Attalla Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Attalla Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in the surveyor’s own words.

• Immediate jeopardy, widespreadF689Mar 1, 2022

  Based on observations, interviews, review of facility policies titled, Water Temperatures, Safety Of and Management of the Laundry, review of facility Maintenance Repair Log sheets, review of facility Water Temp (temperature) Log Sheets, and review of the laundry department's Dryer Log, the facility failed to: 1) monitor and maintain safe hot water temperatures, which were found to be up to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (F), on all residential wings/units of the facility, including the dementia unit. Further, staff failed to implement the system for reporting and acting upon ongoing concerns related to excessively hot water in resident care areas. […]

• Immediate jeopardy, widespreadF835Mar 1, 2022

  Based on interviews and review of the facility's, Administrator Job Description, administration failed to provide training and oversight to ensure the facility was free from the potential for injury related to identified concerns regarding elevated hot water temperatures. During the survey, the survey team identified hot water temperatures throughout all residential units/wings of the facility, including the Dementia Unit, that exceeded 110 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Temperatures were found to be as high as 145 degrees F in resident bathroom sinks, as well as resident shower rooms. This deficient practice placed all 89 residents in the facility in immediate jeopardy (IJ), as it was likely to result in serious injury, serious harm, serious impairment, or death. […]

• Immediate jeopardy, widespreadF908Mar 1, 2022

  Based on observations, interviews, review of a facility policy titled, Water Temperatures, Safety Of, review of facility Maintenance Repair Log sheets, and review of facility Water Temp Log Sheet documents, the facility failed to monitor and maintain the water heating/boiler system in safe operating condition to prevent hazardous hot water temperatures. Water temperatures were observed in excess of 110 degrees Fahrenheit (F) on all residential wings/units of the facility, including the Dementia Unit. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Mar 1, 2022

  Based on observations, interviews, review of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code, and review of the facility's policies titled, Food: Preparation, Food Storage: Dry Goods, Food Storage: Cold Foods, Dispose of Garbage and Refuse, Warewashing, and Proper Hand Hygiene: Dining Services Employees, the facility failed to ensure: 1) one item was properly labeled and dated, and two items were used or disposed of by date on package; 2) five boxes of food were stored off the walk-in freezer floor; 3) soap was available for staff to wash hands at the only handwash sink in the kitchen; 4) opened bags of food in dry storage were closed, labeled, and dated; 5) the floor and shelves in dry storage are were clean from foods; 6) sanitizing buckets contained the appropriate concentration of… […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF584Mar 1, 2022

  Based on observations, interviews, review of facility policies titled, Management of the Laundry, Interim Recommendations for Routine & Terminal COVID-19 Isolation Room/Unit Cleaning, and review of the facility's Maintenance Repair Logs, the facility failed to ensure a safe, clean, comfortable, homelike environment for residents in the facility. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure: 1. housekeeping services were provided to prevent soiled floors, a soiled over bed table, and/or soiled resident care equipment in Resident Identifier (RI) #80's room; 2. sufficient linens, including bath towels and washcloths, were available for resident care on Units D, E, F, and G; 3. […]