Petitioner: AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Respondent: PINEHURST HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES, LLC, D/B/A SEAVIEW NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER
Judges: FLORENCE SNYDER RIVAS
Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration
Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Filed: Jul. 22, 2002
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Wednesday, October 23, 2002.
Latest Update: Apr. 18, 2003
Summary: Whether SeaView was properly issued a conditional license and should pay an administrative fine for violation of regulations at the time of surveys conducted on February 8 and February 21, 2002.Evidence insufficient to warrant conditional licensure.
Ld - ASIF
Go
b
STATE OF FLORIDA a
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION - ar
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATION,
Petitioner, AHCA No.: 2002013331
Return Receipt Requested:
7000 1670 0011 4847 2963
7000 1670 0011 4847 2970
PINEHURST HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES, 7000 1670 0011 4847 2987
LLC d/b/a SEAVIEW NURSING AND
REHABILITATION CENTER,
Vv.
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW the Agency for Health Care Administration
(“AHCA”), by and through the undersigned counsel, and files
this Administrative Complaint against Pinehurst Health care
Associates, LLC d/b/a Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center (hereinafter “Seaview Nursing”), pursuant to Chapter
400, Part II, and Section 120.60, Florida Statutes, (2001),
and alleges:
NATURE OF THE ACTION
1. This is an action to impose an administrative
fine of $25,000 and $6,000 survey fees pursuant to Sections
400.23(8) (a) and 400.19(3), Florida Statutes (2001), for
the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
2. AHCA has jurisdiction pursuant to Chapter 400,
Part II, Florida Statutes, (2001).
3. venue lies in Broward county, pursuant to Section
Rule 28.106.207, Florida Administrative Code.
PARTIES
4. AHCA is the regulatory authority responsible for
licensure and enforcement of all applicable statutes and
rules governing nursing homes, pursuant to Chapter 400,
Part II, Florida Statutes (2001), and Chapter 59A-4 Florida
Administrative Code.
5. Seaview Nursing operates an 83-bed skilled
nursing facility located at 2401 N. E. 2™ Street, Pompano
Beach, Florida 33062. Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center is licensed as a skilled nursing facility, license
number SNF1441096; certificate number 8309, effective
February 8, 2002 through November 30, 2002. Seaview Nursing
and Rehabilitation Center was at all times material hereto
a licensed facility under the licensing authority of AHCA
and was required to comply with all applicable rules and
statutes.
COUNT I
SEAVIEW NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER FAILED TO PROVIDE
ADEQUATE SUPERVISION TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
§ 400.022(1) (1), FLORIDA STATUTES,
RULE 59A-4.109(1) (c) (2), (3), FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
AND TITLE 42, § 483.25(h) (2), CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION AS
INCORPORATED BY RULE 59A-4.1288, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE
(QUALITY OF CARE)
CLASS I
6. AHCA re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs (1)
through (5) as if fully set forth herein.
7. Pursuant to Rule 59A-4,.1288, Florida
Administrative Code, nursing homes such as Seaview Nursing,
which participate in Title XVIII or Title- XIX, must follow
certification rules and regulations found Title 42 Code of
Federal Regulations, Chapter 483, including §483(25) (h) (2),
which states:
Accidents: The facility must ensure that each
resident receives adequate supervision and
assistance devices to prevent accidents.
8. Seaview Nursing must also comply with chapter
400, Florida Statutes, including §400.022(1) (1), which
states in pertinent part:
(1) All licensees of nursing facilities shall
adopt and make public a statement of the rights
and responsibilities of the residents of such
facilities and shall treat such residents in
accordance with the provisions of that statement.
The statement shall assure each resident the
Rule
following:
(1) The right to receive adequate and appropriate
health care and protective and support services...”
9. Seaview Nursing is also required to comply
with
59A-4.104(1) (c), (2), Florida Administrative Code,
which requires that:
(1) Each resident admitted to the nursing home
facility shall have a plan of care. The plan of
care shall consist of:
(c) A complete, comprehensive, accurate and
reproducible assessment of each resident's
functional capacity which is standardized in the
facility, and is completed within 14 days of the
resident’s admission to the facility and every
twelve months thereafter. The assessment shail
be:
1. Reviewed no less than once every 3 months.
2. Reviewed promptly after a significant change
in the resident’s physical or mental condition.
3. Revised as appropriate to assure the
continued accuracy of the assessment.
(2) The facility is responsible to develop a
comprehensive care plan for each resident that
includes measurable objectives and timetables to
meet a resident’s medical, nursing, mental and
psychosocial needs that are identified in the
comprehensive assessment. The care plan must
describe the services that are to be furnished to
attain or maintain the resident’s highest
practicable physical, mental and social well-
being. The care plan must be completed within 7
days after completion of the resident assessment.
