions attempted for anxiety or agitation before the resident was administered lorazepam. The resident was administered lorazepam for her behavior, without any documented attempts to redirect on: 5/11/23 at 5:57 p.m., 5/12/23 at 6:25 am, 5/13/23 at 5:15 a.m., 5/15/23 at 8:20 a.m. and 4:22 p.m., 5/18/23 at 5:36 p.m., 5/20/23 at 5:44 p.m., 5/22/23 at 7:16 a.m., 5/23/23 at 10:45 a.m. and 10:06 p.m., 5/24/23 at 8:08 a.m, 5/25/23 at 9:24 a.m., 5/27/23 at 7:26 and 4:09 p.m, 5/29/23 at 4:30 p.m., and 5/30/23 at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The antidepressant care plan, initiated 5/5/23 documented The resident uses antidepressant medication Lexapro (escitalopram) due to depression. Administer medications as ordered, monitor for adverse effects and effectiveness every shift.
-However, the facility did not monitor the resident for any side effects of the multiple psychotropic medications.The care plan did not address any of the other multiple psychotropic medications.
The resident's electronic medical record was reviewed for consent for use of psychotropic medications that included the risks and side effects associated with use.
-There were no consents for the trazodone or buspar.
IV. Interviews
The DON was interviewed on 6/7/23 at 8:27 a.m. She said when Resident #247 had her falls, the IDT looked at the time of her medications. The DON said she was unsure if the IDT looked at the new psychotropic medications added buspar and trazodone.
She said there was no consent from the representative for the trazodone or buspar that had been ordered.
She said the hours of sleep should have been documented on the MAR for the trazodone and melatonin. The DON said she did not know why it was not.
The DON said she was not sure why the PRN lorazepam did not have a stop date. She said when a physician or provider gave a verbal order, the nurse would write the order; but when the provider came to visit, the provider wrote the orders in the resident's record.
The resident's medical doctor (MD) was interviewed on 6/8/23 at 2:15 p.m. The MD was contacted for clarification of medications. The 6/6/23 provider note documented a plan for lorazepam was to be discontinued and clonazepam would be started. The facility had still administered the lorazepam as needed. Additionally, there had been multiple lorazepam orders from various providers.
-However, the MD did not clarify any of the orders during the interview.
The MD said it was not uncommon in long term care to have multiple providers. He said polypharmacy (multiple medications) was not uncommon for residents with behaviors. The MD said long term care was short staffed and if a nurse called with a behavior concern, the provider gave them what they needed.
-The MD did not clarify the multiple orders for psychotropic medications or what behaviors were presented for the administration of multiple psychotropic medications often being used for the same diagnosis. The MD ended the interview before the orders for psychotropic medications could be clarified.
The DON, NHA and regional director of operations (RDO) were interviewed on 6/8/23 at 3:45 p.m. The DON said the facility had a psychotropic committee meeting weekly. The DON, social worker, pharmacist, medical director and some of the providers attended. She said the social worker kept track of what residents needed to be reviewed, who was due for a gradual dose reduction and consents were obtained for psychotropic medications.
The DON said Resident #247 had not been reviewed by the psychotropic commitee.The DON said the committee did not discuss target behaviors for the psychotropic medications and should have. She said the facility had not been tracking side effects of psychotropic medications. She said she was not sure how it had been missed. The DON looked at her computer and said Resident #247 had received the quetiapine for dementia with behaviors, the citalopram for anxiety, risperdal for dementia with behavior, venlafaxine for hallucinations, trazodone and melatonin for sleep, lorazepam for agitation. She did not read the rest of the medications. She said she did not see any tracking for sleep.
The DON said the pharmacist had sent her multiple recommendations regarding Resident #247.
-However, only the pharmacist recommendations from 6/2/23 (see above) were provided.
Registered nurse (RN) #1 was interviewed on 6/8/23 at 1:45 p.m. She said she administered lorazepam twice per day to the resident when she worked to avoid the agitation. She said she crushed the medications and masked them in the resident's supplement shake.
-However, there were no physician orders to crush the medications and place them in a medium.
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0805
(Tag F0805)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to residents received food and fluids prepared in a form designed to meet the residents' needs.
Specifically, the facili...
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Based on record observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to residents received food and fluids prepared in a form designed to meet the residents' needs.
Specifically, the facility failed to ensure residents had food prepared according to their diet orders of mechanical dysphagia level 2 as indicated on their meal tray cards.
Findings include:
I. Facility policy
The Therapeutic Diet policy, revised January 2023, was provided by the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 4/11/23 at 11:29 a.m. The policy read in pertinent part, The facility provided all residents with foods in the appropriate form and/or the appropriate nutritive content as prescribed by a physician, and/or assessed by the interdisciplinary team to support the resident's treatment/plan of care, in accordance with his/her goals and preferences. A mechanically altered diet was one in which the texture or consistency of food was altered to facilitate oral intake. Examples included soft solids, pureed foods, ground meat, and thickened liquids. Dietary and nursing staff were responsible for providing therapeutic diets in the appropriate form and/or the appropriate nutritive content as prescribed.
