New England Homes for the Deaf, Inc

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at New England Homes for the Deaf, Inc, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF909Mar 21, 2024

  Based on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to regularly inspect bed frames to identify areas of potential entrapment. Specifically, the facility failed to regularly inspect and document findings regarding zone 7 (the space between the mattress and the foot of the bed) for 27 of 27 Residents' beds in the facility for potential areas of entrapment, as evidenced by not providing an effective bed bolster for Resident #3. Findings include: According to The Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Hospital Bed System Dimensional and Assessment Guidance to Reduce Entrapment Document issued on March 10, 2006, by the U.S. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812Mar 19, 2025

  Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to properly follow food storage and food handling practices to prevent the risk of foodborne illness in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. Specifically, A) the facility failed to properly store food items in the kitchen to prevent the risk of foodborne illness and B) the facility failed to properly handle food and dinnerware in accordance of professional standards of practice in the second-floor dining room. Findings include: A) During the initial walk-through of the kitchen on 3/18/25 at 7:04 A.M., the surveyor observed the following: In the walk-in refrigerator: - Three carafes containing a yellow liquid, red liquid and clear liquid with no labels indicating what the product was or with a date. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF761Mar 26, 2026

  Based on observation and interviews, the facility failed to ensure staff stored drugs and biologicals in accordance with State and Federal laws. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure medications were dated once opened according to manufacturer's guidelines in one of one medication carts observed. Findings include:Review of the facility policy titled 'Medication Storage', dated 1/26, indicated:-Medications and biologicals are stored properly, following manufacturers or provider pharmacy recommendations, to keep their integrity and to support safe, effective drug administration. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF550Mar 19, 2025

  Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure staff treated residents in a dignified manner during the dining experience. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure staff were sitting at eye level when assisting a resident with feeding. Findings include: Review of the facility policy titled Quality of Life - Dignity, revised and dated August 2009, indicated the following: - Residents shall be treated with dignity and respect at all times. The surveyor made the following observations: - During the lunch service on 3/18/25 in the second-floor dining room, a staff member was standing over a resident in a Broda chair while assisting with feeding from 12:22 P.M. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF552Mar 19, 2025

  Based on record review and interview the facility failed to ensure for one Resident (#21), out of a total sample of 13 residents, that the Health Care Agent was provided the correct risks and benefits related to the administration of an antipsychotic medication. (An Invoked Health Care Proxy (HCP) allows the Health Care Proxy Agent to make medical decision, when a person is determined by a physician/nurse practitioner to lack the capacity to make health care decisions). Findings include: Review of the facility's policy, titled Informed Consent for Psychotropic Medication, not dated included but was not limited to the following: Consistent with the mission of the facility and the rights afforded patients by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111 Section 70E, the facility recognizes the… […]