Inspection Findings:
2. Resident 32 was admitted to the facility in 2021 with diagnoses including paralysis.
On 5/16/23 at 10:32 AM Resident 32 stated the facility did not have enough staff to answer her/his calls for assistance timely. The resident stated it took staff 30 to 45 minutes to answer her/his call light.
Resident 32's call light record from 5/10/23 through 5/17/23 revealed 12 times when the resident's call light was on for more than 20 minutes. On five occasions the call light was on for more than one hour with the longest at three hours and eleven minutes.
On 5/18/23 at 3:07 PM Staff 1 (Administrator) stated the expectation was for resident call lights to be answered within 20 minutes. Staff 1 stated the facility's QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) committee had been working on call light response times since 1/2023 and all department heads had a call light monitoring system in their offices. Staff 1 was unable to explain why the issue was not resolved. Staff 29 (Regional RN) stated the facility was having technical issues with the electronic call light system and residents received care but the call lights were not getting turned off after the care was provided. Staff 29 acknowledged administrative staff were not out on the halls observing to verify the long call light issue was actually the lights not being reset and residents had received timely care.
3. Resident 39 was admitted to the facility in 2021 with diagnoses including paralysis of the lower body.
On 5/15/23 at 9:59 AM Resident 39 stated she/he had to wait up to three hours for staff to respond to her/his call for assistance, and wait times are often more than 20 minutes.
Resident 39's call light record from 5/10/23 through 5/17/23 revealed six times when the resident's call light was on for more than 20 minutes. The longest was one hour and forty five minutes.
On 5/18/23 at 3:07 PM Staff 1 (Administrator) stated the expectation was for resident call lights to be answered within 20 minutes. Staff 1 stated the facility's QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) committee had been working on call light response times since 1/2023 and all department heads had a call light monitoring system in their offices. Staff 1 was unable to explain why the issue was not resolved. Staff 29 (Regional RN) stated the facility was having technical issues with the electronic call light system and residents received care but the call lights were not getting turned off after the care was provided. Staff 29 acknowledged administrative staff were not out on the halls observing to verify the long call light issue was actually the lights not being reset and residents had received timely care.
4. Resident 41 was admitted to the facility in 2021 with diagnoses including irregular heart rhythm.
On 5/15/23 at 9:59 AM Resident 41 stated she/he waited up to one and a half hours for staff to answer her/his calls for assistance four times in the last week.
Resident 41's call light record from 5/10/23 through 5/17/23 revealed 27 times when the resident's call light was on for more than 20 minutes. On four occasions the call light was on for more than one hour with the longest at one hour and twenty minutes.
On 5/18/23 at 3:07 PM Staff 1 (Administrator) stated the expectation was for resident call lights to be answered within 20 minutes. Staff 1 stated the facility's QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) committee had been working on call light response times since 1/2023 and all department heads had a call light monitoring system in their offices. Staff 1 was unable to explain why the issue was not resolved. Staff 29 (Regional RN) stated the facility was having technical issues with the electronic call light system and residents received care but the call lights were not getting turned off after the care was provided. Staff 29 acknowledged administrative staff were not out on the halls observing to verify the long call light issue was actually the lights not being reset and residents had received timely care.
, 1. Based on interview and record review it was determined the facility failed to respond to a residents call lights timely for 4 of 12 sampled residents (#s 32, 39, 41 and 168) reviewed for staffing. This facility's failure was determined to be an immediate jeopardy situation because it resulted in Resident 168's in delay of care, transfer to the hospital, subsequent death and placed all residents at risk for untimely and unmet care needs. Findings include:
1. Resident 168 admitted to the facility on 4/19/23 with diagnoses including dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and chronic respiratory failure.
a. The Direct Care Staff Daily Report revealed the facility had eight CNAs on duty for day shift on 4/23/23 which was the State minimum requirement.
The facility's daily assignment sheet revealed Staff 24 (CNA) was assigned to Resident 168's care for the 4/23/23 evening shift.
The 4/19/23 Admission Orders included an order for oxygen three liters via nasal cannula during the day.
The 4/20/23 Physician Order revealed Resident 168 was to be alert and to sit up at 90 degrees for all meals. Staff were to monitor for coughing and choking throughout the meal.
The 4/22/23 Nutrition Care Plan revealed Resident 168 was to have one person assistance with meals and staff were to monitor, document and report as needed any signs or symptoms of dysphagia including pocketing, choking, coughing, drooling, holding food in mouth, several attempts at swallowing, refusing to eat or if she/he appeared concerned during the meal. Resident 168 was to be alert and sit up for all meals.
