CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR

902 BLACKSHEAR ROAD, CORDELE, GA 31015 (229) 273-1481
Non profit - Corporation 143 Beds Independent Data: November 2025 2 Immediate Jeopardy citations
Trust Grade
44/100
#123 of 353 in GA
Last Inspection: February 2025

Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.

Overview

Crisp Regional Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has a Trust Grade of D, indicating below-average quality and some concerning issues. They rank #123 out of 353 facilities in Georgia, placing them in the top half, but they are the second of only two options in Crisp County, which limits local choices. The facility's trend is improving, moving from 6 issues in 2023 to none reported in 2025, which is encouraging. Staffing is a relative strength with a 2 out of 5 stars rating and a turnover rate of 41%, which is better than the state average. However, the facility has faced critical incidents, such as failing to implement a care plan to monitor a resident at risk of wandering and not maintaining proper sanitation in garbage storage areas, which poses health risks. Overall, while there are some strengths, families should consider the significant areas of concern before making a decision.

Trust Score
D
44/100
In Georgia
#123/353
Top 34%
Safety Record
High Risk
Review needed
Inspections
Getting Better
6 → 0 violations
Staff Stability
○ Average
41% turnover. Near Georgia's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
Penalties
○ Average
$15,924 in fines. Higher than 60% of Georgia facilities. Some compliance issues.
Skilled Nurses
○ Average
Each resident gets 35 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Georgia. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
Violations
○ Average
9 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
★★★☆☆
3.0
Overall Rating
★★☆☆☆
2.0
Staff Levels
★★☆☆☆
2.0
Care Quality
★★★☆☆
3.0
Inspection Score
Stable
2023: 6 issues
2025: 0 issues

The Good

  • Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
  • No fines on record
  • Staff turnover below average (41%)

    7 points below Georgia average of 48%

Facility shows strength in fire safety.

The Bad

3-Star Overall Rating

Near Georgia average (2.6)

Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities

Staff Turnover: 41%

Near Georgia avg (46%)

Typical for the industry

Federal Fines: $15,924

Below median ($33,413)

Minor penalties assessed

The Ugly 9 deficiencies on record

2 life-threatening
Sept 2023 3 deficiencies
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Comprehensive Care Plan (Tag F0656)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review, staff interviews, and review of the facility policies, titled LTC- Oxygen, and LTC Care Pl...

Read full inspector narrative →
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review, staff interviews, and review of the facility policies, titled LTC- Oxygen, and LTC Care Plan- Resident's Right to Participate, the facility failed to ensure that a care plan was developed for three of 29 sampled residents (R13, R23 and R61). Specifically, the facility failed to ensure R13 had a care plan that addressed the use of a foley catheter, failed to ensure there was a care plan that addressed oxygen use for R23, and failed to ensure that R61 had a care plan that addressed dialysis treatments that were utilized. Findings Include: Review of the facility policy titled, LTC- Oxygen dated 8/2023 revealed under Policy Subject: Oxygen 1. There must be a physician ' s order for oxygen use which includes the route and liter flow or specific oxygen concentration, and how long the oxygen is to be administered. 3. When the unit nurse initiates oxygen therapy for a resident, he/she must: a. guarantee the provider ' s order is populated to the TAR with modifications as needed. 7.The unit nurse must: e. administer medications, respiratory treatments, and oxygen as ordered by the resident ' s physicians or provider. 9. Oxygen tubing and/or masks must be replaced weekly and as needed. Review of the facility policy titled, LTC Care Plan- Resident's Right to Participate, dated 8/2023 under Policy and Procedure; Intent: it is the policy of the facility to promote seamless interdisciplinary care for our residents by utilizing the interdisciplinary plan of care based on assessment, planning, treatment, service, and intervention. It is utilized to plan for and manage resident care as evidence by documentation from admission through discharge for each resident. The care plan will identify priority problems and needs to be addressed by the interdisciplinary team IDT, and will reflect the resident's initial strengths, limitations, and goals. 1.Review of the electronic medical record for R13, revealed that resident was admitted to the facility with diagnoses that included but were not limited to urinary tract infection, acute kidney failure, chronic diastolic heart failure, malignant neoplasm of the kidney, and obstructive and reflex uropathy. Review of the physician orders for R13 revealed that the resident is to have urinary catheter care on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays, and has a 16 French foley catheter in place. Review of the admission MDS dated [DATE] revealed in Section C (Cognitive Patterns) resident had a BIMS score of 15, which means the resident is cognitively intact. Section H (Bladder and Bowel), that describes the resident's bladder and bowel function, revealed that the resident has an indwelling catheter. Observation on 9/12/2023 at 9:47am, R13 was resting in his bed with his eyes closed. The resident was observed with a foley drainage bag hanging from the bed frame. Observation on 9/13/2023 at 8:57am, R13 was observed resting in his bed, eyes open. The door was open and a foley drainage bag was observed hanging from the bed frame. It was observed with a privacy cover. Interview on 9/14/2023 at 8:23am with MDS Coordinator revealed that she is responsible for initiating and updating the care plan. She updates the care plan from information received from IDT meeting and morning meeting, care plan meetings on Tuesday, and post admission meeting. She revealed that indwelling catheters should be care planned. She also confirmed that R13 was admitted with a catheter, and she verified that it was not on his care plan. 2.Review of the electronic medical record for resident R23, revealed that he was admitted to the facility with diagnoses that included but are not limited to cerebral infarction, cognitive communication deficit, hypertension, disease of the pericardium, attention and concentration deficit, and dementia. Review of the physician orders for R23 revealed that he was ordered to have oxygen at 2 liters per minute, as needed to keep the residents oxygen saturation greater than 90 percent (%). Review of the readmission MDS dated [DATE] for R23 revealed Section C (Cognitive Patterns) that the resident has a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 08, which means he is moderately cognitively impaired. Review of Section O (Special treatments and Programs) revealed that the resident used oxygen while not a resident and as a resident. Observation on 9/12/2023 at 9:23 am R23 was observed in a wheelchair dressed sitting in his room. He stated that he had just returned from having therapy. He was using oxygen at Two liters per minute via a nasal cannula. Observation on 9/13/2023 at 2:50 pm, R 23 was observed in his room, sitting in his wheelchair dressed, using oxygen at 2 liters per minute via a nasal cannula. Review of the care plan for R 23 revealed that there was no plan of care listed for respiratory and oxygen use. Interview on 9/14/2023 at 8:23 am with the MDS Coordinator, revealed that she is responsible for initiating and updating the care plan. She stated that she gets the information for updating from morning meeting, interdisciplinary team (IDT) meeting, care plan meeting on Tuesdays and admission care plan meeting that will occur within 5 days of admission. She verified that the care plan for R#23 did not have oxygen, that included amount and interventions. The resident was admitted using oxygen. She stated that oxygen use should be Care planned and she would update the care plan. 3. Review of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) revealed medical diagnoses for R61 include but not limited to End Stage Renal Disease, Essential (Primary) Hypertension, Dependence on Renal Dialysis, and Anemia due to Chronic Kidney Disease. During a review of the Care Plan dated 5/22/2023 it was revealed there was no care plan initiated for Dialysis Treatment for R61. During a review of the Progress Notes, it was revealed on 5/22/2023 Resident arrived at facility and admitted into room [ROOM NUMBER]. She was admitted to the facility for End Stage Renal Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and Alzheimer's; Dialyzed on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Shunt noted to left arm with positive bruit/thrill. Interview on 9/14/2023 at 9:15 am with LPN GG revealed the Resident goes to Dialysis on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; she eats breakfast before she leaves, she gets back around lunch time; vital signs are taken before she leaves and the staff at the Dialysis clinic will take the vital signs before she gets back; she has a shunt for dialysis, the nurses check it daily. The medication nurses do not initiate or update the care plans. Interview on 9/14/2023 at 10:15 am with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coordinator FF revealed she puts the care plan information in the computer; if there is a new admission the computer will generate a set of generic care plans automatically; after 48 hours there will be a meeting with the Resident and family and additional information can be added to the care plan. If there is a change in the Resident's condition the MDS nurse puts the information on the care plan. The nursing supervisor and DON can update the care plan; the medication nurse does not usually update the care plan. During the interview MDS Coordinator FF confirmed Dialysis was not listed on the Care Plan for R61. Interview on 9/14/2023 at 10:30 am with the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed that the MDS Coordinator puts the information on the care plan; she gets the information from the referral email and discharge orders; updates are discussed during the morning meeting. The Morning Meeting is held Monday through Friday; on the weekend there are nursing supervisors here so they can communicate with MDS about any changes. The DON confirmed Dialysis was not listed on the Care Plan for R61.
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Respiratory Care (Tag F0695)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

Based on observation, interview, and review of facility policies titled, LTC- Aerosol Administration and LTC- Oxygen. The facility failed to properly store respiratory equipment and ensure oxygen (02)...