I. Based on complaint investigation of February 6,
2002 through February 8, 2002 and on record review,
staff
interviews and observation it was determined the facility
did not ensure the safety of 3 of 8 residents sampled by
providing adequate supervision for residents with known
special needs and those who are cognitively impaired with
known elopement risk (Residents #3, #4, and #7). This
noncompliance by the facility placed these residents and
others at the facility at risk of serious injury, harm,
impairment or death thus causing AHCA to cite the facility
for a Class I violation pursuant to § 400.23(8) (a), Florida
Statutes. The findings include:
a. During review of Resident #7's clinical record on
02/06/02, it was revealed that this resident was admitted
to the 2nd floor of the facility on 09/21/01 with the
following diagnosis: Alzheimer's disease, alcoholic
dementia, and orthostatic hypotension. The initial minimum
data set (MDS) dated 09/28/01 revealed this resident had
short term memory problems, displayed repetitive physical
movements such as pacing, hand wringing, restlessness,
fidgeting and picking, and was physically abusive and
resistive to care.
b. Review of nurse’s notes for resident #7 revealed
a note dated 09/26/01 at 10:45 PM, which states: "needs
constant supervision as resident tries to go through
doors." A review of the plan of care revealed that the
interdisciplinary team developed a care plan on 09/28/01
for risk of elopement related to pushing on exit doors. A
review of the pertinent interventions for this care plan
revealed that the facility was to evaluate the need for a
wandering management program and check resident every hour
to monitor whereabouts. Interview with the administrator
and director of nursing (DON) on 02/06/02 at 3:45 PM
revealed that the DON had never heard of a wandering
management program and therefore could not produce any
documentation of an evaluation for this program. Neither
was there any documentation related to monitoring of the
resident’s whereabouts.
c. Continued review of the nurses notes for resident
#7 revealed the following for 09/28/01:
Resident is alert and confused and moves about
haliway freely. In addition, a nurse’s note dated
12/02/01 at 11:02 PM states resident is alert and
grossly confused out of bed to wheelchair and
moving about hallways freely and aimlessly. Late
afternoon patient kept riding up and down hallway
banging on other residents and trying to push the
alarm doors open.
d. Review of the care plan for elopement revealed
that no new approaches or interventions had been
implemented following this incident of 12/02/01.
Continued review of the record revealed a quarterly MDS was
completed on 12/28/01, which indicated that this resident
continues to have short-term memory problems, repetitive
physical movements, and was physically abusive and
resistive to care. In addition, the MDS identified a new
behavioral symptom of wandering (with no rational purpose,
seemingly oblivious to needs or safety). A review of the
care plan relating to elopement performed on 01/03/02 by
the interdisciplinary team as part of the quarterly
assessment revealed that the facility still had _ the
original interventions dated 09/28/01 in place with no
revisions and no new approaches or interventions in place
to protect this resident's safety and well-being.
Additionally, Resident #7 had been found outside the
facility on at least two occasions in December and the
facility failed to document these two incidents and failed
to take this into consideration for the Resident’s Care
Plan issues.
e. Surveyor review of the nurse’s notes following
12/02/01 revealed an entry on 01/09/02 at 8:10 PM, which
states resident was:
"propelling wheelchair by self along
hallways. Came to nurses station and gave nurse a
draw sheet then left. CNA came to nurses station
asking where the (resident) was. CNA was told by
nurse that resident just left and went down the
hallway. Staff started to check rooms for
resident. Staff went down to first floor to check
for resident. While down stairs checking for
resident, a family member notified nurse that
resident was outside the facility. Resident was
found lying on right side at bottom of stairs.
Alert and responsive to name. Stated, "I fell
from way up top," when asked what happened. Skin
tears noted to left elbow and right forearm.
Unable to move right arm. 911 called. Resident
transported to... ER for evaluation.”
£. Continued review of the nurse’s notes revealed an
entry on 01/12/02, which stated that the hospital contacted
the facility to inform them that resident #7 had expired. A
review of the certificate of death revealed that the cause
of death was determined to be complications of bilateral
chronic subdural hematomas with a recent left subdural
hematoma due to blunt head trauma.
g. Staff interview on 02/06/02 at approximately 3:10
PM with the nurse and the CNA present on the date of the
incident revealed that the CNA on duty at the time of the
incident revealed that she had last seen resident #7 on
01/09/02 at approximately 7:30 PM when she gave the
resident a snack in the dining room on the 2nd floor.
Following the passing of the snack, the CNA stated she went
to perform care on another resident and left resident #7 in
the dining room. The CNA stated that when she completed
caring for the other resident, she returned to the dining
room and did not see resident #7. At this time she went to
check with the nurse regarding the resident's whereabouts.
The CNA indicated that she was very concerned as to the
whereabouts of resident #7 as this resident was always
attempting to leave the facility. The CNA and the nurse
stated that they never heard a door alarm on the date of
the incident. General observations revealed that the door
that resident #7 probably used to exit the facility in his
wheelchair was located next to the 2nd floor dining room
where resident #7 was last seen by CNA. The door leads to
a 19-steps exterior stairway. Resident #7 was found at the
bottom of the stairs strapped to his wheelchair on 1/9/02.
h. During a review of resident #4's clinical record
on 02/08/02, it was revealed that this resident was
admitted to the 2nd floor of the facility on 11/23/01 with
the following pertinent diagnosis: malignancy of the
cerebrum. A review of the nurses notes dated 11/26/01
revealed that this resident attempted to get through the
fire exit. Continued review of the record revealed an
initial MDS dated 12/04/01, which indicated that this
resident has short term and long-term memory problems,
displays repetitive physical movements, and resists care.
