Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to safely use side rails for five of six sampled residents (Resident 6, 8, 24, 29, 55) by failing to: 1.Having a physician's order for Resident 55 and Resident 6's use of side rails and follow the physician's order for bilateral side rails up at all times, when all four side rails were observed up. 2. Assess Residents 6, 8, 24, 29, and 55 for risk of entrapment from bed rails prior to installation and obtain informed consent prior to use of side rails. These deficient practices had the potential to result in the restriction of residents' freedom of movement, a decline in physical functioning, psychosocial harm (mental, emotional, or physical injuries caused by social factors, or stressful interactions, rather than physical accidents), physical harm and risk for entrapment (getting stuck). Findings:
a. During a review of Resident 6's Patient Registration Form, the Registration Form indicated the facility admitted the resident on 6/3/2022.
During a review of Resident 6's History and Physical (H&P), dated 1/26/2026, the H&P indicated Resident 6 had diagnoses including tracheostomy (surgically created opening in the front of the neck leading directly into the trachea [windpipe] to help a person breathe). and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). The H&P further indicated Resident 6 did not have the capacity to make his own decisions.
During a review of Resident 6's Minimum Data Set (MDS, a standardized assessment and care screening tool), dated 1/8/2026, the MDS indicated Resident 6 had some cognitive decline but is able to make himself understood and understand others.
During a review of Resident 6's Order Summary Report, the report included and order dated 6/3/2026 for bilateral side rails up at all times every shift.
During a review of Resident 6's Side Rails Care Plan (CP), initiated on 6/27/2026, the CP had an intervention to use side rails as indicated.
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 9:58 a.m., inside Resident 6's room, Resident 6 was sitting up in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower).
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/9/2026, at 10:33 a.m., inside Resident 6's room with Registered Nurse (RN 1), RN 1 looked at the bed rails and stated four side rails are up, but that she believed it should be only two.
During a concurrent interview and record review on 2/9/2026 at 1:05 p.m. with RN 1, RN 1 reviewed Resident 6's electronic and paper medical record. RN 1 stated there was an order for only bilateral (two) side rails up and all four should not have been up for Resident 6's safety. RN 1 searched and stated there was not a consent for the use of bed rails or an assessment for entrapment. RN 1 stated residents should be assessed for entrapment to prevent injuries, and the responsible party should have the opportunity to consent for the use of side rails after being informed of the risks and benefits prior to use.
During an interview on 2/10/2026, at 10:08 a.m., with the Director of Nursing (DON), the DON stated prior to installation of the side rails on the resident's bed they should have had a physician's order, consent for the use of the bedrail, and assessment for entrapment, to ensure appropriate use and safe use of the bedrail for the residents.
During a review of the facility's recent policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Side Rail Assessment, last reviewed on 1/29/2026, the P&P indicated a siderail assessment was to be completed every 3 months.
During a review of the facility's recent policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Informed Consent, last reviewed on 1/29/2026, the P&P indicated there must be a signed a signed consent for all treatments and procedures.
During a review of the facility's recent policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Orders, Physicians, last reviewed on 1/29/2026, the P&P indicated accuracy must be assured with all physician's orders.
b. During a review of the History and Physical (H&P) dated 12/19/2025, the H&P indicated Resident 8 was admitted with diagnoses including cardiopulmonary arrest (a medical emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating, stopping blood flow to the brain and body), respiratory failure (a condition where there's not enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your body), encephalopathy (damage or disease that affects the brain), hypertension (high blood pressure), Diabetes Mellitus (DM-a disorder characterized by difficulty in blood sugar control and poor wound healing). Resident 8 was comatose (a state of deep, prolonged unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond to light, sound, or pain, and does not move voluntarily) and totally unresponsive to verbal and painful stimuli.
During a review of Resident 8's Minimum Data Set ([MDS] - a resident assessment tool) dated 12/24/2025, the MDS indicated Resident 8 was comatose. Resident 8 was dependent (helper does all the effort) from staff with all activities of daily living (ADL), such as oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, personal hygiene, shower/bathe self, upper and lower body dressing. The MDS indicated that Resident 8 was dependent with rolling left and right (ability to roll from laying on back to left and right side and return to lying back on the bed).
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 12:10 p.m., in Resident 8's room, Resident 8 was lying down in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower).
During a review of Resident 8's Order Summary Report dated 2/26/2025, the Order Summary Report indicated physician order for bilateral (two sides) side rails up at all times every shift.
