Petitioner: AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Respondent: LAKEWOOD NURSING CENTER
Judges: LISA SHEARER NELSON
Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration
Locations: Palatka, Florida
Filed: Oct. 27, 2006
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, May 21, 2007.
Latest Update: Jan. 10, 2025
Certified Mail Receipt
(7004 1160 0003 3739 8927)
STATE OF FLORIDA
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
STATE OF FLORIDA, AGENCY FOR -
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION, Ole-Y Ilo
Petitioner, AHCA NOS: 2006006431
v. 200600643:
—Fitiaion of Administrative Hearings
LAKEWOOD NURSING CENTER, INC., :
d/b/a LAKEWOOD NURSING CENTER,
Respondent.
COMES NOW the AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
(““AHCA”), by and through the undersigned counsel, and files this Administrative
Complaint against Lakewood Nursing Center, Inc. d/b/a Lakewood Nursing Center
(hereinafter “Lakewood Nursing Center”), pursuant to Section 120.569, and 120.57, Fla.
Stat., (2005), and alleges:
NATURE OF THE ACTION
__1. This is an action to impose one (1) administrative fine in an amount of Five
Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), against Lakewood Nursing Center for one (1) class II
deficiency, pursuant to Sections 400,23(8)(b), 400.102(1)(a), Fla. Stat. (2005), and Rule
59A-4, Fla. Admin. Code. The Agency also intends to impose a conditional rating effective
June 20, 2006, through July 02, 2006, pursuant to Section 400.23(7), Fla. Stat. (2005), case
no. 2006006431.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE.
2. This Agency has jurisdiction pursuant to 400, Part Il and Section 120.569
and 120.57, Fla. Stat., (2005).
3. Venue lies in Putnam County, Crescent City, Florida, pursuant to Section
120.57, Fla. Stat., (2005); and Chapter 59A-4, Fla. Admin. Code (2005), and Rule
28.106.207, Fla. Admin. Code. (2005).
PARTIES
4. AHCA is the regulatory authority responsible for licensure and
enforcement of all applicable statues and rules governing nursing home facilities pursuant
to Chapter 400, Part II, Fla. Stat., (2005), and Chapter 59A-4, Fla. Admin. Code (2005).
5. Lakewood Nursing Center is a non-profit corporation, whose 92-bed
nursing home facility is located at 100 North Lake Street, Crescent City, Florida. Lakewood
Nursing Center is licensed as a nursing home facility license #SNF12810961; certificate
number 13749, effective July 03, 2006, through June 30, 2007. Lakewood Nursing Center
was at all times material hereto, a licensed facility under the licensing authority of AHCA,
and required to comply with all applicable rules, and statutes.
COUNT I
LAKEWOOD NURSING CENTER FAILED TO PROVIDE CARE AND SERVICES
TO ENSURE RESIDENT’S HEALTH AND SAFETY BY FAILING TO NOTIFY THE
PHYSICIAN OF A RESIDENT’S PAIN AFTER SUSTAINING A FALL, PROVIDING
APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO A RESIDENT’S COMPLAINTS OF PAIN AND A
REQUEST FOR A TRANSFER TO A HOSPITAL AND PROVIDING SERVICES
FOR TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESIDENT’S PLAN OF CARE
FOR 1 OF 3 SAMPLED RESIDENTS (#3). THESE FAILURES RESULTED IN THE
RESIDENT SUSTAINING A FALL, A DELAY IN TRANSFER TO A HIGHER
LEVEL OF CARE FOR MORE THAN 13 HOURS AND THE RESIDENT
SUFFERING A FRACTURE OF THE NECK RESULTING IN PARALYSIS.
N
STATE TAG N216- ACTION BY AGENCY AGAINST LICENSEE; GROUNDS
Section 400.23(8)(b), Fla. Stat. (2005) RULES EVALUATION, AND DEFICIENCIES;
LICENSURE STATUS
Section 400.102(1)(a), Fla. Stat. (2005) ACTION BY AGENCY AGAINST LICENSEE;
GROUNDS
6. AHCA te-alleges and incorporates paragraphs (1) through (5) as if fully set
forth herein.