A review of the care plan dated 12/06/01 revealed that this
resident was identified as at risk for elopement due to
wandering with no rational purpose. The pertinent
interventions to assist in managing this problem include
checking resident and monitoring whereabouts. Interview
with the facility's care plan coordinator on 02/08/01
revealed that this resident needs to be reoriented on a
continuous basis secondary to confusion resulting from
brain cancer. The care plan coordinator stated that the
resident asks to go to visit family. Continued interview
revealed that the facility has no specific system in place
to monitor the resident's whereabouts.
i. Resident # 3, residing at the second floor of the
facility on the day of survey was admitted on 11/15/00 with
multiple diagnoses, which includes Alzheimer disease, other
Organic Psychosis, and Neurotic Disorders. The Minimum Data
Set (MDS) contained in the medical record, dated 11/22/01
at section E4 triggered the resident as having the behavior
"wandering" and was described as having ‘occurred 1 to 3
days in last 7 days”.
i. The resident had two (2) care plans (numbered
#001 & #070) which references the resident's behavior of
wandering and a care plan for the problem of elopement
identifying the problem's onset as of 11/29/01.
k. According to care plan #070 ("Resident comes to
activities on a daily basis, but typically only participate
for short intervals of time. He/She tends to wander in and
out of activities. . @oes not usually respond to
redirection to remain in the activity and have a seat, does
not usually respond to redirection ..
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1. On the MDS at section B4 the resident's
cognitive status is coded a "2 " indicative of a moderately
impaired cognitive status. Furthermore section BS
identifies, the resident as having "periods of altered
perception of awareness of surroundings." In addition this
section also documents the resident as having mental
function, which varies over the course of the day.
m. Regarding the resident's ability to understand at
section C6 of the MDS the resident is coded nov, which
specifies, "ability to understand others: sometimes
understands."
n. Care plan #001 documents, "Mr. / Mrs.
exhibits behavioral concerns such as wandering into other
residents room and laying in their bed, disrobing while in
hallway, resisting care at times and at times yelling at
peers." Relevant approaches for care interventions to
manage the resident's behavioral problem of wandering
includes "redirect to safe & appropriate area as needed;
Inform of procedures prior to doing them, allow time for
responses." Based on the resident’s medical record, AHCA
determined that this approach was largely ineffectual since
the resident does not respond to redirection; has a
cognitively impaired status which includes periods of
“altered perception of awareness of surroundings” and
lk
varies during the course of the day. These characteristics
render the resident’s ability to comprehend information
regarding procedures and to be astutely aware of his/her
environment, questionable.
Oo. The care plan/approaches for care does not
state/record specific care interventions to be provided to
prevent risk for accidents to or involving this resident;
to manage the resident's behavior of wandering, or to
ensure the residents physical safety with specific
monitoring/supervision plan to be implemented. Upon review
it was observed, the care plan for the problem of elopement
has an approach, "check resident to monitor whereabouts."
The care plan/approach did not contain specifics or
instruction addressing how, when or how frequently the
resident is to be check and monitored. Furthermore the care
plan did not incorporate the facility's procedural mandates
regarding care of the resident who elopes.
p. Additionally, resident #3's care plan did not
provide effective care measures to ensure the resident's
safety and supervision as follows. Care plan (#511
developed 05/29/01 most currently reviewed on 11/28/01 for
risk for falls due to poor safety awareness, has the
following approach: "staff to monitor and redirect resident
as needed." There is no specificity documented regarding
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how or when or how frequently the monitoring is to be
conducted. On 02/08/02 the medical record did not contain
any documentation to substantiate the implementation of
monitoring or supervision. However it does contain nurses
notes dated 01/27/02 recording an "incident of fall
reported to family & MD...." Even though this care plan's
approaches were not instrumental in preventing the
resident's fall, there is no evidence to substantiate that
the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) met subsequent to the
resident's fall of 01/27/02 to review the effectiveness of
the care plan as it relates to adequately supervising the
resident to assist in managing the resident's risk for
falls. This observation was brought to the attention of the
MDS Coordinator.
q. on 02/06/02 and on 02/08/02 this resident was
observed to be wandering unsupervised and unmonitored on
repeated occasions in the facility. Furthermore on 02/06/02
& 02/08/02 staff informed surveyor(s) upon inquiry that
Resident #3 continually attempts to elope/leave the
facility. During an interview with a staff on 02/08/02 at
3:25 PM, the staff informed the surveyor that resident #3
attempted to leave the facility twice last night (02/07/02)
from the second floor exits. A review of the facility's
policy for resident elopement revealed the definition of:
13
"resident elopement is defined as that situation where a
cognitively impaired resident with impaired safety judgment
leaves the facility without staff knowledge." The policy
requires staff to "document in the medical record as the
situation progresses. Such documentation shall include date
and time resident last seen, steps taken to find the
resident, and parties notified." A review of the medical
record revealed the medical record did not contain any
documentation regarding the residents attempted elopements
as reported to surveyor by staff.
r. During interview with Management staff on
02/08/02 at 1:00 PM, it was requested of the Managers and
MDS Coordinator present to locate and provide documentation
in the medical record of the resident's elopement episodes.
