Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** <Elopement>
Review of a facility's policy titled, Elopements (when a resident identified as wandering leaves the facility without staff knowledge or authorization) - Resident Behavior and Facility Practices, dated 02/21/2025 showed when a resident who exhibited wandering behavior and/or were at risk for elopement received adequate supervision to prevent accidents, and received care in accordance with their person-centered plan of care addressing the unique factors contributing to wandering or elopement. Review showed monitoring and managing residents at risk for elopement and unsafe wandering showed the effectiveness of interventions would be evaluated and changes made as needed. The procedure for locating missing residents would be followed to include alert personnel using facility approved protocol.
Review of the facility's policy titled, Elopement of Resident dated 07/12/2023, showed a process for managing at risk (residents) for elopement, to include residents would be evaluated for elopement risk not only upon admission and quarterly but with any change in condition as part of the clinical assessment process. Those (residents) determined to be at risk would receive appropriate interventions to reduce risk and minimize injury, to include a person-centered care plan developed when applicable.
Review of the facility's Inservice record / topic: Elopement, dated 01/02/2025 showed several procedures for staff to initiate to include checking with the front desk (staff) to see if the resident was checked out, announcing three times on the facility's intercom system a code pink (an alert/code use by the facility to indicate possible elopement of a facility's resident). If unable to locate the resident quickly notification of law enforcement as soon as possible (ASAP).
Resident 56
Review of the quarterly minimum data set (MDS, a required assessment tool), dated 05/22/2025, showed Resident 56 re-admitted on [DATE] with multiple diagnoses to include Parkinson's disease (a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement), dyskinesia (impairment of voluntary movement), muscle weakness, and depression. The MDS showed the resident had a brief interview for mental status (BIMS) score of seven which indicated severe cognitive impairment and was dependent on staff for assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and was a high risk for falls. The MDS showed staff had documented a change in behavior in Section E1100 for the question How does the resident's current behavior status, care rejection, or wandering compared to prior assessment, a social service staff documented Resident 56 was worse for the behaviors section.
Review of Resident 56's current care plan, initiated on 03/08/2025 had impaired / decline in cognitive function impaired thought processes related to dementia, Parkinson's disease, short/long term memory loss. Interventions included for staff to observe and evaluate types of changes in cognitive status i.e. confusion, orientation, forgetfulness, decision making ability and impulsiveness.
Review of Resident 56's social services progress note, dated 05/30/2025, showed facility staff documented resident continued to have poor safety awareness, needed reminders about safety, had history of falls and needed to be offered more assistance. The note showed the resident would like to be transferred to an adult living facility and angry and wanted to move to a new setting and can become irritable and angry mostly due to wanting to move to a new setting.
Review of Resident 56's EHR, dated 06/02/2025, showed the resident ambulates (walk; move about) using a walker and required supervision one person) for ambulation.
During an observation and interview on 06/08/2025 at 9:07 AM, showed Resident 56 sat on their bed, a staff member sat on a nearby chair and observed the resident. When asked what the staff was doing in the resident's room, Staff H, Certified Nurse Aide, (CNA) stated they were told from an earlier report Resident 56's had eloped yesterday 06/07/2025 and they were there to observe the resident to ensure they did not elope out of the facility again.
Review of Resident 56's EHR progress note dated 06/07/2025 showed the resident was reported to be missing by the front desk. Front desk staff reported the resident walked out to the parking lot to get some sunshine at 3:15 PM; however, the resident did not return. The front desk staff informed the nurse at 3:45 PM, the resident's emergency contact was notified at 4:00 PM, who was also unaware of the resident's location. At 4:20 PM a facility staff contacted / called 911 related to the missing resident. At 4:40 PM a local nursing home several blocks away contacted the facility after Resident 56 was brought there by a woman who witnessed the resident stumbling/falling. A facility staff (manager on duty) retrieved the resident. Resident 56 stated they were looking for the highway to go home.
During an interview 06/10/2025 at 1:10 PM, Staff B, DNS, stated their expectation was for a code pink to be called immediately by the manager on duty and if unable to initially find a resident then 911 should be called simultaneously and not delay the call during the search for the missing resident.
During an interview on 06/10/2025 at 1:49 PM, Staff J, Recreation Director (RD), stated they were the manager on duty the day Resident 56 went missing and all the managers received a similar text regarding Resident 56 was missing. Staff J stated they walked around the facility outside for approximately 15 -20 minutes but were unable to locate the resident during that time frame. Staff J stated that another text came in to call 911. Staff J stated there was some confusion as to who was tasked with calling 911, either the manager on duty or the nurse in charge, so there was a delay in calling 911 related to the missing resident.
