Searhc Sitka Long Term Care

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Searhc Sitka Long Term Care, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Apr 30, 2026

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure hot foods were monitored to confirm safe hot-holding temperatures were maintained prior to plating and meal service for 14 residents who received food from the kitchen. Specifically, staff plated and served hot food items without conducting temperature checks before service. This deficient practice had the potential to result in residents receiving food held below safe temperatures, increasing the risk of foodborne illness and potentially negatively affecting nutritional intake, and potential weight loss. During an observation on 4/29/26 at 11:40 AM, kitchen staff plated hot foods such as soup, chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, broccoli puree, poultry gravy, rice, and hamburger. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Sep 17, 2021

  Based on observation, interview, and policy review the facility failed to 1) ensure food storage protected the integrity of in-use food products, and 2) remove expired food products from potential use. The failure to date food products when opened, ensure products were sealed, and rotate expired food product out of production, placed 14 of 15 residents receiving food from the kitchen, at risk for suboptimal nutrition, poor food quality, and/or potential foodborne illness. Findings: Observation of the kitchen on [DATE] at 1:33 PM revealed the following: Walk-in Freezer -Bags of corn, green beans, mixed veggies, opened and reclosed, no date when opened -One opened bag of frozen chopped broccoli, no date when opened -One bag of French fries opened, and resealed, no date when opened -One 29.5… […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF908Sep 17, 2021

  Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure the deep freeze was maintained in a good operating condition. This failed practice had the potential to cause partial thawing and refreezing and reduce the quality of the food. Findings: During an observation on 9/13/21 at 1:19 PM, the door to the walk-in freezer was observed to be propped open. Pieces of ice were observed to be falling from the ceiling of the freezer. During an interview on 9/13/21 at 1:32 PM the Dietary Manager (DM) said facility staff had fixed the freezer door seal 3 weeks ago. The DM stated she was still having issues and they were having to defrost the freezer weekly. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF550Jan 25, 2024

  47929 Based on record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure resident dignity was maintained. Specifically: 1) 1 resident (#4) was assisted with dining in a non-dignified manner; and 2) 7 residents (#'s 1; 3; 5; 6; 8; 11; and 14) beds had the sheets and blankets pulled down, and incontinent pads were placed on the residents' beds and visible from the hallway. These failed practices placed the residents, based on a census of 14, at risk for a poor quality of life from decreased self-esteem. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF567Sep 17, 2021

  Based on record review and interview the facility failed to ensure 1 resident (#15) had reasonable access to their funds. This failed practice had the potential to affect all 12 residents with trust accounts by allowing them reasonable access to their funds: Findings: Review on 9/15-16/21 of Resident #15's medical record revealed a Social Services Note, dated 8/31/21, [He/she can get cash from the Resident Trust Account $200/ mo .[He/she] seems to accept this for now. [He/she] says [he/she] spent the $25 [he/she] had in [his/her] wallet last week on cookies, [he/she] would like to get more cash, but [Fiscal Manager], who administers the Resident Trust Account is OOO [out of office]. […]