Read full inspector narrative →
Based on observation, interview, and review of facility policies titled, LTC- Aerosol Administration and LTC- Oxygen. The facility failed to properly store respiratory equipment and ensure oxygen (02) was administered as ordered by the physician for two (2) of nine (9) residents (R) (R22 and R28). Specifically, the facility failed to ensure R22 humidifier bottle was changes according to the physicians order, the facility also failed to ensure the nebulizer mask for R28 was stored and labeled properly, deficient practice had the potential to increase the probability of R22 and R28 contracting a Respiratory infection. Findings include: Review of the facility policy titled, LTC- Aerosol Administration last revised 11/2021 revealed under Purpose: To deliver aerosol medications to restore and maintain normal function of the mucociliary escalator, improve efficiency of cough mechanism, provide bronchodilator therapy, and deliver other medications to the airway. 6. Empty any residual liquid and place the nebulizer on a plastic patient bag. Review of the facility policy titled, LTC- Oxygen last revised 8/2023 revealed under Policy Subject: Oxygen 9. Oxygen tubing and/or mask must be replaced weekly. Observation on 9/12/2023 at 10:36 am revealed R28 nebulizer mask was not bagged and not labeled, nor dated. Record review for R28 revealed diagnoses that included: Pneumonia, other disorders of lung, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation, dependence on supplemental oxygen. Observation on 9/12/2023 10:45 a.m. revealed R22 oxygen concentrator was on 1.5 Litters per minute (L/M) and date on the water bottle was 9/5/2023. Record review for R22 revealed diagnoses included: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified, chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation. Review of the physician orders revealed Change tubing at least every 72 hours, every week clean oxygen tubing weekly and prn, provide new bag with initials and date. Change nebulizer tubing weekly and prn (as needed). Observation on 9/13/2023 at 8:14 am revealed R22 O2 concentrator is on and it ' s turned to 1.5L, water is dated 9/5/23 with water in it. Interview on 9/13/2023 at 3:41 pm with Director of Nursing (DON) revealed nebulizers should be bagged and dated. DON confirmed Nebulizer mask was sitting on top of machine without a bag.
CONCERN (F)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Garbage Disposal (Tag F0814)

Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents

Based on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to maintain the garbage storage area in a sanitary manner by ensuring dumpster lids were closed, failed to ensure the surrounding area w...

Read full inspector narrative →
Based on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to maintain the garbage storage area in a sanitary manner by ensuring dumpster lids were closed, failed to ensure the surrounding area was free from trash and standing water, failed to ensure one of three dumpsters was in good condition by not leaking. This practice had the potential to attract insects/rodents, and the potential for transmission of disease through the harborage and feeding of pests and carrying microorganisms into the facility. Findings include: Observation on 9/12/2023 at 9:40 a.m., and again that afternoon at 5:00 p.m., revealed two of three dumpsters with large bags of garbage inside with the lid open and trash on the ground. The dumpsters were visible by the survey team from inside the conference room. Observation on 9/13/2023 at 8:13 a.m. revealed two dumpsters containing large bags of garbage inside with the lid open and trash on the ground, visible from inside the conference room. Another observation at 9:12 a.m. of the dumpster area revealed additional bags of trash had been piled on top of the bags from the earlier observation, the dumpster lid was open, free-standing water and trash was on the ground around the dumpsters. Observation and interview on 9/13/2023 at 3:10 p.m. with the Administrator confirmed that the lid was not closed on two of three dumpsters, and there was water and trash on the ground around the dumpsters. The administrator revealed this was unacceptable and she expected the dumpster area to be clean and sanitary. She expected trash to be inside the dumpster, the lid to be closed, expected no drainage around the dumpsters, and revealed it would be corrected immediately. The administrator revealed maintenance was responsible for overseeing the dumpsters, and trash pick-up was once a week unless they called them and requested more often. She revealed there was no policy for dumpster maintenance, and she did not think she had any Inservice records on proper disposal of trash, but there is about to be [sic]. Observation on 9/14/2023 at 8:41 a.m. revealed one of two dumpsters had large bags of trash inside with the lid open, standing water and trash on the ground. Observation on 9/14/2023 at 8:53 a.m. during a tour of the dumpster area with the dietary manager (DM) confirmed that two dumpsters had large bags of trash inside and the lid was open, trash was on the ground, one dumpster had drainage leaking out onto the ground, free-standing water was around the dumpster area, several gloves, and a mask was scattered on the grassy area around the dumpster that was off to the side. The DM stated that the whole facility, not just dietary, put trash in the dumpsters and staff had been instructed on the proper way to discard trash. At that time, she closed all dumpster lids. A short while later the dietary manager informed this surveyor that she had personally picked up all the trash around the dumpsters. The Dietary Manager agreed there should not be any trash on top of the dumpster lid, the dumpster lid should be closed, the dumpster should not be leaking, and there should not be trash on the ground. She revealed the free-standing water was always there after it rained, it settled there. An observation on 9/14/2023 at 5:30 p.m. when the survey team was leaving the conference room after the exit revealed the lid to one of the dumpsters was open.
Jun 2023 3 deficiencies 2 IJ
CRITICAL (J) 📢 Someone Reported This

A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint

Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation

Comprehensive Care Plan (Tag F0656)

Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to implement the plan of care for one resident (R) R#1 with a k...