II. Observations
Lunch service was observed on 4/6/23.
A baking pan of whole, intact dinner rolls was placed on a rack next to the hot food serving station.
-At 12:05 p.m. cook (CK) #1 prepared a plate for a resident whose meal tray card indicated dysphagia mechanical level 2, ground ham and a slurry roll. CK #1 then grabbed a whole dinner roll from the pan, placed the roll on the plate and the dietary manager told CK #1 to use white cream gravy and ladle it over the top of the roll. The dietary manager then sent the resident's meal tray out for service.
-At 12:09 p.m. CK #1 prepared a plate for a resident whose meal tray card indicated dysphagia mechanical level 2, ground ham and slurry roll. CK #1 grabbed a whole dinner roll from the baking pan, placed the roll on the plate and the dinner roll was topped with white cream gravy. The dietary manager then sent the resident's meal tray out for service.
-At 12:15 p.m. CK #1 prepared a plate for a resident whose meal tray card indicated dysphagia mechanical level 2, ground ham and a slurry roll, with food served in individual bowls. CK #1 then grabbed a whole dinner roll from the baking pan, placed the roll on the plate and the dinner roll was topped with white cream gravy. The dietary manager then sent the resident's meal tray out for service.
-At 12:22 p.m. CK #1 prepared a plate for a resident whose meal tray card indicated dysphagia mechanical level 2, ground ham and a slurry roll. The dietary manager then sent the resident's meal tray out for service.
III. Record review
Menu extensions (food modifications for diet and texture) and recipes for slurried bread products were provided by the NHA on 4/6/23 at 3:46 p.m.
The menu extension for the dysphagia mechanical level 2 revealed the roll was to either be pureed or slurried.
The slurry recipe instructions read: Ingredients for the slurry were milk, water or juice and food thickener; remove the crust from the bread; blend the liquid and thickener to form a slurry and pour half of the slurry mixture on the sheet pan. Place the soft bread items on top of the slurry and pour remaining slurry over the bread product, and pierce the bread with a fork. Allow the bread to sit a minimum of 15 minutes or until the bread was thoroughly softened and gelled through the entire thickness of the product. Drain any liquid that had been separated from the bread or bread products.
IV. Interviews
A representative for the company that provided the facility food menus, recipes and menu extensions was interviewed by phone on 4/11/23 at 9:30 a.m. She stated the diet manual used by the facility was found in their menu program and could be printed by the facility staff. She said in the description for the dysphagia mechanically altered level 2 diet read '(company name) menus serve ground meat' on pages 42-43 of the diet manual.
CK #1 was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:35 a.m. She said any resident with a dysphagia mechanical level 2 order should have ground ham. For the slurry roll, she said she was not given a recipe but she knew if it was a slice of bread she could brush the gravy or the slurry mix the facility could buy over the top of the bread. She said the facility did not have any of the slurry mix you could purchase at that time and that was why the gravy was used and put on top of the roll.
The DM was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 1:00 p.m. He said CK #1 did not use a recipe for slurried bread. The DM said he would check to make sure that the slurry will go through the inside of the roll. He said CK#1 was not using the recipe and was doing what she was told. He said he was unsure if the information was in the diet manual and he was unsure where the diet manual was, but he did have the diet manual.
-The diet manual was requested for review but not provided by the end of the survey on 4/11/23 .
The director of nursing (DON) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:30 a.m. She said care staff were trained to read meal tray cards and look for accuracy to see if what was served matched what was on the meal tray card. She said a little bit of training had taken place during the staff's initial orientation to look at the meal tray before it was provided to the resident.
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0813
(Tag F0813)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to implement their policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors to ensure safe a...
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Based on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to implement their policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors to ensure safe and sanitary storage, handling and consumption for three residents out of 28 sample residents.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
-Ensure resident refrigerators maintained appropriate temperatures for refrigerated food storage; and,
-Ensure sanitary food storage for Resident #12's refrigerator in her room.
Findings include:
I. Professional reference
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code 2022, last reviewed 1/18/23 and retrieved on 4/12/23 from https://www.fda.gov/food/retail-food-protection/fda-food-code, read in pertinent part, Bacterial growth and/or toxin production can occur if time/temperature control for safety food remains in the temperature 'danger zone' of 41 degrees Fahrenheit to 135 degrees Fahrenheit too long.
II. Facility policy
The Resident Refrigerators policy, revised January 2023, was provided by the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 4/11/23 at 9:07 a.m. It read in pertinent part, Dormitory-size refrigerators were allowed in a resident's room under the following conditions: The refrigerator maintained proper temperatures; the resident complied with the facility's policy for use of the refrigerator. Dietary staff shall record refrigerator temperatures weekly on a temperature log attached to the refrigerator. Temperatures will be at or below 41 F, and freezers will be cold enough to keep foods frozen solid to the touch (or in accordance with state regulations).