The personnel were unable to locate and or provide the
requested information.
Ss. On 02/08/02 at 11:00 AM two surveyors along with
the facility's Director of Maintenance checked the
operation mechanism of the exit doors on the second floor
of the facility. It was observed and learned that when the
bar handle on the exit door is touched there is a 3 second
delay. Whether or not one continues to touch the handle, in
15 seconds the door locking mechanism releases and the door
can be opened. As such the operative mechanism of the exit
14
door does not offer safety / security or assist in
preventing the cognitively impaired resident, (Alzheimer’s)
who in addition is a known elopement risk from leaving the
unit.
t. On 02/08/02 at 6:00 PM and 6:13 PM the
cognitively impaired resident with Alzheimer’s disease
(resident #3) was observed to be present, (unsupervised and
unmonitored) by the door that had been found to not have
safety/security to prevent residents from eloping (this is
the same door that the Agency determined was the most
likely exit point for Resident #7, on 01/09/02 where
resident was found at the foot of the stairs lying on his
side and subsequently passed away as a result of blunt
trauma).
u. As such on 02/08/02 this unsupervised/
unmonitored resident and two (2) other residents residing
on the second floor, who have Alzheimer’s disease and
wander, as well as 7 other cognitively impaired residents
residing on the facility's second floor were potentially at
risk for harm and/or death similar to that a death which
occurred related to resident #7 on 01/09/02. The Agency
determined based on the stated facts that the facility’s
non-compliance had caused and was likely to cause serious
injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident receiving
15
care in the facility. A Class I deficiencies require
immediate correction pursuant to § 400.23(8) (a).
FOLLOW-UP SURVEY OF 2/21/02
II. Based on observation, interview and record review,
on 2/21/02 it was determined that the facility still did
not ensure the safety of 1 of 8 residents sampled (Resident
#7) by providing adequate supervision for a resident who is
cognitively impaired and identified by the facility as at
risk for elopement, did not provide care planning adequate
to facilitate proper supervision of 3 of 8 residents in the
revisit sample (Residents #s 1, 2 and 7) identified by the
facility as being at risk for elopement and did not ensure
that all exits were adequately locked and/or monitored to
prevent elopement of any cognitively impaired resident.
a. During interview with the Director of Nursing on
2/21/02 at 2:44 PM, it was determined that Resident #7 was
found alone outside the nursing facility building near one
of the facility exit doors at 11:00 am on 2/20/02. The area
where the resident was found was outside the facility
adjacent to a parking lot, which was not fenced in and
allowed direct access to a street with vehicular traffic.
At the time of the survey the Director of Nursing reported
it was believed a staff member brought the resident outside
and left him/her there. However, the Facility has been
16
unable to provide evidence to support that statement and
the staff member denies vehemently having taking the
resident outside the building. The certified nursing
assistant assigned to monitor the door where the facility
reported that resident #7 was found on 2/20/02, reported
that on 2/21/02 at 3:02 P.M., she turned her head for a
minute and the next thing was that someone said he/she
(Resident #7) was outside the exit door. She stated the
laundry cart was there between where she was sitting and
the exit door so she was not in full view of the entire
exit door. At 3:05 PM on 2/21/02, a surveyor was able to
enter the unlocked door to the laundry room in close
proximity to the monitored exit door and leave the building
through one of the Jaundry room exit doors. During
interview with the Administrator, Risk Manager, and
Director of Nursing, at 3:39 PM on 2/21/02, they reported
that the interior laundry room door is supposed to be
locked at all times.
b, on 2/21/02 at 5:35 PM, the laundry door was noted
again to be unlocked. There were no staff members in the
laundry room and therefore no one to monitor if a
cognitively impaired resident had exited the building
through these doors. This observation was in the presence
of the Administrator and Chief Operating officer.
17
c. Review of the clinical record of Resident #7
revealed an admission date of 11/15/00 with diagnoses,
which included Alzheimer's disease, other Organic Psychoses
and Neurotic Disorders. Included in the Resident's clinical
record is a care plan with a problem onset date of 11/29/01
with the latest revision date of 2/9/01 which addresses the
following: "XXXX is at risk for elopement related to
him/her wandering with out rational purpose, seemingly
oblivious to safety needs." For resident #7 as well as
resident #1 and resident #2, it was revealed upon record
review of their care plans that the facility failed to
facilitate supervision of these residents at risk for
elopement by not developing and disseminating resident care
plans with measurable goals and interventions which specify
the type, frequency and duration of monitoring and
supervision necessary to meet the needs of each of these
residents in order to ensure their well being.
d. Further review of the clinical record of Resident
#7 revealed no documentation regarding the incident in
which the Resident was found outside the building on
2/20/02. This was brought to the attention of the
Administrator, Director of Nursing and Risk Manager at 3:47
PM on 2/21/02 who reported that their preliminary findings
were that a staff member brought the resident out so it is
not considered an elopement. However, they were unable to
present evidence to substantiate the resident made it to
the outside of the building with a staff member.
