NHC Healthcare, West Plains

In the surveyor’s words

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

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Feb 18, 2022

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to keep food safe from potential contamination when staff did not air dry dishes and stacked dishes while still wet which could potentially contaminate any food prepared for residents. The facility census was 61. Record review of the facility's policy, titled Safety and Sanitation Best Practice Guidelines, dated 2003 and revised 11/2017, showed the following information: -Air-dry all items; -Towels may contaminate items; -Make sure all items are completely dry before stacking to prevent wet-nesting (when dishes are stacked wet and promote bacterial contamination). […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF689Feb 7, 2025

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure an environment free from accident hazards. Staff failed to secure access to soiled laundry and chemicals in an unlocked soiled linen laundry room. The room contained a sink basin of bleach water and an open container of multipurpose cleaner solution. The unlocked, unlatched soiled linen room presented a potential hazard to all residents who were able to move freely around the facility with 14 residents at increased risk due to their mental capacity from a diagnosis of dementia (a group of thinking and social symptoms that interferes with daily functioning) or Alzheimer's disease (a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions). The facility census was 61. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF880Feb 7, 2025

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to maintain proper infection control practices during incontinent care for two residents (Residents #5 and #16) out of four sampled residents, catheter (a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine) care for one resident (Resident #21) out of one sampled resident, and wound care for two residents (Residents #5 and #58) out of two sampled residents. The facility failed to ensure proper infection control measures during administration of insulin for one resident (Resident #37) out of one sampled resident and touched medications with bare hands for one resident (Resident #118) out of five sampled residents. The facility also failed to ensure proper infection control measures during laundry services. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF623Feb 18, 2022

  Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to notify the resident and/or the resident's representative in writing of a transfer to a hospital, including the reasons for the transfer, for five residents (Residents #10, #43, #57, #59, and #210). The facility census was 61. Record review of a facility's policy entitled Transfer/Discharge, revised 2/2021, showed the following: -A resident may be transferred or discharged to another health care institution or discharged home upon the written order of the attending physician; -Sufficient information will be provided to the patient to assure continuity of care, regardless of the destination of the patient or the reason for the transfer. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF625Feb 18, 2022

  Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to give written information to the resident and/or resident's representative of the facility's bed hold policy for three residents (Residents #10, #43, and #57) who were transferred out to the hospital. The facility census was 61. Record review of a facility's policy entitled Transfer/Discharge, revised 2/2021, showed the following: -A patient may be transferred or discharged to another health care institution or discharged home upon the written order of the attending physician; -Sufficient information will be provided to the patient to assure continuity of care, regardless of the destination of the patient or the reason for the transfer. […]