NHC Healthcare, Joplin

In the surveyor’s words

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

• Actual harm, isolatedF686Jun 24, 2024

  Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to provide pressure ulcer care and monitoring per standards of practice when staff failed to follow physician orders for treatment of an unstageable pressure ulcer (occurs when the base of a full-thickness tissue loss wound is covered by a layer of dead tissue that prevents staging of the ulcer) to one resident's (Resident #1's) coccyx (tailbone area), failed to update the treatment after a visit to the wound clinic, and failed to complete a weekly wound assessment of the resident's pressure ulcer. The resident developed a subsequent infection of his/her pressure ulcer that required hospitalization . […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Aug 4, 2025

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure food was stored in a manner to protect the food from possible contamination when staff failed to store food in sealed containers and failed to dispose of expired food items. The facility had a census of 85 residents. 1. Review of the facility's policy titled, Safety and Sanitation Best Practice Guidelines-Dry Storage, revised June 2025, showed the following:-All Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods shall be stored in a clean and dry location; not exposed to splash, dust or other contamination;-Items will be stored at least six inches off the floor;-Foods will be stored in their original packages, if possible. If opened, packages should be closed securely to protect product. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812May 3, 2021

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility staff failed to store dishes in a clean condition when they stacked dishes with food particles still inside. The facility failed to provide the required air gap between the ice machine drain pipe and the floor drain that would prevent the backflow of wastewater. The facility had a census of 85 residents. 1. Record review of the Missouri Food Code, published 2013, showed dishes are required to be air dried before being stacked and stored and the FDA guidelines mandate all wares should be air dried, while using a towel is never permitted. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF550Jul 17, 2026

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to provide adequate assistance with toileting needs in a manner that promoted quality of life, dignity, respect, and individuality for three residents (Residents #77, #72, and #51) of 23 sampled residents. The facility census was 79. Review of the facility policy Quality of Life-Dignity, revised August 2009, showed the following: -Residents shall be treated with dignity and respect at all times; -Treated with dignity means the resident will be assisted in maintaining and enhancing his or her self-esteem and self-worth; -Demeaning practices and standards of care that compromise dignity are prohibited. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF690Jul 17, 2026

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to provide appropriate catheter care for two residents (Residents # 77 and #82) of four sampled residents with catheters when facility staff placed the catheter bag on the low bed and the urinary catheter bag lay on the fall mat on the floor increasing the residents' risk for infection. The facility census was 79. Review of the facility policy from the Infection Control Manual Volume 1, updated March 2026, showed for patients with urinary catheters, staff were to keep drainage bags off the floor, but below the level of the patient's bladder.1. […]