Westford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Westford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in the surveyor’s own words.

• Actual harm, isolatedF686Feb 7, 2023

  Based on policy review, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure its staff provided the appropriate care and services related to a pressure ulcer (injury to skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin) for one Resident (#151) out of three sampled closed records. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure its staff (1.) immediately implemented interventions to prevent further skin breakdown, (2.) implemented recommendations from the Wound Care Physician, (3.) revised the care plan to include goals and interventions related to the pressure ulcer and (4.) failed to obtain timely consent from the Resident's Representative for Physician recommended wound debridement (removal of dead tissue). […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF880Feb 7, 2023

  Based on observation, policy review, record review and interview the facility failed to ensure its staff implemented an infection prevention and control program to provide a sanitary environment and help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure its staff (1a.) washed mops separately from linens, (b.) kept clean linen out of the soiled linen area and (c.) wore appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling contaminated linen, to avoid the spread of infection and (2.) implement a surveillance plan to identify the potential presence of Legionella (a bacteria that can grow and multiply in moist areas of a building water system and cause lung infections) within the facility. Findings include: 1. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF804May 13, 2021

  Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure the temperature of food was maintained at proper serving temperatures for safety and palatability during the meal service for 2 out of 3 resident units. Findings include: During the resident group conducted on 5/12/21 at 2:00 P.M., ten of ten residents present said that hot meals often tasted cold. The residents also said that cold foods were not consistently cold. During the initial tour of the Abbott Unit on 5/10/2021 at 8:00 A.M., residents reported the following: Resident #18 said the food is terrible, has no taste, everything tastes the same. Resident #26 said sometimes the food is good and sometimes not. Resident #70 said the food is not good, tastes like cafeteria food. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812May 13, 2021

  Based on observation, policy review and interview the facility failed to ensure that staff stored, prepared and served food under sanitary conditions in the main kitchen and on one of three resident units in the facility. Findings include: Review of the facility's policy titled environment dated as revised 9/2017, indicated in the policy statement that all food preparation areas, food services areas and dining areas will be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Under procedures the policy indicated; the Dining Services Director will ensure that the kitchen is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner, including floors, walls, ceilings, lighting and ventilation. 1. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF693Jun 14, 2024

  Based on observation, interview, policy and record review, the facility failed to provide appropriate care, services, and monitoring of a gastrostomy tube (G-tube- a tube that is placed directly into the stomach through an abdominal wall incision for administration of food, fluids, and medication, also referred to as a feeding tube) for two Residents (#57 and #80), for two applicable residents, out of a total sample of 23 residents. Specifically, the facility staff failed to: 1. For Resident #57, provide appropriate care and services to facilitate restoring oral eating skills as possible for the Resident. 2. […]