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/10/2026 at 2:10 p.m. with Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 6 and Registered Nurse (RN) 4 in Resident 8's room, Resident 8's bed was observed having four side rails up. LVN 6 stated four side rails were up to prevent Resident 8 from falling.
c. During a review of Resident 24's Patient Registration Form, the Patient Registration Form indicated Resident 24 was admitted to the facility on [DATE].
During a review of Resident 24's H&P dated 10/13/2025, the H&P indicated Resident 24 was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including traumatic encephalopathy following head injury(permanent brain damage that happens after many head injuries), history of respiratory failure (a condition where there's not enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your body), permanent tracheostomy (a surgically created hole in the neck that leads directly into the windpipe to help a person breathe), seizure disorder (a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain which can cause uncontrolled jerking, blank stares, and loss of consciousness). The H&P indicated Resident 24 was awake, responsive, able to verbalize slightly.
During a review of Resident 24's Minimum Data Set ([MDS] - a resident assessment tool) dated 12/4/2025, the MDS indicated Resident 24 had moderately impaired cognitive skills (decisions poor; cues/supervision required). The MDS indicated Resident 24 was dependent (helper does all the effort) from staff with all activities of daily living (ADL), such as oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, personal hygiene, shower/bathe self, upper and lower body dressing. The MDS indicated that Resident 24 was dependent with roll left and right (ability to roll from laying on back to left and right side and return to laying on back on the bed).
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 12:15 p.m., in Resident 24's room, Resident 24 was lying down in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower).
During a review of Resident 24's Order Summary Report dated 12/22/2025, the Order Summary Report indicated a physician order for bilateral padded side rails for seizure precautions every shift.
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/10/2026 at 2:04 p.m. with LVN 6 and RN 4 in Resident 24's room, Resident 24's bed was observed having 4 side rails up with no padding. LVN 6 stated four side rails were up to prevent Resident 24 from falling. LVN 6 stated Resident 24 was at risk for seizures, and that lack of padding could result in head injury or trauma during a seizure episode.
d. During a review of Resident 29's Patient Registration Form, the Patient Registration Form indicated Resident 29 was admitted to the facility on [DATE].
During a review of the H&P report dated 12/10/2025, the H&P indicated Resident 29 was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia (a condition where there's not enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your body), seizure disorder (a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain which can cause uncontrolled jerking, blank stares, and loss of consciousness), traumatic subdural hemorrhage (a head injury causes blood vessels to tear and leak blood between the brain and its outer covering), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
During a review of Resident 29's MDS dated [DATE], the MDS indicated Resident 29 had moderate cognitive impairment. The MDS indicated Resident 29 was dependent from staff with all ADL, such as oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, personal hygiene, shower/bathe self, upper and lower body dressing. The MDS indicated that Resident 29 was dependent with chair/bed-to-chair transfer.
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 12:20 p.m., in Resident 29's room, Resident 29 was lying down in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower) with no padding.
During a review of Resident 29's Order Summary Report dated 5/5/2024, the Order Summary Report indicated physician order for bilateral (two sides) padded side rails at all times every shift.
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/10/2026 at 2:04 p.m. with Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 6 in Resident 29's room, Resident 29's bed was observed with all 4 side rails up with no padding. LVN 6 stated four side rails were up to prevent Resident 29 from falling. LVN 6 stated Resident 29 was at risk for seizures, and that lack of padding could result in head injury or trauma during a seizure.
e. During a review of Resident 55's Patient Registration Form, the Patient Registration Form indicated that Resident 55 was originally admitted to the facility on [DATE], then readmitted to the facility on [DATE].
During a review of the H&P dated 4/2/2025, the H&P indicated Resident 55 was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including chronic traumatic encephalopathy following head injury (permanent brain damage that happens after many head injuries), history of seizure disorder (a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain which can cause uncontrolled jerking, blank stares, and loss of consciousness), respiratory failure (a condition where there's not enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your body), tracheostomy (a surgically created hole in the neck that leads directly into the windpipe to help a person breathe), gastrostomy (a surgical opening fitted with a device to allow feedings to be administered directly to the stomach common for people with swallowing problems).
During a review of Resident 55's MDS dated [DATE], the MDS indicated Resident 55 was comatose. Resident 55 was dependent from staff with all ADLs, such as oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, personal hygiene, shower/bathe self, upper and lower body dressing. The MDS indicated that Resident 55 was dependent with roll left and right (ability to roll from laying on back to left and right side and return to lying on back on the bed).