7. On or about June 21, 2006, AHCA conducted a complaint investigation at
the Respondent's facility. AHCA cited the Respondent based on the findings below, to wit:
a.) On or about June 21, 2006, Lakewood Nursing Center failed to provide
care and services to ensure resident’s health and safety be failing to notify the physician of a
resident’s pain after sustaining a fall, providing appropriate response to a resident's
complaints of pain and a request for a transfer to a hospital and providing services for
_ transfer in accordance with the resident’s plan of care for 1 of 3 sampled residents (#3).
These failures resulted in the resident sustaining a fall, a delay in transfer to a higher level
of care for more than 13 hours and the resident suffering a fracture of the neck resulting in
paralysis.
The findings are:
Review of resident #3 record revealed he/she had been admitted to the facility on
November 11, 2004. The resident's diagnosis was: Degenerative Joint Disease, .
Osteoporosis, Dementia, Diabetes, Depression, Peripheral Vascular Disease and
Hypokalemia. Review of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) annual dated 12/26/05
revealed the resident was coded as a 1 short term memory problem with modified
independence (some difficulty in new situations); for transfers was coded 2/2
(limited assistance, received physical help in guided maneuvering of limbs or non
weight bearing assistance 3 or more times in 7 days; the resident was coded as a 3 in
balance(not able to attempt test without physical help). Review of the Rap
Summary for falls identified the resident had a history of falls and behaviors at
times that increase the risk of falls. Review of the care plan revealed on 3/10/06 an
lo
approach was added instructing 2 person assist with gait belt. Review of the Fall Log
Monthly Review for June 9, 2006, revealed resident #3 had fallen at 7 PM, in the
resident's room, during transfer, then was transferred to an acute care facility.
Review of the 1 Day report, 6/12/06, indicated the nursing assistant was assisting
the resident to bed with a gait belt, "when the resident pushed weight against her,
causing both of them to fall against the mattress then sliding to the floor."
Nursing documentation dated 6/9/06, at 10 PM, revealed that the resident fell at 7
PM, while being assisted to bed. Documentation indicates the resident leaned
forward, the aide lost her balance and the resident fell on top of her, hitting the
cushion first and then his/her left arm on the bed rail of the other resident's bed.
Further documentation indicated the family had been notified and the physician
on call was notified, giving orders for Tylenol 325 mg, two tablets every 6 hours as
needed for pain. Nursing documentation dated 6/9/06, at 11 PM, revealed the
resident was "yelling and screaming (he/she) wanted to go to the hospital, is yelling
that (race) threw me on the floor." the nurse documented that the resident had
made racial remarks and the house supervisor was called to assess and speak with
the resident.
Nurse's note for 6/10/06, at 2 AM, revealed the resident was lying in bed, yelling,
he/she was going to get a lawyer and was cold. The aide repositioned the resident,
ensuring the resident was not incontinent and covered with a blanket. The house
supervisor assessed the "problem".The resident told her that he/she wanted to
complain about the staff letting him/her fall. The nurse documented again about
the resident's racial remarks and that the resident stated he/she will get the staff
fired. On 6/10/06, at 4 AM, nurse's documentation indicated the resident was still
upset, the aide did the AM care and the resident requested to get out of bed in the
wheel chair. The resident complained of pain and was medicated with Tylenol as
ordered. On 6/10/06, at 4:30 AM, documentation indicates the resident was up in
wheelchair, sleeping with no signs/symptoms of pain or discomfort. On 6/10/06,
at 8:10 AM, nursing documentation revealed skilled nursing assessment of resident
#3, complained of "pain in cervical area, (the resident) states (he/she) cannot move
arms." The nurse further indicates the resident is unable to grasp or raise his/her
arms. When the arms are raised passively, the resident is unable to keep the arms in
the raised position. The physician was notified at this time (over 13 hours after the
fall), and the resident was then transferred to a hospital for evaluation.
Review of Emergency Room (ER) nurses notes dated 6/10/06, at 10:05 AM,
indicated "during transfer last night the resident fell, struck head on the railing."
The resident complained of neck pain and inability to move upper extremities,
bilaterally. The documentation indicates the resident complained of pain posterior
Cspine 6-7 and was unable to further assess due to dementia. The resident was
unable to move upper extremities, per nursing documentation. The ER physician
saw the resident at 10:32 AM, on 06/10/06. Documentation indicated the resident
had no sensation or movement to the arms, and decreased sensation to the legs.
