NHC Healthcare, Anniston

In the surveyor’s words

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

• Actual harm, isolatedF600Oct 26, 2024

  Based on interviews, record review, review of a facility policy titled Patient Protection and Response Policy for Allegations/Incidents of Abuse, Neglect, Misappropriation of Property and Exploitation, review of Facility Reported Incidents (FRIs) received by the State Agency, and review of the facility's investigative files, the facility failed to protect the rights of residents to be free from abuse perpetrated by other residents of the facility. Specifically, on 05/22/2023 Resident Identifier (RI) #237 was physically abused by RI #239 when facility staff witnessed RI #239 grab RI #237's wrists and pull RI #237 from a recliner onto the floor and punch RI #237 multiple times. […]

• Actual harm, isolatedF740Oct 26, 2024

  Based on interviews, resident record reviews, review of the facility policy titled BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, the facility failed to provide immediate and necessary behavioral interventions and supervision to prevent Resident Identifier (RI) #290, a resident exhibiting physically aggressive behaviors, from physically abusing RI #288. On 08/15/2023 RI #290 displayed physically aggressive behaviors toward the facility staff, ramming them with his/her walker and swinging at them with a dispenser for hand sanitizer. RI #290 was then allowed to walk into a day room area with other residents and staff who were preparing for lunch. RI #290 hit RI #288 in the face and chest. This affected RI #288 one of five residents reviewed for behaviors. Findings include: Cross-reference F 600. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF550Oct 26, 2024

  Based on interviews, resident record review, review of a Facility Reported Incident (FRI) received by the State Agency, the facility's investigative file, and review of a facility policy titled PATIENT'S RIGHTS, the facility failed to ensure Resident Identifier (RI) #237's rights were honored on 05/22/2023 when RI #237 told facility staff he/she had been attacked and wanted to notify the police. Facility staff witnessed RI #239 grab RI #237's wrists, pull RI #237 out of a recliner onto the floor, and RI #239 threw punches at RI #237. The police were not notified of RI #237's request. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF609Oct 26, 2024

  Based on resident record review, interviews, review of a facility policy titled Patient Protection and Response Policy for Allegations/Incidents of Abuse, Neglect, Misappropriation of Property and Exploitation, and review of the facility investigative files, the facility failed to report reasonable suspicion of a crime against residents who were physically abused to Local Law Enforcement for Resident Identifier (RI) #237 and RI #288. Specifically, on 05/22/2023 facility staff witnessed Resident Identifier (RI) #237 being pulled from a recliner by the wrists onto the floor and punched by RI #239. RI #237 was assessed with redness and bruising to the right wrist after the incident and RI #237 told staff who witnessed the physical abuse occur, he/she had been attacked and wanted the police. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF610Oct 26, 2024

  Based on interviews, resident record review, review of facility polices titled, Patient Protection and Response Policy for Allegations/Incidents of Abuse, Neglect, Misappropriation of Property and Exploitation and INCIDENT AND ACCIDENT PROCESS, and review of the facility investigative files, the facility failed to thoroughly investigate incidents of resident-on-resident physical abuse for appropriate action to be taken to prevent further occurrences. On 05/22/2023 facility staff witnessed Resident Identifier (RI) #239 grab RI #237's wrists, pull RI #237 from a recliner onto the floor, and punch RI #237 multiple times. The facility failed to prevent this from occurring after RI #239 was annoyed with RI #237 yelling out and RI #239 had told RI #237 to shut up earlier in the night. […]