Read full inspector narrative →
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to implement the plan of care for one resident (R) R#1 with a known history of elopement, to perform frequent location checks of exit seeking behavior from a sample of eight residents. On 6/5/23 a determination was made that a situation in which the facility's noncompliance with one or more requirements of participation had the likelihood to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to residents. The facility's Administrator and the Infection Preventionist were informed of the Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) on 6/5/23 at 1:00 p.m. The noncompliance related to the IJ was identified to have existed on 5/16/23. An Acceptable IJ Removal Plan was received on 6/9/23. Based on observation, record reviews, review of facility policies as outlined in the Removal Plan, and staff interviews, it was validated that the corrective plans and the immediacy of the deficient practice was removed on 6/9/23. Findings include: R#1 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with the following but not limited to diagnoses: schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, acute encephalopathy, hypertension, schizoaffective disorder, auditory and visual hallucinations, diabetes mellitus type II, bipolar, communication impairment, neurological muscle weakness, risk of elopement from cognitively impaired subject, and wandering. The resident had a Quarterly Minimum Data Set assessment completed on 4/24/23 indicating a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) of 0 indicating the resident had severely impaired cognition, having no behaviors or wandering behavior, independent for transfers, and supervision with ambulation. The resident had a care plan since 11/22/21 for elopement behaviors managed to prevent harm, wanders at night and history of opening windows or checking to see if doors are locked with the following interventions: perform frequent location checks if exit seeking behavior and utilize Wander Alert device. There was also a physician's order since 11/5/21 to monitor resident for exit seeking behaviors six times per day following 9/29/21 incident (eloped from facility). Review of the Safety Checks TAR revealed the resident was not monitored for exit seeking behaviors six times a day as ordered by the physician. The document revealed on 5/8/23 monitored twice, 5/9/23 and 5/10/23 monitored three times, 5/11/23 monitored twice, 5/12/23 and 5/13/23 monitored once, 5/14/23 monitored twice, and 5/15/23 monitored once. On 5/16/23 staff documented they monitored the resident at 1:41 p.m. and at 5:44 p.m. although the resident had already eloped from the facility. During an interview with LPN AA on 5/30/23 at 1:35 p.m. she stated she checked the resident's blood sugar on 5/16/23 around 11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. and last saw the resident between 11:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. walking around Station 2 where his room was. She stated she made up the resident's blood sugars and falsified the documentation. At 4:30 p.m. she to look for the resident to check his blood sugar but she did not see him in his room, and she didn't even think to go and look for him, she just continued to go and check other resident's blood sugars. She stated she was supposed to do two-hour checks on her residents, but she was so far behind that day. She also stated that none of the staff had reported the resident's meal trays being untouched to her. During an interview with CNA BB on 5/25/23 at 4:55 p.m., she stated she last saw the resident on 5/16/23 around 11:30 a.m./12:00 p.m. when she was passing out lunch trays. She stated that she thought an agency CNA had delivered the resident's supper tray later that day. She stated that she was new to this and had gotten her CNA certification in April 2023 and she did not realize she was supposed to make rounds every two hours on the residents. There was no evidence the facility staff performed the frequent location checks on 5/16/23 as outlined in the care plan which resulted in the resident being missing for approximately eight hours before staff realized the resident had eloped from the facility. The resident was not found until nearly 21 hours later under an overpass on I-75 approximately 2.5 miles from the facility. The facility implemented the following actions to remove the IJ: (1) Resident # 1 is currently residing at Crisp Regional Health and Rehab and continues to have routine consults with the MD. His care plan was reviewed and revised on 5/17/2023 and 6/6/2023 by the Lead MDS to reflect the current elopement status high risk. Hourly rounds are being performed and wanderguard safety checks daily as indicated on the care plan. (2) On 05/17/2023, the policy for Elopement and LTC Care Plans were reviewed by the Administrator, LTC Quality Administrator, VP of LTC, and MDS Lead with no revisions made. The Medical Director reviewed and approved the Elopement Policy on 6/8/2023. (3) On 05/17/2023 and again on 06/06/2023, the MDS lead reviewed elopement care plans on 60 of 60 residents. There are 6 residents out of 60 residents identified at high risk for elopements. The care plans were updated to reflect all elopement interventions and the assessment questions as reflected in the LTC Elopement Policy. (4) On 06/07/2023, the Lead MDS in-serviced the IDT, which consists of SSD, MDS nurse, Unit Managers, Dietary Manager, Activity Director, Rehab Director, Wound Nurse, Admissions Director, Infection Control Nurse, Medical Records Director, Maintenance Director, and Administrator on development/ implementation of Elopement Care Plans. (5) On 06/06/2023, the Lead MDS implemented a Hourly Elopement Risk Rounding tool to audit residents identified as high risk for elopements with every 1-hour rounding, 24 hours 7 days/week. This audit includes wander guard system checks daily which includes testing the wanderguard bracelet to guarantee when in the vicinity of the (2) functioning door, the alarm sounds and locks appropriately. (6) On 6/6/2023 The MDS Lead implemented an Elopement Book at each nurse's station, inclusive of the Elopement Policy, all high risk for elopement resident profiles, pictures and care plans for easy access to all staff. All staff (10 of 10 RNs, 12 of 12 LPNs, 25 of 25 CNAs, 5 dietary, 1 of 1 materials management, 2 of 2 of maintenance, 6 of 6 housekeeping, 4 of 4 Therapists, 1 of 1 SSD, 1 of 1 BOM, 5 of 5 agency CNAs, and 5 of 5 agency LPNs, totaling 77 employees) have been educated where to access the elopement care plans by the RN MDS Lead and RN QA Nurse between 6/6/23 - 6/8/23. The remaining 18 PRN employees will be in-service prior to the next shift worked by the RN Nurse Educator, MDS Lead, Clinical Coordinator and/or Director of Nursing. (7) The Administrator and/or Director of Nursing will review the results of the audits daily starting 6/8/2023 to determine compliance. If a deficient practice is identified, it will be corrected immediately in an ADHOC QAPI and reviewed monthly in QAPI. (8) On 6/7/2023 the Quality Nurse implemented an Elopement Risk QAPI Audit Tool inclusive of the following that will be reported at each QAPI meeting: a. Number of elopement attempts, resident that attempted elopement, interventions put in place and care-plan review. b. Any residents exhibiting new exit seeking behaviors, interventions put in place and care-plan review. c. Audit that all required Elopement assessments are complete in correlation with new admissions, changes in condition and quarterly as indicated by the MDS assessment schedule. (9) An ADHOC QAPI meeting was held 5/26/2023 reviewing the elopement event that took place and the interventions in place. A second ADHOC QAPI meeting related to the incident was held 6/7/2023 to review the monitoring and audit tools implemented including the Hourly Elopement Risk Tool and the QAPI Elopement Risk Audit Tool. (10) Date corrective action will be completed is 6/8/2023 and IJ to be removed on 6/9/23. The State Survey Agency (SSA) validated the facility's written IJ Removal Plan as follows: (1) R#1 remains as a resident at the facility and this was verified via review of facility census data, dated 6/11/23 and review of R#1's clinical record, which included R#1's elopement risk care plan. Review of the Hourly Elopement Risk Rounding forms from 5/17/23 through 6/11/23 revealed that hourly rounds and daily wander guard safety checks were being completed by staff. This information was further verified via interview with the Administrator on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m. (2) Review of the LTC Elopement Policy with revision date of 6/2023 was verified. The policy included care plan procedures related to elopement. The policy was signed by the facility CEO, Director/VP of LTC, and the LTC Quality Administrator. A typed and signed statement, dated 6/8/23 from the Medical Director confirmed his agreement with the LTC Elopement plan. Also verified via interviews on 6/12/23 at 11:27 a.m. with the MDS Lead, on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m. with the Administrator, and on 6/13/23 at 12:20 p.m. with the LTC Quality Administrator. (3) Review of the elopement risk score sheets revealed they were completed on all residents on 5/17/23 and again on 6/6/23. A review of the elopement risk score sheets revealed that the initial six residents identified at high risk for elopement on 5/17/23 were R#1, R#2, R#3, R#4, R#5 and R#7. An additional resident, R#6, was also identified as high risk for elopement on 6/7/23. During an interview on 6/12/23 at 2:45 p.m. the DON confirmed the residents identified as being high risk for elopement and stated that monitoring of R#7 stopped, and he was no longer high risk, due to a change in condition. R#6 was a new admission on [DATE]. Review of the care plans for R#1, R#2, R#3, R#4, R#5, R#6, and R#7 revealed they were updated to include elopement risk and interventions. (4) Review of In-service education information titled Elopement IPOC's/Care-Plans with the accompanying staff signature sheets, dated 6/7/23 confirmed education provided to IDT. Also verified via interviews on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m. with the Administrator and at 11:45 a.m. with the Infection Control Nurse. Confirmed via interview with the Lead MDS on 6/12/23 at 11:27 a.m. she in-serviced the IDT team on the development/implementation of elopement care plans. Staff interviews conducted on 6/12/23 at 11:23 a.m. with Activities Director DD, at 11:40 a.m. with MDS coordinator GG, at 11:45 a.m. with Unit Manager HH, at 12:14 p.m. with the Medical Records Director, at 12:34 p.m. with the SSD and at 2:00 p.m. with the Dietary Manager and on 6/13/23 at 10:43 a.m. with the Maintenance Director confirmed they had received the in-service on the development/implementation of elopement care plans. (5) Record review of the Hourly Elopement Risk Rounding tools confirmed completed on all residents identified as high risk for elopements. Also verified via review of the QAPI Elopement Risk audit tools completed by the Administrator from 6/8/23 through 6/12/23. Interview with the Lead MDS on 6/12/23 at 11:27 a.m. who reported that she implemented the Hourly Elopement Risk Rounding tool for residents identified as high risk for elopement. (6) During an interview on 6/12/23 at 11:55 a.m., the RN QA Nurse (who is also the RN Nurse Educator) verified that the in-service education had been completed with all full-time facility staff (in person and/or over the phone) and that the 18 remaining PRN staff would be in-serviced prior to the next shift worked. She stated that she completed the in-service education with day shift staff and the MDS Lead completed in-service education with night shift staff. Review of the in-service education information and staff signature sheets titled Compliance and Ethics, IC P&P, Elopement Policy/IPOC, dated 6/6/23 through 6/8/23 revealed that 10 RN's, 12 LPN's (including 5 agency LPN's), 25 CNA's (including 5 agency CNA's), 5 dietary staff, 1 materials management staff, 2 maintenance staff, 6 housekeeping staff, 4 therapy staff, 1 SSD, and 1 BOM received the in-service education. Staff interviews conducted on 6/12/23 at 11:10 a.m. with CNA CC, at 11:23 a.m. with the Activities Director, at 11:25 a.m. with CNA EE, at 11:36 a.m. with Rehab Tech FF, at 11:40 a.m. with MDS Coordinator GG, at 11:45 a.m. with RN, Unit Coordinator HH, at 11:52 a.m. with Business Office Manager, at 11:55 a.m. with Infection Control, QAPI Nurse and Education Nurse, at 12:07 p.m. with CNA II, at 12:11 p.m. with LPN JJ, at 12:14 p.m. with Medical Records Director, at 12:17 p.m. with CNA KK, at 12:21 p.m. with LPN LL, at 12:34 with the SSD, at 12:57 p.m. with PTA MM, at 1:00 p.m. with HK/Floor Tech NN, at 1:04 p.m. with RN Weekend Supervisor OO and LPN PP, at 1:06 p.m. with the HK Manager, at 1:10 p.m. with Therapy/Office QQ, at 1:15 p.m. with CNA RR, at 1:23 p.m. with Respiratory Therapist SS, at 1:35 p.m. with Vent Unit Coordinator/RT TT, at 1:52 p.m. with HK UU and Vent Unit RN VV, at 1:55 p.m. with HK/Laundry WW, at 2:00 p.m. with the DM and HK XX, at 2:21 p.m. with Dietary Aide YY, at 2:24 p.m. with CNA BB, at 2:25 p.m. with Dietary ZZ, at 2:45 p.m. with the DON, at 3:03 with HK AAA, at 4:24 p.m. with CNA BBB, at 4:35 p.m. with CNA CCC, at 4:37 p.m. with LPN DDD, on 6/13/23 at 9:20 a.m. with LPN FFF, at 9:27 a.m. with CNA GGG, at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:43 a.m. with the Maintenance Director confirmed they had received in-service training on the Elopement books, Elopement Policy, Elopement resident profiles and care plans. (7) Verified via review of the QAPI Elopement Risk Audit Tools signed and dated 6/8/23 through 6/12/23 by the Administrator. The completed audit tools included all residents identified as high risk for elopement. During an interview on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m. the Administrator confirmed completion of the tools and review of the results. (8) Verified via review of the QAPI Elopement Risk Audit Tool which included the categories of elopement attempts, residents exhibiting exit seeking behaviors, elopement assessments, hourly elopement risk and wander guard safety check audit. During an interview on 6/12/23 at 11:55 a.m. the Quality Nurse confirmed the use of the tool and that the results of the audits would be discussed at the next QAPI meeting scheduled for 6/30/23. (9) Verified via review of the QAPI signature sheet, dated 5/26/23 and the accompanying QAPI meeting information, which included the topic of elopement and elopement POC. Also verified via review of the QAPI ADHOC meeting information and accompanying staff signature sheet, dated 6/7/23. The agenda included elopement and the audit tools implemented. Also verified via review of the Elopement PIP accepted by the QA committee on 6/7/23. During an interview on 6/13/23 at 11:45 a.m., the Quality Nurse confirmed the meetings were held on 5/26/23 and 6/7/23 and included discussions on elopement, interventions in place, and use of the monitoring and audit tools. She stated the next QAPI meeting was scheduled for 6/30/23. During an interview on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m., the Administrator also confirmed the QAPI meetings and elopement discussion. (10) All corrective actions were corrected on 6/8/2023 and the immediacy of the IJ was removed on 6/9/23.
CRITICAL (J) 📢 Someone Reported This

