Big Elm Retirement and Nursing Centers

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Big Elm Retirement and Nursing Centers, in the surveyor’s own words.

• Immediate jeopardy, widespreadF607Mar 29, 2023

  Based on record review, Police Department Detective, resident and staff interviews the facility failed to implement their abuse policies and procedures by failing to immediately initiate preventative and protective measures to safeguard all residents from exploitation and misappropriation of property when the facility became aware of an allegation of the Social Services Coordinator exploiting 2 residents at the Assisted Living Facility (ALF) operated by the same company and on the same campus as the skilled nursing facility (SNF). There was a high likelihood of misappropriation of property and/or exploitation leading to the loss of financial resources and irreplaceable personal belongings for all 45 residents who resided in the SNF. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Jul 11, 2024

  Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to label a container of thickened juice with an open date, discard expired milk, clean grease off the burner valve knobs and burner grates of the stove. Additionally, 3 of 3 dietary workers failed to wear beard coverings. These practices had the potential to affect food served to residents. The findings included: 1. The facility kitchen was toured on [DATE] with the Dietary Manager (DM) at 9:55 AM. a. The walk-in refrigerator was observed to have an open, undated carton of thickened juice. The DM reported the carton should have dated when it was opened. The DM explained thickened liquids were used for 24 hours after opening. The DM discarded the thickened juice. b. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Oct 29, 2021

  Based on observations, staff interviews and record reviews, the facility failed to maintain refrigerator temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit in 1 of 2 refrigerators (the walk-in refrigerator). This practice had the potential to affect the food served to all residents. The findings included: An observation on 10/26/2021 at 11:21am of walk-in refrigerator, noted temperature was 46 degrees Fahrenheit (F). The refrigerator door was not sealed closed. Review of the temperature log located on the outside panel of the refrigerator for 10/26/2021, for October 2021, showed that 23 out of 26 dates had temperatures ranging from 42-50 degrees Fahrenheit. An interview was conducted with the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) and Assistant Dietary Manager (ADM) on 10/26/2021 at 11:21am. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF880Oct 29, 2021

  Based on observations, record review, local health department representative interview, staff interviews and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Data Tracker for [NAME] county transmission rate, the facility failed to follow CDC guidance regarding appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for counties of high county transmission rates when 1 of 1 staff members (Activities Director) failed to wear eye protection when conducting a Resident Council meeting with 4 of 4 residents (Resident # 26, Resident #27, Resident #33, and Resident #34), when 3 of 3 staff members (Infection Preventionist, Medication Technician (MT) #1 and MT #2) failed to wear eye protection when providing care to 3of 3 residents (Resident #33 and Resident #7, Resident #1) and when 1 of 1 staff members ( NA… […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812Mar 29, 2023

  Based on observation, staff interviews and record review the facility failed to date thawing food items in one of one walk-in refrigerator when they were removed from the freezer. This practice had the potential to affect food served to residents. The findings included: 1. An initial observation of the walk-in refrigerator conducted on 3/20/23 from 10:02 AM to 12:17 PM with the Dietary Manager (DM) revealed the following food items did not have a date to indicate when the item was pulled from the freezer or a use by date: - Four - five-pound bags of frozen egg scrambled thawing in box - Raw flattened chicken breasts in a plastic bag approximately 10 pieces - Box of flattened chicken breasts in the box - One box of bacon with approximately one pound of bacon remaining - 15-pound box of… […]