During an interview on 06/10/2025 at 1:51 PM, Staff G, Social Work (SW) stated they had documented a change in Resident 56's MDS (current behavior status) on the previous MDS dated [DATE] and informed Resident 56's care manager.
During an interview on 06/10/2025 at 12:45 AM, Staff A, Administrator (ADM) stated their expectation would be anytime a resident had a change in behavior (potential elopement risk) an assessment would need to be done to see if they were appropriate for increase monitoring and whether a placement of a wander guard was necessary. When asked about the front desk staff who observed Resident 56 leave the facility unaccompanied and whether they had elopement training / education, Staff A stated the receptionist was a recent hire (new staff) and they had recognized the receptionist had dropped the ball. The receptionist was now suspended, and education was done related to elopement risks. Staff A stated they were unable to find the front desk receptionist initial elopement training in their training documentation.
Resident 14
Review of the EHR showed Resident 14 was at risk for elopement and required a Wander Guard device (an alarm device that triggers when a resident attempts to leave the facility) on their wheelchair.
Review of treatment administration record (TAR) for June 2025, showed Resident 14's Wander Guard was not in place for eight of 17 opportunities from 06/01/2025 - 06/09/2025.
Review of Resident 14's TAR record for May 2025 showed missed documentation for the Wander Guard for 20 out of 62 opportunities.
During an interview on 06/12/2025 at 10:32 AM, Staff Q, Resident Care Manager, stated they just replaced the Wander Guard as the Resident cuts it off. Staff Q stated the expectation was for the licensed nurses to check and ensure Resident 14 had a Wander Guard in place and documented.
Refer to F-610 for additional information.
Reference WAC 388-97-1060 (3)(g).
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Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to consistently provided the assessed level of supervision to prevent avoidable injuries and falls, assess if care plan interventions were effective and provide timely revisions for 5 of 6 sampled residents (Residents 14, 15, 29, 21 and 110) reviewed for accidents and falls. Resident 29 experienced harm when a staff member provided bed mobility assistance without a second staff member as required per the plan of care resulting in a fall with a periorbital (area around the eye) laceration (cut) to the left eye that required hospital evaluation and sutures. Resident 21 experienced harm when staff failed to implement hip precautions during a transfer resulting in a hip dislocation and severe pain that required surgery and hospitalization. Resident 110 experienced harm from repeated falls, three between 05/14/2025 and 05/27/2025, with injuries to include a head laceration, skin tear to the elbow, and including an occipital hematoma (blood collection at the back of the head). The facility failed to protect residents from eloping (exiting the facility without the required supervision) or attempting to exit the facility for 2 of 2 sampled residents (Residents 56 & 14) reviewed for accidents. These failures placed residents at risk of significant injury and a decreased quality of life.
Findings included .
<Avoidable Injuries>
Resident 29
Review of the electronic health record (EHR) showed Resident 29 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a condition which blocks airflow that makes it difficult to breath), diabetes (high blood sugar), depression and anxiety. Resident 29 was able to communicate needs.
Observation on 06/08/2025 at 10:13 AM showed Resident 29 lying in bed with bruising and sutures (a stitch or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision) on the left side of their forehead near the left eye. Resident 29 stated they fell from the bed and had to go to the emergency room for sutures. Resident 29 stated the fall happened during repositioning / turning in the bed by one staff member. Resident 29 stated since the incident they were afraid to be turned in bed by staff.
Review of Resident 29's progress notes in the EHR showed a fall with injury on 05/30/2025. During routine care by one staff member Resident 29 fell from the unsupervised side of the bed air mattress. Resident 29 struck their head against the floor resulting in deep periorbital (area around the eye) laceration (cut) to the left eye.
Review of the care plan self care focus area, dated 05/17/2025, showed intervention Resident is totally dependent on staff for repositioning and turning in bed, and The resident requires 2 staff participation to reposition and turn in bed.
Review of facility incident report investigation, dated 06/06/2025 for the fall on 05/30/2025, showed one of the immediate actions was Due to the extent of the eye injury and head trauma, the provider ordered to be transferred to the hospital. Review showed, The care was performed by one staff member, despite the resident requiring two staff, the aide did not follow the care plan, and There was a lack of adherence to care plan protocols and enforcement to ensure compliance with required assistive staffing for high-risk residents.
Observation on 06/10/2025 at 11:06 AM showed Staff R, Registered Nurse (RN) performed a skin check and turned Resident 29 in bed by themselves and stated, I am not going to drop you.
