Polaris Transitional Care

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Polaris Transitional Care, in the surveyor’s own words.

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF755Oct 17, 2023

  Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to implement pharmaceutical services that included procedures to ensure the accurate dispensing and administration of medications for 2 residents (#s 1 and 2), out of 2 sampled residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure the pharmaceutical service processes included the receiving and interpretation of prescriber's original hand-written medication orders to confirm the Five Rights (right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time) were accurately followed during the transcription of the orders into the resident's electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR). […]

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF760Oct 17, 2023

  Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents were free from significant medication errors for 2 resident (#s 1 and 2), out of 2 sampled residents. The facility failed to implement and maintain processes and procedures to ensure accurate transcription of physician orders for medications. The facility administered seven doses of an anticoagulant medication (a blood thinning medication that decreases the blood's ability to clot) without a valid physician order which resulted in concurrent administration of two different anticoagulants. […]

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF726May 9, 2022

  Based on record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) were able to demonstrate competency in skills and techniques necessary to care for residents' needs, as identified through resident assessments, and described in the care plan for 1 Resident (#17), out of 12 sampled residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure CNAs had appropriate competency for the use of suction toothbrushes (toothbrushes with suction to quickly remove excess fluids from the mouth to prevent choking) and appropriate training and competency for the use of yaunker suctions (a hard plastic oral suctioning tool). […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Nov 21, 2025

  . Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure food was stored under proper sanitary conditions in the North Dining Room resident/family refrigerators. This failed practice placed all residents who were able to consume food by mouth (based on a census of 39) at risk for foodborne illness An observation on 11/18/25 at 1:00 PM, of the resident/family refrigerator revealed: - an unlabeled large yellow-lidded plastic food container holding a thick white liquid that had condensation/frost buildup. The container did not contain a date of preparation, resident identifier, or a discard date. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF838Jul 29, 2025

  .Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure their facility assessment was up to date and accurate. This failed practice had the potential to place all residents (based on a census of 49) at risk of not having the necessary care and resources from an accurate assessment. Findings:Record review on 7/29/25 of the facility's Polaris Transitional Care Facility Assessment, dated 2025, revealed: 1. Facility Capacity and Census: - Capacity: Our facility is licensed to provide care for 96 residents. The actual maximum number of residents allowable may be less at times to accommodate for safety resident care needs. Review of the facility's State of Alaska license, effective 3/1/25 through 3/1/26, revealed it was licensed for 50 beds. The facility assessment was not accurate. […]