Valley Vista Care Center of Sandpoint

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Valley Vista Care Center of Sandpoint, in the surveyor’s own words.

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF600May 6, 2024

  Based on record review, policy review, review of the State Agency's Long-Term Care Reporting Portal, and resident and staff interview, it was determined the facility failed to protect the residents' right to be free from physical and verbal abuse by staff. This was true for 2 of 3 residents (#3 and #37) who were reviewed for abuse. These deficient practices placed the safety of Resident #3 and Resident #37 and all other residents residing in the facility at risk for immediate jeopardy of serious harm, impairment or death. […]

• Actual harm, isolatedF689May 6, 2024

  Based record review, review of the State Survey Agency's Long-Term Care Reporting Portal, I&A reports, and staff interview, it was determined the facility failed to ensure residents' care plans were followed to prevent falls. This was true for 1 of 5 residents (Resident #16) reviewed for falls. This resulted in harm to Resident #16 when he fell and sustained a calcaneal (heel) fracture while being assisted by one staff during his pericare. Findings include: Resident #16 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] and readmitted on [DATE], with multiple diagnoses including viral infection of the brain, dementia, epilepsy (seizure), and abnormal posture. An annual MDS assessment, dated 9/27/23, documented Resident #16 was rarely/never understood. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF641Jun 27, 2025

  2. Resident #27 was admitted to the facility on [DATE], with multiple diagnoses including intrahepatic (within the liver) bile duct (small tubes that transport bile to the small intestine) cancer. Resident #27's record documented a PASRR Level II was completed on 4/18/24. Resident #27's admission MDS assessment section A1500 dated 4/24/24, documented she did not have a PASRR Level II evaluation. Based on review of the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual, record review, and staff interview, it was determined the facility failed to ensure residents' Minimum Data Set (MDS) Assessments included correct assessment information. This was true for 6 of 6 residents (#27, #35, #37, #38, #47, and #57) whose MDS records were reviewed for accuracy. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF809Jun 27, 2025

  Based on observation, interview, and policy review, it was determined the facility failed to ensure residents were routinely provided nourishing evening snacks. This was true for 5 of 7 resident's (#5, #26, #31, #56, and #115) who attended the resident council discussion with surveyors. This failure created the potential for residents to experience hunger between meals, increased fatigue, weight loss, and poor quality of sleep. Findings include: The CMS SOM, Appendix PP, updated 4/25/25, documented no more than 14 hours between a substantial evening meal and breakfast the following day should elapse, except when a nourishing snack is served at bedtime, up to 16 hours may elapse between a substantial evening meal and breakfast the following day if a resident group agrees to this meal span. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812Jun 27, 2025

  Based on observation and staff interview, it was determined the facility failed to ensure the resident's refrigerators were cleaned, and expired spices were discarded. These deficiencies had the potential to affect the 59 residents who consumed food prepared by the facility. This placed residents at risk for potential contamination of food and adverse health outcomes, including food-borne illnesses. Findings include: The FDA Food Code Section 3-501.17 Ready-to-Eat, TCS (time/temperature control for safety) food, date marking, documented marking the date or day the original container is opened in a food establishment, with a procedure to discard the food on or before the last date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded. […]