Lutheran Senior Services at Meramec Bluffs

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Lutheran Senior Services at Meramec Bluffs, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF919Dec 7, 2022

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to answer call lights in a timely manner and to ensure all clinical nursing staff carried a call light pager per the facility's call light exception, approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). This affected three of three residents sampled for call light concerns (Residents #18, #8 and #1). The census was 68 with 24 residents in certified beds. Review of the facility's exception letter, approved by DHSS, dated 7/28/20, showed for each approval listed, the facility is required to comply with the stipulations that follow: -The operator will ensure that all direct care staff carry and utilize the wireless nurse call pagers at all times; -The operator will ensure that a wireless nurse call system… […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF580Dec 29, 2025

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to notify Next of Kin (NOK) of a resident fall for one resident (Resident #1). The sample size was three. The census was 67. Review of the facility's Event Reporting Policy, revised 7/29/21, showed: -Policy statement: Event reporting is essential to providing resident and client care. Events involving a resident, visitor, or other person (non-employee) that are outside of usual or normal happenings and present a potential liability, and events that are not in keeping with standards, policies, procedures or practices and may have an adverse outcome will be documented. The documentation of an event and its investigation, outside of what is documented in the medical chart, is confidential. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF689Dec 29, 2025

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to provide services per acceptable standards of practice for one resident (Resident #1), when facility staff failed to use a gait belt when transferring the resident from the floor to the wheelchair. The sample size was 3. The census was 67.Review of the facility's Event Reporting Policy, revised 7/29/21, showed: -Policy statement: Event reporting is essential to providing resident and client care. Events involving a resident, visitor, or other person (non-employee) that are outside of usual or normal happenings and present a potential liability, and events that are not in keeping with standards, policies, procedures or practices and may have an adverse outcome will be documented. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF688Oct 9, 2024

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure one resident (Resident #20) with limited mobility, received appropriate equipment and assistance to maintain mobility when staff failed to ensure the resident wore palm protectors properly and daily in accordance with physician orders and recommendations by therapy to address hand contractures (fixed tightening of muscle, tendons, ligaments, or skin, preventing normal movement). The sample was 12. The census was 43 with 29 residents in certified beds. Review of Resident #20's medical record, showed: -Diagnoses included contracture to unspecified joint, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia; -A physician order, dated 5/23/24, for restorative - splint/brace. […]