If temperatures were out of range, dietary staff shall discard any foods that required refrigeration, and take measures to remedy the problem.
If problems persist with maintaining proper temperatures, the refrigerator shall be removed from use and the resident/family notified.
Nursing and or housekeeping staff shall clean the refrigerator weekly and discard any foods that are out of compliance. Nursing staff shall clean up spills as needed, or refer to housekeeping staff. Leftovers shall be dated upon receipt and discarded within three days. Foods with use-by dates shall be discarded accordingly. The resident and/or family shall be educated on safe food storage and use of the refrigerator prior to its use, and as needed. Noncompliance with safety and sanitation requirements of this policy will result in the removal of the refrigerator from the resident's room.
IV. Resident interview and observation
Resident #12's room refrigerator log was reviewed on 4/5/23 at 11:00 a.m. A refrigerator temperature monitoring log posted on Resident #12's refrigerator had columns titled temperature, cleaning and food dated. The log was missing recorded refrigerator temperatures, and verification of cleaning and verification food dates for 26 days in March 2023 , and there were no recordings of any kind for April 2023. The last recorded temperature and verification of cleaning and dated food on the refrigerator log was 3/14/23. Two yogurts were observed in Resident #12's refrigerator with expiration dates of 3/19/23.
Resident #12 was interviewed on 4/5/23 at 11:00 a.m. She said that she ordered food from Walmart, and it was delivered and put in her refrigerator. She did not recall anyone talking with her about proper food storage in her room.
Resident #12's refrigerator was checked on 4/6/23 at 10:13 a.m. A new log was posted on the resident's refrigerator. The expired yogurts had been removed from the resident's refrigerator.
Resident #12's refrigerator was checked on 4/11/23 at 11:55 a.m. A half eaten piece of store bought carrot cake was in the refrigerator with no expiration date on the container.
III. Record review
The night shift binder was reviewed on 4/11/23 at 10:35 a.m. and revealed a temperature log where refrigerator temperatures were recorded for refrigerators stored in resident rooms. Each resident who had a refrigerator to be monitored was listed on the temperature log. The refrigerator log listed the range the refrigerator temperatures should be as between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit. The log also had recorded refrigerator temperatures for the unit snack refrigerators, and refrigerators in the soiled utility room (that were not food storage). The refrigerator log also had a column for corrective actions if a refrigerator was out of range. There were no corrective action notes written on the logs for February, March or April 2023.
Temperatures for refrigerators in resident rooms were recorded once a day on the log.
The temperature log had temperatures of 42 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in February 2023, March 2023 and April 2023 from 4/1/23 to 4/10/23 for one resident's room refrigerator.
The temperature log had recorded temperatures on 4/1/23, 4/2/23, 4/5/23 and 4/6/23 as 42 degrees Fahrenheit for another resident's room refrigerator.
-The NHA was notified on 4/11/23 at 11:30 a.m. that the resident refrigerator temperatures were recorded as out of range and the NHA saw the temperature logs in the night shift binder. She said she was not aware there was a binder that the nurses were recording refrigerator temperatures in.
IV. Staff interviews
The NHA, dietary manager (DM) and director of therapy services (DTS) were interviewed on 4/6/23 at 2:30 p.m. The DTS said she discarded the expired yogurts in Resident #12's refrigerator; it was a group effort and that all staff including nurses and certified nurse aides (CNAs) were to check the refrigerator temperatures and ensure expired products were removed from resident refrigerators.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) #1 was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 10:35 a.m. She said the night nurse checked the temperatures for the resident refrigerators between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and recorded them on the temperature logs in the night shift binder kept at the nurses station.
LPN #2 was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 12:00 p.m. He said the night nurse went through and checked resident refrigerator temperatures. He said the night nurse and all nursing staff could check the refrigerators for food from outside sources.
The DM was interviewed with the NHA, DTS, director of nursing (DON) and social services director (SSD) on 4/11/23 at 1:00 p.m. The SSD said she did talk to families who brought in food and the family had to write on the containers the date the food when it was brought in, but a policy was not handed to the family. She said if the food was homemade the facility staff liked to know the date the food came in because the staff could not verify the date the food was made, only when it was brought to the facility.
The DM said the temperature range listed on the log of 36 degrees Fahrenheit to 46 degrees Fahrenheit was incorrect and the temperature range should not go above 40 degrees, or really 41 degrees.
-The NHA, DTS, DON and SSD were informed a half eaten piece of carrot cake was observed in Resident #12's refrigerator earlier in the morning on 4/11/23. The DTS said she had checked Resident #12's refrigerator earlier that morning and did not see an opened carrot cake.
The DON said the night nurses were recording refrigerator temperatures in the night shift log, and that none of the refrigerators in the soiled utility held anything that had a range of 36-36 degrees Fahrenheit.
CNA #1 was interviewed on 4/12/23 at 2:30 p.m. She said she did check refrigerators in resident rooms as she did resident showers, but that it was a group effort between nurses and she had seen the therapy department staff clean expired products out of the refrigerators.
