Baldomero Lopez Memorial Veterans Nursing Home
Inspection history, citations, penalties and survey trends for this long-term care facility in Land O Lakes, Florida.
- Location
- 6919 Parkway Blvd, Land O Lakes, Florida 34639
- CMS Provider Number
- 106006
- Inspections on file
- 15
- Latest survey
- April 9, 2026
- Citations (last 12 mo.)
- 3
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Baldomero Lopez Memorial Veterans Nursing Home during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility failed to consistently review and revise comprehensive care plans after multiple behavioral incidents, resident‑to‑resident altercations, and falls. One resident with dementia and PTSD experienced repeated verbal altercations and a fall with head impact after yelling at others near an exit door, yet his behavioral and fall care plans were not updated with new approaches. Another resident with severe cognitive impairment and daily wandering was involved in several altercations related to wandering, but his existing behavior and wandering care plans were not revised to reflect these events. A third resident with dementia had documented episodes of yelling at a roommate and attempting to trip another resident, without corresponding care plan updates. A fourth resident with dementia, agitation, and PTSD‑related psychosis had multiple falls and a resident‑to‑resident incident, but his fall care plan had not been recently updated. The MDS RN and DON confirmed that these care plans were not revised after the incidents, despite facility policy requiring care plan review and revision when significant changes or unmet outcomes occur.
The facility failed to provide adequate supervision and maintain a hazard‑free environment, resulting in multiple physical altercations among cognitively impaired residents with dementia, behavioral symptoms, and wandering. One resident with Alzheimer’s and PTSD was pushed to the floor, hit his head, and sustained skin tears, and in another incident he was found pinning another resident to a bed with his hands around the resident’s neck while the victim trembled. Other events included a resident being struck with a walker in a common area, a resident in a wheelchair being pushed and pulled by another resident, and two residents engaging in a fistfight in a room, with one being pushed to the floor, kicked, and developing bruising around the eye. Surveyors observed common areas and hallways with residents present but no staff in sight, especially during busy mealtimes, while CNAs reported difficulty monitoring residents due to workload and unit busyness. A supervision list showed several residents on 15‑minute and 30‑minute checks and one on 1:1, yet CNAs were unaware of some residents’ increased supervision status, and required monitoring documentation was missing for part of a shift, demonstrating inconsistent implementation of ordered supervision.
The facility failed to conduct thorough investigations into two separate resident-to-resident abuse incidents involving cognitively impaired residents with dementia and behavioral issues. In one case, a CNA found a resident pinning another to a bed with hands around the neck, but the risk manager relied only on a verbal report from an LPN, did not obtain a written statement from the witnessing CNA, and misunderstood key details of the event. In the second case, two residents engaged in a physical fight with punching, pushing, and kicking after one wandered into the other’s room; the LPN reported visible facial redness that later turned purple, yet the risk manager did not secure complete staff statements, had not read the detailed nursing note describing the punching, and made assumptions about what occurred. Despite a policy requiring timely internal investigations, the facility did not fully gather or reconcile staff accounts and documentation for these alleged abuse incidents.
Failure to Revise Care Plans After Behavioral Incidents and Falls
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to develop, revise, and implement comprehensive, measurable care plans that addressed residents’ behavioral symptoms and fall risks after significant events. For one resident with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, PTSD, and moderate cognitive impairment, the record showed multiple resident‑to‑resident verbal altercations and an incident on 2/24/2026 in which he was pushed to the floor, hit his head, and sustained skin tears after yelling at another resident near an exit door alarm. Although the Risk Manager reported that care plan approaches were requested to be updated after incidents on 2/24/2026, 3/30/2026, and 4/2/2026, the behavioral care plan for this resident only addressed refusal of care and resistance to assistance, with no updates reflecting his pattern of yelling at other residents at the exit door. His falls care plan identified him as at risk for injury due to unsteady gait, dementia, pain, stroke history, psychotropic use, and antiplatelet therapy, but no new fall‑related approaches were documented after 3/6/2026 despite the fall with head impact. Another resident with early‑onset Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with psychotic and mood disturbance, severe cognitive impairment, and daily wandering had documented physical behavioral symptoms toward others and frequent wandering. Progress notes indicated excessive wandering, exit‑seeking behaviors that were not easily redirected, and involvement in five resident‑to‑resident altercations between 2/24/2026 and 4/2/2026, all related to his wandering. His care plan included a wandering/elopement problem and a behavioral problem describing constant pacing, wandering, impaired awareness of personal space, and risk for resident‑to‑resident conflict, with approaches such as frequent observation, redirection from other residents’ rooms and crowded areas, reassurance, and use of a sensory chew. However, there were no documented care plan updates specifically addressing the series of resident‑to‑resident altercations that occurred during the review period. A third resident with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with mood disturbance, adjustment disorder, severe cognitive impairment, and no behaviors coded on the MDS had multiple documented resident‑to‑resident incidents. Progress notes described him standing over his roommate yelling about noise, an altercation with another resident on 3/16/2026, and an event on 3/25/2026 where he stuck his foot out in an attempt to trip another resident who was pacing in front of his view of the television. His behavioral care plan, initiated in 2024 and last edited on 2/18/2026, focused on increased confusion and agitation at the end of the day that may lead to verbal aggression, with general approaches such as discussing behaviors, assisting with coping methods, altering care approaches if he became combative, protecting others’ rights and safety, monitoring behaviors, and psychiatry referral. No care plan revisions were documented to specifically address his observed attempts to trip another resident or the repeated resident‑to‑resident altercations. A fourth resident with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with agitation and other behavioral disturbance, PTSD‑related psychosis, severe cognitive impairment, and frequent physical and verbal behavioral symptoms toward others had multiple falls and a documented resident‑to‑resident altercation. Progress notes showed several unwitnessed or observed falls in common areas and on the floor, as well as an incident where he took another resident’s hat and attempted to push another resident out of a wheelchair, after which he was pushed by the other resident. His falls care plan identified him as at risk for falls due to expected physical decline, psychotropic use for PTSD, resistance and combativeness, and antiplatelet therapy, with approaches last updated in 2024 and 2025. No recent updates were made to his care plan to reflect the series of falls or the resident‑to‑resident interaction. The MDS RN and DON acknowledged that care plans for these residents had not been reviewed and revised with new approaches after the problem behaviors and incidents occurred, despite facility policy requiring care plan review and revision when significant changes, unmet outcomes, or new needs are identified. The facility’s written policy on care plan development, revised 11/28/2017, states that care plans will be reviewed and revised as needed, including when a significant change in condition is noted or when outcomes are not achieved, and that all team members must report changes in condition and unmet goals to the primary/charge nurse and MDS coordinator. Documentation is required to be consistent with the resident’s plan of care, and revisions may be made by any member of the interdisciplinary team on an as‑needed basis. In the cases of these four residents, surveyors found that despite documented behavioral incidents, resident‑to‑resident altercations, and repeated falls, the corresponding care plans were not updated with new, measurable approaches to address the identified behaviors and risks, resulting in a failure to ensure comprehensive care plans that met all of the residents’ needs.