The CNA Point of Care documentation revealed on 4/22/23 and 4/23/23 Resident 168 ate independently after set up for breakfast.
The Narcotic Log Book revealed Resident 168 was administered Morphine (narcotic medication which could suppress respiratory effort) at 1:16 PM. [There was no evidence in the resident's medical record or facility records any staff member observed the resident after the medication administration.]
The facility call light logs revealed Resident 168's call light was activated at 1:49 PM and not reset until 4:31 PM.
The 4/23/23 at 1:53 PM Progress Note revealed Resident 168 had trouble swallowing and informed staff food got stuck in her/his throat.
The 4/23/23 at 5:45 PM Progress Note revealed Resident 168's family arrived at 4:30 PM to visit with the resident and requested Resident 168 be transferred to the hospital because she/he had a gurgling voice and was very sleepy. The nurse assessed Resident 168 to be lethargic, have an upper airway gurgle and clammy skin. The nurse contacted the physician who gave a verbal order to transfer Resident 168 to the hospital. The paramedics arrived and took the resident to the hospital at 5:30 PM.
There was no evidence in Resident 168's medical record a full respiratory assessment was completed.
The 4/23/23 Hospital Records revealed on EMS (Emergency Medical Service) arrival Resident 168 oxygen saturation (O2 sat) was in the 70's while on two liters per minute of oxygen and was somnolent. [Normal oxygen saturation is 95 - 100%. Oxygen order was for three liters.] The resident's O2 sat improved to the 90's on a non-rebreather mask. A physical exam was conducted in the Emergency Department found the resident alert and oriented on oxygen at six liters via nasal cannula. The resident reported she/he choked on food at the facility. The resident had a vomit stain on the chest of her/his clothing.
The 4/27/23 Hospital Discharge Summary revealed Resident 168 died on 4/27/23 due to acute on chronic hypoxemic (low blood oxygen) and hypercapnic (high carbon dioxide level in the blood) respiratory failure due to recurrent aspiration pneumonia, approximate interval five days.
On 5/19/23 at 7:59 AM Staff 31 (Agency CNA) verified she assisted Resident 168 with the breakfast meal on 4/23/23. Staff 31 stated Resident 168 was tired, did not really want to eat and was in bed with the head of the bed up 40 to 50 degrees. Staff 31 stated she had not read Resident 168's care plan, she was not aware Resident 168 required assistance with eating and returned to Resident 168's room sporadically to offer the resident something to eat. The resident had difficulty with eating, coughed, cleared her/his throat and choked a lot. The resident continued to cough when she/he was laid down for incontinence care. Staff 31 said on 4/23/23, the day was "ridiculous", she checked on the resident after lunch but was unable to recall what time, was unaware Resident 168 activated her/his call light at 1:49 PM and further stated no staff replaced her at the change of shift (2:00 PM) so she stayed at the facility assisting in the care of other residents but did not observe Resident 168 again.
On 5/18/23 at 11:08 AM Staff 32 (RN) stated a CNA reported Resident 168 had issues with swallowing, she assessed Resident 168 and she/he "was fine." She downgraded the resident's diet and notified both Resident 168's family and physician. Staff 32 further stated after the family arrived, they called her to the room and requested to send the resident to the hospital. Resident 168 was gurgling and her/his voice was "gargling". The family reported the resident's sleepiness was different. Staff 32 stated she called the physician and then sent the resident to the hospital. Staff 32 stated the last time she checked on Resident 168 was when she assessed Resident 168 at lunch time.
On 5/18/23 at 11:49 AM and 5/19/23 at 9:00 AM Staff 3 (RNCM) stated staff were expected to review care plans daily and be aware of any care plan revisions. Staff 3 verified Resident 168's 4/22/23 Nutrition Care Plan indicated Resident 168 was to be alert and to sit up for all meals and to monitor, document and report and signs or symptoms of dysphagia. Staff 3 further verified the 4/20/23 Physician Order indicated the resident was to be alert and sit up at 90 degrees for all meals. Staff 3 verified the CNA documentation on 4/22/23 and 4/23/23 for the breakfast meal revealed the resident ate independently with set-up assistance and the CNAs did not follow Resident 168's care plan to provide one person assistance or to monitor, document and report signs or symptoms of dysphagia including coughing or choking. Staff 3 verified Resident 168's call light went unanswered for two hours and 42 minutes between 1:49 PM and 4:31 PM on 4/23/23.
