F0946 F946: Provide training in compliance and ethics.
E

Failure to Conduct and Document Alarm Checks

Cedar Falls Health Care CenterCedar Falls, Iowa Survey Completed on 10-01-2024

Summary

The facility failed to ensure that door alarm checks and wander guard alarm checks were physically completed as documented, compromising the safety of residents. Two residents, one with severe cognitive loss and a low risk of elopement, and another with severe cognitive loss and a high risk of elopement, were involved. The facility's documentation indicated that door alarms were checked daily, but interviews and reviews revealed inconsistencies and falsifications in the records. Staff C, the Maintenance Supervisor, was responsible for conducting and documenting these checks. However, during his medical leave, the checks were not performed, and upon his return, he was instructed by the Administrator to backdate the documentation to cover the period he was absent. Staff C admitted to falsifying records under pressure from the Administrator, who later acknowledged that the checks had not been done and that the documentation was inaccurate. The facility's Corporate Compliance Program emphasizes the importance of accurate and complete record-keeping, prohibiting falsification of records. Despite this, the Administrator and Staff C engaged in practices that violated these standards, leading to a deficiency in maintaining a safe environment for residents. The lack of proper oversight and communication regarding the responsibility for alarm checks during Staff C's absence contributed to the deficiency.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0946 citations
Missing Compliance and Ethics Training for Five Staff Members
E
F0946 F946: Provide training in compliance and ethics.
Short Summary

The facility failed to provide annual Compliance and Ethics training for five staff members, including NAs, an RN, and an LPN. Review of personnel files showed no credible in-service training for the required period, and the NHA confirmed the lapse during interview.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide Required Compliance and Ethics Training
E
F0946 F946: Provide training in compliance and ethics.
Short Summary

Failure to provide required Compliance and Ethics training for an LPN, an RN, and three NAs. Facility policy required regular in-service education for all staff, including annual compliance and ethics training documented with the date, topic, competency assessment, and hours completed. Personnel files did not show the required annual training for the five staff members, and the NHA stated there was no employee education for the year and confirmed the lapse.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Ensure Completion of Required Compliance and Ethics Training
D
F0946 F946: Provide training in compliance and ethics.
Short Summary

Facility staff did not ensure that required annual compliance and ethics training was completed for two CNAs. The staff development coordinator reported that staff education was assigned via an annual competency calendar and that staff had the full year to complete required modules, but she could not produce documentation showing that these CNAs had completed the compliance and ethics training. Facility documents, including the facility assessment and an in-service training policy, specified that all staff must receive annual education on corporate compliance, ethics, and the compliance and ethics program standards, policies, and procedures.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Compliance and Ethics Training for CNA
B
F0946 F946: Provide training in compliance and ethics.
Short Summary

Missing Compliance and Ethics Training for CNA. The facility failed to include compliance and ethics training in its program and failed to ensure a CNA received required training upon hire. Record review showed the CNA had no evidence of completing the CBT or any in-service on compliance and ethics, and both the ADMN and HR confirmed there was no documentation of the training. The 2025 facility assessment listed staff training topics but did not mention compliance and ethics.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Compliance and Ethics Training for Staff
D
F0946 F946: Provide training in compliance and ethics.
Short Summary

Missing Compliance and Ethics Training for Staff: The facility failed to provide evidence that a speech and language pathologist completed required compliance and ethics training. Surveyors requested the record, but HR documentation did not show completion. The HR Director stated she relies on third-party training notifications and does not personally verify which trainings are required by regulation. The onboarding curriculum included online required training for Compliance and Code of Conduct.

Inspection fine: $61,065
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Compliance and Ethics Training for Staff
D
F0946 F946: Provide training in compliance and ethics.
Short Summary

Missing compliance and ethics training was identified after record review and DON interview. The facility assessment listed compliance and ethics as a required staff training topic, but the files for two GNAs and an LPN showed no evidence of the required annual training. The DON acknowledged that the annual training had not been completed for those staff members.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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