A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint

Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation

Accident Prevention (Tag F0689)

Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility policy titled, Elopement, the facility failed to provide ad...

Read full inspector narrative →
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility policy titled, Elopement, the facility failed to provide adequate supervision and frequent monitoring of resident (R) #1 and failed to ensure one of three doors equipped with the Wander Guard system was functioning to prevent the elopement of one resident R#1 from a sample of eight residents. On 6/5/23 a determination was made that a situation in which the facility's noncompliance with one or more requirements of participation had the likelihood to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to residents. The facility's Administrator and the Infection Preventionist were informed of the Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) on 6/5/23 at 1:00 p.m. The noncompliance related to the IJ was identified to have existed on 5/16/23. An Acceptable IJ Removal Plan was received on 6/9/23. Based on observation, record reviews, review of facility policies as outlined in the Removal Plan, and staff interviews, it was validated that the corrective plans and the immediacy of the deficient practice was removed on 6/9/23. Findings include: Review of the facility policy titled Elopement with a revision date of 11/2021 revealed the following: Residents who wander are considered an elopement risk, and the facility will ensure that the safety of residents who wander is maintained, and that elopement is prevented; All of the unit's staff members are aware which residents are an elopement risk and are familiar with their care plans; All of the unit's staff members are familiar with the plan of action in the event of a resident elopement; If a resident tries to follow a staff member through the door of a locked unit, the staff member should reverse direction, and then distract to prevent the resident feeling locked in or confined. R#1 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with the following but not limited to diagnoses: schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, acute encephalopathy, hypertension, schizoaffective disorder, auditory and visual hallucinations, diabetes mellitus type II, bipolar, communication impairment, neurological muscle weakness, risk of elopement from cognitively impaired subject, and wandering. The resident had a Quarterly Minimum Data Set assessment completed on 4/24/23 indicating a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) of 0 indicating the resident had severely impaired cognition, having no behaviors or wandering behavior, independent for transfers, and supervision with ambulation. The resident had a care plan since 11/22/21 for elopement behaviors managed to prevent harm, wanders at night and history of opening windows or checking to see if doors are locked with the following interventions: perform frequent location checks if exit seeking behavior and utilize Wander Alert device. The resident had an elopement risk score of 75 on 5/2/23 indicating the resident was at risk for elopement. The assessment also indicated the resident had a history of elopement attempts, wandering, was independent with mobility and had impaired short-term memory. There was also a Physician's order since 11/5/21 to monitor resident for exit seeking behaviors six times per day following 9/29/21 incident (eloped from facility). Review of the Safety Checks TAR revealed the resident was not monitored for exit seeking behaviors six times a day as ordered by the physician on the following dates: on 5/8/23 monitored twice, 5/9/23 and 5/10/23 monitored three times, 5/11/23 monitored twice, 5/12/23 and 5/13/23 monitored once, 5/14/23 monitored twice, 5/15/23 monitored once, 5/16/23 staff documented they monitored the resident at 1:41 p.m. and at 5:44 p.m. although the resident had already eloped from the facility. Review of the Wander Guard Functioning Log Weekly Check forms revealed the Wander Guard was checked weekly and was last checked on 5/8/23 prior to 5/16/23. However, the documentation did not include which doors were checked that were equipped with the Wander Guard system. During an interview with the Maintenance Supervisor on 5/24/23 at 3:35 p.m., he stated three doors are equipped with the Wander Guard system and he only checks one of the three doors each week by walking R#1 up to the door. He stated the front door was last checked three weeks prior to the elopement incident on 5/16/23 and was working at that time. On 5/18/23 at 2:23 p.m. observations were made with the Maintenance Supervisor of the three doors equipped with the Wander Guard system by walking R#1 up to each door. During this observation the front door alarm did not sound when R#1 walked out the door. Review of the 5/17/23 2:46 a.m. Progress Notes documented that at 8:20 p.m. on 5/16/23 staff was looking for resident to administer p.m. medications and activities of daily living (ADL) care. The resident was not in his room. The writer then proceeded to call station one to see if the resident went to visit that side of the building. The resident was not located. The family was called at 8:40 p.m. to see if relatives had come to get him for a home visit. All in house staff searched building, every room from 8:40 p.m.- 9:15 p.m. The resident was not located. At 9:31 p.m. notified facility on call nurse who then contacted the Director of Nursing (DON) and received orders at 9:39 p.m. to notify family and 911 and follow Elopement policy. Elopement alert went out to all day shift nurses and managers at 9:40 p.m. 911 arrived at facility at 10:25 p.m. All staff and 911 proceeded to search premises, additional staff searched on and off premises and surrounding neighborhood in personal vehicles. Two Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) searched east and west areas of neighborhood. Available staff, social worker, Administrator, Human Resources Administrator, Maintenance Supervisor along with 911 searched for resident in different areas. Resident has not been located. Silver alert broadcasted at 1:29 a.m. The Nursing Narrative Note dated 5/17/23 at 11:00 a.m. indicated the DON was alerted by authorities that R#1 was observed to be outside near facility. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) picked resident up and all vitals were within normal limits upon initial assessment. Resident stated he felt fine and was laying down when observed initially. EMS stated resident jumped up and started walking without difficulties. Resident drank two Gatorades given by EMS. Resident returned to facility via EMS at 10:00 a.m. Vitals were obtained: 129/57, 103, 97.6, 18 and 97% on room air. Blood sugar was 217. Stat labs were drawn as ordered by physician. At 10:15 a.m. resident had a skin assessment completed and a bath was given. At 10:45 a.m. the Physician and Nurse Practitioner did an evaluation of the resident with no new orders. Resident was given a tray and ate 100%. Resident was resting in his room following his meal. Review of the 5/17/23 Nurse Practitioner progress note revealed the resident was seen secondary to elopement yesterday. Patient was seen and evaluated with physician with patient being in no acute distress. Status post elopement this gentleman who was found under exit 104 bridge, returned by EMS in no acute distress. Review of the 5/16/23 local Sheriff's Office Incident Report revealed the Deputy was dispatched to the facility on 5/16/23 at 10:15 p.m. and was advised by staff that one of the patients was missing. The Deputy reviewed the camera system but was unable to pinpoint exactly where R#1 left the building due to some of the cameras not having video and some of the videos skipping. He was able to locate the resident on video at 12:30 p.m. near the front nurse station. The deputy spoke to staff that identified herself as the [NAME] President of the facility and told the deputy that she had contacted the employee that was responsible for checking the resident's blood sugar. She stated she found out her employee had lied about checking R#1's blood sugar at 4:30 p.m. She reported the last time anyone at the facility accounted for R#1 was at 12:30 p.m. Review of the timeline for 5/16/23-5/17/23 provided by the Administrator revealed the following: 5/16/23- 8:00 p.m. LPN arrived 8:20 p.m.- LPN began to give medications and could not find the resident. 8:40 p.m. called resident's sister who stated the resident was not with her. 9:00 p.m.- CNA was looking resident in his room and observed the lunch and dinner trays were still in his room. 9:41 p.m.- on call nurse informed of elopement. 9:43 p.m.- DON called the Administrator. 9:44 p.m.- informed nurse to initiate plan. 9:45 p.m.- called LPN AA who initially stated she checked the resident's blood sugar at 3:30 p.m. She then came back and admitted she did not check his blood sugar and had not laid eyes on him since 12:00 p.m. LPN AA documented she checked the blood sugar and administered glimepiride on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) at 5:44 p.m. 9:52 p.m.