Life Care Center of the South Shore

In the surveyor’s words

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

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF801Jan 31, 2024

  Based on interviews, the facility failed to employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service. Specifically, the facility failed to designate a person who met the minimum qualifications to serve as the Director of Food and Nutrition Services. Findings include: During an interview with the Dietitian and the Food Service Manager (FSM) on 1/29/24 at 10:40 A.M., the Dietitian said she is employed 32 hours per week and is in the building four days a week. The FSM said he has been employed since September 2023 and currently is not certified as a Food Service Director. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Jan 31, 2024

  Based on observation, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to follow their policy and professional standards of practice for food safety and sanitation to prevent the potential spread of foodborne illness to residents who are at high risk. Specifically, the facility failed to: 1. Ensure milk cartons stored in the milk chest and served to the residents were not expired; 2. Handle ready-to-eat food (food which does not require cooking or further preparation prior to consumption) utilizing proper hand hygiene to prevent cross contamination. In addition, ensure the use of gloves was limited to a single use task; 3. Ensure the floor in front of the food service line was maintained in a sanitary condition when food service operation was occurring; 4. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF689May 18, 2022

  Based on observations, record review, policy review, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure adequate supervision and safety interventions were developed and consistently implemented to maintain each Residents' safety to prevent additional falls in two Resident's (#51 and #71) out of total sample size of 20 residents. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure that medications, biologicals, sharps, and chemicals were stored according to facility policy to prevent accidents and hazards and maintain the safety of all residents, staff and visitors for one unit ([NAME] Unit) out of two units. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF761May 18, 2022

  Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to: (1) Store all expired or discontinued medications in a secured location, inaccessible by residents and visitors on one out of two units; (2) Label medications and biologicals in accordance with currently accepted professional principles, and include the appropriate accessory and cautionary instructions, and the expiration date when applicable; (3) Store all drugs and biologicals in locked compartments, and permit only authorized personnel to have access on two out of two units; (4) Ensure refrigerators housing vaccines had temperature monitoring two times per day for one out of two medication rooms and; (5) Ensure medications and biologicals are stored in an orderly manner in cabinets, drawers, and carts. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF886May 18, 2022

  Based on interview, policy review, and record review, the facility failed to conduct testing in a manner consistent with professional standards of practice for COVID-19 testing. Specifically, the facility failed to conduct outbreak testing in accordance with facility policy for five out of five staff personnel and five out of five residents reviewed. Findings include: Review of the facility's policy titled COVID-19 Outbreak Investigation, reviewed 6/28/22, indicated the following: - The facility will perform COVID-19 outbreak investigations in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the facility. […]