The ER physician ordered a CT scan of the cervical spine, as well as, the brain and
did not identify any fractures of the cervical spine. Additionally, the resident was
given Solu-Medrol drip (steroids) for 8 hours while awaiting tertiary care. The
resident was transferred to neurosurgeons services at another hospital for further
evaluation and care.
Review of the receiving hospitals Emergency Department Outpatient Consultation
revealed the patient stated he/she could not move arms or legs after falling on
6/9/06 and hit “his/her neck. On examination, the resident had no feeling in the
arms, trunk, back, legs or urogenital triangle. The resident could not move arms or
legs. It was noted that the resident had a high chance of respiratory failure due to
the paralysis below the C4 level.
Review of the Death Summary from the 2™ receiving hospital revealed the resident
had developed acute quadriplegia (paralysis) at approximately C4 (cervical area of
the spinal column, neck area) after the fall at the nursing home. The physician
further indicated the CT and MRI (xray images, enhanced) did reveal evidence of
likely fracture subluxation causing a spinal cord injury. It was noted the resident
had a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) and the severity of his/her condition was
discussed, he/she declined any further intervention and was put on comfort type
care. The patient’s respiratory status declined over the following few days and
eventually expired on 6/16/06.
On 6/20/06, at 4 PM, interview staff #1, revealed that on 6/9/06, at 7 PM, she
was transferring resident #3, from the wheelchair to the bed. She indicated that
"somehow the resident twisted upper body to the left," she lost her balance, and
they both fell towards the other resident's bed. The aide stated she did not really
know what the resident hit, but did indicate she was using a gait belt. She went
after the nurses and it was during shift change and the nurse that was going off duty
did the assessment. The resident was put to bed after the assessment. The aide
revealed that a half an hour later she went back to check on the resident and the
resident demonstrated that he/she could move his/her head. She stated during the
interview that she was not aware that the resident's care plan required a two person
assist for transfers. The aide was vague when questioned as to the resident's
complaints of pain. She did indicate that the resident's bed was in a low position
not on the floor.
On 6/21/06, at 12:40 PM, interview with staff #6, revealed that she had worked
on 6/9/06, 7 AM to 7 PM. She was getting ready to go off shift when an aide
reported that during transfer resident #3 and the aide had fallen on the floor. Staff
#6 indicated that she and the oncoming nurse had responded, but she did the
assessment. She stated that the resident was complaining of arms hurting and that
the oncoming nurse asked her if she wanted to send the resident out to the
hospital, she then asked the oncoming nurse if she wanted to send the resident out,
at which she (the oncomming nurse) replied no. She (staff #6) admitted to not
checking the resident's neck when she assessed because the resident was lifting
his/her shoulders up and moving the head. Staff #6 indicated that the resident had
been feeding himself with encouragement using hands and arms prior to this
incident. She stated she was not aware that the care plan required a two person
assist with transfers for this resident, stating that she had transferred the resident
herself with assistance in the past. Staff #6 indicated that she felt they (the faciltiy)
had taken away the LPN's right to make a judgement and send the resident's out to
a hospital on their own because the facility had a policy that an Registered Nurse
(RN) has to do an assessment first before a resident can be sent out.
On 6/21/06, at 10:45 AM, interview with staff 3 revealed that she worked on
6/9/06, at 7 PM to 6/10/06, 7 AM. She indicated that during report from the
previous nurse, that an aide reported that she had fallen with a resident (#3) on the
floor while attempting to transfer the resident from the chair to the bed. Staff #3
revealed that staff #6, conducted the assessment and she wanted to send the
resident out to the hospital, but staff #6 said no, that the resident was okay. She
said before she knew it the aide and nurse had picked the resident up and put
him/her in bed. The staff person stated "I would have sent the resident out." Staff
#3 indicated that the RN on duty assessed the resident several times during the
night, but she didn't want to send the resident out. When the resident yelled out
wanting to go to the hospital, the RN would go in and talk, offer reassurance and
the resident would calm down for awhile. Staff #3 revealed "they took our rights
away to make judgement calls and send out residents to the hospital. We have to
call an RN to make that decision." The staff member #3 indicated that she did call
the MD that was on call and got an order for Tylenol for the resident's pain. The
tylenol was given at 10 PM , on 6/9/06 and at 4 AM on 06/10/06.