- called CNA BB who last saw resident in his room at lunchtime and walking around. 10:00 p.m.- search crew. 10:19 p.m.- hospital called to see if resident was there. 10:30 p.m.- address of sister received, resident not there. Police arrive to facility. Resident was noted to have left at 12:37 p.m. on 5/16/23 with transport company 5/17/23 at 9:45 a.m. resident was found. EMS returned resident to the facility at 10:00 a.m. Review of the typed statement from the transportation personnel dated 5/19/23 noted the transportation staff documented on 5/16/23 after 12:00 p.m. he was at the facility when he observed R#1 walk out of the front door on the north side of the nursing home near station one. Review of the active physician's orders revealed the following orders: - Blood glucose monitoring four times a day before meals and bedtime with sliding scale insulin - Novolog 70/30 insulin 26 units twice a day - glimepiride (oral diabetes medicine) 4 milligrams (mg) twice a day with meals Review of the May 2023 Medication Administration Record (MAR) revealed LPN AA falsified documentation by documenting she administered glimepiride 4mg on 5/16/23 at 5:44 p.m., and documented she checked the resident's blood glucose at 1:41 p.m. and at 5:44 p.m. although the resident was not in the facility at those times. Further review of the May 2023 MAR revealed the resident had missed the scheduled Novolog 70/30 insulin scheduled for 5/16/23 at 9:00 p.m., scheduled blood glucose monitoring at 9:00 p.m. and the blood glucose monitoring scheduled for 5/17/23 at 8:00 a.m. due to the resident eloping from the facility on 5/16/23 around 12:30 p.m. putting him at risk for a hypo/hyperglycemic episode. During an interview with LPN AA on 5/30/23 at 1:35 p.m. she stated she checked the resident's blood sugar on 5/16/23 around 11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. and last saw the resident between 11:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. walking around Station two where his room was. She stated she made up the resident's blood sugars and falsified the documentation. LPN AA reported that on 5/16/23 at 4:30 p.m. she looked for the resident to check his blood sugar but she did not see him in his room and she didn't even think to go and look for him, so she just continued to go and check other resident's blood sugars. She stated she was supposed to do two-hour checks on her residents but she was so far behind that day. She also stated that none of the staff had reported the resident's meal trays being untouched to her. During an interview with CNA BB on 5/25/23 at 4:55 p.m., she stated she last saw the resident on 5/16/23 around 11:30 a.m./12:00 p.m. when she was passing out lunch trays. She stated that she thought an agency CNA had delivered the resident's supper tray later that day. She stated that she was fairly new to this and had gotten her CNA certification in April 2023 and she did not realize she was supposed to make rounds every two hours on the residents. Review of the LPN nurse job description noted the following essential job responsibilities: Effectively and consistently performs basic nursing skills and treatments as prescribed by the physician or as indicated by the patient's condition, Provides assigned patients with quality patient care services consistent with the standards of care established by Nursing Services and the named facility, Documents patient care which reflects appropriate nursing interventions and includes evidence of appropriate patient/family education, Performs associated duties, responsibilities, and tasks relating to safety, infection control, and performance improvement as part of the named facility's efforts to provide quality care and services, Performs rounds every two hours for the purpose of providing quality care and services. Review of the Certified Nursing Assistant Job Description noted the following essential job responsibilities: Alerts the nursing staff and medical staff to observed changes in the patient's condition, Complies with the named facility and developmental safety, infection control, and performance improvement initiatives to ensure the delivery of quality care and services, Performs rounds every two hours for the purpose of providing quality care and services and performs other related job duties as assigned to assure resident safety. During an interview with the DON on 5/31/23 at 11:45 a.m., she stated she does expect staff to make rounds every two hours on the residents and to do a location check on R#1. During an interview with the Administrator on 5/18/23 at 11:15 a.m., she stated that they determined that on 5/16/23 sometime after 12:00 p.m., the resident followed transportation staff out the front door. The transportation person thought the resident was allowed to go out. The staff did not determine the resident was missing until the night shift nurse came on duty and went to give the resident his medications. Day shift had delivered the resident's lunch tray and left it in his room. They then delivered his supper tray and noticed the lunch was untouched but did not look for the resident. They called the Sheriff's department and the police department and had staff from the facility and the hospital looking for the resident all night. He was found the next morning when his cousin was driving down I-75 and saw the resident under the bridge overpass. The resident was assessed by EMT's and brought back to the facility where R#1 was assessed by facility staff. There were no injuries, and his blood sugar was stable. She stated when the EMT's brought the resident back in through the front door they realized the Wander Guard system did not alarm when he came through the front door. Once they identified the front door alarm was not working, they placed staff at the desk at the front door at all times until a new system is installed. The facility implemented the following actions to remove the IJ: (1) Resident #1 is currently residing at Crisp Regional Health and Rehab and continues to have routine consults with the MD. The following interventions were immediately put in place upon his return to the facility: head to toe assessment with no injuries, vital signs and lab work all within normal limits, resident bathed and changed, skin assessment completed, hourly rounds implemented, and daily wanderguard safety checks implemented. No additional elopement have occurred since the incident. (2) The LPN AA responsible for this resident was suspended pending investigation on 5/17/2023 and submitted her resignation on 5/18/2023. The LPN AA license was reported to the licensure board on 5/19/2023. The CNA BB responsible for the resident was suspended pending investigation on 5/17/2023. The CNA BB received education on 5/25/23 regarding rounding on residents, rounding on elopement risk residents, proper timely reporting of residents that have not been seen when performing rounds, as well as the Code Pink Missing Person protocol. The CNA BB received a written corrective disciplinary action on 5/24/23 that will be reviewed on. (3) On 5/17/2023 100% audit of all current residents (60 total) completed by the SSD. 6 residents were identified as high-risk for elopement and placed on hourly rounding by nursing staff. The Hourly Rounding Elopement Risk Tool is being utilized to document hourly rounds by staff. This tool is also being reviewed daily by the Administrator and/or DON Monday - Friday, and the RN supervisor, Director of Nursing and/or Clinical Coordinator Saturday - Sunday. (4) The front door Wanderguard alarm system was identified as ineffective on 5/16/2023, therefore the door has been manned 24 hours/day 7 days/week since and will continue to be until the Wanderguard system is replaced. Approval received for the replacement of the Wandergaurd system upgrade was received on 05/22/2023. Once the equipment is received, the upgrade date will be established. There is 1 entrance/exit door that is not working properly and must be manned 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. There are 3 total Wanderguard entrance/exit doors. If another Wanderguard entrance/exit door stops working properly, the facility will staff the door 24 hours/day 7 days/week. (5) On 5/17/2023 the policy for Elopement and LTC Care Plans were reviewed by the Administrator, LTC Quality Administrator, VP of LTC, and MDS Lead with no revisions made. The Medical Director reviewed and approved the Elopement Policy on 6/8/2023. (6) In-service education for the Elopement Policy and procedures was initiated on 05/17/2023 with completion on 05/23/2023 as well as 6/6/2023 with completion of 6/7/2023. Education was provided by RN Quality Nurse and or MDS Lead to 10 of 10 RNs, 12 of 12 LPNs, 25 of 25 CNAs, 5 of 5 dietary, 1 of 1 materials management, 2of 2 maintenance, 6 of 6 housekeeping, 4 of 4 Therapists, 1 of 1 SSD, 1 of 1 BOM, 5 of 5 agency CNAs, and 5 of 5 agency LPNs, totaling 77 employees were educated on