UNIVERSITY NURSING & REHAB CTR
LOCATED: 180 EPPS BRIDGE RD, ATHENS, GA 30606
UNIVERSITY NURSING & REHAB CTR 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. 

THE FACILITY FAILED TO PROVIDE CARE IN A MANNER WHICH PROHIBITED NEGLECT

Level of harm – IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY

Based on record review, facility staff interview, resident interview, Wound Care Specialist Evaluation review, and Employee Statement of Events form review, the facility failed to provide care in a manner which prohibited neglect, related to warm moist compress application and resident monitoring after compress application, for one (1) resident (A) from a survey sample of thirteen (13) residents. This failure resulted in neglect for Resident A.

Continuing: This failure resulted in a certified nursing assistant applying a warm moist compress to the left knee of Resident A, with staff then failing to assess the condition of the resident’s skin after the application of the compress for over two (2) hours. Resident A was then found to have sustained left knee blisters in a clustered area measuring approximately six (6) centimeters (cms) by ten (10) cms which required debridement, and left thigh blisters measuring approximately 0.5 cm by 0.8 cm, and 0.5 cm by 1.0 cm. This resulted in a situation in which the facility’s non-compliance with the requirements of participation caused, or had the likelihood to cause, serious harm, injury, impairment or death to residents.

Continuing: During a 01/15/2014, 3:30 p.m. interview, the Administrator and Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged the incident of 12/17/2013 during which Resident A sustained burns after application of a warm moist compress by Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) CC after the CNA had heated the compress in a microwave oven. The Administrator and DON stated that, per facility Procedure, a licensed nurse, not a CNA, should have applied the compress, and that nursing staff should have monitored Resident A more frequently after the application of the heated compress, per facility Protocol, and that facility Procedure related to Resident A’s warm moist compress application had not been followed.

Personal Note from NHAA 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 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 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.