Inspection Reports for
Alaris Health at Hamilton Park

The survey included review of multiple complaint numbers (NJ00165501, NJ00166244, NJ00166426, NJ00168056, NJ168240, NJ00182139, NJ00183846, NJ00183944). The complaints were investigated as part of the recertification survey.

Deficiencies were cited related to accuracy of assessments, respiratory care, physician visits documentation, infection prevention and control, and life safety code violations including vertical openings and fire alarm system installation. Plans of correction were submitted and verified in a post-certification revisit.

The facility was found deficient in accurately coding the Minimum Data Set for one resident, following physician orders for oxygen therapy for two residents, ensuring timely and accurate physician progress notes for one resident, and maintaining appropriate infection control practices for environmental cleaning for one resident. All deficiencies were assessed as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm.

The complaint investigation focused on an incident involving Resident 5 who sustained a left femur fracture during incontinence care by a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA2). The facility failed to report the injury as suspected abuse within the required two hours and delayed reporting to the State Survey Agency until several days later. The alleged perpetrator was not suspended during the investigation, increasing risk to other residents. The investigation included interviews with staff and review of policies.

The facility failed to timely report suspected abuse of Resident 5 to the State Survey Agency and failed to suspend the alleged perpetrator during the investigation, increasing risk to other residents. Additional deficiencies included failure to timely assess and monitor pressure ulcers for Resident 13, failure to ensure proper catheter care and monitoring for Resident 8, and failure to implement an antibiotic stewardship program ensuring antibiotics were prescribed only when medically necessary.

Complaint #NJ165422 was investigated and the facility was found not in compliance with staffing requirements. The complaint was substantiated based on review of staffing reports and interviews.

The facility was found not in compliance with New Jersey staffing regulations, failing to maintain the required minimum direct care staff to resident ratios on multiple day shifts. The facility submitted a plan of correction to address staffing deficiencies.

The facility was found not in compliance with 42 CFR §483.80 infection control regulations and failed to develop and implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan for at least one resident. Deficiencies were noted in infection prevention and control practices, including improper storage of oxygen and nebulizer equipment.

The facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan for Resident #7 that included oxygen therapy and nebulizing treatments. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure proper storage of respiratory equipment for Residents #7 and #10, posing potential infection control risks.

Deficiencies were cited related to comprehensive assessments after significant change, accuracy of assessments, professional standards in care plans, drug regimen review, resident records confidentiality, infection prevention and control, staffing ratios, and life safety code compliance including means of egress, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, smoking regulations, and electrical systems.

The facility was found deficient in completing significant change assessments, accurately completing Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments, administering medications according to physician orders and manufacturer recommendations, maintaining complete medical records for hospice residents, and adhering to infection control standards for urinary catheter care. Deficiencies were generally of minimal harm and affected a few residents.

Complaint #: NJ161241. The complaint investigation found that the facility did not ensure that home health agency services were in place prior to discharge and failed to confirm delivery of durable medical equipment for Resident #1. The social worker did not communicate the lack of HHA services to nursing, the primary physician, Ombudsman, or Adult Protective Services. The discharge occurred without proper coordination and documentation.

The facility failed to implement an effective discharge planning process for one resident (Resident #1) who required home health agency (HHA) services and durable medical equipment (DME) after discharge. The resident was discharged without HHA services in place and without confirmation of DME delivery, resulting in a deficient discharge plan.

The facility was found not in compliance with infection control regulations, specifically failing to ensure staff wore appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on non-ill units and prior to entering rooms of residents on Transmission Based Precautions. Deficiencies were observed in PPE use by Certified Nursing Assistants and Housekeeping staff on multiple units during the COVID-19 focused survey.

The facility was found not in substantial compliance due to failure to follow a physician's order for monitoring a resident's blood glucose, specifically administering insulin based on blood sugar readings taken after the resident had eaten, contrary to the physician's order to check before meals. Corrective actions including re-education and monitoring of nursing staff were implemented.

The facility was found not in substantial compliance with the minimum Life Safety Code requirements due to improper storage of oxygen tanks exceeding the allowed volume and proximity to combustible materials. The facility failed to comply with NFPA 99 oxygen tank storage requirements, with oxygen tanks stored too close to combustible items and exceeding maximum allowed volume.

The facility failed to follow a physician's order for monitoring a resident's blood glucose by checking the blood sugar after the resident had eaten and administering insulin based on that reading, which is contrary to the physician's order and facility policy. This deficient practice was noted for one resident and confirmed through observation, interviews, and record review.

The complaint investigation involved multiple complaint numbers (NJ121973, NJ123030, NJ125252, NJ125253, NJ125436, NJ130257, NJ134713, NJ134963, and NJ138162). The facility was found not in compliance based on these complaints.

The facility was found non-compliant due to failure to maintain food at safe and palatable temperatures during meal delivery, and failure to ensure proper infection prevention and control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, including inadequate use of PPE by staff and failure of a resident in isolation to wear a mask when outside their room.