Arabella Health & Wellness Of Russellville

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, interviews, a review of a facility policy titled MDS (Minimum Data Set) 3.0 Completion, the facility failed to ensure timely transmissions of MDS assessments to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Resident Identifiers (RI) #1, RI #2, RI #3, RI #5, and RI #133.
This affected five of 16 residents for whom MDS assessments were reviewed.
Findings include:
RI #1 was admitted to the facility on [DATE].
RI #1's quarterly MDS assessment with an Assessment Reference Date (ARD) of 8/13/2022 was signed as completed by the Registered Nurse (RN), Employee Identifier (EI) #3 on 8/26/2022.
RI #2 was readmitted to the facility on [DATE].
RI #2's annual MDS assessment with an Assessment Reference Date of 8/17/2022 was signed as completed by the RN, EI #3 on 8/26/2022.
RI #5 was admitted to the facility on [DATE].
RI #5's quarterly MDS assessment with an Assessment Reference Date of 8/11/2022 was signed as completed by the RN, EI #3 on 8/25/2022.
A review of a facility report titled MDS Transmission Results Summary, that listed resident MDS assessment transmissions to CMS, revealed a transmission date of 9/18/2022 for RI #1's quarterly MDS assessment that should have been transmitted by 9/9/2022, a transmission date of 9/18/2022 for RI #2's annual MDS that should have been transmitted by 9/9/2022, and a transmission date of 9/18/2022 for RI #5's quarterly MDS that should have been transmitted by 9/8/2022.
RI #3 was readmitted to the facility on [DATE].
RI #3's quarterly MDS assessment with an Assessment Reference Date of 8/13/2022 was signed as completed by the RN, EI #3 on 8/31/2022.
RI #133 was admitted to the facility on [DATE].
RI #133's admission MDS assessment with an Assessment Reference Date of 8/18/2022 was signed as completed by the RN, EI #3 on 8/25/2022.
Review of another facility report titled MDS Transmission Results Summary, that listed resident MDS assessment transmissions to CMS, revealed a transmission date of 9/18/22 for RI #3's quarterly MDS that should have been submitted by 9/14/2022 and a transmission date of 9/18/2022 for RI #133's admission MDS that should have been submitted by 9/8/2022.
A review of a facility policy titled MDS 3.0 Completion with an implementation date of 9/19/2022 revealed: Policy: Residents are assessed, using a comprehensive assessment process, in order to identify care needs and to develop an interdisciplinary care plan. 7. Transmission Requirements: a. All assessments shall be transmitted to the designated CMS system . within 14 days of completion.
On 9/21/2022 at 5:44 PM, an interview was conducted with EI #3, RN/Care Plan and MDS Director. When asked what issues the facility been experienced getting MDS assessments submitted timely, EI #3 said, she was told to do other things. EI #3 was asked if the administrator was aware the MDS assessments were transmitted late. EI #3 replied, the administrator was aware. EI #3 was asked, should the assessments have been transmitted on time. EI #3 replied, yes.
On 9/21/2022 at 7:27 PM, an interview was conducted with EI #1, Administrator. EI #1 was asked when MDS assessments should be transmitted. EI #1 said, 14 days. When asked about the MDS assessments for RI #1, RI #2, RI #3, RI #5, and RI #133 that were transmitted late on 9/18/2022, EI #1 said, EI #3 had told her she was going to be late with some assessments. EI #1 was asked, what was the potential harm to residents when their annual, admit, or quarterly MDS assessments were not submitted timely. EI #1 replied, financial impact for the facility.

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, medical record reviews and review of a facility policy titled, Standard Precautions Infection Control, the facility failed to ensure staff performed hand hygiene and wore gloves before contact with blood and before contact with items potentially contaminated with blood. On 9/20/22 Employee Identifier (EI) #6, Environmental Services (ES) staff, was observed to clean blood from Resident Identifier (RI) #12's left lower leg with a Kleenex and not wearing gloves. Also on 9/20/22, EI #5, a Registered Nurse (RN), was observed cleaning a glucometer used to obtain RI #14's fingerstick blood sugar (FSBS) without wearing gloves or performing hand hygiene before continuing care tasks and administering injections.
