Life Care Center of Kennewick

In the surveyor’s words

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

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF604Aug 26, 2024

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure that four-point restraints (a device used to support impaired posture that restricts a resident's freedom of movement) were applied in a safe manner, and failed to establish the medical need for the restraint, implement assessments, care planning, and supervision that focused on the specific restraint use for 2 of 2 residents (Residents 1 and 5), reviewed for physical restraints. This failed practice placed Resident 1 at serious risk of entrapment, strangulation, and death, and placed both Resident 1 and Resident 5 at risk for a decline in physical function, restriction of free movement, risk of injury, loss of dignity, and was determined to be an immediate jeopardy. […]

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF689Aug 26, 2024

  Based on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to ensure food was served at a safe temperature for 1 of 3 resident's (Resident 48) reviewed for avoidable accidents. This failure resulted in injury and pain to Resident 48 and placed other residents at risk for serious harm and injury related to the unsafe temperatures of reheated food in microwaves. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure resident safety was maintained for 2 of 3 shower rooms in the transitional care unit (TCU and 300 hall) and 8 of 8 personal protection equipment (PPE) carts reviewed for accidents and hazards by securing potentially hazardous cleaning agents. These failures placed resident's at risk for harm in the event the cleaning agents were ingested or skin/eye exposure. […]

• Actual harm, isolatedF689Oct 3, 2024

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to identify avoidable accident hazards during a mechanical lift transfer for 1 of 3 residents (Resident 1) reviewed for falls. Resident 1 experienced harm when they fell to the floor from the mechanical lift and sustained a hematoma (a collection of blood that forms outside of blood vessels, usually caused by an injury or trauma) and an abrasion to the forehead, requiring a transfer to the emergency room . Findings included . Review of a policy titled, Limited Lift Program (Safe Patient Handling), revised 09/19/2024, showed the facility would provide education upon hire and annually to staff on proper use of mechanical lifts in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. […]

• Actual harm, isolatedF684Jun 24, 2024

  Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to provide timely care and services and perform assessments for 1 of 3 residents (Resident 1) reviewed for changes in condition. Resident 1 experienced harm when they had prolonged bladder pain due to urinary retention with a delay in treatment. Findings included . Review of the facility undated policy titled, Alert Charting, showed alert charting was to occur in the event of acute change in condition and was to be continued every shift for 72 hours. […]

• Actual harm, isolatedF600Sep 21, 2023

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to identify incidents of verbal abuse in a timely manner, failed to protect the resident's right to be free from verbal abuse and take timely action to prevent further abuse as a State agency was not notified until 09/08/2023 (four months later) for 1 of 3 residents (Resident 1) reviewed for abuse. Despite multiple staff interviews of witnessed abuse to Resident 1 by their representative (RR) the abuse continued for four months which caused psychological harm to Resident 1 as displayed by the resident crying, asking why the RR was so mean to them and sadness. […]