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 12:20 p.m., in Resident 55's room, Resident 55 was lying down in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower) with no padding.
During a concurrent interview and record review on 2/10/2026 at 2:06 p.m. with LVN 6 of Resident 55's Care Plan Report dated 6/20/2026, the Crae Plan Report indicated bilateral padded side rails were to remain up all times for seizure precautions. However, the Physician Order Summary did not indicate documentation of an order to maintain padded side rails up at all times for seizure precautions. LVN 6 stated Resident 55 had a history of seizure disorder.
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/10/2026 at 2:07 p.m. with LVN 6 in Resident 55's room, Resident 55's bed was observed having 4 siderails up with no padding on any of the siderails. LVN 6 stated without an order and padding in place, Resident 55 could be at increased risk for head injury or trauma in the event of seizures.
During a concurrent interview and record review on 2/10/2026 at 2:10 p.m. with RN 4, RN 4 reviewed Resident 24, Resident 8, Resident 29 and Resident 55's electronic and paper medical records. RN 4 stated there was an order for bilateral padded side rails up for seizure precautions and having four side rails raised without padding was not according to the physician's order for Resident 24 ,8 , 29 and 55. RN 4 stated there was no documented entrapment risk assessment and no documented consent for the use of bed rails. RN 4 stated this practice had the potential to place Resident 24,8, 29 and 55 at risk for injury and entrapment. RN 4 further stated residents/RP should have the opportunity to consent for side rails to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.
During an interview on 2/12/2026 at 3:00 p.m. with Director of Nursing (DON), the DON stated side rails must have doctors order before they are used. The DON stated that if a physician's order indicates bilateral side rails, staff should not raise all four side rails by default. Using all four side rails considered a restraint. The DON stated it was not acceptable to maintain side rails up at all times without documented consent from the residents or RP. Residents/RPs must be aware of possible risks, benefits, and other available options. The DON added that the facility must assess residents for entrapment risk or admission, at lease quarterly, and on an ongoing basis. If residents become trapped between mattress and the side rail, it can lead to serious harms and even death.
During a review of the facility's recent policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Side Rail Assessment, last reviewed on 1/29/2026, the P&P indicated a siderail assessment was to be completed every 3 months.
During a review of the facility's policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Informed Consent for Procedures and Treatments, reviewed in December 2025, the P&P indicated there must be a signed consent for all treatments and procedures.
During a review of the facility's P&P titled, Orders, Physicians, reviewed in December 2025, the P&P indicated accuracy must be assured with all physician's orders.
a. During a review of Resident 6's Patient Registration Form, the Registration Form indicated the facility admitted the resident on 6/3/2022.
During a review of Resident 6's History and Physical (H&P), dated 1/26/2026, the H&P indicated Resident 6 had diagnoses including tracheostomy (surgically created opening in the front of the neck leading directly into the trachea [windpipe] to help a person breathe). and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). The H&P further indicated Resident 6 did not have the capacity to make his own decisions.
During a review of Resident 6's Minimum Data Set (MDS, a standardized assessment and care screening tool), dated 1/8/2026, the MDS indicated Resident 6 had some cognitive decline but is able to make himself understood and understand others.
During a review of Resident 6's Order Summary Report, the report included and order dated 6/3/2026 for bilateral side rails up at all times every shift.
During a review of Resident 6's Side Rails Care Plan (CP), initiated on 6/27/2026, the CP had an intervention to use side rails as indicated.
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 9:58 a.m., inside Resident 6's room, Resident 6 was sitting up in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower).
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/9/2026, at 10:33 a.m., inside Resident 6's room with Registered Nurse (RN 1), RN 1 looked at the bed rails and stated four side rails are up, but that she believed it should be only two.
During a concurrent interview and record review on 2/9/2026 at 1:05 p.m. with RN 1, RN 1 reviewed Resident 6's electronic and paper medical record. RN 1 stated there was an order for only bilateral (two) side rails up and all four should not have been up for Resident 6's safety. RN 1 searched and stated there was not a consent for the use of bed rails or an assessment for entrapment. RN 1 stated residents should be assessed for entrapment to prevent injuries, and the responsible party should have the opportunity to consent for the use of side rails after being informed of the risks and benefits prior to use.
During an interview on 2/10/2026, at 10:08 a.m., with the Director of Nursing (DON), the DON stated prior to installation of the side rails on the resident's bed they should have had a physician's order, consent for the use of the bedrail, and assessment for entrapment, to ensure appropriate use and safe use of the bedrail for the residents.
