NHC Healthcare, Maryland Heights

In the surveyor’s words

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

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812Mar 20, 2026

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure three-compartment sink sanitizer levels were at the appropriate levels and failed to use appropriate chemicals as a substitute. The facility also failed to ensure dietary staff stored scoops in a sanitary manner when scoops were observed inside containers of food products. This failure had the potential to affect all facility residents. The facility census was 200. 1. Observation and interview on 3/19/26 at 12:56 P.M., showed the Dietary Manager tested the sanitizing solution in the three-compartment sink with the facility's test strips. The test strip changed from light blue to light yellow upon entering the water. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF584May 6, 2024

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide a clean and homelike environment when staff failed to ensure furniture in the common area on the Ivy hall was free from visible soiling and stains. The facility failed to ensure resident rooms on the Meadow unit were adequately supplied with toilet paper and hand towels, and to ensure toilets were maintained with all standard parts. The sample was 35. The census was 191. Review of the facility's Procedures for Housekeeping, undated, showed: -When you enter the room: --Fill soap and paper towel dispensers. 1. Observations on 5/1/24 at 10:24 A.M., 5/2/24 at 7:20 A.M., and 5/3/24 at 6:40 A.M., showed four rocking recliners and a navy blue plaid couch located on the Ivy Hall in the common area. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF689May 6, 2024

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure staff took appropriate precautions to prevent potential injury while assisting one resident in propelling their wheelchair (Resident #45). The facility failed to ensure a shower room floor was clear of trip hazards for one resident at risk of falls (Resident #77). The facility failed to ensure chemicals were stored properly on the Meadow memory care unit, where the facility identified 20 out of 27 residents with wandering behavior, including one resident with known behavior of rummaging (Resident #4). The facility failed to ensure chemicals were stored properly in the 300 hall shower room and to ensure cleaning chemicals were utilized in a manner to prevent potential injury (Resident #45). […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF761May 6, 2024

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure that medications kept in the facility medication rooms and on medication carts were within the date of expiration, for 2 of 4 medication rooms checked and 2 of 7 medication/treatment carts checked. The facility census was 191. 1. Review of the facility's Medication Storage in the Facility policy, revised in [DATE] showed: -Medications and biologicals are stored safely, securely, and properly, following manufacturers recommendations or those of the supplier. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812May 6, 2024

  44948 46888 Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure staff performed hand hygiene during meal service in the main dining room. The census was 191. The sample was 35. Review of a Texas Health and Human Services document the facility used to in- service staff on hand washing, dated 12/2022, showed: -Key elements: Infection control in dining and meal service is important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases to vulnerable people living in long term care facilities. -Best practices include but are not limited to: Hand hygiene performed prior to and during meal service by facility staff, hand hygiene any time contact is made with contaminated surfaces. 1. […]