CHERAW, SC- REHAB CENTER OF CHERAW

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

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Based on interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to protect all 98 of 98 residents who resided at the facility from potential abuse and/or neglect when a staff member was allowed to continue working following an allegation of neglect. This placed the residents at increased risk for mistreatment or neglect. An allegation of neglect involving Resident (R) 75 was reported. The facility allowed the staff member named in the allegation to continue working with residents at the facility without corrective action or additional training. Following the incident with R75, another incident occurred involving R203 and the same staff member.

Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.

Based on interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure transfer to the hospital was appropriately documented in the medical record for two of four residents (Resident (R) 1 and R41) sampled for hospitalization s.

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Based on interview record review, and review of the Resident Assessment Instrument Manual, the facility failed to ensure that two of two residents (Resident (R) 13, and R78) reviewed for hospice services had a terminal prognosis coded correctly on the Minimum Data Set [MDS] assessments. This failure had the potential to keep hospice residents from accurate payment and services.

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure a resident was assessed and monitored after an unwitnessed fall for one (Resident (R) 71) of four residents reviewed for accidents out of a total sample of 34 residents.

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to provide respiratory care in accordance with professional standards for one (Resident (R) 37) of three residents reviewed for respiratory care out of a total sample of 34 residents. Respiratory equipment, such as bipap (bilevel positive airway pressure) and nebulizer masks, were not stored in a sanitary manner.

Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

Based on observation, interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure a medication error rate of less than five percent during the medication administration review for two of six residents (Resident (R) 51 and R60) reviewed during the observation. This failure had the potential to affect the resident’s health and well-being by receiving the medications as prescribed by the physician.

Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.

Based on interview and facility position description review, the facility failed to employ either a full time Registered Dietitian (RD) or a qualified Dietary Manager (DM) to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service department since 07/21/23. This failure had the potential to affect 86 residents who consumed food prepared from the facility’s kitchen.

Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.

Based on observation, interview, review of the facility’s meal schedule, and facility policy review, the facility failed to have sufficient dietary staff to ensure food preparation equipment, and food service equipment were kept cleaned and sanitized, and to ensure stored foods were covered, dated, and protected from contamination, and to discard food with expired expiration or preparation dates. Additionally, there were not sufficient dietary staff to ensure nine of 12 sampled residents (R3, R4, R11, R17, R35, R37, R38, R57, and R69) were served their meals as scheduled. The lack of dietary staff had the potential to affect 86 residents who consumed food prepared from the facility’s kitchen.

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.