Inadequate Supervision Leading to Multiple Resident‑to‑Resident Altercations
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure adequate supervision and a hazard‑free environment, resulting in multiple resident‑to‑resident physical altercations on a locked unit. The Risk Manager (RM) reported that one resident with Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive communication deficit, and adjustment disorder was involved in three altercations with another resident with early‑onset Alzheimer’s disease, severe dementia with psychotic and mood disturbance, and daily wandering. In one incident, the first resident was pushed to the floor, hit his head, and sustained skin tears on both hands. In another incident, a CNA stated he was the only staff member on the hall with the door closed providing care when he heard screaming; upon entering the room, he found the first resident pinning the second resident to the bed with his hands around the second resident’s neck, and the second resident was visibly shaking and trembling. The second resident’s MDS documented physical behavioral symptoms toward others on one to three days per week and daily wandering, and his care plan identified problematic behaviors including constant pacing, wandering, invading personal space, and entering other residents’ rooms, placing him at risk for resident‑to‑resident conflict. Additional altercations occurred among other cognitively impaired residents with behavioral symptoms. The RM stated that one resident in the common area watching television was hit with a walker by another resident; both were examined and had no injuries. Another resident with dementia, adjustment disorder, and increased confusion and agitation at the end of the day, leading to verbal aggression, pushed a resident with severe cognitive impairment, dementia with agitation and psychotic disturbance, and frequent physical and verbal behavioral symptoms, and tried to pull him out of his wheelchair while they were in the common area watching television. A separate incident involved two residents with dementia and behavioral issues: one resident with PTSD, wandering into other residents’ rooms, and combativeness entered another resident’s room. An LPN reported he initially expected the room’s resident to tell the wandering resident to leave, but instead the two residents began “full on punching each other.” The LPN described the altercation as like a fight in the jungle, with one resident pushed to the floor and kicked, resulting in redness and later bruising around the eye of the resident who was pushed. Observations and staff interviews showed that supervision on the locked unit was inconsistent and often inadequate, particularly in common areas and during mealtimes. Surveyors observed residents sitting in the common area watching television with no staff in sight, and residents wandering up and down hallways while staff were in and out of rooms providing care. During dinner, one staff member sat in a corner of the dining room observing while another delivered trays, and at the same time, multiple residents were in the common area with no staff at the nurses’ station or in view. CNAs working on the locked unit reported that residents can become very physical with each other, that it is difficult to watch everyone because the unit is very busy, and that mealtimes and afternoons are especially challenging as residents become more confused and are “everywhere” while staff are passing meals and providing care. The facility also failed to consistently implement and communicate increased supervision requirements for residents identified as needing closer monitoring. A supervision list showed multiple residents on every 15‑minute and every 30‑minute checks, and one resident on 1:1 supervision. However, one CNA stated she did not have any residents on increased supervision, even though her assignment included two residents on every 30‑minute checks. Another CNA believed she had one resident on every 30‑minute checks, but her assignment included two such residents. A third CNA, who had a resident on every 15‑minute checks, showed that there was no documentation of checks from midnight to 7:00 a.m. for that resident, and she had to start a new sheet at the beginning of her shift. The DON stated that all staff should know which residents are on increased supervision, that this information is given at shift change, and that supervision sheets should be completed every 15 or 30 minutes as ordered, but acknowledged that staff were not aware of all residents on increased supervision. The DON also confirmed that the wandering resident involved in multiple altercations was on every 15‑minute checks at the time of one of the incidents. The RM stated the unit is very busy, that residents cannot be restrained due to regulations, and that she had not tracked or trended the incidents on the unit to identify patterns.
