Failure to Care Plan Lorazepam Use and Hot/Cold Gel Pack Self-Administration
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan for Resident 175 related to lorazepam use. Resident 175 was admitted with diagnoses including dementia, anxiety disorder, and type 2 DM, and the H&P noted fluctuating capacity to understand and make decisions. A physician order dated 4/20/2026 directed lorazepam oral concentrate 2 mg/ml, 0.5 ml sublingually every 4 hours as needed for anxiety manifested by increased restlessness leading to shortness of breath for 14 days. During a concurrent interview and record review, the ADON stated there was no care plan developed for the use of lorazepam and no physician order for monitoring the black box warning for lorazepam, including adverse effects. The ADON stated the adverse effects to be monitored included drowsiness, slurred speech, dizziness, nausea, and aggressive/impulsive behavior. The ADON also stated licensed staff should have developed a care plan for the use of lorazepam, its adverse effects, and should have monitored Resident 175 for risks, medication dependence, and withdrawal reactions. The record review and interview showed that these elements were not documented in the resident’s care plan. The facility also failed to develop a comprehensive person-centered care plan for Resident 5 regarding self-administration of a hot/cold gel pack. Resident 5 had diagnoses including polyneuropathy, hypertension, chronic pain syndrome, and COPD, and the H&P indicated the resident had capacity to make decisions. The MDS indicated intact cognitive skills for daily decision making, but also showed dependence with lower body dressing and footwear and substantial/maximal assistance with toileting hygiene and shower self. Progress notes dated 4/20/2026 and 4/21/2026 indicated the resident was being monitored for self-administration of the hot/cold gel pack, yet LVN 3 stated there was no physician order allowing self-administration and no comprehensive, person-centered care plan addressing it.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
A resident with anoxic brain damage, persistent vegetative state, and type 2 DM was assessed on the MDS as having impaired ROM in all extremities and total dependence for all ADLs, but the comprehensive care plan did not include any interventions addressing the limited ROM. An MDS LPN confirmed that the ROM limitation was omitted from the care plan, despite facility policy stating that the care plan is the written treatment to provide optimal personalized care and services. This deficiency was identified for one of several residents with limited ROM in a larger facility census.
A resident admitted with stage 2 and stage 3 heel pressure ulcers had physician orders for detailed wound care to the right heel, offloading of the right foot in bed, and use of a heelless shoe while ambulating. The comprehensive care plan identified risk for pressure ulcers and documented only the left heel wound, with general skin and pressure-relief interventions such as hydration monitoring, daily skin checks, pressure redistribution surfaces, and weekly nurse skin assessments. The care plan did not include the right heel pressure ulcer or the ordered interventions for offloading and heelless shoe use, which the DON confirmed were absent, contrary to facility policy requiring comprehensive, person-centered care plans for all identified conditions.
A resident with metabolic encephalopathy, chronic diastolic HF, peripheral vascular disease, and ESRD, who had mild cognitive impairment and required extensive assistance with all ADLs, had a PICC line in place with an order to schedule removal. However, review of the record showed no additional PICC line orders and no care plan addressing the PICC line in the comprehensive care plan. In an interview, a regional nurse confirmed there was no care plan or documentation of care for the PICC line, resulting in a cited deficiency.
Surveyors found that three residents with multiple comorbidities, including CHF, CKD, COPD, Parkinson’s disease, DM, and cancer, had documented bladder incontinence and dependence on staff for toileting hygiene and transfers per their MDS assessments, yet their active care plans did not address urinary or bowel incontinence or required toileting assistance. One cognitively intact resident was frequently incontinent of bladder and needed substantial/max assist with toilet transfers, another with moderately impaired cognition was always incontinent of bladder and bowel and required substantial/max assist for toileting, and a third cognitively intact resident was frequently incontinent of bladder and dependent on staff for toileting hygiene. The DON acknowledged that basic ADL and toileting/incontinence care plans were missing for these residents and confirmed that two of them, who remained in the facility, had known incontinence without corresponding care plan updates.
A resident with a documented history of depression was prescribed Buspirone and Vistaril for anxiety, and the MDS reflected use of anti-anxiety medications, yet the Active Diagnoses section did not list an anxiety disorder. Review of the resident's care plans showed they addressed only depression and antidepressant use, and the psychotropic medication care plan referenced only antidepressants, omitting the anti-anxiety drugs. The MAR confirmed ongoing administration of both anti-anxiety medications, and the DON acknowledged that the resident's anxiety and related medications were not included in the active care plans.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to develop comprehensive care plans for two residents, one with severe, ongoing pain and another with a history of frequent medication refusal. One resident, with multiple renal and diabetic conditions and physician orders for pain medications, had documented severe pain interfering with sleep and was observed in obvious distress, yet the care plan contained no pain management focus or interventions. Another resident with end stage renal disease and type 1 DM had repeated documented refusals of several ordered medications, but the care plan did not address or reflect this ongoing pattern of refusal, as confirmed by an LPN and a unit manager.