CONCERN
(F)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0809
(Tag F0809)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observations, record review, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure residents received their meals in a timely manner and to offer substantial nourishing snacks.
Specifically, the fac...
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Based on observations, record review, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure residents received their meals in a timely manner and to offer substantial nourishing snacks.
Specifically, the facility failed to ensure:
-There were not more than 14 hours between a substantial evening meal and breakfast the following day; and,
-Nourishing snacks were offered to residents at bedtime.
Findings include:
I. Facility policy
The Frequency of Meals policy, dated January 2023, was provided by the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 4/10/23 at 4:57 p.m. It read in pertinent part, The facility has scheduled three regular meal times, comparable to normal meal times in the community, per day and offers snacks at all times. There will be no more than 14 hours between an evening meal and breakfast the following day, unless a nourishing snack is served at bedtime; then, up to 16 hours may elapse between an evening meal and breakfast the following day if the resident council agrees to this meal time span. Nutritious snacks and convenience foods (canned soups, peanut butter, crackers, cereal, and fruit) shall be available on the nursing units for those residents who request food outside scheduled meal and snack times.
II. Meals served greater than 14 hours
Meal times were posted at the entrance of the main dining room and were listed as follows:
Breakfast
8:00 a.m.
Lunch
12:00 p.m.
Dinner
5:00 p.m.
Based on the meal times, the breakfast meal was served 15 hours after the dinner meal with the absence of a nourishing snack at bedtime (see below).
III. Resident observations and interviews
Resident #12 was interviewed on 4/5/23 at 10:50 a.m. She had a shelf of multiple dry food snacks in her room in addition to a personal refrigerator with snacks. She said the facility did not offer snacks.
Resident #6 was interviewed on 4/6/23 at 10:05 a.m. She said, 'they (the facility) don't have snacks and I don't think they (the facility) would have any if I asked.
Resident #7 was interviewed on 4/6/23 at 10:07 a.m. She said, I don't ask for snacks and they (the staff) don't offer any.
IV. Resident group
The resident group, who were identified by facility and assessment as interviewable, were interviewed on 4/14/23 at 12:49 p.m.
Resident #11 said they only get snacks when they ask for them.
Resident #31 said he has never been offered a snack. He said he was told the residents did not get snacks after 7:00 p.m. Resident #31 said if it was not for his children bringing him snacks, he would not have any.
Resident #11 said the snacks consist of fruits, yogurts and applesauce. She tried to get ice cream for a snack and the staff would not give it to her. She said she never got what she wanted for a snack.
V. Staff interviews
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) #1 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 10:35 a.m. She said some snacks were in the medication administration record (MAR) to offer the resident if the resident had weight loss. She said both nurses and certified nurse aides (CNAs) asked if residents wanted snacks but not at a specific time.
The dietary manager interviewed on 4/10/23 at 1:00 p.m. He said snacks both were offered and available on request and there were snacks stocked on the units.
The director of nursing (DON) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:30 a.m. She said in terms of snacks in general, if the facility identified any resident at risk and had snack offerings it would be recorded in the treatment administration record (TAR). She said snacks were always available such as yogurts, pudding and crackers; and the resident can ask for snacks at any time of day. She said the registered dietitian and risk management team were good at identifying residents who were not cognitively able to ask for a snack. In the memory care, snack offerings were part of their redirection all day long. The bedtime (HS) snack time frame was about 8:00 p.m., a long enough time that the residents were not full anymore.
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews and record review, the facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in a sani...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews and record review, the facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in a sanitary manner.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
-Ensure staff washed hands and changed single use gloves appropriately; and,
-Ensure only food was stored in two out of two unit snack refrigerators, and food was sealed appropriately and discarded by the use by date.
Findings include:
I. Ensure staff washed hands and changed single use gloves appropriately
A. Professional reference
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code 2022, last reviewed 1/18/23 and retrieved on 4/12/23 from https://www.fda.gov/food/retail-food-protection/fda-food-code, read in pertinent part, Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation, including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles and:
-After handling soiled equipment or utensils;
-During food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks; when switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat food; before donning (to put on) gloves to initiate a task that involved working with food; and after engaging in other activities that contaminated the hands.
Food employees shall clean their hands in a handwashing sink or approved automatic handwashing facility and may not clean their hands in a sink used for food preparation or warewashing.
B. Facility policy
The Food Safety Requirements policy, revised January 2023, was provided by the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 4/10/23 at 4:14p.m. The policy read in pertinent part, Food will also be stored, prepared, distributed and served in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. Food safety practices shall be followed throughout the facility ' s entire food handling process that included employee hygienic practices such as washing hands properly before distributing trays. Foods and beverages shall be distributed and served to residents in a manner to prevent contamination. Strategies included but were not limited to: Wash hands between contact with residents and after collecting soiled plates and food waste and the use of gloves when touching and assisting with ready-to-eat foods.
