UNC Rex Rehab & Nursing Care Center of Apex

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at UNC Rex Rehab & Nursing Care Center of Apex, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF814Apr 6, 2023

  Based on observations and interviews with facility staff the facility failed to keep the dumpster area free of debris for 1 of 1 enclosed dumpster area observed. The findings included: An observation of the dumpster area was conducted on 4/5/23 at 12:20 PM with the Dietary Coordinator and the Administrator. The observation revealed there were 4 wheelchairs located behind the dumpster on the right side of the enclosed dumpster area. Behind the middle dumpster was a broken metal office desk. There was also a 6-foot-tall wall cabinet with the top sagging from being wet and the shelves were broken and had the appearance of being wet. The back of the wall cabinet had fallen off and was laying on the ground behind the wall cabinet. It also appeared to have been wet. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF919Apr 6, 2023

  Based on observations, interviews with facility staff and record review the facility failed to maintain the call light in working condition which caused a Resident (Resident #3) to be unable to obtain assistance while in the shower room for 1 of 1 shower room with a malfunctioning call system. The findings included: Resident #3 was admitted to the facility on [DATE]. Her diagnoses included spinal cord dysfunction and diabetes. The quarterly Minimum Data Set assessment dated [DATE] indicated Resident #3 was cognitively intact. On 4/4/23 at 9:46 AM Resident #3 said she was in the shower room for her shower on 4/1/23 when the Nursing Assistant (NA) went back to Resident #3's room to make her bed. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF886Jul 13, 2022

  Based on record review and staff interviews the facility failed to base their routine staff testing schedule for COVID-19 on the level of community COVID-19 transmission reported in the past week. This was for one of four employees reviewed for COVID-19 testing. The findings included: Review of the facility's COVID-19 Protocols, last updated on 4/18/22, revealed the facility would test staff per the county transmission rate per CDC guidelines (Centers for Disease Control). Review of the facility's Staff Vaccination Status Roster revealed Staff Member # 1 was vaccinated but not up to date with boosters. Review of routine testing for the last four weeks for Staff Member # 1 revealed four COVID-19 tests had been performed. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF550Apr 6, 2023

  Based on observations, interviews with residents and facility staff and record review the facility failed to maintain residents' dignity by not providing assistance when requested while a resident was in the shower room(Resident #3) and when staff did not announce their presence prior to entering the Resident's room (Resident # 272) for 2 of 4 residents reviewed for dignity. Resident #3 stated this made her feel angry and like a piece of trash. The findings included: 1. Resident #3 was admitted to the facility on [DATE]. The quarterly Minimum Data Set assessment dated [DATE] indicated Resident #3 was cognitively intact. On 4/4/23 at 9:46 AM Resident #3 said she was in the shower room for her shower on 4/1/23 when Nursing Assistant (NA) #6 went back to Resident #3's room to make her bed. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, isolatedF584Apr 6, 2023

  Based on observations, record review, resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to provide a working Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) unit (a type of heating and air conditioning system used in a single living space) in the resident's room for 1 of 1 resident (Resident #281) reviewed for a clean and homelike environment. Findings included: Resident #281 was admitted to the facility on [DATE]. The physician's history and physical for Resident #281 dated 3/22/23 read in part that he was alert and oriented to person, place, and time. An observation on 4/03/23 at 11:33 AM Resident #281 was observed to be sitting in a wheelchair in his room. He was observed to be wearing a toboggan, shirt, hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, and a jacket. […]