facility Elopement policy and procedures. This is 100% of full time employees. (7) No staff shall work until they have completed the Elopement policy and procedures in-service education. There are 0 staff members that are part time, and 18 staff members that are PRN. These staff members will be in-serviced by the RN Quality Nurse, MDS Lead, Clinical Coordinator and/or Director of Nursing. (8) Newly hired staff will be in-serviced prior to first day on the floor by the RN Quality Nurse, MDS Lead and/or Director of Nursing. No new staff shall work without first receiving education on the elopement policy. (9) Facility implemented interventions on 05/17/2023 which included front entrance/exit manned 24 hours/day 7 days/week, Wandergaurd elopement education, census rounding each shift, 1 hour rounding on high risk residents. On 6/6/2023 elopement books and daily Wanderguard safety checks were implemented for the 2 functioning Wanderguard entrance/exit doors. There are 3 total Wanderguard entrance/exit doors in the facility. (10) New interventions will be monitored by the IDT team to include the Administrator and the DON daily. These interventions will be audited utilizing the QAPI Elopement Audit Tool until 100% compliance is achieved for 6 consecutive months; random audits will continue thereafter. If a deficient practice is identified, it will be addressed in ADHOC QAPI and reviewed monthly in QAPI. (11) Date corrective action will be completed is 6/8/2023 and IJ to be removed on 6/9/2023. The State Survey Agency (SSA) validated the facility's written IJ Removal Plan as follows: (1) Verified via review of R#1's clinical record including the 5/17/23 bath sheet documentation, 5/17/23 skin assessment, 5/17/23 nurses' notes entries and 5/17/23 laboratory results. Hourly rounds and daily wander guard safety checks for R#1 were verified via review of the Hourly Elopement Risk Rounding Forms completed from 5/17/23 through 6/11/23. On 6/13/23 at 11:45 a.m. R#1 was observed in the facility walking and redirected when walking towards the doors. (2) LPN AA's suspension and resignation were confirmed via review of the 5/17/23 employee write-up information and Payroll Status Change form that documented LPN AA was removed from payroll on 5/17/23. During an interview on 6/13/23 at 10:20 a.m., the Administrator confirmed that LPN AA resigned on 5/18/23. The Administrator also confirmed that she reported LPN AA to the state nursing board on 5/18/23. CNA BB's suspension, re-education, and written corrective disciplinary action were confirmed via review of the Employee Counseling/Disciplinary Action Notices dated 5/17/23 and 5/24/23 that documented the initial suspension and subsequent written warning. Also verified via review of the education information signed by CNA BB and dated 5/25/23. During an interview on 6/12/23 at 2:24 p.m. CNA BB confirmed the suspension, written warning, and education she received. (3) Verified via review of the elopement risk score sheet lists, that documented elopement risk scores on all residents, on 5/17/23 and 6/7/23. A review of the elopement risk score sheet lists revealed that the initial six residents identified as high risk for elopement on 5/17/23 were R#1, R#2, R#3, R#4, R#5 and R#7. An additional resident, R#6, was also identified as high risk for elopement on 6/7/23. During an interview on 6/12/23 at 2:45 p.m., the DON confirmed the residents identified as being high risk for elopement and stated that monitoring of R#7 stopped because he was no longer high risk, due to a change in condition. R#6 was a new admission on [DATE]. Review of Hourly Elopement Risk Rounding Tools completed from 5/17/23 through 6/11/23 revealed that hourly rounding was being completed on all residents identified as high risk for elopement. During an interview on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m. the Administrator confirmed review of the forms. Confirmed through interview with the SSD on 6/12/23 at 12:34 p.m. she completed a 100% audit of all 60 residents and identifying six residents as high-risk for elopement and placed on hourly rounding by nursing staff. (4) Monitoring of the front door was verified via observations on 6/12/23 at 9:30 a.m. and 6/13/23 at 9:05 a.m. of a staff person stationed in the front lobby, monitoring the front door. Also verified via review of the Employee Sitter Logs for the front door from 5/17/23 through 6/12/23. Approval and pending installation of a new wander guard system upgrade was verified via review of the 5/22/23 proposal and 5/25/23 signed approval (by the CEO) and 5/26/23 purchase order for a Rome Alert System. During an interview on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m., the Administrator confirmed purchase of the new wander guard system and stated that the equipment had shipped on 6/12/23 and would be installed once received. (5) Verified via review of the LTC Elopement Policy with revision date of 6/2023. The policy included care plan procedures related to elopement. The policy as signed by the facility CEO, Director/VP of LTC, and the LTC Quality Administrator. A typed, signed statement, dated 6/18/23 from the Medical Director confirmed his agreement with the LTC Elopement plan. Also verified via interviews on 6/12/23 at 11:27 a.m. with the MDS Lead, on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m. with the Administrator, and on 6/13/23 at 12:20 p.m. with the LTC Quality Administrator. (6) During an interview on 6/12/23 at 11:55 a.m., the RN Quality Nurse (who is also the RN Nurse Educator) verified that the in-service education had been completed with all full-time facility staff (in person and/or over the phone) and that the 18 remaining PRN staff would be in-serviced prior to the next shift worked. Review of the in-service education information and staff signature sheets titled Elopement policy/missing resident education and hourly rounds/documentation (dated 5/17/23), Elopement policy/Missing resident (dated 5/22/23), and Compliance and Ethics, IC P&P, Elopement Policy/IPOC (dated 6/6/23-6/8/23) revealed that 10 RN's, 12 LPN's (including 5 agency LPN's), 25 CNA's (including 5 agency CNA's), 5 dietary staff, 1 materials management staff, 2 maintenance staff, 6 housekeeping staff, 4 therapy staff, 1 SSD, and 1 BOM received the in-service education. Staff interviews conducted on 6/12/23 at 11:10 a.m. with CNA CC, at 11:23 a.m. with the Activities Director, at 11:25 a.m. with CNA EE, at 11:36 a.m. with Rehab Tech FF, at 11:40 a.m. with MDS Coordinator GG, at 11:45 a.m. with RN, Unit Coordinator HH, at 11:52 a.m. with Business Office Manager, at 11:55 a.m. with Infection Control, QAPI Nurse and Education Nurse, at 12:07 p.m. with CNA II, at 12:11 p.m. with LPN JJ, at 12:14 p.m. with Medical Records Director, at 12:17 p.m. with CNA KK, at 12:21 p.m. with LPN LL, at 12:34 with the SSD, at 12:57 p.m. with PTA MM, at 1:00 p.m. with HK/Floor Tech NN, at 1:04 p.m. with RN Weekend Supervisor OO and LPN PP, at 1:06 p.m. with the HK Manager, at 1:10 p.m. with Therapy/Office QQ, at 1:15 p.m. with CNA RR, at 1:23 p.m. with Respiratory Therapist SS, at 1:35 p.m. with Vent Unit Coordinator/RT TT, at 1:52 p.m. with HK UU and Vent Unit RN VV, at 1:55 p.m. with HK/Laundry WW, at 2:00 p.m. with the DM and HK XX, at 2:21 p.m. with Dietary Aide YY, at 2:24 p.m. with CNA BB, at 2:25 p.m. with Dietary ZZ, at 2:45 p.m. with the DON, at 3:03 with HK AAA, at 4:24 p.m. with CNA BBB, at 4:35 p.m. with CNA CCC, at 4:37 p.m. with LPN DDD, on 6/13/23 at 9:20 a.m. with LPN FFF, at 9:27 a.m. with CNA GGG, at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:43 a.m. with the Maintenance Director confirmed they had received in-service training on the Elopement books, Elopement Policy, Elopement resident profiles and care plans. (7) During interviews on 6/12/23 at 11:55 a.m. and 6/13/23 at 11:45 a.m., the RN Quality Nurse confirmed that the facility had no part-time staff and the 18 PRN staff members would be in-serviced prior to the next shift worked. (8) During an interview on 6/13/23 at 11:45 a.m. the RN Quality Nurse confirmed that no new staff shall work without first receiving education on the elopement policy. She stated that the facility did not currently have any newly hired staff. (9) All of interventions were verified via observations, interviews and record reviews previously stated at above at numbers 1-8. (10) During an interview on 6/13/23 at 11:18 a.m., the Administrator confirmed that elopement interventions would continue to be audited and reviewed until 100% compliance is achieved for 6 consecutive months and any deficient practice identified would be addressed with an ADHOC QAPI meeting. During an interview on 6/13/23 at 11:45 a.m., the Quality Nurse also confirmed the continued review of elopement interventions and audits through the QAPI process. She stated that elopement had been added to the list of topics and information to review. (11) All corrective actions were completed on 6/8/2023 and the immediacy of the IJ was removed on 6/9/23.
CONCERN (D) 📢 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

