Life Care Center Of Charleston

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Life Care Center Of Charleston, in the surveyor’s own words.

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF689Dec 20, 2024

  Based on observations, record review, and interviews, the facility failed to provide proper supervision for Resident (R)97, resulting in R97 eloping from the facility. Specifically, a resident pulled a fire alarm, resulting in R97 evacuating the facility alone, without staff knowledge. This resulted in R97 falling, while in the facility's unsecured courtyard, and suffering a fractured clavical. On 12/19/24 at 12:45 PM, the survey team provided the Administrator with a copy of the CMS Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) Template and informed the facility IJ existed as of 10/05/24. The IJ was related to 42 CFR 483.25 - Quality of Care. On 12/19/24 at 5:00 PM, the facility provided an acceptable IJ Removal Plan. […]

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF689Sep 1, 2023

  Based on review of facility policy, record review and interviews, the facility failed to prevent accidents/hazards for 1 of 3 Residents (R)1 reviewed. Specifically, on 8/30/23, R1 had a successful elopement from the facility. R1 was placed at an increased risk of serious harm with the potential of being struck by a vehicle and/or suffering a heat related illness. On 08/31/23 at 3:35 PM the State Agency (SA) determined that the facility's non-compliance with one or more federal health, safety, and/or quality regulations has caused or was likely to cause serious injury, serious harm, serious impairment, or death. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF568Jan 8, 2026

  Based on a review of facility policy, observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to send quarterly statements to the resident and the resident's representative for Residents (R)42, R78, R118, R101, and R120.Findings include:Review of the facility's policy titled, Personal Needs Account, revised 12/15/16, revealed, All residents are eligible, but not required, to participate in the personal needs account. This allows the resident to place money in an interest-bearing checking account, which they can access for personal needs.Procedure:5. The resident will receive an account summary on a quarterly basis or at more frequent intervals at his/her request.Review of R42's electronic medical record (EMR) revealed R42 was admitted to the facility on [DATE]. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF761Dec 20, 2024

  Based on the facility policy, observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure expired, outdated or discontinued medications were removed and not stored with resident medications in use in 3 of 5 medication carts and 1 of 1 treatment carts. The facility additionally failed to ensure a medication cart was locked, and medications were not left on top of the med cart unattended on Morning Star Unit, medication cart #2. Findings include: Review of the facility policy titled, Drug Storage Guide, states under, Medication Cart Check, The MAR/EMR are covered when unattended. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Dec 20, 2024

  Based on observation, staff interviews, and a review of facility dietary policies, the facility failed to ensure proper sanitization of kitchen equipment, failed to discard expired foods past use by date in 1 of 1 main cooler, and failed to label and date open items in 1 of 1 freezer. These deficiencies could potentially affect 119 residents who reside in the facility and who consume food from the kitchen. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) properly sanitized their hands during meal service. The findings include: A review of facility policy titled Use by Date Guide states:Life Care may require s shorter time frame on a food item to reduce the number of items under refrigeration. […]