Lydia Taft House

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Lydia Taft House, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF880May 3, 2023

  Based on interview and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that an infection prevention and control program was implemented in order to provide a sanitary environment and help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure its staff followed an infection prevention and control cleaning program for an area identified as high risk (the kitchen ice machine) for the potential presence of Legionella (a bacteria that can grow and multiply in moist areas of a building water system and cause lung infections) within the facility. Review of the facility policy, Legionella Water Management Program (Legionella), undated, indicated the following: -Kitchen ice machine: clean monthly per the manufacturer's instructions. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF885May 3, 2023

  Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to notify residents, families, and/or resident representatives of COVID-19 positive staff cases that occurred in the facility by 5:00 P.M., the next calendar day during the recent COVID-19 outbreak in April 2023, as required. Findings include: Review of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Notification of Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 Cases of Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes, Reference: QSO-20-29-NH dated May 6, 2022, indicated: - 3) Inform residents, their representatives, and families of those residing in facilities by 5 P.M., the next calendar day following the occurrence of either a single confirmed infection of COVID-19, or three or more residents or staff with… […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF689May 3, 2023

  Based on observation, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure its staff provided an environment as free of accident hazards as possible, relative to hot water temperatures, in two out of three resident unit hallways. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure its staff provided safe hot water temperatures in resident care areas when the facility water temperature was increased for running the dish machine, which also increased the water temperature on resident units, increasing the risk for injury of accidental burns. Findings include: Review of the undated Water Temperature Policy provided by the facility included: - Water temperatures in resident areas are maintained at temperatures between 106 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit (F). […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812May 3, 2023

  Based on observation, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to adhere to food storage requirements in the main kitchen and dining room nourishment kitchen, and practiced standard sanitary procedures during food handling. Specifically, the facility staff failed to: 1. Label, date, and seal open food items meant for resident consumption in the main kitchen's dry storage area and refrigerator, 2. seal open food items stored in the dining room nourishment kitchen, and 3. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF886May 3, 2023

  Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to implement requirements relative to outbreak testing and return to work testing criteria, in order to prevent the spread of infection, when the facility experienced an outbreak of COVID-19. Specifically, the facility failed to: 1. Initiate outbreak testing timely for one staff (Nurse #2), out of three sampled staff, 2. Complete outbreak testing every 48 hours until the facility went 7 days without a new case for three Residents (#17, #33 and #46), out of a sample of three residents, and 3. Document a negative test result for one staff member (Employee #1) prior to his/her return to work after testing positive for COVID-19. Findings include: 1. […]