Life Care Center of Banner Elk

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Life Care Center of Banner Elk, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF679Aug 21, 2024

  Based on record reviews, facility activity calendars, and resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure group activities were planned for outside of the facility to meet the needs of residents who expressed that it was important to them to attend group activities outside of the facility for 4 of 5 residents reviewed for activities (Resident #7, #22, #28, #21). The findings included: A review of the Resident Council Minutes from July 2023 through July 2024 revealed the following: -July 2023 the residents had discussed trips that might be fun when activities were able to provide group trips. Residents #22 and Resident #7 were in attendance. -September 2023 the residents had discussed wanting to take short trips on the Parkway to see the leaves change. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF690Aug 6, 2025

  Based on observations, record review, and resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to secure an indwelling urinary catheter tubing to prevent tension or trauma for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for urinary catheter (Resident #62).The findings include:Resident #62 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses that included benign prostatic hyperplasia with urinary obstruction.Review of Resident #62's physician orders dated 02/20/25 revealed an order to secure the catheter tubing with an anchoring device to prevent pulling or trauma.Review of Resident #62's care plan dated 02/20/25 addressed the use of an indwelling urinary catheter related to benign prostatic hyperplasia with obstruction. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF761Aug 6, 2025

  Based on observations, record review, and resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure medications were under direct observation by the administering nurse who left medications unattended at the bedside of 1 of 1 resident reviewed for medication storage (Resident #56).Findings included:Resident #56 was admitted to the facility 05/05/23 with diagnoses including diabetes with polyneuropathy (damage of multiple nerves), hypertension (high blood pressure), and depression. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF880Aug 6, 2025

  Based on observation, record review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to implement their infection control policy when Nurse Aide (NA) #2 and the Treatment Nurse did not don (put on) a gown while providing wound care to Resident #47 who required enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) due to the presence of a pressure ulcer (sore). This deficient practice occurred for 2 of 7 staff members observed for infection control practices (Treatment Nurse and NA #2).Findings included:Review of the facility's Enhanced Barrier Precautions policy last revised 03/21/2024 read in part as follows: Policy:The facility should use Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) as an additional MDRO [multi-drug resistant organisms] mitigation [prevention] strategy for residents that meet the following criteria,… […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF565Aug 21, 2024

  Based on record review, and resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to provide a resolution of Resident Council grievances for 1 of 1 monthly Resident Council Meetings (June 2024). The Resident Council had reported they would like to have transportation to go on group outings. The findings included: A review of the Grievance Program policy dated 5/6/2019 stated the facility should make prompt efforts to resolve a grievance and should actively work toward a solution of a complaint/grievance. […]