Lenoir Health Care Center

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Lenoir Health Care Center, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF880Mar 8, 2024

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, facility staff failed to use appropriate infection control procedures to prevent the spread of bacteria or other infectious causing contaminants when staff failed to perform appropriate hand hygiene and glove changes during incontinent care for three residents (Resident #32, #35, and #36), and failed to properly handle soiled linens for one resident (Resident #36). The facility census was 49. 1. Review of the facility's Hand Hygiene policy, reviewed 01/30/24, showed all personnel shall follow the handwashing/hand hygiene procedures to help prevent the spread of infection to other personnel, residents, and visitors. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Feb 6, 2023

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility staff failed to properly store open food to prevent cross-contamination and outdated usage, to maintain kitchen equipment in a clean and sanitary manner, and to perform hand hygiene and change gloves as often as necessary to prevent cross contamination. This failure had the potential to affect all facility occupants. The census was 32. 1. Review of the facility's Food Storage and Safety Policies, dated 9/10/19, showed staff are directed to contain, store, label, and date everything properly. Observation on 2/1/23 at 12:20 P.M. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812Apr 10, 2025

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility staff failed to store food in a manner to prevent potential contamination, out-dated use and reuse of single-service containers. This failure had the potential to affect residents who dined in the Woods Central and Olive [NAME] units and residents who received modified textured diets. The facility census was 48. 1. Review of the facility's Food Storage Policy, revised [DATE], showed: -Inspect food regularly for damage due to spoilage; -Items that arrive in their original packaging with a manufacturer's expiration date will utilize that date for discard: a. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF880Apr 10, 2025

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, facility staff failed to use enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) (an infection control practice that requires staff to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for five residents (Resident #15, #25, #27, #40, and #14) of five sampled residents who required care. The facility census was 48. 1. Review of the facility policy titled Enhanced Barrier Precautions, dated 02/25/25, showed EBP are utilized to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO)s (bacteria or fungi that have developed resistance to one or more classes of antimicrobial agents, making them difficult to treat) to residents. EBPs employ targeted gown and glove use during high contact resident care activities when contact precautions do not otherwise apply. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF689Mar 8, 2024

  Based on observation, resident and staff interview, and record review, facility staff failed to provide safe mechanical lift transfers for four (Resident #28, #29, #32, and #35) out of 13 sampled residents. Facility staff failed to provide safe medication storage for three residents (Resident #23, #36, and #8). The facility census was 49. 1. Review of the facility's Safe Lifting and Movement of Residents policy, dated 10/14/19, showed staff were directed as follows: -Staff responsible for direct resident care will be trained in the use of a mechanical lifting devices; -Staff will be observed for competency in using mechanical lifts and observed periodically for adherence to policies and procedures regarding the use of equipment and safe lifting techniques. […]