Failure to Include Limited Range of Motion Needs in Comprehensive Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to address a resident’s impaired range of motion in the comprehensive care plan. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including anoxic brain damage, persistent vegetative state, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. An MDS assessment documented that the resident was in a persistent vegetative state with no discernible consciousness, was dependent on staff for all ADLs, and had impaired range of motion in all extremities. Despite this, review of the resident’s care plan showed no interventions related to the limited range of motion. During an interview, the MDS LPN confirmed that the resident’s limited range of motion was not included on the care plan and acknowledged that this information should be present so staff are aware of the limitations. Facility policy stated that the care plan is the written treatment provided to enable optimal personalized care and services, but the resident’s range of motion needs were not incorporated, resulting in the cited deficiency. This deficiency was identified for one resident reviewed for limited range of motion, in the context of eight residents in the facility who had limited range of motion and an overall census of 112 residents. It was investigated under Complaint Number 2963128.
Failure to Include All Pressure Ulcers and Interventions in Comprehensive Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive care plan that included all of a resident's skin issues and associated interventions. A resident admitted with diagnoses including a stage 2 pressure ulcer of the left heel and a stage 3 pressure ulcer of the right heel had physician orders in place for specific wound care to the right heel, including cleansing with normal saline, applying a betadine wet-to-dry sterile dressing, covering with an ABD pad, wrapping with kerlix, and applying betadine only to the wound area. Additional orders included applying antibiotic cream and a Band-Aid to the left heel daily, offloading the right foot at all times while in bed, and using a heelless shoe on the right foot while ambulating. Review of the resident’s care plan, dated the same day as admission, showed the resident was identified as being at risk for pressure ulcers and other skin problems related to decreased mobility and diabetes, and it documented a wound to the left heel. Interventions listed included monitoring hydration every shift, monitoring skin daily with routine care, using a pressure redistribution cushion in the wheelchair, a pressure redistribution mattress on the bed, and completing weekly skin assessments by a nurse. However, the care plan did not include the right heel pressure ulcer or the specific interventions for offloading the right foot and use of the heelless shoe. In an interview, the DON confirmed that there was no care plan addressing the right heel pressure ulcer or these related interventions, despite facility policy requiring comprehensive, person-centered care plans with measurable objectives and services for identified problem areas and conditions.
Failure to Care Plan PICC Line for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a care plan for a resident’s peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line, despite documentation in the medical record that an order was written to schedule an appointment for PICC line removal. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including metabolic encephalopathy, chronic diastolic heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, and end stage renal disease, had mild cognitive impairment, and required extensive assistance with all activities of daily living per the admission MDS assessment. Review of the comprehensive care plan showed no documentation related to the PICC line, and no other PICC line orders were observed in the record aside from the order to schedule removal. During an interview, the Regional Nurse confirmed there was no care plan developed for the PICC line or documentation of care, resulting in a cited deficiency affecting this resident and investigated under multiple complaint numbers.
Failure to Care Plan for Incontinence and Toileting Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to develop and implement comprehensive care plans addressing bladder and bowel incontinence and toileting assistance for three residents. For one resident with CHF, chronic kidney disease stage three, hypertension, and edema, the quarterly MDS showed she was cognitively intact, frequently incontinent of bladder, always continent of bowel, dependent on staff for toileting hygiene, and required substantial/maximal assistance with toilet transfers. Despite these documented needs, her care plans, initiated in late October and last revised in early April, did not include any care plan to address urinary incontinence or assistance with ADLs related to toileting. Another resident with Parkinson’s disease, adult-onset DM, COPD, and hypertension had an admission MDS indicating unclear speech but usual ability to make himself understood, minimal hearing difficulty, moderately impaired cognition, a need for substantial/maximal assistance with toileting hygiene and toilet transfers, and was always incontinent of both bladder and bowel. His active care plans, initiated in late February and last revised in early March, contained no care plan or interventions to address his incontinence or toileting needs. A third resident, with COPD, acute on chronic respiratory failure, lung cancer, heart failure, oxygen dependence, chronic kidney disease stage three, muscle weakness, syncope, and a history of fall, was cognitively intact and dependent on staff for toileting hygiene, required substantial/maximal assistance with toileting transfers, and was frequently incontinent of bladder per her quarterly MDS. Her care plans, initiated in March and in effect through her discharge in April, also lacked any care plan addressing urinary incontinence or toileting assistance. In an interview, the DON confirmed that these residents did not have basic care plans in place for ADL and toileting/incontinence needs and acknowledged that the two residents still in the facility were known to have incontinence without corresponding updates to their care plans.