Incomplete Investigations of Resident-to-Resident Abuse Incidents
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to conduct complete and thorough investigations into two separate resident-to-resident abuse incidents. In the first incident, a CNA reported that he was the only staff member on the hall and was in another resident’s room with the door closed for privacy when he heard screaming. He entered one resident’s room and observed one resident pinning another resident to the bed with his hands around the other resident’s neck. The victim was visibly shaking and trembling. Progress notes documented that the residents were involved in a resident-to-resident altercation, that they were separated, and that no visible injury or acute distress was observed at the time of the nurse’s entry. The risk manager later stated she only had a verbal report from an LPN, did not obtain a written statement from the CNA who witnessed the event, and had an inaccurate understanding of the location and nature of the altercation, believing it occurred by the door and that the victim had placed hands on the aggressor’s neck. She also stated she had not heard that the victim had been pinned to the bed. The residents involved in the first incident had significant cognitive and behavioral histories documented in their records. One resident had Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive communication deficit, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, with a care plan noting risk for mood and behavior fluctuations related to Alzheimer’s dementia and PTSD. The other resident had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, major depressive disorder, mixed anxiety disorders, and severe dementia with psychotic, mood, and anxiety disturbances. His MDS showed severely impaired cognition, daily wandering, and physical behavioral symptoms toward others on several days, and his care plan described problematic behaviors including constant pacing, wandering, impaired awareness of personal space, and a tendency to enter other residents’ rooms, placing him at risk for resident-to-resident conflict. Despite these factors and the serious description of the event by the CNA, the risk manager did not secure complete staff statements or clarify conflicting accounts before completing and submitting the investigation reports. The second incident involved two other residents who engaged in a physical altercation after one resident wandered into another’s room. An LPN reported that he saw the wandering resident enter the room and initially expected the room’s occupant to ask him to leave. Instead, the two residents began “full on punching each other,” and one resident was pushed to the floor and kicked while on the ground. The LPN stated that the resident on the floor had redness around his eye immediately after the incident, which later turned purple. Progress notes for both residents documented that staff heard yelling, observed both residents exchanging punches, and that one resident pushed the other onto his buttocks against the open door and then kicked him while he was on the ground. The notes also recorded that the hall nurse assessed both residents and documented no visible injuries and that both denied pain, and that the resident who entered the room stated he did not realize it was not his own. In this second incident, the risk manager reported that the resident who entered the room was on 15-minute checks due to aggression and rapid mood changes. She stated it was reported to her that this resident went into the other resident’s room, was pushed to the floor, and then kicked. However, she believed that the CNA was the first person in the room and that the LPN was called in to help, which conflicted with the LPN’s account that he was the first to arrive and witnessed the punching. The risk manager acknowledged she did not have written statements from all staff, had not read the nursing progress note describing both residents exchanging punches, and assumed that the “altercation” referred only to the push and kick. She stated she could have probed more into what happened. The nursing home administrator stated she expected statements to be taken and each incident fully investigated, and the facility’s policy required the risk manager or designee to initiate an internal investigation of incidents within one business day after receiving a report, underscoring that the incomplete collection and review of staff statements and records in both incidents constituted a failure to ensure thorough investigations of alleged resident-to-resident abuse.
Latest citations in Florida
Surveyors found that the facility failed to comply with 42 CFR 483.73(a) by not conducting the required annual review and update of its Emergency Preparedness (EP) plan. During record review, no documentation showed that the EP plan had been reviewed or updated within the past year, and the Administrator confirmed that the Emergency Management Plan had not been reviewed or revised as required.
Surveyors found that smoke/fire-rated enclosures were not properly maintained, with penetrations in smoke barriers in several general storage rooms across multiple smoke compartments. The Maintenance Director stated that insulation and fiberglass were used to pack and cover these holes but could not confirm that the materials were approved for fire-rated construction. Inspectors observed penetrations covered with fiberglass and noted a hole in one fiberglass panel in a storage room, resulting in a deficiency under NFPA 101 requirements for smoke barrier construction.
Surveyors found that fixed patient-care electrical equipment was not properly maintained or inspected in accordance with NFPA 99. In one room, a bedside remote had mismatched insulation and exposed wiring, and in another room, a call button receptacle had exposed low-voltage conductors. The Maintenance Director acknowledged both issues and reported that new bed remotes had been received but not yet installed.
Surveyors found that the facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment, with strong, persistent urine and feces odors noted throughout multiple halls and confirmed by staff. On two nursing units, hallways and resident rooms contained torn flooring, food debris, broken blinds, dirty and leaking toilets and sinks, rusted and corroded fixtures, missing outlet covers with oxygen concentrators plugged in, exposed light sockets, unmade and visibly soiled beds, and black, mold-like substances on walls and around toilet bases. Bathrooms had missing ceiling tiles, cracked door facings with brown stains, used briefs and torn toilet paper on floors, and toilets with brown or rust-like buildup. Outside, the patio and fencing area had broken and rotted railings, exposed rusted nails, fallen palm fronds, and overgrown vegetation, and the Administrator acknowledged the area was not safe for residents. Housekeeping and maintenance staff described daily cleaning and a work-order process, but the Maintenance Director reported being unaware of many of the observed issues, and the DON confirmed there was no specific environmental cleaning policy despite job descriptions and a general policy requiring a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment.
A resident exited the building through a bedroom window, walked off the property, and was observed and redirected by staff with assistance from law enforcement, who encountered the resident down the road and helped escort the resident back. The facility’s internal documentation lacked staff or witness statements and characterized the event as the resident remaining on facility grounds without injury. Despite the resident’s account, a police report, and a maintenance staff report confirming that the resident left the premises and that law enforcement responded, the DON did not report the incident to required state and federal agencies, even though the DON acknowledged that any incident involving law enforcement response must be reported.