Staff shall:
-Wash hands prior to handling clean dishes, and shall handle them by outside surfaces or touch only the handles of utensils.
-Adhere to safe hygienic practices to prevent contamination of foods from hands or physical objects and wash hands according to facility procedures.
-Not touch food with bare hands, exhibiting appropriate use of gloves, tongs, deli paper, and spatulas.
The Handwashing Guidelines for Dietary Employees policy, revised January 2023, was provided by the NHA on 4/10/23 at 3:24 p.m. It read in pertinent part, Handwashing was necessary to prevent the spread of bacteria that may cause foodborne illnesses. Dietary employees shall clean their hands in a handwashing sink or approved automatic handwashing facility and may not clean hands in a sink used for food preparation, warewashing, or in a service sink used for the disposal of mop water or similar waste.
Compliance Guidelines:
-Dietary employees shall keep their hands and exposed portions of their arms clean.
-Dietary employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single service and single use articles and also in the following situations:
-Every time an employee enters the kitchen; at the beginning of the shift; after returning from break; after using the toilet.
-After hands have touched anything unsanitary i.e., garbage, soiled utensils/equipment, dirty dishes, etc.
-After hands have touched bare human body parts other than clean hands (such as face, nose, hair).
-While preparing food, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks.
-Before donning gloves for working with food.
-After engaging in any activity that may contaminate the hands.
C. Observations
Lunch service was observed on 4/6/23.
-At 11:12 a.m. cook (CK) #2 wiped his gloved hands on a towel twice then grabbed a box containing frozen pie, did not remove his glove or wash his hands and then touched the ready to eat pie while placing a slice on a plate.
-At 11:17 a.m. CK #2 rinsed his gloves in the two compartment sink and did not remove the gloves or wash his hands.
-At 12:01 p.m. CK #1 touched her surgical face mask while wearing gloves, and then touched utensils on the hot food serving station without washing her hands and changing her gloves.
-At 12:03 p.m. CK #1 touched the meal tray cards and then put her hands in the center of two dinner plates on the hot food serving station, and then used the plates for residents ' food.
-At 12:04 p.m. CK #1, while still wearing the same pair of gloves, grabbed a ready to eat dinner roll and placed the roll on the plate.
-At 12:06 p.m. CK #1, while still wearing the same pair of gloves, touched the center of three dinner plates on the hot food serving station and then used the plates for residents ' food.
-At 12:09 p.m. CK #1, while still wearing the same pair of gloves, grabbed a ready to eat dinner roll with her hand and placed it on a dinner plate.
-At 12:11 p.m. CK #1 while wearing the same pair of gloves, touched her eye glasses, and then her surgical face mask. She then rinsed her hands in the sink but did not wash them with soap, and donned new gloves. She stated she used a lot of gloves.
-At 12:14 p.m. CK #1 touched her surgical face mask, then picked up three soup bowls with her fingers inside the bowls, and then used the bowls for residents ' food.
-At 12:15 p.m. CK #1, while still wearing the same pair of gloves, grabbed a ready to eat dinner roll with her hand and placed it on a dinner plate.
-At 12:19 p.m. CK #1 touched her gloved hands on her pants, and then grabbed a ready to eat dinner roll with her hand and placed it on a dinner plate.
-At 12:49 p.m. CK #1 touched her ear, then touched her hair and removed her gloves and did not wash her hands before donning a new pair of gloves.
D. Staff interviews
DA #1 was interviewed on 4/11/23 11:31 a.m. He changed his gloves between the clean and dirty side of the dish area when washing dishes, and did not wear a pair of gloves for more than 15 minutes at a time before washing his hands and changing his gloves.
CK #1 was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:35 a.m. She said she preferred to use tongs for ready to eat foods like the dinner roll, but she said she was told she did not have to use utensils for the rolls. She said because she was touching the scoop handles on the hot food serving station she liked to use tongs to serve the dinner rolls instead of her hands.
The dietary manager (DM) was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 1:00 p.m. He said he did not notice CK#1 ' s improper hand hygiene during 4/6/23 lunch service, and she should have used a pair of tongs to serve the dinner rolls. He said the staff could not rinse their gloves off in between tasks and instead the gloves should be changed and hands washed.
II. Ensure only food was stored and food was labeled and discarded by the use by date.
A. Facility policy
The Food Safety Requirements policy, revised January 2023, was provided by the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 4/10/23 at 4:14 p.m. The policy read in pertinent part, Facility staff shall inspect all food, food products, and beverages for safe transport and quality upon delivery/receipt and ensure timely and proper storage. Labeling, dating, and monitoring refrigerated food, including, but not limited to leftovers, so it was used by its use-by date, or discarded.
B. Observations
On 4/5/23 at 1:00 p.m. the following items were observed in the unit snack refrigerator and freezer (non-secure unit):
-Opened jar of [NAME] ' s grape jelly in the refrigerator, with no expiration date.