On 5/18/23 at 4:05 PM Staff 24 (CNA) stated she only worked night shifts and did not work the 4/23/23 evening shift.
On the morning of 5/19/23 Staff 1 (Administrator) stated Staff 24 was assigned to care for Resident 168 on evening shift on 4/23/23, she talked to Staff 24 who did not remember working that shift. She asked Staff 24 to come in to figure out if Staff 24 worked as scheduled or not. No additional information was provided.
On 5/19/23 at 12:30 PM the facility was notified of the Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) situation and an immediacy removal plan was requested.
On 5/19/23 at 2:41 PM the facility submitted an acceptable immediacy removal plan which would abate the IJ situation.
The immediacy removal plan included the following:
* Resident 168 was no longer a resident in the facility.
* Other residents requiring assistance had the risk of unmet care needs and negative outcomes if adequate staff were not provided or call lights were not answered timely. See on-going audits.
* The Administrator and DNS would provide education to staff and agency staff on the call light system, the volume would be turned on and up on all monitors and kiosks for call lights to be heard. The assigned charge nurse would monitor the call light board and triage the call lights between assigned staff and available resources of the IDT (interdisciplinary team) and float staff. Charge Nurses would be educated on the call light responsibilities of their duty to ensure all care needs were met on their shift. Education had started and would continue as staff and agency staff came on shift. The Administrator, DNS and RNCMs would meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after stand-up to review the acuity needs and adjust staffing levels accordingly to ensure all care needs could be met with toileting, turning, repositioning and ADL needs.
* The Administrator or DNS would pull the call light report every eight hours, prior to the end of each shift for the next seven days. The would review any call light over 20 minutes and speak with the nurse about assessments and ensuring that the care needs were met for the residents. After seven days, if the call light times were below 20 minutes, the audits would go to daily for 11 weeks.
* All findings would be brought through QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) until resolved. One to one remediation would be done for any negative findings.
On 5/23/23 at 10:50 AM it was determined through observations, staff interviews and review of the facility documentation all aspects of the plan of correction were implemented and completed. .
b. Review of Resident 168's call light logs revealed the following::
* 4/20/23 at 9:51 PM; 40 minutes and 26 seconds
* 4/21/23 at 12:31 AM: 28 minutes and 17 seconds
* 4/23/23 at 6:15 AM; 25 minutes and 40 seconds
* 4/23/23 4:31 PM: 2 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds
On 5/19/23 at 9:00 AM Staff 3 (RNCM) acknowledged the long call light wait times on 4/20/23, 4/21/23 and 4/23/23.
, 2. Based on observation, interview, and record review it was determined the facility failed to ensure sufficient staffing to meet resident care needs for 1 of 1 facility reviewed for sufficient and competent staffing. This placed residents at risk for delayed and unmet care needs. Findings include:
On 5/15/23 the facility provided a list of residents who:
-Required one or two person assistance with bathing: 25;
-Were fully dependent for bathing: 43;
-Required one or two person assistance for eating: 35;
-Were fully dependent on staff for eating: 15;
-Required one or two person assistance for toileting: 42;
-Were fully dependent on staff for toileting: 24;
-Required one or two person assistance with transfers: 37;
-Were fully dependent on staff for transfers: 28;
-Required one or two person assistance with dressing: 56;
-Were fully dependent on staff for dressing: 12;
-Had behavioral healthcare needs: 26;
-Required suctioning: 17;
-Required tube feedings: 15;
-Required tracheostomy care: 16.
A review of the facility Direct Care Staff Daily Reports from 4/1/23 through 5/14/23 revealed the facility had insufficient CNA staff based on state minimum staffing ratios for one or more shifts on the following dates:
Skilled/Long-Term Care Units:
4/1, 4/2, 4/9, 4/10, 4/12, 4/13, 4/27 and 5/2.
Ventilator Assisted Unit:
4/9, 4/15, 4/16, 4/29, 4/30 and 5/14.
Random observations revealed the following:
5/15/23:
-2:17 PM A strong urine smell was noted in the hallway around rooms 204 and 205;
-2:24 PM Three CNAs out of six were present for the evening shift (Shift change occurred at 2:00 PM);
-2:30 PM Two day shift agency CNAs were waiting for evening shift CNAs to arrive so they could leave for the day;
-2:37 PM The call light in room 401 was activated for 25 minutes;
-2:40 PM There was a resident in the 200 hallway yelling for help.