Medical Records (Tag F0842)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based record review and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain resident (R#1) medical record in accordance with accept...

Read full inspector narrative →
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based record review and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain resident (R#1) medical record in accordance with accepted professional standards and practice by ensuring a LPN did not falsify documentation pertaining to R#1's blood sugar, medication administration and safety checks from a sample of eight residents. Findings include: R#1 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with the following but not limited to diagnoses: schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, acute encephalopathy, hypertension, schizoaffective disorder, auditory and visual hallucinations, diabetes mellitus type II, Bipolar, communication impairment, neurological muscle weakness, risk of elopement from cognitively impaired subject, and wandering. The resident had a care plan since 11/22/21 for elopement behaviors managed to prevent harm, wanders at night and history of opening windows or checking to see if doors are locked with the following interventions: perform frequent location checks if exit seeking behavior and utilize Wander Alert device. There was also a physician's order since 11/5/21 to monitor resident for exit seeking behaviors six times per day following 9/29/21 incident (eloped from facility). Review of the Safety Checks TAR revealed LPN AA documented on 5/16/23 she monitored the resident at 1:41 p.m. and at 5:44 p.m. although the resident had already eloped from the facility. Review of the 5/16/23 Crisp County Sheriff's Office Incident Report revealed the Deputy spoke to staff that identified herself as the [NAME] President of the facility and told the deputy that she had contacted the employee (LPN AA) that was responsible for checking the resident's blood sugar. She stated she found out her employee had lied about checking R#1's blood sugar at 4:30 p.m. She reported the last time anyone at the facility accounted for R#1 was at 12:30 p.m. Review of the active physician's orders revealed the following orders: - Blood glucose monitoring four times a day before meals and bedtime with sliding scale insulin - Novolog 70/30 insulin 26 units twice a day - glimepiride (oral diabetes medicine) 4 milligrams (mg) twice a day with meals Review of the May 2023 Medication Administration Record (MAR) revealed LPN AA falsified documentation by documenting she administered glimepiride 4mg on 5/16/23 at 5:44 p.m., and documented she checked the resident's blood glucose at 1:41 p.m. and at 5:44 p.m. although the resident was not in the facility at those times. During an interview with LPN AA on 5/30/23 at 1:35 p.m. she stated she checked the resident's blood sugar on 5/16/23 around 11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. and last saw the resident between 11:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. walking around Station 2 where his room was. She stated she made up the resident's blood sugars and falsified the documentation. At 4:30 p.m. she to look for the resident to check his blood sugar but she did not see him in his room, and she didn't even think to go and look for him, she just continued to go and check other resident's blood sugars. During an interview with the Administrator on 5/18/23 at 11:15 a.m., she stated that LPN AA later confessed to her that she had actually falsified the record and had not given R#1 his medication. She the nurse resigned before she could terminate her but she was reporting the nurse to the board of nursing.
Oct 2021 3 deficiencies
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

ADL Care (Tag F0677)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

Based on observation, staff interview and review of the facility policy titled, Activities of Daily Living the facility failed to ensure that Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) assistance was provided ...

Read full inspector narrative →
Based on observation, staff interview and review of the facility policy titled, Activities of Daily Living the facility failed to ensure that Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) assistance was provided for one resident (R#34) of 23 sampled residents that was dependent on staff for ADL care. The findings include: Review of the facility policy Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) dated 6/11/21 revealed: The facility environment and staff behaviors are directed toward assisting the resident in maintaining and/or achieving independent functioning, dignity and well-being. Residents whom [sic] are unable to carry out activities of daily living receive the necessary care and services to maintain good nutrition, grooming, and personal and oral hygiene. 1. Residents are provided with appropriate care and services including: a. hygiene. Review of the admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) for R#34 dated 9/10/21 indicated admission into the facility on 9/3/21 from an acute hospital. R#34 had a Brief Interview Mental Status (BIMS) score of 15 which indicated intact cognition. No behaviors were noted. R#34 required extensive assistance of two persons for bed mobility, transfers, mobility off the unit and toilet use. The resident required set up only for bathing, supervision for personal hygiene and eating. R#34 required limited assistance of two persons for walking in room or corridor and on the unit. The resident had no impairment in range of motion in upper or lower extremities, required a walker or wheelchair for mobility. Interview with R#34 on 10/19/21 at 10:48 a.m. revealed that she received bed baths on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The resident stated that her hair had not been washed since her admission into the facility on 9/3/21. Interview with medication nurse Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) DD on 10/21/21 at 1:00 p.m. revealed that residents are to get their hair washed when they get their baths. Interview and observation with the MDS Nurse and R#34 in the resident's room on 10/21/21 at 2:00 p.m. revealed that the resident's hair had not been shampooed since her admission into the facility. R#34 confirmed that her hair had not been shampooed. R#34 stated that when she requested a shampoo, she was notified by an (unidentified) Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) that she would have to purchase hair care products for her type of hair (African American). R#34 was informed by the MDS Nurse that she was not required to purchase products and that the facility provided shampoo.
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Unnecessary Medications (Tag F0759)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

Based on observation, interview, record review, review of facility policy titled, Medication it was determined the facility's medication error rate was greater than five percent. A nurse was observed ...