-Opened, half full, clear plastic container of store bought mini boston chocolate donuts in the refrigerator, and a production sticker date of 3/25/23, and no expiration date.
-A four ounce container of unidentified food in the refrigerator with a person ' s first name, dated 3/12/23.
-Container of apricots placed in a clear ziploc bag in the refrigerator, dated 3/4/23.
-Two gel cooling packs were in the freezer (that touched resident skin) with food items, one was labeled a body gel pack and the other had a resident ' s last name on it.
On 4/5/23 at 1:10 p.m. in the cupboard labeled resident snacks next to the (non-secure) unit snack refrigerator, were two opened bags of potato chips, with no expiration date and not sealed.
On 4/5/23 at 1:15 p.m. the following items were observed in the secure unit ' s refrigerator and freezer:
-One body gel cooling pack in the freezer.
-A frozen drink in a clear plastic cup from a local coffee shop, less than half full, with no name or expiration date.
-One opened and partially eaten four ounce container of ice cream in the freezer, with no name or expiration date.
-A honey dijon dressing bottle in the refrigerator, less than half full, with name or expiration date.
-Opened jar of [NAME] ' s grape jelly in the refrigerator, with no expiration date.
-One dozen Noosa yogurts in the refrigerator with an expiration date of 3/26/23.
On 4/5/23 at 1:49 the dietary manager (DM) was notified there were a dozen expired yogurt containers in the secure unit refrigerator. The DM stated that the staff on the units were supposed to check the unit refrigerators for expired products.
The (non secured) unit snack refrigerator was checked on 4/6/23 at 10:27 a.m. The two body gel packs were still in the freezer. A container of meadow gold dairy milk, less than half full with an expiration date of 4/5/23 was in the refrigerator. The mini boston chocolate donuts had been removed. The two open bags of potato chips in the resident snack cupboard were still opened and unsealed.
The secure unit snack refrigerator was checked on 4/6/23 at 10:33 a.m. The expired Noosa yogurt containers and local coffee house frozen drink had been removed. An open container of Yoplait yogurt was in the refrigerator unsealed with no name. The body gel cooling pack was still in the freezer.
C. Staff interviews
The DM, nursing home administrator (NHA) and the director of therapy services (DTS) were interviewed on 4/6/23 at 2:30 p.m. The DTS stated she removed the expired product from the unit refrigerators, but did not check the snack cupboard with the open bags of chips. She said the dietary staff used to maintain the unit refrigerators and their logs.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) #1 was interviewed on 4/10/23 at 10:35 a.m. She said she was a charge nurse; the night nurse on the 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. shift checked the temperatures for the snack refrigerators and recorded them in the night shift binder and that the kitchen staff were responsible for cleaning the expired food out of the unit refrigerators.
The DM was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 1:00 p.m. in the presence of the NHA, DTS and the director of nursing (DON). He said that the dietary staff monitored the unit snack refrigerators but currently that he was the only one checking them. He said he did ask the care staff to check the unit refrigerators but he should be looking at temperatures and product dates. He said different products had different expiration dates, for example dairy could be a three day expiration and fruit could be seven days from when the product was open.
The DON said that upon hire for nursing staff, the care staff shadowed another employee during training, and were trained to check dates on items in the refrigerators and the temperature logs.
The NHA said the expiration date on an opened product was three days in both unit refrigerators.
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
QAPI Program
(Tag F0867)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interviews and record review, the facility failed to ensure an effective quality assurance program to identify and address facility compliance concerns was implemented, in order to facilitate...
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Based on interviews and record review, the facility failed to ensure an effective quality assurance program to identify and address facility compliance concerns was implemented, in order to facilitate improvement in the lives of nursing home residents, through continuous attention to quality of care, quality of life and resident safety.
Specifically, the quality assurance performance improvement (QAPI) program committee failed to develop and implement effective action plans to address repeat deficiencies and ensure systemic and lasting improvement for quality of care issues.
Findings include:
I. Facility policy
The Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Plan, revised October 2022, was received from the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 6/8/23 at 12:47 p.m. The plan read in pertinent part, It is the policy of this facility to develop, implement, and maintain an effective, comprehensive, data-driven QAPI program that focuses on indicators of the outcomes of care and quality of life and addresses all the care and unique services the facility provides.The QAPI plan will address the following elements: Tracking and measuring performance.Establishing goals and thresholds for performance improvements. Identifying and prioritizing quality deficiencies.Systematically analyzing underlying causes of systemic quality deficiencies. Developing and implementing corrective action or performance improvement activities.Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of corrective action/performance improvement activities and revising as needed.
II. Cross-referenced citations
Cross-reference F689: The facility failed to implement interventions to prevent resident falls.
Cross-reference F692: The facility failed to identify and implement interventions to prevent significant weight loss.
Cross reference F697: The facility failed to ensure an effective pain management program.
Cross reference F805: The facility failed to ensure foods were prepared according to their diet orders.
Cross reference F809: The facility failed to ensure a substantial snack was offered when meal times were greater than 14 hours.