Failure to Care Plan for Anxiety Disorder and Anti-Anxiety Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive, person-centered care plan addressing a resident's anxiety disorder and related anti-anxiety medications, as required by §483.21(b). The resident was admitted with a diagnosis of depression and later received new physician orders for Buspirone 5 mg twice daily and Vistaril 25 mg three times daily, both prescribed for anxiety. The quarterly MDS assessment documented that the resident received anti-anxiety medication during the assessment period, but the Active Diagnoses section did not list an anxiety disorder diagnosis despite the ongoing use of two medications for that condition. Review of the resident's active care plans showed no care plan specifically addressing anxiety or the use of anti-anxiety medications. Existing care plans addressed potential mood fluctuations and depression, focusing only on antidepressant use, and a separate care plan for risk of adverse reactions to psychotropic medications referenced only antidepressant therapy for depression. The MAR confirmed that the resident was receiving Buspirone and Vistaril as ordered for anxiety. In an interview, the DON confirmed that the resident's active care plans did not address her anxiety or the use of anti-anxiety medications and acknowledged that a care plan for anxiety should have been in place.
Plan Of Correction
1. Resident #100 had their order for Buspar and Vistaril orders clarified on 4/22/26 by the Unit Manager to clarify the indication for use of the ordered medications and validated care plan for accuracy. The Buspar order was clarified by the physician to be used for diagnosis of Depression and the Vistaril order was clarified by the physician to be used for a diagnosis of itching. The care plan was updated to include the use of the antianxiety/anxiolytic medications for diagnoses of Depression and Itching on 5/7/26 by Social Service Designee. The resident does not have an active diagnosis of Anxiety as clarified by the physician. 2. Like Residents are identified as residents who utilize medication for anxiety. An audit will be completed by the Director of Nursing or designee for like residents utilizing the Medication Review Audit Tool which was created on 4/20/26 by the Director of Nursing for the purpose of this POC to ensure residents who utilize medication for anxiety have an active diagnosis and care plan in place to address anxiety. This audit along with identified corrections will be completed on or before 5/13/26. 3. The Director of Nursing or designee will re-educate licensed nurses on the Care Planning and Physicians Orders Policies to ensure orders include an accurate and appropriate diagnosis and a care plan is initiated or revised to indicate use of antianxiety/anxiolytic medications. This education will be completed on or before 5/13/26. 4. Utilizing the Medication Review Audit Tool which was created on 4/20/26 by the Director of Nursing for the purpose of this POC, the Director of Nursing or designee will F 0656 complete an audit 4-6 residents weekly for four weeks, beginning 5/14/26 to ensure residents who utilize medication for anxiety have an active diagnosis and care plan in place to address anxiety. Discrepancies noted from audits will be corrected to include clarification of orders and revision of care plans. Negative findings to be addressed immediately and negative trends or system wide issues will be reported to the QAPI committee, and the action plan will be adjusted as needed.
Failure to Develop Comprehensive Care Plans for Pain and Medication Refusal
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to develop comprehensive care plans addressing pain management and medication refusal for two residents. One resident was admitted with diagnoses including acute pyelonephritis, bladder and kidney calculi, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus, had intact cognition, and required staff assistance with ADLs. Physician orders included Lyrica twice daily for chronic pain syndrome and Robaxin four times daily for pain, but the care plan dated shortly after admission did not include any focus or interventions for pain management. A pain assessment documented that this resident experienced severe pain frequently over the previous five days that interfered with sleep. Observation showed the resident in bed, constantly moving with a pained expression, and the resident reported urinary frequency, flank pain from a kidney stone, and rated the pain as 10 out of 10. The DON confirmed that the resident’s care plan did not address the need for pain management. The second resident was admitted with end stage renal disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus. The care plan developed after admission did not include a focus on the resident’s frequent refusal of medications, despite active physician orders for Lyrica, Renvela, calcium carbonate, trazodone, and Prostat. Multiple progress notes over several days documented repeated refusals of Renvela, calcium carbonate, trazodone, and Prostat at various times, indicating an ongoing pattern of medication refusal. An LPN confirmed that this resident had a history of frequently refusing medications throughout the stay, and the Unit Manager verified that the care plan did not reflect this frequent refusal. These findings show that the facility did not develop and implement complete, measurable care plans that addressed identified needs related to pain management and medication refusal for the affected residents.
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release June 24, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.
