Whiting Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

In the surveyor’s words

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

• Immediate jeopardy, widespreadF880Feb 12, 2021

  Based on observation, interview, medical record review and review of other pertinent facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to implement mitigation strategies to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by not appropriately identifying residents exposed to COVID-19 as persons under investigation (PUI) for the virus; and failed to implement appropriate Transmission Based Precautions (TBP) according to Centers for Disease (CDC) guidelines and the facility's Outbreak Plan for those residents exposed to Covid-19 positive Health Care Personnel (HCP). This deficient practice was identified for 4 of 4 staff members who provided care to residents on 2 of 2 Long-Term Care (LTC) Units. These units were the West (Dementia unit) and South (Long Term Care). […]

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF689Jul 9, 2026

  Complaint #2967432 Based on observation, interviews, review of medical records, and review of other pertinent facility documents, it was determined that the facility failed to accurately assess and provide adequate monitoring and supervision to a moderately cognitively impaired resident (Resident #9) with a known history of confusion, exit-seeking behavior, and threats of elopement, who eloped from the facility on 3/27/2026. The deficient practice was identified for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for elopement (Resident #9). Resident #9, who wore a wanderguard (security bracelet), had history of exit seeking and elopement, and was assessed as a high risk for wandering/elopement, was transferred to another facility on 2/3/2026, secondary to an emergency evacuation. […]

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF689Feb 5, 2026

  Complaint # 2731929 Based on observation, interviews, review of medical records, and review of other pertinent facility documents, it was determined that the facility failed to provide adequate supervision to a moderately cognitively impaired resident (Resident #1) with a known history of wandering and wore a wanderguard (security bracelet), who eloped from the facility on 2/1/26. The deficient practice was identified for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for elopement (Resident #1). Interviews on 2/4/26, revealed on 2/1/26 between 4:20 and 5:00 PM, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN #1) observed Resident #1 dressed in a winter coat and hat on [a unit the resident did not reside on] pushing a wheelchair that was holding a bag of personal belongings. […]

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF600Apr 2, 2025

  Complaint #: NJ00184635 Based on observations, interviews, review of medical records, and pertinent facility documentation on 03/26/25, the facility failed to: a.) ensure the safety of a moderately cognitively impaired resident with aggressive behaviors from a staff member who pepper sprayed the Resident in the face and b.) follow their, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Residents and Unmanageable Residents policies. The deficient practice resulted in Resident #6 being treated for chemical conjunctivitis and pain to the left eye. […]

• Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF689Apr 2, 2025

  Complaint #NJ00183371 Based on observations, interviews, review of the medical record and other pertinent facility records on 3/6/25 and 3/7/25, it was determined on 3/7/25 that the facility failed to provide adequate supervision of a severely cognitively impaired resident with a known history of exit seeking which resulted in the resident eloping from the facility on 2/10/25 for 1 of 4 residents (Resident #1). The resident was located at an off-site location by an unidentified caller and returned to the facility on 2/10/25 at approximately 5:58 P.M. by the local police department. The facility's failure to provide adequate supervision to a cognitively impaired resident who was at risk for elopement posed a likelihood of serious harm, injury, impairment or death. […]