Cross reference F812: The facility failed to ensure foods were stored in a sanitary manner.
III. Review of the facility's regulatory record revealed it failed to operate a QAPI program in a manner to prevent repeat deficiencies and initiate a plan to correct.
F689 Accident prevention
During the recertification survey on 4/11/23, F689 was cited at a G scope and severity. During the revisit survey on 6/8/23, the facility was cited at a E scope and severity.
F692 Weight loss
During the recertification survey on 4/11/23, F692 was cited at a G scope and severity. During the revisit survey on 6/8/23, the facility was cited at a G scope and severity.
F697 Pain management
During the recertification survey on 4/11/23, F697 was cited at a D scope and severity. During the revisit survey on 6/8/23, the facility was cited at a G (actual harm) which was an increased scope and severity.
F805
During the recertification survey on 4/11/23 was cited at a D scope and severity. During the revisit survey on 6/8/23, the facility was cited at an increased scope and severity at an E.
F809
During the recertification survey on 4/11/23was cited at an E scope and severity. During the revisit survey on 6/8/23, the facility was cited at an E scope and severity.
F812
During the recertification survey on 4/11/23, F812 was cited at a F scope and severity. During the revisit survey on 6/8/23, , the facility was cited at a D scope and severity.
IV. Interviews
The NHA, director of nursing (DON) and regional director of operations (RDO) were interviewed on 6/8/23 at 5:22 p.m. The DON said the QAPI committee met monthly on the second Tuesday of the month with all department heads, the medical director and the pharmacist. She said no direct care floor staff attended the meetings.
The DON said areas of concern were identified from concerns discussed in the daily morning meeting, grievance forms, clinical data gathered such as resident falls during the month and audits.
The DON said the QAPI committee looked for trends and then root causes and then put a performance improvement plan in place.
The DON said the committee reviewed the citations from the 4/11/23 recertification survey in the May 2023 QAPI. She said the committee had started to develop action plans at that time, but had not met to review progress since then. She said the department leaders met weekly to discuss the action plans from their recertification survey.
The DON said falls were discussed at the QAPI meeting, however the committee had not identified that residents at risk for falls did not have fall care plans and interventions were not consistently implemented.
The DON said significant weight loss was reviewed at QAPI when a resident triggered a significant loss. They DON said the registered dietitian (RD) reviewed weights weekly for changes. She said she was not sure why the RD had not addressed the significant weight loss.
The DON said pain was reviewed at the QAPI committee if there was a concern. She said she did not know why there were residents without routine pain monitoring, pain goals, pain care plans or non-pharmacological interventions for pain. She said those were not things that had been identified by the committee.
The NHA said the dietary manager (DM) had educated the staff and audited food textures. She said she was not aware of the continued deficiency in food texture. She said this had not been identified and she had not observed or audited the textures.
The NHA said the facility had changed the time of meals and were offering a substantial snack at bedtime. She said the facility's weekly meeting to review their plans of correction had not identified any concern. She said they had not identified that the sign by the dining room still had meal time hours with a 14 hour gap between dinner and breakfast the following morning. She said the weekly facility meetings had not identified that residents were still not aware of the time change. She said the nursing staff were educated to offer a snack at bedtime. She said the DM was the only person auditing meal times and snacks offered.
The NHA said food storage concerns were not identified by the QAPI process. She said the DM was monitoring refrigerators for labeled foods and foods beyond their use by date. She said she thought he had just missed it and the weekly meetings had not identified a concern.
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to maintain an infection control and prevention program designed...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to maintain an infection control and prevention program designed to provide a sanitary environment to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
-Assess where Legionella and other opportunistic waterborne pathogens could grow and spread; and,
-Implement measures to prevent the growth of Legionella and other opportunistic waterborne pathogens in building water systems according to nationally accepted standards.
Findings include:
I. Water management
A. Professional reference
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Legionella (Legionnaires Disease and Pontiac fever), last reviewed 3/25/21, retrieved from on 4/17/23: https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/wmp/toolkit/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Flegionella%2Fmaintenance%2Fwmp-toolkit.html and https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/wmp/overview.html.
It read in pertinent part, Many buildings need a water management program to reduce the risk for Legionella growing and spreading within their water system and devices.
Legionella bacteria are typically found naturally in [NAME] environments, but can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made water systems. Legionella can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) known as Legionnaires disease. Some water systems in buildings have a higher risk for Legionella growth and spread than others. Legionella water management programs are now an industry standard for many buildings in the United States.
Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires disease. Legionella bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called Pontiac fever.
The key to preventing Legionnaires disease is to reduce the risk of Legionella growth and spread. Building owners and managers can do this by maintaining building water systems and implementing controls for Legionella.
Water management programs identify hazardous conditions and take steps to minimize the growth and transmission of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in building water systems. Developing and maintaining a water management program is a multi-step process that requires continuous review.