These deficient practices had the potential to affect RI #12, one of 16 sampled residents, and RI #14, one of five residents observed during medication pass observation.
Findings include:
A facility policy titled, Standard Precautions Infection Control, with a revision date of 6/10/22, documented: .Policy: All staff are to assume that all residents are potentially infected or colonized with an organism that could be transmitted during the course of providing resident care services. Therefore, all staff shall adhere to Standard Precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Policy Explanation and Compliance Guidelines: . 2. Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): a. All staff who have contact with residents and/or their environments must wear personal protective equipment as appropriate during resident care activities and at other times in which exposure to blood, body fluids, or potentially infectious materials is likely.
RI #12 was readmitted to the facility on [DATE].
On 9/20/22 at 7:54 AM, the surveyor observed RI #12 at the nurse's station. RI #12 stated he/she bumped his/her leg in the bathroom, and it was bleeding. EI #6, ES staff, was observed getting a Kleenex and wiping blood off of RI #12's left lower leg without applying gloves and was holding the Kleenex with RI #12's blood in her bare hand.
On 9/20/22 at 7:59 AM, an interview was conducted with EI #6, ES staff. When asked what she did when RI #12's leg was bleeding earlier, EI #6 said she cleaned the blood off. When asked how she cleaned the blood off, EI #6 said, with a Kleenex.
When asked what was important to remember regarding handling blood, EI #6 said, wear gloves. EI #6 said she thought about it when she went to wash her hands, realized she did not have gloves on, and she should have been wearing them. When asked what the concern was with not wearing gloves when touching areas or items that contained blood, EI #6 said, cross contamination and infection control. EI #6 further stated that she knew she should have worn gloves.
RI #14 was readmitted to the facility on [DATE].
On 9/20/22 at 11:23 AM during medication administration observation with EI #5, RN, the surveyor observed EI #5 obtain RI #14's fingerstick blood sugar (FSBS), return to the medication cart, clean the glucometer without wearing gloves, retrieve an alcohol wipe from medication cart drawer and return to RI #14's room, all without washing or sanitizing her hands. Once in RI #14's room, with unclean hands, EI #5, took gloves from a box on the wall, applied the gloves and administered an injection to RI #14.
On 9/21/22 at 2:56 PM, an interview was conducted with EI #5, RN. When asked when she should wash her hands or change gloves during medication pass, EI #5 said before she started, if she touched any blood, body parts or contaminated items like a glucometer. When asked what she should do when cleaning a glucometer, EI #5 said she should glove her hands. EI #5 was asked if she wore gloves when she was cleaning the glucometer after she obtained RI #14's FSBS. EI #5 said no, she did not have on gloves. When asked what the concern was with her cleaning the glucometer without wearing gloves, EI #5 said, if there was any blood on it she could have been exposed to something and of course infection control.
On 9/21/22 at 5:21 PM, an interview was conducted with EI #2, Director of Nursing/Infection Control Preventionist. When asked how should blood on a resident's leg be addressed, EI #2 said the nurse should don gloves, clean area with normal saline and gauze and then treat according to the injury. When asked should an ES worker wipe blood from a resident's leg with a Kleenex without wearing gloves, EI #2 said no, it could cause infection and exposure to germs for the resident and exposure to blood for the employee, which would be an infection control issue. EI #2 was asked if a nurse should clean a glucometer with her bare hands. EI #2 said no, again it would be infection control. EI #2 was asked about the concern with a nurse cleaning a glucometer without wearing gloves, then taking gloves out of a box on the wall without washing her hands and then administering an injection to RI #14. EI #2 stated, infection control risk for the nurse and the resident and contamination of gloves from reaching in the box with dirty hands.