On 6/21/06, at 12 noon, interview with the RN, Assistant Director of Nursing
(ADON), revealed that she works all kinds of hours and on 6/9/06, she was at the
building from about 3 PM until 8 PM and had not been informed of resident #3
falling. She was not aware the resident fell until 3:30 AM, on 6/10/06, when an
aide had the resident in a wheelchair out by the nurse's station. The ADON asked
why the resident was out of bed and the staff stated he/she want to get out of bed
and watch TV. The resident then asked the LPN for something for pain and at that
time the ADON discovered the resident had fallen, the evening before. She did not
evaluate the resident then as the resident had fallen asleep in the wheelchair in
front of the TV. Later that morning, the LPN, that started working at 7 AM, asked
the ADON to evaluate resident #3, that he/she could not feel arms or shoulders
being touched. She indicated the resident could move his/her head, when she
lightly touched the resident's “upper neck", he/she said it hurt. Being she did not
know the resident well, she discussed findings with the day Licensed Parctical
Nurse (LPN) and it was decided to send the resident out to the hospital.
On 6/21/06, at 10 AM, interview with staff member #2 revealed that she worked
on 6/10/06, 7 AM to 7 PM and was resident #3's nurse. She indicated the aides
had taken the resident down to the main dining room for breakfast, but brought
him/her back to the floor saying that the resident felt nauseated and could not feed
him/herself. When the staff member assessed resident #3, she discovered the
resident's arms were flacid, he/she could not move arms or hands. When she
touched his/her neck lightly the resident complained of pain. The physcian was
called and he ordered for the resident to be sent to the hospital for evaluation. The
staff member revealed that she had worked the weekend before and the resident
was feeding him/herself and had improved. She indicated when a resident falls a
full body assessment is suppose to be done, checking range of motion, pain, pupils
and look thoroughly for any signs of injury.
On 6/21/06, at 12:25 PM, interview with staff member #5 revealed she worked on
6/10/06, from 7 AM to 3:30 PM. When the staff member was asked if she had
gotten the resident out of bed that morning she replied “no, (he/she) was already in
the wheelchair, when we got (the resident) to the dining room, (he/she) stated
could not eat, couldn't lift (his/her) arms." The resident was brought back upstairs
and the next thing she knew the resident was being transferred out to the hospital.
She stated she was not aware the resident was suppose to have two people assist
with transfer per the care plan.
On 6/21/06, at 1:30 PM, interview with the occupational therapist (OT #8) that
had provided some therapy in the past with the resident revealed that when the
resident first was admitted to the facility he/she was very angry and difficult to work
with. The resident had tremors and trouble with coordination. She then indicated
that they had gotten the resident special spoons to eat with and he/she started
feeding him/herself. The resident's whole attitude changed per the OT. She
revealed that it had been a long time since the resident was receiving therapy, but
she indicated that restorative nursing had been working with him/her for awhile
and review of the restorative notes revealed the resident was to have two person
assist when being transferred. The OT revealed that the staff have ongoing training.
with transfers and lifting every month at orientation .
On 6/21/06, at 1:20 PM, interview with the on call physician revealed that he was
on call on 6/9/06 and does remember being notified of the resident #3 falling. He
said it was reported to him that the resident had no head injury, loss of
conciousness, therefore, no indication of neuro checks. The physician stated "I have
to go by what the nurses tell me, otherwise 1 would be sending every fall out to the
hospital." He admitted to not knowing the resident, but that he was on call for the
attending physician.
On 6/21/06, at 8:30 AM, interview with the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed
she did investigate this incident and is still investigating it. She indicated that she
did not find out about the incident until Monday morning, 6/12/06. The staff
have been instructed to call her with any incident and they did not do it for this.
She’ said "they have called me for everything else, | just don't know why they did not
call me Friday or Saturday. They told me they did not feel it was an incident that 1
needed to know about."