Seven key elements of a Legionella water management program are to:
-Establish a water management program team
-Describe the building water systems using text and flow diagrams
-Identify areas where Legionella could grow and spread
-Decide where control measures should be applied and how to monitor them
-Establish ways to intervene when control limits are not met
-Make sure the program is running as designed (verification) and is effective (validation)
-Document and communicate all the activities.
Principles: In general, the principles of effective water management include:
-Maintaining water temperatures outside the ideal range for Legionella growth
- Preventing water stagnation
-Ensuring adequate disinfection
-Maintaining devices to prevent sediment, scale, corrosion, and biofilm, all of which provide a habitat and nutrients for Legionella.
Once established, water management programs require regular monitoring of key areas for potentially hazardous conditions and the use of predetermined responses to respond when control measures are not met.
A consultant with Legionella-specific environmental expertise may sometimes be helpful in implementing and operating water management programs.
B. Facility policy and procedure
The Water Management program revised on 1/1/23 read in pertinent part:
It is the policy of this facility to establish water management plans for reducing the risk of legionellosis and other opportunistic pathogens in the facility's water systems based on nationally accepted standards.
The maintenance director maintains documentation that describes the facility's water system
evaluation potential environmental exposures
performing an environmental assessment
performing environmental sampling, as indicated by the environmental assessment
In the event event of an update to the water management program, the water management team shall:
Update the water system schematic/description, associated control limits, and predetermined corrective actions
Train those responsible for implementing and monitoring the updated program.
C. Interviews
The director of maintenance was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 2:00 p.m. He said that he started the position three months ago and since then the facility did not initiate a water management plan. He said that the nursing home administrator (NHA) and himself were working to update the water management program which included using the Legionella Environmental Assessment Form from the CDC. He said before he became the director the facility did not have a plan in place.
The NHA was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 2:15 p.m. She said that the facility had not implemented a water management plan as of the date of the survey but the facility had intentions to initiate the plan in the near future. She said that the current director of maintenance was only in the position for three months and the previous director had not completed a water management plan to her knowledge. She said that before the date of the survey she was under the impression that the facility only needed a policy but said moving forward the facility would implement a water management plan.
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0947
(Tag F0947)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to implement a training system to ensure certified nurse aides (CNAs) had no less than 12 hours of education in the required areas each year....
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Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to implement a training system to ensure certified nurse aides (CNAs) had no less than 12 hours of education in the required areas each year.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
-Ensure five of five CNAs (#1, #2, #5, #6, and #7) were provided the required 12 hours of annual training based on their start date; and,
-Ensure abuse prevention training was provided to CNAs #1 and #5.
Findings include:
I. Facility policy
The Nurse Aide Training Program policy, dated April 2019, was provided by the nursing home administrator (NHA) on 4/11/23 at 11:18 a.m. It read in pertinent part, Each nurse aide shall be provided at least 12 hours of in-service training annually, based on his/her employment date, not calendar year. The Staff Development Coordinator shall maintain documentation of training in his/her office during the current training year, and shall forward to the HR (human resources) Director at the completion of the training year to be maintained in the employee's personnel file. In-service training will be provided by qualified personnel and will be based on the special needs of the residents in the facility. Minimum training will include: Effective communication; dementia management and care of the cognitively impaired; abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention; elements and goals of the facility's QAPI (quality assurance performance improvement) program; resident rights and facility responsibilities; written standards, policies, and procedures for the facility's infection prevention and control program; requirements under the facility's compliance and ethics program; safety and emergency procedure; and behavioral health.
II. Record review
A record of CNA in-services was provided by the NHA on 4/10/23 at 2:00 p.m. Start dates for the CNAs were requested on 4/10/23 at 2:45 p.m. but not provided. The NHA said only two CNAs had worked there for at least a year.
The documented in-services provided were held monthly beginning on 8/18/22 and ending on 3/21/23 (eight months). Two additional in-services were held on 8/19/22 and 9/15/22 for one hour each. All documented in-services provided were one hour in length with the exception of the inservice on 12/20/22 and 1/17/23 which were 1.5 hours. The total hours of documented in-services provided was 11 hours.
-However, multiple topics were covered during the in-services and topics were not broken down by time covered.
Specifically:
-CNA #1 had recorded five hours of inservice training that did not include abuse training.
-CNA #2 had recorded 11 hours of inservice training.
-CNA #5 had recorded six hours of inservice training that did not include abuse training.
-CNA #6 had recorded three hours of inservice training. CNA #6 had a start date listed on a competency sheet as 5/15/18.
-CNA #7 had recorded five hours of inservice training hours that did not include abuse training.
III. Staff interviews
The NHA was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:00 a.m. She said the facility started a new training binder for 2023 after the facility discovered in November 2022 competency and in-services were not kept track of.
-However, according to the training information provided by the facility, the sample CNAs still did not have required training and hours.
The director of nursing was interviewed on 4/11/23 at 11:30 a.m. She said the old inservice topics were too broad so the facility switched in November 2022 to the current format that had the inservice times listed on it. She said she did not think the training duration was listed on the sign in sheets.