On September 18, 2022 a recertification survey in conjuction with a compliant investigation resulted in the following citations:
Fed - F - 0640 - 483.20(f)(1)-(4) - Encoding/transmitting Resident Assessments S-S= E
Fed - F - 0880 - 483.80(a)(1)(2)(4)(e)(f) - Infection Prevention & Control S-S= D
IC deficiency (F880) cited during August 19, 2019 recertification survey.
At this time SA rrccomends the following:
1) CMP as determined bt CMS.
2) DPNA effective November 18, 2022.
3)Termination of provider agreement effective March 1, 2023.

Based on observation, interviews, and review of a facility policy titled Safety During Food Storage, the facility failed to ensure that Employee Identifier (EI) #1, a dietary aide, discarded the following food items by the expiration/use by date:
1. one Chicken Salad in a plastic container that had an open date of 8/10/2019 and a Use By Date of 8/16/2019, and
2. one Peanut Butter and Jelly mixture in a plastic bowl that had a made date of 8/15/2019 and a Use By Date of 8/17/2019.
This had the potential to affect 37 of 45 residents in the facility that received meals from the kitchen.
Findings Include:
A review of a facility policy titled Safety During Food Storage, with no date, revealed:
. II. Policy
The following policy should be used regarding safety during food storage.
III. Procedure .
2. The date the item was prepared shall count as Day 1.
. 4. At the end of Day 3 staff should discard the unused item . All staff members are responsible for adhering to this policy and procedure .
On 8/18/19 at 7:47 a.m., during the initial tour of the kitchen, the surveyor observed the following items in the inside refrigerator with EI #2, Assistant Director of Food and Nutritional Services:
1. one Chicken Salad in a plastic container that had an open date of 8/10/2019 and a Use By Date of 8/16/2019, and
2. one Peanut Butter and Jelly mixture in a plastic bowl that had a made date of 8/15/2019 and a Use By Date of 8/17/2019.
On 8/19/19 at 3:17 p.m., an interview was conducted with EI #2, Assistant Director of Food and Nutritional Services. EI #2 was asked on 8/18/2019 at 7:47 a.m., what food items were observed in the refrigerator past their use by dates. EI #2 said Chicken Salad with a Use By Date of 8/16/2019 and a Peanut Butter and Jelly mixture with a Use By Date of 8/17/2019. EI #2 further stated the items should have been discarded. EI #2 was asked who would have been responsible for ensuring the food items were discarded by the Use By Date on 8/17/2019. EI #2 stated EI #1, a Dietary Aide, would have been responsible for discarding any food in the refrigerator with expired use by dates. EI #2 stated that the food with expired use by dates could cause a food borne illness.
8/19/19 at 3:25 p.m., an interview was conducted with EI #1, dietary aide. EI #1 stated that on 8/17/19 she was supposed to check the open dates and use by dates of food items in the refrigerators, pull all leftovers that had an expired use by date, and put those items in the garbage can. EI #1 was asked if she removed all the food that had expired use by dates in the refrigerator. EI #1 stated no. EI #1 was asked why the chicken salad and peanut butter and jelly mixture were not discarded by their use by dates. EI #1 stated that she overlooked the food items. EI #1 was asked what was the facility policy on expired use by dates stored in a refrigerator. EI #1 stated that all food items should be discarded by the expired use by date. EI #1 was asked what was the potential harm to have food items in the refrigerator with expired use by dates. EI #1 stated the food items with an expired use by date could make people sick if they ate the items.

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, medical record review and review of facility policies titled, Hand Washing and Standard Precautions Infection Control, the facility failed to ensure a Registered Nurse:
1. did not pull Resident Identifier (RI) #45's privacy curtain with her bare hand and then apply gloves without washing hands, and did not move RI #45's overbed table while wearing gloves and then wear those same gloves to administer RI #45's insulin injection; and
2. did not place clean gloves on an unclean surface without a barrier for use in administering RI #22's eye drops. Further, the nurse did not wash hands or change gloves after RI #22 handed her a medication cup and water cup, prior to administering RI #22's nasal spray.