A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and a history of stroke was repeatedly observed over several days in visibly soiled clothing and bedding, with a strong urine odor, despite stating multiple times that he had requested assistance with changing and hygiene. Documentation indicated he was independent with toileting and personal hygiene and only occasionally incontinent, but his care plan lacked detail on the level of assistance needed, while an LPN reported he actually required staff help with bathing, grooming, toileting, and care. Laundry practices involved leaving clean, labeled clothing bagged in the linen room for nursing staff to distribute rather than returning it directly to rooms, and the DON reported that staff were expected to round every two hours and as needed to keep residents clean and dry, although there were no written ADL or resident care policies in place.
Surveyors observed four full O2 cylinders on one nursing unit stored unsecured directly on the floor under a sign labeled "FULL CYLINDERS" instead of in a secured storage rack. The ADON confirmed the cylinders were full and should not be on the ground. Reference to NFPA 99 showed that freestanding cylinders must be protected from damage and properly chained or supported in a stand or cart. The DON and Maintenance Director both acknowledged that O2 cylinders are required to be stored in a secure rack, should never be on the floor, and that unsecured cylinders on the floor present a safety risk.
A resident with multiple cardiopulmonary conditions and a documented full code status was found unresponsive without pulse or respirations during the night shift. A CNA notified the RN, who either instructed CNAs to clean and cover the resident or, per her and an LPN’s account, called a code blue and performed CPR with the LPN for about 20 minutes before stopping, without calling 911. The RN believed the resident was on hospice and did not verify code status, then notified the DON, provider, and family instead of EMS. Several hours later, after the DON called the facility and asked whether 911 had been contacted, the RN called 911 and briefly reinitiated CPR shortly before EMS arrived and pronounced the resident deceased, documenting postmortem changes. The facility’s investigation and root cause analysis found that staff failed to follow policy requiring immediate EMS activation and continuous CPR for full code residents until EMS arrival, leading to an Immediate Jeopardy finding.
A resident with full code status was found unresponsive without respirations or pulse during the night shift. An RN and an LPN initiated CPR but did not activate EMS, and they discontinued CPR after about 20 minutes. The RN, who lacked documented orientation and competency assessment and had obtained BLS certification through a fully online, non–instructor-led course, pronounced the resident deceased without authority and later stated she believed the resident was on hospice and did not verify code status. The LPN’s BLS certification was expired, and a CNA with an expired BLS certification performed several chest compressions despite facility policy that CNAs were not to perform CPR. The RN had not participated in documented code blue drills, and leadership confirmed that required clinical orientation and skills competencies had not been completed for her, leading surveyors to determine that staff were not adequately trained or competent to respond to a cardiopulmonary arrest for a full code resident, resulting in an Immediate Jeopardy finding.
Surveyors found multiple instances of improper use of relocatable power taps (RPTs) and extension cords during a facility tour with the Maintenance Director. In the social services office, an RPT was plugged into another RPT connected to a wall outlet, with the cord running across a walkway and taped to the floor. In the multipurpose room, a television was plugged into an extension cord, and in the MDS office, an RPT was plugged into another RPT with an outlet adapter in use. These conditions did not comply with NFPA 101, NFPA 99, and NFPA 70 standards governing electrical equipment, power strips, and extension cords.
Failure to Annually Review and Update Emergency Preparedness Plan
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to the facility’s Emergency Preparedness (EP) Program under 42 CFR 483.73(a). During record review at 4:00 PM, surveyors examined the facility’s EP documentation and found no evidence that the emergency preparedness plan had been reviewed or updated on an annual basis as required. The regulation mandates that LTC facilities develop and maintain an emergency preparedness plan that is reviewed and updated at least annually to comply with applicable Federal, State, and local emergency preparedness requirements. In an interview, the Administrator acknowledged that the facility’s Emergency Management Plan had not been reviewed or updated. No documentation was provided to show that the required annual review and update of the EP plan had occurred. The deficiency is based solely on the lack of documented annual review and update of the emergency preparedness plan by facility administration; no specific resident cases or clinical events were described in the report.
Plan Of Correction
Preparation and/or execution of the Plan of Correction does not constitute admission or agreement of the provider of the truth of the facts alleged or conclusions set forth in the statement of deficiencies. The Plan of Correction is prepared and/or executed solely because it is required by the provision of Federal and State law. Facility EP was reviewed and signed off on by the DON, Maintenance Director and Administrator. The facility has determined that all residents have the potential to be affected. An in-service education program will be conducted by the administrator. The administrator will conduct monthly random checks to verify completed documentation.
Improper Repair of Smoke Barrier Penetrations in Multiple Smoke Compartments
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s maintenance of smoke/fire-rated enclosures, specifically related to penetrations in smoke barriers in multiple smoke compartments. During an interview, the Maintenance Director reported that insulation was used to pack holes and then covered with fiberglass in general storage rooms in smoke compartments 1, 2, and 3, but was unable to confirm whether these materials were approved for use in fire-rated walls. Subsequent observation showed that the penetrations were indeed covered with fiberglass, and one general storage room in smoke compartment 2 had a hole in one of the fiberglass panels. The report states that this failure to properly maintain penetrations through smoke/fire-rated construction could allow smoke and flammable gases to spread to other areas and cause the smoke/fire-rated construction to fail to perform as designed.
Failure to Maintain and Inspect Patient-Care Electrical Equipment
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s compliance with NFPA 99 requirements for testing and maintaining fixed patient-care electrical equipment. During an observation in one resident room, the bedside remote was found to have two different types of insulation and exposed wiring. In another resident room, the call button receptacle was observed with exposed low-voltage conductors. These conditions were noted during a survey of two of six smoke compartments. During an interview conducted at the time of the observations, the Maintenance Director stated that the facility had just received a new shipment of bed remotes and had not yet replaced the existing ones. The Maintenance Director also acknowledged the issue with the exposed conductors at the call button receptacle. The surveyors cited this as a failure to properly inspect and maintain fixed patient care electrical equipment in accordance with NFPA 99 (2012 Edition), sections 10.3 and 10.5.2.1.
