PUEBLO, CO- ATLAS POST ACUTE

The Department of Health & Human Services conducted an inspection of the facility. The following decencies listed below were found in a public survey.

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident’s well being.

Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure licensed nurses were able to demonstrate competencies in skills and techniques necessary to care for residents’ needs, as identified through resident assessments and described in the plan of care for three licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and and one registered nurses (RNs).

Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

Based on observations, record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure the mediation error rate was not greater than five percent.
Specifically the facility’s medication error rate was 7.14% with two errors out of 28 opportunities.

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Specifically, the facility failed to ensure that Resident #36 was administered the correct dose of oral morphine by verifying the correct concentration of oral morphine on the medication administration record (MAR) with the correct concentration of the oral morphine provided.

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program

Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to maintain an infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment to help prevent the development and transmission of diseases and infection for three out of three units at the facility.

Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

Based on record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to implement policies and procedures related to pneumococcal immunizations for five (#64, #34, #26, #21 and #52) of eight residents reviewed for immunizations out of 39 sample residents.

Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

Based on record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to inform residents of the facility’s bed hold policy for one (#85) of three residents reviewed for discharge/transfer out of 39 sample residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure Resident #85 or their responsible party were informed in writing of the facility’s bed hold policy prior to being discharged or transferred from the facility.

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Based on record review and interviews the facility failed to coordinate assessments with the preadmission screening and resident review (PASRR) program for two (#16 and #32) of nine residents reviewed for PASRR out of 39 sample residents.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
-Ensure a PASRR level II evaluation was available in the medical record of Resident #16 with a known major mental illness; and,
-Ensure a PASRR level II evaluation was completed for Resident #32 after the resident was identified as having a known major mental illness.

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 can help you and your loved one file a state complaint, hire a specialized nursing home attorney or help 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.