This affected RI #45 and RI #22, two of four residents observed during medication pass observations and one of two nurses observed.
Findings Included:
A review of a facility policy titled, Hand Washing with a Date Implemented: 5/7/15, documented:
.All facility personnel must wash their hands for 20 seconds under the following conditions: . 3. After handling contaminated objects.
A review of a facility policy titled, Standard Precautions Infection Control with a Date Implemented: 11/15/2016, revealed:
. 1. Hand Hygiene: a. During the delivery of patient care services, avoid unnecessary touching of surfaces in close proximity to the patient to prevent both contamination of clean hands from environmental surfaces and transmission of pathogens from contaminated hands to surfaces. 3. Using Gloves: . e. Remove gloves after contact with a patient and/or the surrounding environment (including medical equipment) using proper technique to prevent hand contamination.
RI #45 was readmitted to the facility on [DATE].
On 08/19/19 at 7:43 a.m., during medication pass observation, Employee Identifier (EI) #3, Registered Nurse (RN), was observed pulling RI #45's privacy curtain with her bare hand. EI #3 then applied clean gloves, moved RI #45's overbed table, and while wearing those same gloves, administered RI #45's insulin injection.
RI #22 was readmitted to the facility on [DATE].
On 08/19/19 at 8:00 a.m., during medication pass observation, EI #3, RN, was observed placing clean gloves on an overbed table without a barrier. She then applied these gloves to administer RI #22's eye drops. EI #3 was then observed taking a medication cup and water cup from RI #22 while wearing gloves, then wore those same gloves to administer RI #22's nasal spray.
On 08/19/19 at 10:34 a.m., an interview was conducted with EI #3, RN. EI #3 was asked when should she wash her hands during medication administration. EI #3 said before and after she touched any contaminated objects. When asked if she washed her hands after pulling RI #45's privacy curtain before applying her gloves to give RI #45's insulin injection, EI #3 replied no, but she should have. EI #3 was asked when should she wash her hands and change gloves. EI #3 stated when gloves are dirty or after touching anything dirty before touching anything clean. EI #3 was asked if she changed her gloves and washed her hands after moving RI #45's overbed table while wearing her gloves before she administered RI #45's insulin injection. EI #3 said no. EI #3 was then asked where she placed the clean gloves she used to administer RI #22's eye drops prior to using them. EI #3 replied, on the bedside table without a barrier. EI #3 was asked what was the concern with placing items on an unclean surface without using a barrier. EI #3 stated, infection. EI #3 was asked did she take the medication cup and water cup from RI #22 while wearing gloves and then administer RI #22's nasal spray while wearing those same gloves. EI #3 said yes. EI #3 was asked what was the concern with handling items while wearing gloves and then administering medications while wearing those same gloves. EI #3 replied infection. When asked what was the concern with not washing her hands and changing gloves when potentially contaminated during administration of eye drops and nasal spray, EI #3 answered, spreading the infection to myself or another resident or if something was on the table, the spread of that infection to the resident.
On 08/19/19 at 4:39 p.m., an interview was conducted with EI #4, RN/Infection Control Coordinator. EI #4 was asked, when should a nurse wash her hands during medication pass. EI #4 said before and after giving medications, after touching anything in the resident's room and before and after gloves. EI #4 was asked should a nurse wash her hands before applying gloves to administer an insulin injection after pulling a privacy curtain with her bare hand. EI #4 replied yes. EI #4 was asked should a nurse place clean gloves on an unclean surface without a barrier to be used during eye drop administration. EI #4 responded, no, they should always use a barrier before laying anything down. EI #4 was asked should a nurse change her gloves and wash her hands and apply clean gloves after a resident hands her a medication cup and water cup while she was wearing gloves. EI #4 said she should have changed her gloves and washed her hands and then applied clean gloves before giving the nasal spray. When asked what was the concern with these issues, EI #4 answered, infection control.