Widespread Odors and Environmental Disrepair in Resident Care Areas
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment as required by 42 CFR 483.10(i). Upon entrance to the building on multiple days, surveyors noted a strong, pungent odor of urine and feces throughout the facility, with the odor particularly strong on the 200, 300, and 400 halls. Staff interviews confirmed that the building "usually smells like" urine, and staff attributed the odor to residents defecating and urinating on the floor, an old building structure, and cleaning products that sanitize but do not deodorize. Housekeeping staff reported that they clean resident rooms daily but that nursing staff must first clean fecal and urine waste before housekeeping can sanitize, and delays by nursing staff in doing so postponed housekeeping’s ability to address the odors. On the 300 unit, surveyors observed multiple environmental and sanitation issues in resident rooms and bathrooms. The hallway had torn flooring, food particles, and a butter knife on the floor. Individual rooms had food debris, a straw on the floor, and broken blinds. Bathrooms contained dark brown stains on walls, rusted ceiling tile trim, toilets with brownish substances inside, and wet floors around toilets. Trim was missing around toilet bases, exposing a black, mold-like substance. Corroded and rusted sink faucet handles, leaking faucets, rusted pipes under sinks with buildup of corrosion, and rusted sprinklers were observed. Some toilets and three-in-one commodes had duct tape on them, and bathroom walls had black, mold-like substances. Doors and door facings showed rust, scrape marks, chipped and peeling paint, and exposed wood. In some rooms, electrical outlets had no covers while oxygen concentrators were plugged into them, boards covered windows, light fixtures over beds lacked covers with sockets exposed, and one fixture had only one bulb. A resident bed appeared dirty with a black substance on it, and dresser drawers were broken with drawer fronts on the floor. On the 400 unit, surveyors again noted a strong odor of urine upon entry and found additional environmental deficiencies. Bathrooms had missing ceiling tiles, broken emergency light covers with no pull strings, and toilet tank covers that did not fit properly, exposing the inside of the tank. In one bathroom, torn toilet paper and used briefs were lying in the corner of the floor, and toilets had brown, rust-like substances inside the bowls. Door facings appeared cracked with brown substances along the sides, and toilets had brownish-black buildup around the bases with broken, peeling trim. Light bases on walls had rust-like appearances, multiple rooms had broken or missing blinds, and some outlets lacked covers while oxygen concentrators were plugged into them. Some rooms had unmade beds, exposed wires at outlets, toilets with dark brown-black rings around the base and flooring, uncovered light fixtures, leaking sinks with rusted pipes, loose flooring, loose toilet seats, and dry red substances on door frames. Surveyors also observed deficiencies in the outdoor patio area adjacent to the locked unit. The gate code was broken, and a resident lock was placed on the gate. The patio and surrounding fencing had fallen palm fronds on the grass, broken and rotted wooden fence railings, unsteady railings, and multiple exposed rusted nails protruding from the railings where boards were broken or detached. Overgrown trees and bushes from the perimeter extended through the fence railings. When asked, the Administrator acknowledged that the area was not safe for residents and stated that they planned to have it redone in the future. The Maintenance Director reported that he and one other maintenance person relied on work orders and verbal reports to identify needed repairs and stated he was not aware of the specific room and equipment issues on the 300 and 400 units. Housekeeping staff stated they would report broken items via a work order book or text to maintenance, but one housekeeper, who cleaned the 400 unit daily, denied noticing stains or biohazard-like materials on walls and door frames despite the surveyors’ observations. Review of facility documents showed that the housekeeper job description required staff to maintain assigned work areas in a clean, safe, comfortable, and attractive manner and to report maintenance problems noted during cleaning. A facility policy titled "Policies and Practices - Control" stated that the facility must maintain a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment for personnel, residents, visitors, and the public. The DON stated that blinds had been changed out and new cabinets and door handles purchased, and that staff were directed to use standard precautions when cleaning rooms, but also stated there was no policy specific to cleaning the environment. These observations and interviews demonstrated that the facility did not maintain sanitary, orderly, and comfortable interior conditions, did not adequately control offensive odors, and did not ensure that the physical environment, including resident rooms, bathrooms, and outdoor areas, was maintained in a safe, clean, and homelike condition as required by regulation.
Failure to Report Elopement Incident Involving Law Enforcement
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to report an elopement incident to required state and federal agencies as mandated by 42 CFR 483.12(c). On the referenced date, Resident #5 exited the building through his bedroom window around 12:15 PM and walked across the facility property toward the perimeter fence. A CNA observed the resident outside and called for assistance, after which staff redirected and escorted the resident back into the building and placed him on one-to-one supervision. The facility’s internal incident documentation noted the window exit and subsequent maintenance inspection of the window seals but did not include any staff or witness statements. The DON later stated that the resident never left facility grounds and was returned without injury, and therefore the incident was not considered reportable. However, interviews and external records showed that the resident did leave the facility premises and that law enforcement was involved. Resident #5 recalled being outside the facility, being brought back by staff and a “police man,” and being told by the officer not to leave again. A police report from the local police department confirmed an encounter with the resident outside the facility and that an officer assisted staff in escorting him back. Maintenance staff (Staff G) also reported that the resident climbed out the window, left the facility property, and was stopped “down the road,” then redirected back with law enforcement assistance. In interviews, the DON initially denied that law enforcement had been notified or involved, then later acknowledged that law enforcement had responded but asserted they did not come into the facility. The DON also confirmed awareness that any incident in which law enforcement investigates or responds is required to be reported, yet the elopement and law enforcement involvement were not reported to the State Survey Agency or other required officials within the required time frames.
