Cherokee County Health and Rehabilitation Center

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Cherokee County Health and Rehabilitation Center, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF804Dec 11, 2025

  Based on observation, interview, record review, recipe review and facility policy review, the facility failed to serve food that was palatable and at an acceptable temperature to four of five residents (Resident (R) 5, R47, R144, and R139) reviewed for food palatability out of 36 sampled residents. This failure had the potential to affect 156 residents who consumed food prepared from the facility's kitchen and could result in residents skipping meals and experiencing weight loss. Findings include:Review of the facility's policy titled, Timely Meal Service, dated 02/05/2024, indicated, Policy: Food will be delivered promptly to ensure safe, palatable, and high-quality food served at the proper temperature. Procedure . 6. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Dec 11, 2025

  Based on observation, interview, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure two kitchen ovens, and two kitchen drawers' housing food preparation and service equipment were kept clean. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure food was stored off the floor and failed to label, date, and cover stored food. These failures had the potential to create an environment for food-borne illnesses which could affect 156 residents who consumed food prepared from the facility's kitchen.Findings include:Review of the facility's policy titled, Dietary Cleaning and Sanitizing Dietary Areas and Equipment, revised on 03/29/2010, indicated, Policy: All kitchen areas and equipment shall be maintained is [sic] a sanitary manner and be free of build-up of food grease or other soil. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF585Dec 11, 2025

  Based on record review, interviews, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to identify a concern as a grievance for one of 36 sampled residents (Resident (R) 178). Family Member (F) 178 requested a meeting with the facility and voiced a concern on behalf of R178 related to the physical condition of the resident upon the resident's discharge from the facility; however, the facility did not identify the concern as a grievance and did not provide any resolution to the concern. The failure has the potential to affect resident and/or family members by not having their grievances/concerns resolved in a timely manner. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF628Dec 11, 2025

  Based on record review, interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure the resident and resident representative (RP) received a written notice of transfer that included all required information for two of three residents (Resident (R) 6 and R60) reviewed for facility initiated emergent transfer to the hospital out of 36 sampled residents. In addition, the transfer notice document did not identify the specific reason the resident was being transferred to the hospital. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF641Dec 11, 2025

  Based on record review, interview, review of the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual, the facility failed to ensure an accurate Minimum Data Set (MDS) was submitted to include the correct PASSAR Level II status for two of 36 sampled residents (Resident (R) 10, and R35). The failure to code the MDS correctly could potentially lead to inaccurate federal reimbursements, and inaccurate assessment and care planning of the residents.Findings include:Review of the facility's policy titled, Resident Assessment - Coordination with PASARR Program, revised 11/28/17, indicated Recommendations, such as any specialized services, from a PASARR level II determination and/or PASARR evaluation report will be incorporated into the resident's assessment, care planning, and transitions of care. […]