Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF851Oct 25, 2023

  Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to submit the payroll-based journal system (PB&J) staffing data to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This had the potential to affect all 30 residents residing in the facility. Findings included: The facilty's PB&J report 1705D dated 10/11/23, identified the facility failed to submit data for quarter 3 (April 1 - June 30) of fiscal year 2023. During an interview with the administrator and the director of nursing (DON) on 10/23/23 at 2:04 p.m., the DON stated they attempted to submit data for the PB&J but had technical difficulties and believed they had until the 15th of the month to complete it. However, the submission closed at midnight on the 14th and they were unable to submit anything. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Dec 8, 2022

  Based on observation, interview and document review the facility failed to ensure food temperatures were measured upon removing food from the oven. In addition, the facility failed to ensure food items and medical equipment (ice packs) were not mixed together in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator in the dining room. This had the potential to affect all 37 residents who resided in the facility. Finding include: During an observation on 12/7/22, at 11:24 a.m. cook (C)-A was in the process of measuring food temperatures of food which had already been removed from the oven and were in the steam table. The stewed tomatoes were 170 degrees Fahrenheit (F), kielbasa slices were 208 degrees F, the hot German potato salad was 185 degrees F, the chopped meat kielbasa was 150 degrees F. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Jul 9, 2021

  Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed ensure wall mounted kitchen fans that were oscillating on clean dishes and food prep areas were free from dust and debris. This had the potential to affect 27 residents that received food from the kitchen. Findings include: The facility request work order dated 10/26/20, was completed by DM-A requesting kitchen fans to be cleaned. On 7/07/21, at 10:54 a.m. during the initial tour of the kitchen a wall mounted fan located in the dishwashing room had visible dust build up, and was oscillating from the dirty area to the clean area where uncovered coffee cups, drinking glasses, bowls and serving trays were drying. On 7/07/21, at 12:54 p.m. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF943Jul 9, 2021

  Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure annual abuse education was completed for 3 of 19 employees E-A, E-B, E-C) whose records were reviewed for abuse education. This had the potential to affect all 27 residents residing in the facility. Findings include: A review of training records indicated: Employee (E)-A was hired on 6/21/00. The facility's employee dementia or abuse training log indicated C-A had dementia training but lacked a date when C-1 had abuse education. E-B was hired on 3/6/17. The facility's employee dementia or abuse training log indicated SW-A completed abuse training last on 5/4/2000. E-C was hired on 3/9/15. The facility's employee dementia or abuse training log indicated PT-C completed abuse training last on 10/18. 7/9/21, at 10:18 a.m. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF583Dec 8, 2022

  Based on interview, observation, and documentation the facility failed to ensure personal privacy and confidentiality by posting resident names and diet information in a public area viewable by other residents and visitors. This deficient practice impacted 5 of 5 residents (R14, R6, R8, R7 and R12). Findings include: On 12/05/22, at 6:05 p.m. the dining room steam table had notes taped on both sides. The steam table side facing the nursing station, viewable from hallway, had the following notes: 1. No scrambled eggs for [R14's name]. 2. Document titled Diet Spreadsheet had R8's first name written in red, and notes on spread sheet. 3. No chicken, full name of resident R6. 4. No asparagus with 3 resident names listed below including R7's full name. 5. […]