10. Based on the foregoing, Seaview Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center is in violation of Section
400.022(1) (1) Florida Statutes, Rule 59A-4.109(1) and Title
42, Section 483.15 (BE) (1), Code of Federal Regulation, as
incorporated by Rule 59A-4.1288, Fla. Admin. Code,
classified as a Class I deficiency pursuant to
§400.23(8) (a), which carries in this case, an
administrative fine of $12,500.
COUNT II
SEAVIEW NURSING FAILED TO ADEQUATELY IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATING, PREVENTING, AND REPORTING
ALLEGATIONS OF POSSIBLE NEGLECT.
§ 400.022(1) (1), FLORIDA STATUTES
TITLE 42, § 483.13(c), CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS,
AS INCORPORATED BY RULE 59A-4.1288, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE
(STAFF TREATMENT OF RESIDENTS)
CLASS I
11. AHCA re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs (1)
through (5) as if fully set forth herein.
12. Because Seaview Nursing participates in Title
XVIII or Title XIX, it must follow certification rules and
19
regulations found in Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations,
Chapter 483 including § 483.13(c), which provides:
Staff treatment of residents. The facility must
develop and implement written policies and
procedures that prohibit mistreatment, neglect,
and abuse of residents and misappropriation of
resident property.
13. Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation must also
comply with Chapter 400, Florida Statutes including,
§400.022(1) (1) which provides in pertinent part:
(1) All licensees of nursing home facilities
shall adopt and make public a statement of the
rights and responsibilities of the residents of
such facility and shall treat such residents in
accordance with the provisions of that statement..
(1) The right to receive adequate and appropriate
health care and protective and support services,
including social services; mental health
services, if available planned recreational
activities and therapeutic and rehabilitative
services consistent with the resident care plan...
I. During a complaint investigation on February
6-8, 2002, personnel from AHCA determined that there was
deficient practice at Seaview Nursing, which constituted a
Class I violation, pursuant to § 400.23(8) (a) requiring
immediate corrective action. The violation was alleged as
non-compliance with §483.13(c), Code of Federal Regulations
and § 400.022(1) (1), Florida Statutes. It was determined
that the situation in question had caused and/or was likely
to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to a
20
resident(s) receiving care in the facility.
a. Based on record review and interview, AHCA
determined that the facility did not adequately implement
written policies and procedures. The alleged areas of
violation were regarding (1) investigation, (2) corrective
action, (3) prevention and reporting of alleged violations
involving neglect and by failing to provide adequate and
appropriate health care and protective and support services
for 1 of 8 sampled residents (Resident #7).
b. Review of Resident #7's clinical record on
02/06/02, revealed the resident was admitted to the 2nd
floor of the facility on 09/21/01 with the following
diagnosis: Alzheimer disease, alcoholic dementia, and
orthostatic hypotension.
Cc. A review of the nurse’s notes dated 01/09/02 at
8:10 PM revealed the following:
This resident was noted propelling wheelchair by
self along hallways. The resident came to the
nurse’s station and gave nurse a draw sheet then
left. A Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) came to
the nurses station asking where resident was.
The CNA was told that resident just left and went
down the hallway. Staff started to check rooms
for resident. Staff went down to first floor to
check for resident. While down stairs checking
for resident, a family member notified nurse that
resident was outside the facility. Resident was
found lying on right side at bottom of stairs.
911 was called and resident was transported to
the emergency room for evaluation.
21
d. Continued review of the nurses’ notes revealed an
entry on 01/12/02, which stated that the hospital called to
inform the facility that resident #7 had expired. Cause of
death on Resident 7's death certificate was complications
of bilateral chronic subdural hematomas with a recent left
subdural hematoma due to blunt head trauma.
e. It was determined that Resident 7 could have
exited the facility by the South East door on the second
floor since he was found strapped in his wheelchair at the
bottom of the stairs.
f. The facility's policy and procedure for resident
elopement dated 08/30/99 revealed that in order to prevent
resident elopement the facility would test door alarms on
each shift once per month. Interview with the administrator
and maintenance director on 02/08/02 at approximately 11:00
AM revealed that testing to determine if the alarms were
audible enough had never been done. The alarms were being
tested but only to determine if the keypads were working.
On 2/08/02, the second floor Southeast fire exit door’s
alarm was not audible enough to be heard at the nurse’s
station. The alarm could not be heard past the dining
room, which is approximately 57 steps and around a corner
from the nurse’s station.