Failure to Provide Timely ADL and Hygiene Care to a Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to provide necessary ADL care, including grooming and hygiene, to a dependent resident over multiple days. The resident was repeatedly observed in visibly soiled clothing with a strong odor of urine, first standing in his doorway holding onto a wheelchair with wet navy pants saturated down to his calves, stating he had been waiting for staff to change his clothes. More than an hour later the same day, he remained in the same soiled pants and shirt while seated in a wheelchair near the nurses’ station. The following day, he was again observed wearing the same soiled clothes, smelling of urine, with his shirt stained with food and a dark liquid. His room had a strong urine odor, his bed was soiled with urine, and only two pairs of pants were seen on a chair with no other clothing available in the room. On a subsequent observation, he was seated on the edge of his bed wearing different pants and no shirt, with yellow-stained sheets beneath him and his previously soiled clothes on the floor; he reported that he had requested assistance but no staff had come, so he changed himself. Record review showed the resident had a history of stroke and repeated unspecified conditions, with a recent Quarterly MDS indicating moderate cognitive impairment (BIMS score of 10). The MDS documented him as independent for toileting, showering, personal hygiene, and related ADLs, and only occasionally incontinent, but his care plan did not specify the level of assistance he required for incontinence care and other ADLs. In contrast, an LPN familiar with the resident stated he required staff assistance with bathing, grooming, toileting, and care, and that he did not refuse such assistance and appropriately requested help. The LPN also explained that personal clothing was laundered at the facility and left bagged in the linen room for nursing staff to distribute, rather than being returned directly to resident rooms. The DON stated that staff were expected to follow best practices, including rounding every two hours and as needed to keep residents clean and dry, and acknowledged that all residents required some level of assistance with ADLs. The DON further stated the facility had no written ADL, resident care, or quality of care policies, despite these expectations.
Unsecured Storage of Full Oxygen Cylinders on Nursing Unit
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to ensure safe storage of oxygen cylinders on the West 1 unit. At 9:03 a.m., four full oxygen cylinders were observed stored unsecured directly on the ground rather than in the designated secured cylinder storage rack, under a sign labeled "FULL CYLINDERS." Photographic evidence was obtained of this condition. At 9:18 a.m., the ADON confirmed that the four cylinders were full and acknowledged they should not be stored on the ground. Review of NFPA 99 (2021) 11.6.2.3(11) indicated that cylinders must be protected from damage and that freestanding cylinders must be properly chained or supported in a proper stand or cart. Later that day, the DON stated that oxygen cylinders should be stored in a secure rack and never directly on the ground, and acknowledged that unsecured cylinders on the floor were a safety risk. The Maintenance Director also confirmed that oxygen cylinders should be in a secure rack and never stored directly on the ground, stating that cylinders stored on the floor can tip over and cause damage. These observations and interviews demonstrated noncompliance with regulatory and NFPA standards for safe storage of oxygen cylinders.
Plan Of Correction
This plan of correction constitutes a written allegation of compliance for the deficiency cited. Submission of this plan of correction is not an admission that the deficiency exists or that one was cited correctly. This plan of correction is submitted to meet the requirements established by the State and Federal law. The four unsecured [R] cylinders on the West 1 unit were secured. The Nursing Department completed a baseline audit of [R] cylinder storage within the facility to ensure all [R] cylinders were secured and stored properly. Ongoing education will be completed with current facility staff regarding the facility's [R] storage policy and procedure; and will be completed during new hire and agency orientation to the facility by ADON/designee. Audits will be completed by the Director of Nursing/designee regarding adherence to the facility's [R] storage policy and procedure twice weekly x 4 weeks, then weekly x 4 weeks, then monthly x 4 months, or until continued substantial compliance has been met. Results of audits will be reported to the QAPI Committee on a monthly basis by the Director of Nursing/designee.
