Life Care Center of Valparaiso

In the surveyor’s words

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

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Oct 28, 2022

  Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure a sanitary kitchen related to built up food debris on the stove top and testing the dishwasher sanitation level with faulty test strips in 1 of 1 kitchens observed (Main Kitchen). This had the potential to affect all 84 residents who received food from the kitchen. Findings include: 1. During the initial kitchen tour on 10/24/22 at 8:50 a.m. with Cook 1 the following was observed: a. The stove top had a build up of food debris. b. The dishwasher was observed and noted to be a low temperature, chemical system. Cook 1 obtained a testing strip, dipped it into the dishwasher water and compared it to the results on the side of the testing strip container. The strip did not have a readily discernable color change. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF684Jan 6, 2026

  Based on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure oral suctioning was completed and documented as ordered for 1 of 4 residents reviewed for respiratory care (Resident 4), medications were administered as ordered for 1 of 4 residents reviewed for accidents (Resident 1), wound assessments were completed and skin discolorations were monitored for 2 of 6 residents reviewed for non-pressure skin conditions. (Residents 24 and 67)Findings include:1.On 12/29/25 at 9:22 a.m., Resident 4 was observed in his bed. There was an oral suction machine on the nightstand next to his bed and the suction catheter was resting on his bed. The resident indicated he wanted the suction machine turned on. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812Oct 25, 2023

  Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure a sanitary kitchen related to built up burnt food debris on the stove top and bottom inside of the convection oven. There was a build up of grease inside the convection oven doors, back splash on the oven, and side of the oven for 1 of 1 kitchens observed (Main Kitchen). This had the potential to affect 96 residents who received food from the kitchen. Findings include: During the initial kitchen tour on 10/19/23 at 9:29 a.m., with the Dietary Manager (DM) the following was observed: a. The stove top had a build up of burnt food debris and a build up of grease on the back splash and side of the stove top. b. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF880May 11, 2022

  Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure infection control guidelines were in place and implemented, including those to prevent and/or contain COVID-19, related to not removing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) upon exiting an isolation room and hand hygiene not completed after the removal of the PPE, for 1 of 3 staff members (Dietary Manager) observed in the Yellow Zone (possible exposure to COVID-19 within the last 14 days) (Rooms 301 to 311 where 5 residents resided) Finding includes: During an observation 5/11/22 at 9:05 a.m., the Dietary Manager was behind the Nurses' Desk, located between the Red (positive for COVID-19) and Yellow zone. He was wearing an isolation gown, gloves, an N95 mask, and protective eye wear. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF554Jan 6, 2026

  Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents were assessed for self-administration of medications and had a physician's order to self-administer medications, for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for self-administration of medication. (Resident 55)Finding includes:On 12/30/25 at 10:45 a.m., Resident 55 was observed sitting in her wheelchair in her room. A plastic bag with the Facility's Pharmacy label was on her overbed table. The bag contained two bottles of nystatin powder (an antifungal medication). The resident indicated the powder was used for a rash under her right breast that she would get from time to time. […]