TRISTAR CARE CENTER INC

LOCATED: 619 W LIVE OAK RD, FREDERICKSBURG, TX 78624

TRISTAR CARE CENTER INC was cited by the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES for the following deficiencies:

PLEASE NOTE: The following highlighted quoted text is only a portion of the full report/survey submitted by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES. The full report/survey can be found here.

FACILITY FAILED TO PROTECT EACH RESIDENT FROM ALL ABUSE, PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT, AND BEING SEPARATED FROM OTHERS.

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY**

Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure that 2 of 15 residents reviewed for abuse (Resident #s 6 and 7) had the right to be free from abuse in that:

1. Resident #6’s electric wheelchair was taken away from him. Resident #6, while crying, said that he was going crazy and was going to kill himself. The administrator told Resident #6 You were crazy when you came here and laughed.

2. The administrator told Resident #7 that she was rude and obnoxious.

During an interview with Resident #6, the administrator, and the DON at 3:58 p.m. on 6/16/17, when Resident #6 told the administrator that he was going crazy in the facility without his electric scooter, the administrator said to him You were crazy before you came here! and laughed. Resident #6, visibly shaking and with tears in his eyes, turned to the investigator and said See? We can’t come to her. She hates me. She doesn’t care about us. Her job is making sure that the nurses do their jobs. Resident #6 then turned back to the administrator and stated You guys are going to regret not letting me go out. I’m going crazy here. The administrator ended the conversation without resolution by saying that she needed to go see the pharmacist about drug destructions.

During an interview with the DON at 5:35 p.m. on 6/16/17, she confirmed that the administrator verbally and mentally abused Resident #6 during the above interview (starting at 3:58 p.m. on 6/16/17) but was hesitant to write a statement.  

During an interview with Resident #7 at 11:00 a.m. on 6/15/17, she approached the investigator and again asked about her therapy. The investigator took Resident #7 to the administrator’s office so that the administrator could explain the denial of therapy to her. While discussing Resident #7’s therapy, the investigator asked the administrator why Resident #7 was at the facility. The administrator, in front of Resident #7, stated She’s here because the hospital begged for me to take her. Nobody else wanted her. They discharged her because she was rude and obnoxious.  

During an interview with Resident #7 at 2:55 p.m. on 6/15/17, when asked about earlier interactions with the administrator, Resident #7 stated It bothered me. She was attacking you. She always gets defensive – like she’s trying to hide something. Resident #7 then let the investigator listen to a recording (dated 6/12/17) on her cell phone. The recording was of the administrator’s response to Resident #7 knocking on her door to get the Medicaid

phone number. The administrator told Resident #7 Here! Here’s your number! I’m losing my patience with you. I am taking care of it, but you don’t trust me. You’re a big girl. Take care of it yourself!

Personal Note from NHA–Advocates: NHAA shares with all the families of loved ones who are confined to nursing homes the pain and anguish of putting them in the care of someone else. We expect our loved ones to be treated with dignity and honor in the homes we place them. We cannot emphasize enough to family members of nursing home residents; frequent visits are essential to our loved ones’ well-being and safety. This nursing home and many others across the country are cited for abuse and neglect.

You can make a difference. If you have a loved one living in this nursing home or any other nursing home where you suspect any form of abuse or neglect, contact us immediately.

We have helped many already and we can help you and your loved one as well by filing a state complaint, hiring a specialized nursing home attorney or helping you find a more suitable location for your loved one.

Contact us through our CONTACT FORM located on our website here below or on the sidebar or call our toll free hot line number: 1-800-645-5262.

You can make a difference even if your loved one has already passed away.