Resident 21
Review of the EHR showed Resident 21 admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses that included aftercare for joint replacement surgery, presence of left artificial hip joint and muscle weakness. Resident 21 was weight bearing as tolerated.
During an interview on 06/12/2025 at 10:47 AM, Resident 21 stated on 05/29/2025 while staff were attempting to transfer them to their wheelchair Staff X, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), moved their left leg in jerking motion while on the bed which resulted in a loud pop. Resident 21 stated they asked the staff, did you hear that? The staff looked at each other and Staff X stated, yes. Resident 21 stated they immediately felt excruciating pain at a level of 110. Staff X lowered Resident 21's left leg back down on the bed and left the room. Resident 21 stated they yelled in pain for the nurse to give them something for pain. Resident 21 stated the nurse ordered an x-ray; however, stated it could take hours. Resident 21 stated their family member requested transport to the emergency department (ED) due to the possible wait time. Resident 21 stated they were crying and screaming in pain while at the ED until they were given pain medication and underwent surgery.
Review of the EHR showed an ED Discharge summary, dated [DATE], with a final diagnosis of left hip dislocation which was surgically repaired. Resident 21 was discharged from the ED on 05/30/2025.
Review of progress note from Staff W, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), dated 05/29/2025, showed Resident 21 complained of popping sound while being moved to the wheelchair from the bed to get weighed. Resident 21 stated, 2 gentleman tried to move me from the other side of the bed to the wheelchair when I heard a popping sound from my left hip and now, I can't move. and Resident was able to transfer from wheelchair to the bed with stand-and-pivot when they first came to the facility without complaint of pain.
During an interview on 06/12/2025 at 11:54 AM, Staff W, LPN, stated while coming back from break Staff X reported that Resident 21 was in extreme pain. Staff W stated when asked about the pain, Resident 21 stated they couldn't move their leg and was in excruciating pain because the CNA was careless and hurt my hip. Staff W stated the admissions department was putting Resident 21's orders in the EHR at that time of the incident; however, the resident was weight bearing as tolerated.
Review of Resident 21's EHR showed signed discharge orders from the previous facility, dated 05/29/2025, which included an order, Weight bearing as tolerated with walker, posterior hip precaution (eliminating hip flexion/bending and internal rotation / turning leg inward, and adduction / flexing inward) X 6 weeks full weightbearing.
Review of the current providers order on 06/12/2025, showed no order for: Weight bearing as tolerated with walker, posterior hip precaution for six weeks full weight bearing.
During an interview on 06/12/2025 at 1:35 PM, Staff B, Director of Nursing Services, stated Resident 21 reported to the nurse that a staff member moved their leg and it popped.
<Falls>
Resident 110
Review of the EHR showed Resident 110 admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses that included dementia (a group of thinking and social symptoms that interferes with daily functioning), difficulty walking and muscle weakness. Resident 110 was able to make needs known. Resident 110 required extensive assistance for transfers and used a wheelchair for mobility. Resident 110 was assessed as a fall risk.
Review of Resident 110's incident report, dated 05/14/2025, showed Resident 110 had a witnessed fall resulting in a two-inch head laceration. At approximately 1:10 PM, housekeeping staff reported witnessing Resident 110 attempting to stand from their wheelchair with foley catheter (tube to drain urine) still attached resulting in a fall. Resident 110 was found lying on the floor on their right side, near the foot of the bed by the window.Review showed a nurse aaplied pressure to an actively bleeding head wound. Resident 110 was unable to verbalize pain but was grimacing and holding their right leg. Resident 110's wheelchair was located outside the bathroom door with a tray table and meal tray.
Review of Resident 110's care plan, dated 05/14/2025, showed supervised feeding at nurses' station or dining room for meals were the fall prevention interventions put in place.
Review of Resident 110's the incident report, dated 05/20/2025, showed Resident 110 had an unwitnessed fall that resulted in an elbow skin tear. At approximately 7:15 PM a nurse noticed Resident 110 was on the floor on the left side of the bed on top of the floor mat, lying on their left side. Resident 110 denied pain and did not remember why they fell. Resident 110 had a skin tear on left elbow. The fall occurred despite appropriate fall precautions (e.g., floor mat, routine checks). The incident report showed the facility implemented immediate and long-term preventive interventions. The incident report was completed on 05/27/2025, seven days after the incident.
Review of Resident 110's care plan showed no new interventions were added following the fall on 05/20/2025.