Failure to Provide Required CPR and Activate EMS for Full Code Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide immediate and appropriate basic life support, including CPR, to a resident with a documented full code status when the resident was found unresponsive. The resident had diagnoses including a slow-progressing circulatory condition involving narrowing or blockage of vessels, a condition that restricts airflow and makes breathing difficult, and other listed conditions. The physician’s order specified “Full Code,” and the care plan documented that the resident was under court-ordered guardianship with wishes honored as full code. The facility’s policy required that in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest, staff immediately call for assistance, overhead page a code, begin CPR in the absence of a valid DNR, and continue CPR until EMS assumes responsibility or the resident responds. On the night of the incident at approximately 2:00–2:07 a.m., a CNA found the resident unresponsive in bed and notified the RN on duty. One CNA’s written statement indicated that the RN said she already knew the resident was going to die and instructed the CNA to clean and cover the resident. Another CNA’s account stated that the RN came to the room, took vital signs, and then instructed her to clean the resident. The RN’s own written statement and interview indicated that she called a code blue, that an LPN brought the crash cart, and that they performed CPR for approximately 20 minutes. The LPN’s statement corroborated that a code blue was called, that he brought the crash cart, and that CPR was performed for about 20 minutes before the RN stopped and stated that the resident was gone or words to that effect. The RN acknowledged that the resident had no vital signs but was warm and not responding, and she stated that she believed the resident was on hospice and therefore did not call 911. After CPR was discontinued, the RN did not activate EMS and instead notified the DON, the provider, and the resident’s family. The DON documented receiving a message from the RN that the resident had no pulse and no blood pressure and that the assigned nurse had initiated CPR but was unable to revive the resident. The DON later received a text from the RN that the resident had expired. The DON stated that at approximately 6:00 a.m. she called the facility and asked if 911 had been called, and upon learning it had not, she instructed the RN to call 911. The RN then reinitiated CPR at around 6:00 a.m., approximately four hours after the resident was first found without pulse or respirations, and stated that they tried to do something until EMS arrived because EMS had to see them doing CPR. EMS records showed activation at 6:18 a.m., arrival at 6:27 a.m., and pronouncement of death at 6:31 a.m., with documentation that CPR was not attempted by EMS because it was considered futile and that the resident exhibited postmortem changes. The Medical Director confirmed that the resident was full code and stated that staff should have started CPR and called 911 and that CPR should not be done four hours after a resident is pronounced dead. The facility’s investigation and a root cause analysis concluded that the RN and LPN did not follow the facility’s established policy and procedure to call 911 and administer CPR to a full code resident until EMS arrival. The root cause was identified as the nurse’s belief that the resident was on hospice and her failure to check the resident’s code status as outlined in facility policy. The surveyors determined that the failure to immediately activate EMS and to continue CPR until EMS arrival for this full code resident constituted noncompliance with the requirement to provide basic life support and resulted in an Immediate Jeopardy determination.
Plan Of Correction
This plan of correction is submitted as required under Federal and State regulations and statutes applicable to long term care providers. This plan of correction does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of the facility, and such liability is hereby specifically denied. The submission of this plan does not constitute agreement by the facility that the surveyors' findings or conclusions are accurate, that the findings constitute a deficiency, or that the scope or severity regarding any of these deficiencies cited are correctly applied. Resident #1 no longer resides in the facility as of 4.7.26. This has the potential to affect all residents in the facility. All codes to 1.1.26 were reviewed to ensure protocol was followed. No outliers were noted. All licensed nurses received education from the Director of Nursing and/or nursing management on [R] policy and procedure and Florida [R] policy. This includes where to find the code status. Education addressed what to do for full code hospice residents. Education completed with CNA's that protocol is that they do not assist with [R] or breaths during a [R] event. All education will be added to new hire orientation. Code drills will occur 3 x weekly x 4 weeks, followed by 2 x weekly x 4 weeks, followed by 1 x weekly x 4 weeks. Results will be brought to QAPI to determine need for ongoing auditing.
Removal Plan
- Educated licensed nurses on CPR policy and procedure and Florida Do Not Resuscitate (DNRO) policy, including where to find code status and what to do for full code hospice residents; emphasized initiating emergency services immediately when resident is full code, continuing CPR until EMS arrives, and that nurses cannot pronounce death or stop CPR on a full code resident unless instructed by EMS.
- Implemented emergency response “Code Blue” drills on all three shifts, including full code and full code hospice scenarios, with emphasis on calling 911 immediately.
- Educated licensed nurses and CNAs on the facility abuse and neglect policy, including resident rights.
- Required licensed nurses to complete a CPR post-test; restricted staff who have not completed education/testing from working until completion.
- Educated licensed nurses regarding change in condition.
- Placed laminated instructions on how to overhead page during a code at all nursing station phones and other designated phones.
- Held a Quality Improvement Performance Committee meeting to review root cause analysis findings and approve recommendations.
- Held a Quality Improvement Performance Committee meeting to review progress of the plan and approve recommendations.
- Completed a “like resident” audit of all expired residents and rehospitalizations for a defined period to determine whether involved staff were the same as the code event and whether proper procedure was followed.
Failure to Provide Competent CPR Response and Verify Code Status for Full Code Resident
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that nursing staff possessed and demonstrated the competencies required to respond appropriately to a cardiopulmonary emergency for a resident with full code status. Resident #1, who was designated as full code, was found unresponsive and without respirations or pulse at approximately 2:07 a.m. Clinical staff, consisting of an RN (Staff A) and an LPN (Staff B), initiated CPR but did not activate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as required by facility policy for a full code resident. After approximately 20 minutes of CPR, the RN and LPN stopped resuscitation efforts without EMS involvement. The RN, without authority to do so, pronounced the resident deceased based on the absence of vital signs and did not verify the resident’s code status before discontinuing CPR. The RN later stated she believed the resident was on hospice and therefore did not call 911, and that she was confused about which residents were hospice and which were full code. The LPN reported that he assumed the RN had called 911 and continued CPR for about 20 minutes until the RN “called the code” and left, and he acknowledged that he knew CPR should continue until EMS arrival but did not speak up. Four hours after CPR was stopped, at approximately 6:00 a.m., the RN restarted CPR and activated EMS after receiving instructions from the DON. The investigation further identified that the RN had no documented orientation, onboarding education, or skills competency assessments since hire, despite being promoted to weekend supervisor. Her BLS certification had been obtained through a fully online course without an instructor or live feedback. The LPN’s BLS certification was expired, and a CNA who performed several chest compressions also had an expired BLS certification, even though facility policy did not permit CNAs to perform CPR. Facility records showed that monthly code blue drills had been conducted, but there was no documentation that the RN had ever participated in these drills. Leadership interviews confirmed that required clinical orientation and competency evaluations had not been completed for the RN, and that she had failed tests for a clinical manager position but was nonetheless functioning in a supervisory role. These actions and omissions led surveyors to determine that staff were not adequately trained or competent to respond to cardiopulmonary arrest for residents with full code status, resulting in an Immediate Jeopardy determination. The facility’s own root cause analysis, as reflected in meeting minutes, identified that the nurse did not check the resident’s code status and lacked knowledge about when CPR could be discontinued and when 911 should be called. The analysis documented that the nurse believed the resident was hospice and therefore did not start or continue CPR appropriately or call EMS when the resident was found without respirations and pulse. The facility assessment tool and policies referenced the need for staff training and competencies in identifying changes in condition, end-of-life care, advance care planning, and adherence to the CPR policy, but the documented events showed that these expectations were not met in practice for the staff involved in this incident. Surveyors concluded that the failure to ensure nursing staff were trained and competent to respond appropriately to cardiopulmonary arrest for a full code resident, including immediate initiation and continuation of CPR and activation of EMS, constituted noncompliance with requirements for sufficient and competent nursing staff. The failure affected Resident #1 and placed other full code residents at risk, leading to an Immediate Jeopardy finding that was later reduced in scope and severity after verification of an acceptable Immediate Jeopardy removal plan.