5/16/23:
-2:37 PM The call light in room 206 was activated for 46 minutes;
5/17/23:
-8:23 AM The call light in room 405 was activated for 18 minutes;
-8:35 AM The call light in room 213 was activated for 25 minutes and the call light in room 301 was activated for 22 minutes;
-10:38 AM The call light in room 101 was activated for 46 minutes and the call light in room 204 was activated for 21 minutes;
-12:37 PM The call light in room 210 was activated for 32 minutes;
-1:11 PM The call light in room 409 was activated for 35 minutes.
5/18/23:
-8:52 AM The call light in room 302 was activated for 47 minutes, the call light in room 309 was activated for 42 minutes, the call light in room 310 was activated for 37 minutes and the call light in room 207 was activated for 25 minutes;
-9:29 AM The call light in room 212 was activated for 30 minutes;
-11:56 AM A resident on the 200 hallway was yelling for help due to her/his hip hurting. At 12:00 PM a dietary staff member entered the room to assist the resident and was unable to provide assistance due to the resident requiring CNA help.
Interviews with staff revealed the following concerns:
-On 5/17/23 at 12:24 PM Staff 8 (Therapy Director) stated the rehab department was currently understaffed with OT staff so he had to prioritize residents' therapy services and reduce the amount of time spent with residents.
-On 5/18/23 at 8:29 AM Staff 11 (CNA) stated CNA staff were unable to keep up with residents' turning schedules and could not meet time requirements for getting residents up and put back down. Staff 11 stated she previously spoke with management regarding staffing concerns and was told the facility was only allowed to staff to the State minimum staffing ratios. She stated it was impossible to take all of her breaks.
-On 5/18/23 at 9:31 AM and 5/22/23 at 12:55 PM Staff 6 (CNA) stated all of the residents on her unit required two person assistance which made it difficult to get everything done. She stated residents' were supposed to be turned every two hours but that was "a dream." She stated there were two behavioral residents who got angry, cussed and exhibited behaviors if they had to wait too long for care. She stated there was no way for CNA staff to take all of their breaks and she often provided extra care to the residents on her own time.
-On 5/18/23 at 10:08 AM Staff 26 (CNA) reported the facility was short staffed for the past two months. Staff 26 stated the facility utilized one to five agency CNAs per shift and the agency CNAs did not receive adequate orientation and were sent out on the floor without knowing the residents. Staff 26 also reported they were unable to give shift change reports because they were too busy, which impacted resident care.
-On 5/18/23 at 10:58 AM Staff 16 (Staffing Coordinator) stated she staffed to the State minimum staffing ratios for CNA and licensed nursing and not to the acuity needs of the residents. Staff 16 stated any staffing needs outside of the minimum staffing ratios were determined by Staff 1 (Administrator) or Staff 2 (DNS).
-On 5/18/23 at 2:30 PM Staff 1 stated in the past two months the facility utilized a lot of agency CNA and nursing staff. Staff 1 reported the facility did not check agency staff's competency to work in the nursing home setting and assumed they were competent since they were licensed. Staff 1 stated the facility staffed according to the State minimum staffing ratios.
-On 5/22/23 at 8:20 AM Staff 18 (CNA) stated she was unable to adhere to the required two hour turning schedule for residents. She stated there were days when she arrived for the start of day shift (at 6:00 AM) and she was the only CNA for the entire unit until 7:30 AM, when the second CNA arrived. She stated on certain days the unit was not fully staffed with CNAs until 10:00 AM when the third CNA was scheduled to start her shift. Staff 18 stated she never got all of her breaks and often could not take her full lunch. She stated she previously told administration her concerns with staffing but nothing changed. Staff 18 stated when she asked for additional help she was told there was no help to offer.
-On 5/22/23 at 12:41 PM Staff 7 (CNA) stated the unit was often short staffed and there were times she was unable to complete bathing care. She stated there was a resident who frequently asked for showers but they only provided a bed bath because the resident took a long time to shower and they did not have adequate staff. Staff 7 stated CNAs were unable to turn residents every two hours as required and if they could turn the residents more often it would help with the residents' bed sores. Staff 7 stated she had to pick and choose who got up because they did not have adequate staffing to get all of the residents up who wanted to get up. Staff 7 stated CNA staff were unable to do any stretching or exercises with residents and, due to the facility not having a restorative program, it would be helpful to the residents if the CNAs provided this service.
On 5/22/23 at 1:51 PM Staff 38 (Director of Operations) was informed of staffing concerns within the facility and acknowledged the current staffing issues were not acceptable and he would present a staffing model based on acuity in the morning.
This is a repeat citation previously cited on 4/19/22, 2/13/23 and 3/30/23.
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