22
g. A review of the facility's policies and
procedures regarding investigation and reporting of alleged
violations of federal or state laws involving neglect
revealed the following components of the policy were not
implemented: investigation, corrective action, and
reporting. Specifically, the facility's policy requires the
investigation to include interviews of associates, visitors
or residents who may have knowledge of the alleged
incident. Interview with the director of nursing on
02/06/02 at 3:45 PM and a record review of the facility's
verification of investigation revealed that the only
individual interviewed was the nurse assigned to the
resident. The facility had no documentation or other such
evidence to substantiate that they had interviewed
additional staff members, the family member who located the
resident, or any residents for possible knowledge of the
alleged incident.
h. The facility's policy requires that the medical
record be reviewed to determine the resident's past history
and condition as to its relevance to the alleged violation
as part of the investigation. A review of the facility's
verification of investigation revealed that the medical
record review did not include any information relating to
the resident's condition or diagnosis of Alzheimer's
23
disease and did not include any information relating to the
resident's care plan for elopement and history of two
documented attempts to push open exit doors on 09/26/01 and
12/02/01.
i. In addition, the facility did not implement their
policy and procedure for corrective action, which requires
the facility to take appropriate steps to prevent
recurrence of the incident. A review of the verification
of investigation revealed the facility's only step toward
corrective action was to readjust the door alarm to buzz in
the hallway. Although the incident occurred on 1/09/02, on
2/8/02, when the Agency’s personnel tested the alarm door
it was discovered that the alarm was not audible enough to
be heard at the Nurse’s” station. Additionally, the
facility did not identify any other residents who may be at
risk for a similar incident and take any precautionary
steps to provide additional supervision for such residents.
The surveyor noted other residents on the second floor with
cognitive impairment, some of whom wander. Also, the
facility failed to take corrective action after Resident #7
had been found outside the facility, alone and unsupervised
on two occasions in December 2001 thereby placing all the
residents at risk of serious harm or death.
24
j- Further investigation and interview with the
facility's administrator and director of nursing on
02/06/02 at 3:45 PM revealed that the facility had not
reported this incident to adult protective services/the
abuse hotline. A review of the facility's policy and
procedure revealed that the executive director or his
designee would report the results of all investigations to
the appropriate state agency as required by state law
within 5 working days. A Class I deficiency requires
immediate correction pursuant to §400.23(8) (a).
FOLLOW-UP VISIT OF 2/21/02
II. Based on observation, interview and record review
conducted on 2/21/02 it was determined that the facility
had not implemented and/or operationalized policies and
procedures to ensure the protection of at-risk cognitively
impaired residents. One of eight sampled residents
(resident #7) had been discovered alone and unsupervised
outside the facility on 2/20/02.
a. The Director of Nursing reported to surveyors that
on 2/20/02 Resident #7 was found outside the nursing
facility building in an area that is adjacent to a street
with access to vehicular traffic.
b. The certified nursing assistant assigned to
monitor the exit near where Resident #7 was found on
25
2/20/02 was interviewed at 3:02 PM on 2/21/02, She
reported a laundry cart partially obscured her view of the
exit door.
c. On 2/21/02 a member of the survey team was twice
able to exit the first floor of the building through an
unlocked door, which is in proximity to the monitored exit
door. During interview with the Administrator, Risk
Manager and Director of Nursing at 3:39 PM on 2/21/02, they
reported that the interior laundry room door is supposed to
be locked at all times. On this day the doors were twice
found unlocked.
d. Resident #7’s was admitted to the facility on
11/15/00 with a diagnosis, which included Alzheimer’s
disease, other Organic Psychoses and Neurotic Disorders.
The Resident’s care Plan included problem identification
dated 11/29/01, revised on 2/9/02 which reads as follows:
“XXXX is at risk for elopement related to him/her wondering
without rational purpose, seemingly oblivious to safety
needs.” The record did not contain any reference to
Resident #7 being found outside the facility on 2/20/02.
On 2/21/02 at 5:35pm this surveyor observed that the
laundry door was again unlocked and there were no staff
members available within the4 laundry room to monitor at-
risk residents with the potential to elope through these
26
doors. This observation was made in the company of the
Administrator and Chief Operating Officer.
14. Based on the foregoing, Seaview Nursing violated
§400.022(1) (1), Florida Statutes and § 483.13{(c) Code of
Federal Regulation as incorporated by Rule 59A-4.1288,
Florida Administrative Code herein classified as a Class I
violation pursuant to §400.23(8) (a) which carries, in this
case, an assessed fine of $12,500.
COUNT III
SURVEY FEE
§ 400.19, Florida Statutes
15. § 400.19, Florida Statutes (2001), provides that
a survey shall be conducted every 6 months for the next two
year period when the facility has been cited for a class I
deficiency and that in addition to any other fees or fines
the agency shall assess a fine of $6,000, one half to be
paid at the completion of each survey. Based on the Class
I deficiencies identified on Count I and II of this
complaint, the Agency is hereby assessing a fine of $6,000
against Seaview Nursing.
CLAIM FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, the Agency requests the Court to order the
27
following relief:
1. Enter a judgment in favor of the Agency for
Health Care Administration against Seaview Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center on Counts I through III.
