Lowell Healthcare

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Lowell Healthcare, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Dec 12, 2024

  Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to serve food under sanitary conditions related to touching food with dirty gloves. This had the potential to affect 76 residents who received food from the kitchen. (Main Kitchen) Findings include: 1. During a follow-up tour of the kitchen on 12/11/24 at 12:00 p.m., [NAME] 1 was observed donning gloves. He picked up a box of cellophane wrap and moved it, then picked up a cardboard box containing frozen sausage patties. He opened the box of the frozen sausage patties with the same gloved hands, opened the plastic bag inside, scooped out handfuls of the sausage patties with the same gloved hands, and placed the patties on a baking sheet. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF880Dec 12, 2024

  Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure infection control practices and standards were maintained, related to staff touching pills during medication administration for 3 of 6 residents observed during medication administration. (Residents 71, 10, and 9) The facility also failed to ensure reuseable equipment was disinfected after use on residents for 2 of 6 residents observed during medication administration. (Residents 10 and 47) Findings include: 1. On 12/11/24 at 9:06 a.m., QMA 1 was observed preparing Resident 71's medications. She popped each pill out of the medication cards one at a time, into her hand, and then put them in a medication cup. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF550Feb 13, 2026

  Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident's dignity was maintained related to an uncovered urinary catheter bag for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for dignity. (Resident 8)Finding includes:On 2/9/26 at 3:10 p.m. Resident 8 was observed lying in bed. A urinary catheter bag was hanging from the side of the bed with visible urine in the bag. There was no cover over the bag, and the bag was visible from the hallway.On 2/10/26 at 10:24 a.m. Resident 8 was observed lying in bed. A urinary catheter bag was hanging from the side of the bed with visible urine in the bag. There was no cover over the bag, and the bag was visible from the hallway.On 2/11/26 at 11:07 a.m. Resident 8 was observed lying in bed. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF554Feb 13, 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 60)Finding includes:On 2/11/26 at 9:12 a.m., LPN 1 was observed preparing Resident 60's medications, which included Miralax (polyethylene glycol, a laxative medication) 17 grams. She dissolved the medication in a cup of water and entered the resident's room to administer the medications. The resident took his pills and drank a few sips of the Miralax then set the cup on his bedside table. LPN 1 indicated she would come back later and assist him with finishing the Miralax. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF677Feb 13, 2026

  Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to provide ADL (activities of daily living) assistance to dependent residents related to removing facial hair for female residents for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for ADL care. (Resident 45)Finding includes: On 2/9/26 at 11:29 a.m., Resident 45 was observed sitting in her wheelchair watching television. The resident had facial hair observed on her chin. On 2/11/26 at 9:43 a.m. and 11:42 a.m., Resident 45 was observed with facial hair on her chin. Resident 45's record was reviewed on 2/12/26 at 3:18 p.m. Diagnoses included, but were not limited to, Alzheimer's disease. A Care Plan, dated 9/7/16, indicated the resident required assistance with activities of daily living. […]