During a review of the facility's recent policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Side Rail Assessment, last reviewed on 1/29/2026, the P&P indicated a siderail assessment was to be completed every 3 months.
During a review of the facility's recent policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Informed Consent, last reviewed on 1/29/2026, the P&P indicated there must be a signed a signed consent for all treatments and procedures.
During a review of the facility's recent policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Orders, Physicians, last reviewed on 1/29/2026, the P&P indicated accuracy must be assured with all physician's orders.
b. During a review of the History and Physical (H&P) dated 12/19/2025, the H&P indicated Resident 8 was admitted with diagnoses including cardiopulmonary arrest (a medical emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating, stopping blood flow to the brain and body), respiratory failure (a condition where there's not enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your body), encephalopathy (damage or disease that affects the brain), hypertension (high blood pressure), Diabetes Mellitus (DM-a disorder characterized by difficulty in blood sugar control and poor wound healing). Resident 8 was comatose (a state of deep, prolonged unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond to light, sound, or pain, and does not move voluntarily) and totally unresponsive to verbal and painful stimuli.
During a review of Resident 8's Minimum Data Set ([MDS] - a resident assessment tool) dated 12/24/2025, the MDS indicated Resident 8 was comatose. Resident 8 was dependent (helper does all the effort) from staff with all activities of daily living (ADL), such as oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, personal hygiene, shower/bathe self, upper and lower body dressing. The MDS indicated that Resident 8 was dependent with rolling left and right (ability to roll from laying on back to left and right side and return to lying back on the bed).
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 12:10 p.m., in Resident 8's room, Resident 8 was lying down in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower).
During a review of Resident 8's Order Summary Report dated 2/26/2025, the Order Summary Report indicated physician order for bilateral (two sides) side rails up at all times every shift.
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/10/2026 at 2:10 p.m. with Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 6 and Registered Nurse (RN) 4 in Resident 8's room, Resident 8's bed was observed having four side rails up. LVN 6 stated four side rails were up to prevent Resident 8 from falling.
c. During a review of Resident 24's Patient Registration Form, the Patient Registration Form indicated Resident 24 was admitted to the facility on [DATE].
During a review of Resident 24's H&P dated 10/13/2025, the H&P indicated Resident 24 was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including traumatic encephalopathy following head injury(permanent brain damage that happens after many head injuries), history of respiratory failure (a condition where there's not enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your body), permanent tracheostomy (a surgically created hole in the neck that leads directly into the windpipe to help a person breathe), seizure disorder (a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain which can cause uncontrolled jerking, blank stares, and loss of consciousness). The H&P indicated Resident 24 was awake, responsive, able to verbalize slightly.
During a review of Resident 24's Minimum Data Set ([MDS] - a resident assessment tool) dated 12/4/2025, the MDS indicated Resident 24 had moderately impaired cognitive skills (decisions poor; cues/supervision required). The MDS indicated Resident 24 was dependent (helper does all the effort) from staff with all activities of daily living (ADL), such as oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, personal hygiene, shower/bathe self, upper and lower body dressing. The MDS indicated that Resident 24 was dependent with roll left and right (ability to roll from laying on back to left and right side and return to laying on back on the bed).
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 12:15 p.m., in Resident 24's room, Resident 24 was lying down in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower).
During a review of Resident 24's Order Summary Report dated 12/22/2025, the Order Summary Report indicated a physician order for bilateral padded side rails for seizure precautions every shift.
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/10/2026 at 2:04 p.m. with LVN 6 and RN 4 in Resident 24's room, Resident 24's bed was observed having 4 side rails up with no padding. LVN 6 stated four side rails were up to prevent Resident 24 from falling. LVN 6 stated Resident 24 was at risk for seizures, and that lack of padding could result in head injury or trauma during a seizure episode.
d. During a review of Resident 29's Patient Registration Form, the Patient Registration Form indicated Resident 29 was admitted to the facility on [DATE].
During a review of the H&P report dated 12/10/2025, the H&P indicated Resident 29 was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia (a condition where there's not enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your body), seizure disorder (a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain which can cause uncontrolled jerking, blank stares, and loss of consciousness), traumatic subdural hemorrhage (a head injury causes blood vessels to tear and leak blood between the brain and its outer covering), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
During a review of Resident 29's MDS dated [DATE], the MDS indicated Resident 29 had moderate cognitive impairment. The MDS indicated Resident 29 was dependent from staff with all ADL, such as oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, personal hygiene, shower/bathe self, upper and lower body dressing. The MDS indicated that Resident 29 was dependent with chair/bed-to-chair transfer.