Review of the incident report, dated 05/29/2025, showed Resident 110 had a third fall which was unwitnessed on 05/27/2025 that resulted in an occipital hematoma (blood collection at the back of the head). At approximately 3:50 PM a facility staff heard a loud yell from the hallway. Staff responded immediately and found the Resident 110 on the floor in front of their wheelchair, lying on their left side, with the left occipital area of the head touching the wall. A hematoma was noted on the left occipital scalp (no bleeding). Resident 110 was grimacing, saying ouch. The FACES pain scale indicated pain. Resident 110 was unable to verbalize pain details or fall mechanics due to dementia. The resident was not sent to the hospital. The incident report concluded, The resident's fall occurred due to an unassisted movement from or within an unlocked wheelchair, in the context of cognitive impairment, physical frailty, and brief lack of direct supervision. The resident's dementia likely led to poor safety awareness, and their medical conditions compounded the risk.
Review of Resident 110's care plan showed it was updated with new interventions on 05/28/2025 which included continue interventions on the at-risk plan, anticipate and meet the resident's needs, supervision and not to be left unattended at all times (Do not leave up in room when in wheelchair. Keep in high visualized area when up in wheelchair), toileting schedules pre-post meals, before bedtimes, low bed while in bed to help reduce risk of injury from falls.
During an interview on 06/10/2025 at 2:13 PM, Staff P, RCM/LPN, stated the care plan was not revised and no interventions were put in place after the 05/20/2025 fall but should have been.
During an interview on 06/12/2025 at 2:02 PM, Staff B, DNS stated new interventions should have been implemented and care planned timely after Resident 110's, 05/20/2025 fall. Staff B stated the lack of care implementation, timeliness and care plan revision did not meet expectations.
Resident 15
Review of the quarterly minimum data set assessment (MDS), dated [DATE], showed Resident 15 admitted on [DATE] with multiple diagnoses to include quadriplegia (a severe medical condition characterized by the partial or total loss of function in all four limbs and the torso [trunk of the body]), malnutrition, muscle weakness, and depression. The MDS showed the resident was able to make needs known and required substantial assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and was documented a high falls risk.
Observation and interview on 06/08/2025 at 11:31 AM, showed Resident 15 laying in bed with fall floor mats positioned on both the left and right side of their the bed. Resident 15 stated they had fallen a few times previously when they were either reaching for something that dropped on the floor or attempted to get out of bed without assistance. The resident further stated they had been provided a reacher tool (a device known as a grabber extender, a handheld mechanical device designed to extend a person's reach and grip, allowing them to grasp objects that was otherwise out of arm's length); however, it always seemed to be stored on their wheelchair at the foot of their bed and their call light was also out of their reach.
Review of Resident 15's care plan, dated 02/06/2025, showed Resident 15 was at risk for falls due to multiple diagnoses and had recurrent falls. Interventions included for the resident to have positioned floor mats, a reacher tool, call light within reach and to provide verbal cues for safety.
Review of Resident 15's incident report, dated 05/07/2025, showed the resident fell next to their bed. The report showed the residents' roommate had used their own call light to alert the facility staff for assistance regarding Resident 15's fall. Prior to the fall the resident had a discussion with a facility staff member, (an unidentified registered nurse, RN) of the need to get out of bed to purchase a soda, the report showed the resident stated they were, going to anyway. The report showed the RN told the resident to wait until additional help arrived; however, the report did not indicate whether the RN waited with the resident until additional help arrived and they were reportedly found on the floor next to their bed a short while later. The report concluded Resident 15 had moderate cognitive impairment and their behavior led to poor judgment and was noted to be impulsive.
During an interview on 6/10/2025 at 12:10 PM, Staff B, DNS, stated the licensed nurse should have waited with Resident 15 on 05/07/2025 until additional help arrived, especially after the resident had made the statement they were, going to do it anyway (get out of bed). Staff B stated Resident 15 was a two person assist with transfer and had impulsivity and poor judgement.
Resident 14
Review of the EHR showed, Resident 14 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses to include dementia, COPD, hypotension (low blood pressure), and anemia (low blood cell count). Resident 14 was unable to make needs known.
Review of the EHR showed Resident 14 had falls on the following dates 02/05/2025, 02/13/2025, 03/18/2025, 03/31/2025, 04/02/2025, 04/29/2025, 05/24/2025, and 05/26/2025.
Review of the facility's incident investigation showed an investigation of fall on 05/24/2025. Review showed no new interventions were put in place.
Review of the EHR showed Resident 14 had a repeat fall on 05/26/2025.