Plan Of Correction
This plan of correction is submitted as required under Federal and State regulations and statutes applicable to long term care providers. This plan of correction does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of the facility, and such liability is hereby specifically denied. The submission of this plan does not constitute agreement by the facility that the surveyors' findings or conclusions are accurate, that the findings constitute a deficiency, or that the scope or severity regarding any of these deficiencies cited are correctly applied Resident # 1 no longer resides in the facility as of 4.7.26. This has the potential to affect all residents in the facility. All licensed nurses were audited to ensure current [R] certification. Facility will ensure [R] certification through a [R] provider whose training includes a [R] on session either in a physical or virtual instructor-led setting in accordance with accepted national standards. Human resources, or designee, will audit monthly to ensure all licensed nurses have a current [R] certification.Education was completed with licensed nurses on initiating [R] services immediately when a resident is full code. Education included that [R] is to continue on a full code resident until [R] arrives and that the nurse cannot pronounce [R] on the full code resident and/or stop [R] until instructed by [R].Education will be added to new hire orientation.7 random licensed nurses will complete a knowledge quiz related to code events. Per week x 4 weeks, followed by 5 nurses x 4 weeks, then 3 nurses x 4 weeks. Results will be brought to QAPI to determine need for ongoing auditing.
Removal Plan
- Regional Director of Clinical Services educated the Administrator and Director of Nursing regarding the CPR policy and the need to immediately contact emergency medical services (911) in the event of a full code; Administrator and DON signed the education
- Regional Director of Clinical Services provided documented education to the Administrator and Director of Nursing regarding the CPR policy and the need to immediately contact emergency medical services (911) in the event of a full code
- Director of Nursing and/or nursing management educated all licensed nurses on the CPR policy and procedure, including where to find code status and what to do for full code hospice residents
- Reinforced through education that CPR must be initiated immediately for full code residents, continued until EMS arrives, and that nurses cannot pronounce death or stop CPR on a full code resident unless instructed by EMS
- Conducted an Ad Hoc Quality Improvement Performance Committee meeting to review root cause analysis recommendations related to the incident; recommendations approved
- Conducted a follow-up Ad Hoc Quality Improvement Performance Committee meeting to review progress on the plan; recommendations approved
Improper Use of Power Strips and Extension Cords in Multiple Facility Areas
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified deficiencies related to the use and maintenance of relocatable power taps (RPTs) and extension cords that did not comply with NFPA 101, NFPA 99, and NFPA 70 requirements. During a facility tour conducted between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. with the Maintenance Director, surveyors observed in the social services office an RPT plugged into another RPT, which was then plugged into a wall outlet, with the cord running across a walkway and taped to the floor. In the multipurpose room, a television was found plugged into an extension cord, contrary to standards that prohibit using extension cords as a substitute for fixed wiring and require temporary extensions to be removed immediately after use. Further observations included the MDS office, where an RPT was plugged into another RPT and an outlet adapter was in use. These configurations did not meet the NFPA 99 provisions governing the proper use of power strips and extension cords, including requirements that power strips be appropriately rated and used only as intended, and that extension cords not be used as permanent wiring. During concurrent interviews, the Maintenance Director acknowledged these findings as they were observed by the surveyors.
Plan Of Correction
The RPT observed plugged into an RPT plugged into an outlet in the Social Services Office was removed. The extension cord used to plug in the television in the multipurpose room was removed. The RPT plugged into an RPT and outlet adapter in the MDS office was removed. Additional offices and resident care areas will be reviewed for the improper use of plug adapters, power strips and extension. The Executive Director/designee will educate the Maintenance Director on the importance of NFPA 101 Electrical Equipment- Power and Extension specific to the improper use of plug adapters, power strips, and extension and will continue to monitor in accordance with NFPA standards. Any findings will be reported to the monthly QAPI Committee for further review. The RPT observed plugged into an RPT plugged into an outlet in the Social Services Office was removed. The extension cord used to plug in the television in the multipurpose room was removed. The RPT plugged into an RPT and outlet adapter in the MDS office was removed. Additional offices and resident care areas will be reviewed for the improper use of plug adapters, power strips and extension. The Executive Director/designee will educate the Maintenance Director on the importance of NFPA 101 Electrical Equipment - Power and Extension specific to the improper use of plug adapters, power strips, and extension and will continue to monitor in accordance with NFPA standards. Any findings will be reported to the monthly QAPI Committee for further review.
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.