Read full inspector narrative →
Based on observation, interview, record review, review of facility policy titled, Medication it was determined the facility's medication error rate was greater than five percent. A nurse was observed to crush/open three medications that according to Cleveland Clinic reference documentation should not be crushed and/or opened. There were 31 opportunities observed during medication administration with three errors noted which resulted in the facility's medication error rate of 9.6%. This medication error affected one of seven residents observed for medication administration. The findings include: Review of facility policy, Medication with review date 6/11/21, revealed the facility will provide pharmaceutical services including procedures that assure accurate administering of medications to meet the needs of each resident. The nurse should review the medication for any special instructions. If the nurse in unfamiliar with a medication, the nurse should: Look up the medication search within the facility's electronic medical record and/or call the pharmacist/physician for clarification. Observation on 10/21/21 at 8:50 a.m. surveyor walked up to Medication (Med) Cart #2 and LPN AA was in the process of preparing medication for R#17. Immediately after administering medications to R #17 LPN AA proceeded to obtain medications from the medication cart for R#3. The medications included: acidophilus one tablet, cranberry 450 milligrams (mg) one tablet, docusate sodium100 mg one capsule, vitamin D 25 micrograms (mcg) one tablet, clonazepam 0.5 mg one tablet, clopidogrel 75 mg one tablet, divalproex sodium 125 mg one tablet, famotidine 20 mg one tablet, fluoxetine 20 mg one capsule, losartan 50 mg one tablet, memantine 5 mg one tablet and ziprasidone 20 mg one capsule. LPN AA proceeded to place the tablets and docusate sodium 100 mg capsule in plastic sheet and stated she was going to crush the resident's medications and put the medications in milk due to the resident liking milk. LPN AA said she was an agency nurse and it had been a while since she had worked on the medication cart, and at some point, the resident was having some problems with swallowing. The surveyor asked LPN AA if R#3 was having problems swallowing now. LPN AA replied she did not know and began crushing the medications and then proceeded to open the fluoxetine 20 mg capsule and ziprasidone 20 mg capsule. Just prior to opening the capsules surveyor asked the LPN was it appropriate to open the capsules, and LPN replied, I don't know. She proceeded to open the capsules and placed the contents in with the crushed medications. The contents of the crushed medications and opened capsules were put in small glass of milk and the resident proceeded to drink the contents in the glass. The medications were administered to R#3 at 9:03 a.m. Review of the website https://my.clevelandclinic.org > health > drugs revealed the following: Medication presented in capsule form is designed to be swallowed. Some capsules may be harmful if crushed or opened. Do not crush, chew, or break open a Docusate capsule or tablet. Take Fluoxetine capsules exactly as directed and swallow the delayed-released capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or the capsules. Ziprasidone swallow the capsule whole and do not split, crush, or chew the capsule. On 10/21/21 at 9:25 a.m. the Administrator and Director of Nursing (DON) were informed of the med error rate of 9.6 %. The DON stated the fluoxetine capsule and ziprasidone capsule should not have been opened and that docusate sodium is available in liquid form if the resident needs it. During an interview with the DON on 10/22/21 at 11:15 a.m., she stated when agency nurses come to facility they should be prepared to come to work as a nurse. She stated nursing staff will ask the agency nurses if they want orientation and if they do, the facility provided as much orientation as the agency nurses need. She said all nurses should know to check to see if capsules may be opened prior to administering to residents.
CONCERN (E)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Deficiency F0761 (Tag F0761)

Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, staff interviews, and review of the facility policy titled Crisp Regional Health Services Medication the ...

Read full inspector narrative →
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, staff interviews, and review of the facility policy titled Crisp Regional Health Services Medication the facility failed to ensure that two of four medication carts were locked and secured when not in use. Findings include: Review of the policy titled, Crisp Regional Health Services Medication, dated 6/11/2021, revealed under number 24., the medication cart should always be locked unless in use by the Unit Nurse. 1. Observation on 10/19/2021 from 12:41 p.m. until 12:48 p.m., RN NN entered room [ROOM NUMBER] to assist a resident. While the RN NN was in the room two surveyors observed medication cart #3 to be open. The light on the cart was orange and the drawers on the cart were able to be opened including the narcotics drawer. RN NN was observed to exit room [ROOM NUMBER] and assist a resident in room [ROOM NUMBER]. RN NN was observed to exit room [ROOM NUMBER] and walk off the hall. During this time the med cart was still observed by two surveyors to be unlocked. RN NN returned to medication cart #3 and locked the cart. Interview on 10/19/2021 at 12:51 p.m. RN NN stated she did not leave the cart unlocked and that she always locks the med cart when she walks off. 2. Observation on 10/21/21 at 8:50 a.m. surveyor walked up to Med Cart #2 and LPN AA was in the process of preparing medication for R#17. Surveyor informed LPN AA that the surveyor would observe full preparation of the next resident as she prepared medications for that resident. At 8:52 a.m. LPN AA took medications into room of R#17 and failed to secure the top medication drawer. The top drawer contained a two-week supply of medications for residents in rooms 101 A through 106 B and contents of the drawer could have been accessible to anyone passing by the cart if surveyor had not been present. The medication drawer was open for three minutes until LPN AA came back to the cart at 8:55 a.m. When LPN AA was shown by surveyor the top drawer of medication cart had remained open while she had been in R#17's room she replied, Sorry, I thought I pushed it in. LPN AA proceeded to close the top drawer to secure medication cart. Interview on 10/22/2021 at 10:59 a.m. with Director of Nursing (DON), the DON stated the facility just received the new medication carts and the facility staff, including agency staff, are provided with education on the medication cart and medication administration. She stated staff are constantly educated on locking the medication cart when leaving the medication cart unattended. She stated her expectation would be for the nursing staff to keep the medication carts locked at all times when not in use.
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Life-Threatening (Immediate Jeopardy)
J - Isolated K - Pattern L - Widespread
Actual Harm
G - Isolated H - Pattern I - Widespread
Potential for Harm
D - Isolated E - Pattern F - Widespread
No Harm (Minor)
A - Isolated B - Pattern C - Widespread

Questions to Ask on Your Visit

  • "What changes have you made since the serious inspection findings?"
  • "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
  • "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"

Our Honest Assessment

Strengths
  • • 41% turnover. Below Georgia's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
Concerns
  • • Multiple safety concerns identified: 2 life-threatening violation(s), Payment denial on record. Review inspection reports carefully.
  • • 9 deficiencies on record, including 2 critical (life-threatening) violations. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
  • • $15,924 in fines. Above average for Georgia. Some compliance problems on record.
  • • Grade D (44/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
Bottom line: Trust Score of 44/100 indicates significant concerns. Thoroughly evaluate alternatives.

About This Facility

What is Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Georgia, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.

How is Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr Staffed?

CMS rates CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 41%, compared to the Georgia average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.

What Have Inspectors Found at Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr?

State health inspectors documented 9 deficiencies at CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR during 2021 to 2023. These included: 2 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death) and 7 with potential for harm. Immediate Jeopardy findings are rare and represent the most serious regulatory concerns. They require immediate corrective action.

Who Owns and Operates Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr?

CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 143 certified beds and approximately 77 residents (about 54% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in CORDELE, Georgia.

How Does Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr Compare to Other Georgia Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Georgia, CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.6, staff turnover (41%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.

What Should Families Ask When Visiting Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr?

Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "What changes have been made since the serious inspection findings, and how are you preventing similar issues?" "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's Immediate Jeopardy citations and the below-average staffing rating.

Is Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR has documented safety concerns. Inspectors have issued 2 Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Georgia. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.

Do Nurses at Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr Stick Around?

CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR has a staff turnover rate of 41%, which is about average for Georgia nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.

Was Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr Ever Fined?

CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR has been fined $15,924 across 3 penalty actions. This is below the Georgia average of $33,238. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.

Is Crisp Regional Nsg & Rehab Ctr on Any Federal Watch List?

CRISP REGIONAL NSG & REHAB CTR is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.