Whittier Hills Health Care CTR

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Whittier Hills Health Care CTR, in the surveyor’s own words.

• Actual harm, patternF760Jan 31, 2023

  Based on interviews and record reviews the facility failed to ensure one of two sampled residents (Resident 1), was free from significant medication errors (medications which causes the patient discomfort or jeopardizes his or her health and safety) by ensuring facility licensed nurses administered medications in accordance with the physician ' s orders and resident ' s plan of care. Resident 1, who had a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood) was not given Apixaban (a medication used to prevent serious blood clots [gel-like clumps of blood] from forming due to a certain irregular heartbeat) as scheduled on [DATE]. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF578Feb 26, 2026

  Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure an Advance Directives (AD-a written statement of a person's wishes regarding medical treatment made to ensure those wishes are carried out should the person be unable to communicate them to a doctor) were obtained and accessible in residents medical records for four of four sampled residents (Residents 1, 8, 16, 35, 95 and 201). This deficient practice had the potential for residents' medical treatment provisions to not be carried out, according to the resident's request during emergency situations and/or when a resident was incapacitated (the clinical state in which a patient is unable to participate in a meaningful way in medical decisions). Findings: 1. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF641Feb 26, 2026

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to accurately assess functional limitation in range of motion (limited ability to move a joint that interferes with daily functioning or places a resident at risk for injury) for three of four sampled residents (Resident 8, 12, and 49) reviewed for limited range of motion ([ROM] full movement potential of a joint) during their Minimum Data Set ([MDS] a federally mandated resident assessment tool) assessments. Specifically, (1) Resident 8's MDS assessments dated 10/15/2025 and 1/19/2026; (2) Resident 12's MDS assessments dated 10/16/2025 and 1/16/2026; and (3) Resident 49's MDS assessments dated 10/8/2025 and 1/8/2026 were inaccurately completed. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF732Feb 26, 2026

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure daily nursing staffing data was posted. On 2/23/2026, review of the posted Census and Daily Hours Per Patient Day (DHPPD, refers to the actual hours of work performed per patient day by a direct caregiver) and Nursing Staffing Assignment and Sign-In Sheet (NSA, a document to safeguard and ensure adequate, qualified staffing was present to provide resident care) revealed the most recent documents available were date 2/19/2026 and 2/20/2026, indicating the facility failed to post the required daily nursing staffing information for 2/21/2026, 2/22/2026, and 2/23/2026. This deficient practice had the potential to prevent resident's, staff, and visitors from having access to accurate daily staffing data. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812Feb 26, 2026

  Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure proper food handling and maintain the food service area in a clean and sanitary manner in accordance with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code 2022 and the facility's policies and procedures (P&P) titled Storage of Food and Supplies, when: 1.The ground cinnamon spice container lid was partially open on the shelf above the food preparation area by the stove area. 2.The two hot water machine spouts (the part where the hot water flows into the pot or cup) were covered in a white chalky build-up. 3.The side salads and desserts on the lunch trays were not covered during transportation from the metallic delivery food cart to the resident's room. […]