2. Assess against Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center an administrative fine of $25,000 on Counts I
through II for the above-captioned violations.
3. Assess against Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center a survey fee of $6000 pursuant to Section 400.19,
Florida Statutes.
4, Assess against Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center a total of amount of $31,000 [$25,000 in
administrative fines + $6000 in survey fee).
5. Grant such other relief as the court deems is
just and proper on Counts I through III.
Respondent is notified that it has a right to request an
administrative hearing pursuant to Sections 120.569 and
120.57, Florida Statutes (2001). Specific options for
administrative action are set out in the attached Election
of Rights and explained in the attached Explanation of
Rights. All requests for hearing shall be made to the
Agency for Health Care Administration, and delivered to the
Agency for Health Care Administration, Manchester Building,
28
First Floor, 8355 N. W. 53rd Street, Miami, Florida, 33166;
Attn: Alba M. Rodriguez.
RESPONDENT IS FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT THE FAILURE TO REQUEST
A HEARING WITHIN 21 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT WILL
RESULT IN AN ADMISSION OF THE FACTS ALLEGED IN THE
COMPLAINT AND THE ENTRY OF A FINAL ORDER BY THE AGENCY.
‘ Q
Alba M. 1 Wp.Lh
Assistant General Counsel
Agency for Health Care
Administration
8355 N. W. 53 Street
Miami, Florida 33166
Dated the far “of June, 2002
Copies furnished to:
Diane Reiland
Field Office Manager
Agency for Health Care
Administration
1710 East Tiffany Drive
West Palm Beach, Florida 33407
(U.S. Mail)
29
Gloria Collins
Finance and Accounting
Agency for Health Care
Administration
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(Interoffice Mail)
Skilled Nursing Facility Unit Program
Agency for Health Care
Administration
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(Interoffice Mail)
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Seta NE RV SCE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the
foregoing has been furnished by U.S. Certified Mail, Return
Receipt Requested to Everton M. Spencer, Administrator,
Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 2401 N.E. 2
Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062; Pinehurst Health Care
Associates, LLC, One Professional Center, One N. E. First
Avenue, Suite 302, Ocala, Florida 33470; CT Corporation
System, 1200 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, Florida
33324 on this /2day of June, 2002.
me” a dei oien Q 6
30
Ze)
STATE OF FLORIDA Dn ey
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION <2.”
Ae
RE: PINEHURST HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES, LLC AHCA No.:
di/bla SEAVIEW NURSING AND REHABILITATION
CENTER
ELECTION OF RIGHTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
PLEASE SELECT ONLY 4 OF THE 3 OPTIONS
An Explanation of Rights is attached,
OPTION ONE (1) 6 ! do not dispute the allegations of fact contained in the Administrative Complaint
and waive my right to object or to be heard. | understand that by waiving my rights, a final order will be
issued that adopts the Administrative Complaint and imposes the sanctions sought.
OPTION TWO (2) 6 ! do not dispute and | admit the allegations of fact in the Administrative
Complaint, but do wish to be afforded an informal proceeding, pursuant to Section 120.57(2), Florida
Statutes, at which time | will be permitted to submit oral and/or written evidence to the Agency in mitigation
of the penaity imposed.
OPTION THREE (3) 0 Ido dispute the allegations of fact contained in the Administrative Complaint and
request a formal hearing, pursuant to Section 120. 57(1), Florida Statutes, before an Administrative Law
If you choose OPTION THREE (3), in order to obtain a formal proceeding before the Division of
Administrative Hearings under Section 120.57(1), F.S., your request for an administrative hearing must
conform to the requirements in Section 28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C), and must state
the material facts you dispute.
In order to preserve your right to any hearing, your Election of Rights in this matter must be directed to
the Agency by filing within twenty-one (21) days from the date you receive the Administrative
Complaint. If you do not respond at all within twenty-one (21) days from receipt of the Administrative
Complaint, a final order will be issued finding you guilty of the violations charged and imposing the
penalty sought in the Complaint.
lf you have elected either OPTION TWO (2) of THREE (3) above and you are interested in discussing a
settlement of this matter with the Agency, please also mark this block. 0
Mediation under Section 120.573, Florida Statutes, is not available in this matter.
SEND NO PAYMENT NOW ~— REGARDLESS OF THE OPTION SELECTED, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL
YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF A FINAL ORDER FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON PAYMENT OF ANY FINES.
(Please sign and fill in your current address. )
Respondent (Licensee)
Address:
License. No. and facility type: Phone No.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO: Alba M. Rodriguez, Assistant General Counsel, Agency for
Health Care Administration, 8355 N. W. 53 Street, Miami, Florida 33166,
STATE OF FLORIDA
(To be used with Election of Rights for Administrative Complaint form — attached)
In response to the allegations set forth in the Administrative Complaint issued by the Agency for
Health Care Administration (“AHCA” or “Agency’), you must make one of the following elections within twenty-
one (21) days from the date of receipt of the Administrative Complaint. Please make your election of the
attached Election of Rights form and return it fully executed to the address listed on the form.