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 12:20 p.m., in Resident 29's room, Resident 29 was lying down in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower) with no padding.
During a review of Resident 29's Order Summary Report dated 5/5/2024, the Order Summary Report indicated physician order for bilateral (two sides) padded side rails at all times every shift.
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/10/2026 at 2:04 p.m. with Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 6 in Resident 29's room, Resident 29's bed was observed with all 4 side rails up with no padding. LVN 6 stated four side rails were up to prevent Resident 29 from falling. LVN 6 stated Resident 29 was at risk for seizures, and that lack of padding could result in head injury or trauma during a seizure.
e. During a review of Resident 55's Patient Registration Form, the Patient Registration Form indicated that Resident 55 was originally admitted to the facility on [DATE], then readmitted to the facility on [DATE].
During a review of the H&P dated 4/2/2025, the H&P indicated Resident 55 was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including chronic traumatic encephalopathy following head injury (permanent brain damage that happens after many head injuries), history of seizure disorder (a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain which can cause uncontrolled jerking, blank stares, and loss of consciousness), respiratory failure (a condition where there's not enough oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your body), tracheostomy (a surgically created hole in the neck that leads directly into the windpipe to help a person breathe), gastrostomy (a surgical opening fitted with a device to allow feedings to be administered directly to the stomach common for people with swallowing problems).
During a review of Resident 55's MDS dated [DATE], the MDS indicated Resident 55 was comatose. Resident 55 was dependent from staff with all ADLs, such as oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, personal hygiene, shower/bathe self, upper and lower body dressing. The MDS indicated that Resident 55 was dependent with roll left and right (ability to roll from laying on back to left and right side and return to lying on back on the bed).
During an observation on 2/9/2026, at 12:20 p.m., in Resident 55's room, Resident 55 was lying down in bed with four side rails up (upper and lower) with no padding.
During a concurrent interview and record review on 2/10/2026 at 2:06 p.m. with LVN 6 of Resident 55's Care Plan Report dated 6/20/2026, the Crae Plan Report indicated bilateral padded side rails were to remain up all times for seizure precautions. However, the Physician Order Summary did not indicate documentation of an order to maintain padded side rails up at all times for seizure precautions. LVN 6 stated Resident 55 had a history of seizure disorder.
During a concurrent observation and interview on 2/10/2026 at 2:07 p.m. with LVN 6 in Resident 55's room, Resident 55's bed was observed having 4 siderails up with no padding on any of the siderails. LVN 6 stated without an order and padding in place, Resident 55 could be at increased risk for head injury or trauma in the event of seizures.
During a concurrent interview and record review on 2/10/2026 at 2:10 p.m. with RN 4, RN 4 reviewed Resident 24, Resident 8, Resident 29 and Resident 55's electronic and paper medical records. RN 4 stated there was an order for bilateral padded side rails up for seizure precautions and having four side rails raised without padding was not according to the physician's order for Resident 24 ,8 , 29 and 55. RN 4 stated there was no documented entrapment risk assessment and no documented consent for the use of bed rails. RN 4 stated this practice had the potential to place Resident 24,8, 29 and 55 at risk for injury and entrapment. RN 4 further stated residents/RP should have the opportunity to consent for side rails to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.
During an interview on 2/12/2026 at 3:00 p.m. with Director of Nursing (DON), the DON stated side rails must have doctors order before they are used. The DON stated that if a physician's order indicates bilateral side rails, staff should not raise all four side rails by default. Using all four side rails considered a restraint. The DON stated it was not acceptable to maintain side rails up at all times without documented consent from the residents or RP. Residents/RPs must be aware of possible risks, benefits, and other available options. The DON added that the facility must assess residents for entrapment risk or admission, at lease quarterly, and on an ongoing basis. If residents become trapped between mattress and the side rail, it can lead to serious harms and even death.
During a review of the facility's recent policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Side Rail Assessment, last reviewed on 1/29/2026, the P&P indicated a siderail assessment was to be completed every 3 months.
During a review of the facility's policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Informed Consent for Procedures and Treatments, reviewed in December 2025, the P&P indicated there must be a signed consent for all treatments and procedures.
During a review of the facility's P&P titled, Orders, Physicians, reviewed in December 2025, the P&P indicated accuracy must be assured with all physician's orders.