Life Care Center of Hixson

In the surveyor’s words

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

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF684May 2, 2026

  Based on interview, record review, document review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) #1 did not operate outside the scope of a CNA when he flushed Resident #125's peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line (a PICC line is a long, thin, flexible tube inserted through a vein in the arm and threaded to a large vein near the heart. A PICC line provides long-term secure intravenous (IV) access for delivering medication, fluids, or nutrition, or for drawing blood, reducing the need for daily needle sticks). It was determined the facility's non-compliance with one or more requirements of participation had caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, serious harm, serious impairment, or death to residents. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF803May 2, 2026

  Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to follow the menu serving size for the turkey and dumpling entree for the lunch meal on 04/29/2026 for 76 of 83 residents who received food from the kitchen. Findings included: The facility Diet Type Report dated 05/01/2026, listed the diet order of 83 residents and of the 83 residents, one resident was ordered finger foods, one resident was ordered a vegetarian diet, one resident was ordered a full liquid diet, and four residents received nothing by mouth. The facility Diet SpreadSheet for the lunch meal indicated residents were to receive a #6 scoop of chicken and dumplings for the lunch meal on 04/29/2026. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF880Feb 4, 2021

  Based on facility policy review, review of manufacturer's recommendations, review of staff schedules, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure staff adhered to proper infection control practices while cleaning and disinfecting resident rooms to prevent the spread of COVID-19, with the potential to affect residents on 3 of 4 hallways; and failed to ensure staff wore appropriate PPE and disinfected hands before and after entering COVID-19 isolation precaution rooms, with the potential to affect 2 of 11 residents. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF554May 2, 2026

  Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure 1 (Resident #81) of 25 sampled residents was assessed for their ability to self-administer their own medications. Findings included: A facility policy titled, Self-Administration of Medication, reviewed 09/15/2025, revealed, Procedure 1. If the resident desires to self-administer medication, the IDT [interdisciplinary team] will contact the resident's primary physician to make them aware of the resident request. 2. The IDT in consultation with the primary physician for the resident will conduct an assessment of the resident's cognitive, physical, and visual ability to carry out this responsibility. The policy specified, 4. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF697May 2, 2026

  Based on interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure staff administered as needed pain medication when requested for 1 (Resident #123) of 3 observed for medication administration. Findings included: A facility policy titled, Pain Assessment and Management, revised 11/11/2025, revealed, Based on the comprehensive assessment of a resident, this facility must ensure that residents receive the treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive care plan, and the resident's choices related to pain management. An admission Record revealed the facility admitted Resident #123 on 04/22/2026. According to the admission Record, the resident had a medical history that included diagnoses of lung cancer and breast cancer. […]