OPTION 1. If you do nat dispute the allegations in the Administrative Complaint and waive your right to
be heard, you should select OPTION 1 on the election of tights form. A final order will be entered finding you
guilty of the violations charged and imposing the penalty sought in the Complaint. You will be provided a copy
of the final order.
OPTION 2. If you da not dispute any material fact alleged in the Administrative Complaint (you admit
each of them), you may request an informal hearing pursuant to Section 120.57(2), Florida Statutes before the
Agency. At the informal hearing, you will be given an opportunity to present both written and oral evidence to
reduce the penalty being imposed for the violations set out in the Complaint. For an informal hearing, you
should select OPTION 2 on the Election of Rights form.
OPTION 3. If you dispute the allegations set forth in the Administrative Complaint (you do not admit
them) you may request a formal hearing pursuant to Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. To obtain a formal
hearing, select OPTION 3 on the Election of Rights form.
In order to obtain a formal proceeding before the Division of Administrative Hearings under Section
120.57(1), F.S., your request for an administrative hearing must conform to the requirements in Section
28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C), and must state the material facts you dispute.
In order to preserve your right to a hearing, your Election of Rights in this matter
must be directed to the Agency by filing within twenty-one (21) days from the date
you receive the Administrative Complaint. If you do not respond at all within twenty-
one (21) days from receipt of the Administrative Complaint, a final order will be
issued finding you guilty of the violations charged and imposing the penalty sought
in the Complaint.
Docket for Case No: 02-002899
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Apr. 18, 2003 |
Final Order filed.
|
Oct. 23, 2002 |
Recommended Order issued (hearing held August 13-14, 2002) CASE CLOSED.
|
Oct. 23, 2002 |
Recommended Order cover letter identifying hearing record referred to the Agency sent out.
|
Oct. 15, 2002 |
Petitioner`s Proposed Recommended Order filed.
|
Oct. 10, 2002 |
Order Denying Motion for Reconsideration issued.
|
Oct. 10, 2002 |
Respondent`s Proposed Recommended Order filed.
|
Oct. 10, 2002 |
Deposition of Eroston Price, M.D. (filed via facsimile). |
Oct. 10, 2002 |
Notice of Filing Deposition of Expert Witness (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Oct. 04, 2002 |
Order Granting Extension of Time to File Proposed Recommended Orders issued. (parties shall have until October 10, 2002 to file their respective proposed recommended orders)
|
Oct. 02, 2002 |
Letter to Judge Rivas from A. Rodriguez responding to telephone call recieved from DOAH (filed via facsimile).
|
Oct. 01, 2002 |
Motion for Extension of Time to File Deposition of Expert in Lieu of Trial Testimony and to Extend Time to File Proposed Recommended Order (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Sep. 27, 2002 |
Transcript Volume II and III filed. |
Sep. 20, 2002 |
Motion for Reconsideration of Order Denying Motion to Redact, Motion for Redaction of all Trial Exhibits and Memorandum of Law in Support of the Motions (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Sep. 03, 2002 |
Order Denying Motion to Redact issued.
|
Sep. 03, 2002 |
Notice of Unavailability (filed by A. Rodriguez via facsimile).
|
Aug. 30, 2002 |
Motion for Order to Redact Resident`s Names in the Division of Administrative Hearing`s Public Records (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Aug. 29, 2002 |
Subpoena ad Testificandum, A. Cohen filed.
|
Aug. 29, 2002 |
Notice of Taking Deposition for Use in Lieu of Live Trial Testimony, A. Cohen (filed via facsimile).
|
Aug. 21, 2002 |
Notice of Filing Trial Exhibit filed by Petitioner.
|
Aug. 13, 2002 |
CASE STATUS: Hearing Held; see case file for applicable time frames. |
Aug. 12, 2002 |
Joint Pre-Hearing Stipulation (filed via facsimile).
|
Aug. 09, 2002 |
Order Denying Motion for Use of Deposition in Lieu of Live Testimony issued.
|
Aug. 09, 2002 |
Order Extending Time to Respond to Order of Pre-Hearing Instructions issued. (deadline is extended to August 8, 2002)
|
Aug. 07, 2002 |
Agency`s Motion for use of Deposition in Lieu of Live Testimony (filed via facsimile).
|
Aug. 07, 2002 |
Out of Time Motion to Extend Time to August 8, 2002 to File Joint Response to Order of Pre-Hearing Instructions (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Jul. 30, 2002 |
Amended Notice of Hearing issued. (hearing set for August 13 and 14, 2002; 9:30 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale, FL, amended as to addition of Case No. 02-2899).
|
Jul. 29, 2002 |
Order of Consolidation issued. (consolidated cases are: 02-001585, 02-002899)
|
Jul. 25, 2002 |
Joint Response to Initial Order and Motion to Consolidate (filed via facsimile).
|
Jul. 22, 2002 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jul. 22, 2002 |
Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing filed.
|
Jul. 22, 2002 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
|
Jul. 22, 2002 |
Initial Order issued.
|
Orders for Case No: 02-002899