Okeechobee Health Care Facility

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Okeechobee Health Care Facility, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF802Apr 25, 2024

  Based on observation, interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure adequate kitchen staff to provide timely meal delivery as per schedule for 2 of 2 meals observed (lunch and dinner on 04/24/24), affecting 11 of 41 sampled residents (Residents #172, #85, #87, #129, #18, #157, #41, #96, #135, #53, and #193). This failure could potentially affected all 196 residents who consume food orally in the facility at the time of the survey. The census at the time of survey was 198 residents. The findings included: 1. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Apr 25, 2024

  Based on observations, interviews and record reviews, the facility failed to provide foods prepared in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with professional standards for food safety. The findings included: 1. During the initial kitchen tour, on 04/22/24 at 8:50 AM, accompanied by the Dietary Consultant and the Food Service Manager, the following observations were noted: a. Upon entering the kitchen and approaching the hand washing sink to perform hand hygiene, there was 'used ice' in the hand washing sink. Staff M, Dietary Aide, stated ice was used as a cooling medium for cold holding of cartons of milk in a bus tub and then dumped in the hand washing sink. b. There was an accumulation of food residue in the blades of produce slicers. c. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF804Apr 25, 2024

  Based on observation, interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure palatable food and food served at a proper temperature for 9 of 41 sampled residents, Residents #172, #25, #109, #193, #195, #96, #135, #182, and #17. The findings included: 1. Review of the policy, titled, Timely Meal Service and Mealtimes Frequency, (not dated), documented, in part: Policy: Food will be delivered promptly at allotted times to ensure safe, palatable, and high-quality food is serviced at the proper temperature. Review of the Food Preparation Guidelines, reviewed 09/22/23, documented, in part: Policy Explanation and Compliance Guidelines: . 3. Food and drink shall be palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature. Strategies to ensure resident satisfaction include: a. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF582Aug 21, 2025

  Based on record review, and interview, the facility failed to provide an estimate for cost of services per day to a resident receiving the Advanced Beneficiary Notice for Non-Coverage of services (ABN) for 2 of 3 sampled residents reviewed, Resident #66 and Resident #188. The findings included: Review of the Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice (SNF ABN) reviewed provided information to beneficiaries so that they could decide if they wish to continue receiving the skilled services that may not be paid for by Medicare and assume financial responsibility.1. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF684Aug 21, 2025

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure appropriate care and services for 2 of 4 sampled residents, Residents #172 and #183, as evidenced by the failure to thoroughly assess left arm pain, bruising, and a decline in range of motion for Resident #172, and failure to obtain blood pressure values for Resident #183 who was receiving an antihypertensive medication with physician ordered parameters. The findings included: 1. During an initial interview on 08/18/25 at 10:51 AM, Resident #172 stated he had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor scheduled for 08/22/25 but that he was upset that it took so long for him to see a doctor about his left arm. […]