8. The regulatory provisions of the Fla. Stat. (2005) that is pertinent to this
alleged violation read as follows:
400.23 Rules; evaluation and deficiencies; and licensure status-
(b) A class II deficiency is a deficiency that the agency determines has compromised
the resident's ability to maintain or reach his or her highest practicable physical,
mental, and psychosocial well-being, as defined by an accurate and comprehensive
resident assessment, plan of care, and provision of services. A class II deficiency is
subject to a civil penalty of $2,500 for an isolated deficiency, $5,000 for a patterned
deficiency, and $7,500 for a widespread deficiency. The fine amount shall be
doubled for each deficiency if the facility was previously cited for one or more class
1 or class II deficiencies during the last annual inspection or any inspection or
complaint investigation since the last annual inspection. A fine shall be levied
notwithstanding the correction of the deficiency.
* * *
400.102 Action by agency against licensee; grounds.~
(1) Any of the following conditions shall be grounds for action by the agency ©
against a licensee:
(a) An intentional or negligent act materially affecting the health or safety of
residents of the facility.
* Ok
400.23 Rules; evaluation and deficiencies; and licensure status-
(7) The agency shall, at least every 15 months, evaluate all nursing home facilities
and make a determination as to the degree of compliance by each licensee with the
established rules adopted under this part as a basis for assigning a licensure status to
that facility. The agency shall base its evaluation on the most recent inspection
report, taking into consideration findings from other official reports, surveys,
interviews, investigations, and inspections. The agency shall assign a licensure status
of standard or conditional to each nursing home.
a ed
9. The violation alleged herein constitutes an uncorrected class II deficiency,
and warrants a fine of $5,000.
WHEREFORE, AHCA demands the following relief:
1. Enter factual and findings as set forth in the allegations of this
administrative complaint.
2. Impose a fine in the amount of $5,000.
3. A conditional rating effective June 20, 2006, through July 02, 2006.
Respondent is notified that it has a right to request an administrative hearing pursuant to
Section 120.569, Florida Statutes (2005). Specific options for administrative action are set
out in the attached Election of Rights (one page) and explained in the attached
Explanation of Rights (one page).
All requests for hearing shall be made to the Agency for Health Care Administration, and
delivered to the Agency for Health Care Administration, Building 3, MSC #3, 2727
Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308; Michael O. Mathis, Senior Attorney.
RESPONDENT IS FURTHER NOTIFED THAT THE FAILURE TO REQUEST A
HEARING WITHIN 21 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT WILL
REASULT IN AN ADMISSION OF THE FACTS ALLEGED IN THE COMPLAINT
AND THE ENTRY OF A FINAL ORDER BY THE AGENCY.
afb
Respectfully submitted this oe “day of September 2006.
Michael O. Mathis, Esquire
Fla. Bar. No. 0325570
Counsel of Petitioner, Agency
for Health Care Administration
Bldg. 3, MSC #3
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(850) 922-5873 (office)
(850) 921-0158 (fax)
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
1 HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been served by
certified mail on ast “day of Qo brhen, 2006 to William Mickillop, Administrator,
Lakewood Nursing Center, 100 North Lake Street, Crescent City, Florida 32112.
Wabndny dud
Michael O. Mathis, Esquire
DER: COMPLETE THIS SECTION
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IF YES, enter dalivery address below:
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TTT 4, Restricted Delivery? (Extra Fee) J Yes
Article Number
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7004 ALb0 0003 4
Docket for Case No: 06-004169
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
May 21, 2007 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
May 21, 2007 |
Agreed Motion for Relinquishment of Jurisdiction filed.
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Apr. 04, 2007 |
Notice of Unavailability filed.
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Mar. 06, 2007 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for May 24 and 25, 2007; 10:30 a.m.; Palatka, FL).
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Feb. 20, 2007 |
Agreed Motion to Change Locatoin and Date of Final Hearing filed.
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Dec. 13, 2006 |
Notice of Substitution of Counsel (filed by L. Novak).
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Nov. 27, 2006 |
Agency Response to Pre-hearing Instructions filed.
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Nov. 20, 2006 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Nov. 20, 2006 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for March 12 and 13, 2007; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
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Nov. 16, 2006 |
Amended Agreed Motion to Schedule Formal Hearing beyond 70 Days filed.
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Nov. 07, 2006 |
Agreed Motion to Schedule Formal Hearing beyond 70 Days filed.
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Nov. 03, 2006 |
Petitioner`s Response to ALJ`s Initial Order filed.
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Oct. 30, 2006 |
Initial Order.
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Oct. 27, 2006 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Oct. 27, 2006 |
Petition for Formal Administrative Proceeding filed.
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Oct. 27, 2006 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
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