Inspection Reports for
Alpine Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

755 East Monroe Street, Little Falls, NY, 13365

Back to Facility Profile

Citations (last 4 years)

Citations (over 4 years) 13.5 citations/year

Citations are regulatory findings recorded during state inspections.

165% worse than New York average
New York average: 5.1 citations/year

Citations per year

28 21 14 7 0
2019
2022
2023
2024

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Capacity: 60 Citations: 1 Date: Jul 10, 2024

Visit Reason
Abuse reporting documentation deficiency noted.

Findings
Abuse reporting documentation deficiency noted.

Citations (1)
R9-10-803.J — Abuse reporting documentation

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Citations: 10 Date: May 3, 2024

Visit Reason
The inspection was a recertification and abbreviated survey conducted from 4/29/2024 to 5/3/2024 to assess compliance with Medicare and Medicaid regulations and facility licensing requirements.

Findings
The facility was found deficient in multiple areas including failure to provide required Medicare notices to residents, inadequate investigation of an elopement incident, failure to provide appropriate treatment and care including medication administration, unsafe medication storage and labeling, poor food quality and kitchen sanitation, inadequate infection control practices, and ineffective pest control.

Citations (10)
F 0582: The facility failed to provide required Medicare Non-Coverage and Advanced Beneficiary Notices to 2 residents when Medicare Part A services were discontinued or discharged.
F 0584: The facility did not maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment; observed urine odors, sticky floors, missing tiles, stained ceiling tiles, clutter, and unclean resident rooms on multiple units.
F 0610: The facility did not thoroughly investigate an elopement incident involving Resident #37, lacking witness statements and failing to determine how the resident exited the facility.
F 0684: Resident #70 was not provided anti-nausea medication as needed, and emesis, feces, and a full urine bag were observed at the resident's bedside, indicating inadequate care.
F 0760: Resident #5 was administered fast-acting insulin significantly before meal service, risking hypoglycemia due to delayed meal delivery.
F 0761: Medication and treatment carts were found unlocked and unattended; an opened vial of Purified Protein Derivative in the medication refrigerator was not labeled with an opened date.
F 0804: The facility failed to ensure food was palatable and served at safe temperatures; residents complained of burnt, cold, and flavorless food; lasagna was observed burnt on the bottom.
F 0812: The main kitchen had outdated and unlabeled food, unclean stove/oven and shelves, unclean walk-in freezer floor, leaking dish machine, missing wall tiles, unsecured wall covering, and damaged electrical cord on plate warmer.
F 0880: Licensed practical nurse #7 failed to perform hand hygiene after removing gloves during medication administration, risking infection transmission.
F 0925: The facility did not maintain an effective pest control program; fruit flies were observed in the main kitchen and dining areas, ants and house flies were observed on nursing units.
Report Facts
Residents affected: 2 Residents affected: 2 Residents affected: 1 Residents affected: 1 Residents affected: 1 Medication carts observed unlocked: 2 Fruit flies observed: 25

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Licensed Practical Nurse #7Licensed Practical NurseFailed to perform hand hygiene after glove removal during medication administration
Licensed Practical Nurse #3Licensed Practical NurseInvolved in elopement incident response and investigation
Director of NursingDirector of NursingProvided statements on investigation and infection control expectations
Director of MaintenanceDirector of MaintenanceProvided information on egress door malfunction and pest control
Assistant Food Service Director #27Assistant Food Service DirectorProvided statements on food quality complaints and kitchen cleanliness
Cook Supervisor #30Cook SupervisorProvided statements on kitchen cleaning responsibilities and observations
Registered Nurse Unit Manager #35Registered Nurse Unit ManagerProvided statements on medication cart security and insulin administration timing
Physician #13PhysicianProvided statements on medication orders and expectations for nausea treatment
Medical DirectorMedical DirectorProvided statements on insulin administration timing and hypoglycemia risk

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Capacity: 60 Citations: 17 Date: May 3, 2024

Visit Reason
Multiple standard health and life safety code deficiencies identified and corrected, including food procurement sanitation, infection control, pest control, and fire safety equipment maintenance.

Findings
Multiple standard health and life safety code deficiencies identified and corrected, including food procurement sanitation, infection control, pest control, and fire safety equipment maintenance.

Citations (17)
Food procurement,store/prepare/serve-sanitary
Infection control
Infection prevention & control
Investigate/prevent/correct alleged violation
Maintains effective pest control program
Medicaid/medicare coverage/liability notice
Nutritive value/appear, palatable/prefer temp
Quality of care
Residents are free of significant med errors
Safe/clean/comfortable/homelike environment
Cooking facilities
Electrical equipment - testing and maintenanc
Emergency lighting
Fire alarm system - testing and maintenance
Hazardous areas - enclosure
Maintenance, inspection & testing - doors
Portable fire extinguishers

Inspection Report

Abbreviated Survey
Citations: 1 Date: Jul 15, 2023

Visit Reason
The abbreviated survey was conducted to assess the facility's compliance with providing timely and approved radiology or diagnostic services following a resident's fall.

Findings
The facility failed to provide or obtain a timely ordered x-ray for Resident #1 after a fall, resulting in a delay of three days before the x-ray was completed. Interviews revealed procedural issues and pandemic-related barriers that contributed to the delay.

Citations (1)
F 0776: The facility did not provide timely, approved x-ray services or have an agreement with an approved provider to obtain them. Resident #1 did not receive an ordered x-ray timely after a fall, with the x-ray taking three days to complete.
Report Facts
Residents affected: 1 Days delay: 3

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
NP #7Nurse PractitionerInterviewed regarding the resident's condition and x-ray service issues
DON #2Director of NursingDocumented progress notes and communicated with x-ray company and family
ADON #3Assistant Director of NursingInterviewed about expectations for x-ray completion timelines
RN #4Corporate RNInterviewed regarding x-ray timelines and standards

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Capacity: 60 Citations: 1 Date: Jul 15, 2023

Visit Reason
One standard health citation related to radiology/diagnostic services was identified and corrected.

Findings
One standard health citation related to radiology/diagnostic services was identified and corrected.

Citations (1)
Radiology/other diagnostic services

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Citations: 7 Date: Feb 28, 2022

Visit Reason
The inspection was a recertification survey conducted from 2/22/22 to 2/28/22 to assess compliance with regulatory requirements for Alpine Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Findings
The facility was found deficient in multiple areas including medication self-administration policies, failure to provide Medicare Non-Coverage notices, oxygen administration without physician orders, improper posting of nurse staffing information, medication storage and labeling issues, failure to accommodate resident food preferences, and inadequate kitchen cleanliness.

Citations (7)
F 0554: The facility failed to ensure the right to self-administer medications when clinically appropriate for 1 of 1 resident reviewed. Resident #19 had Diclofenac gel at bedside without documented assessment or physician order for self-administration.
F 0582: The facility failed to provide appropriate liability and appeal notices (NOMNC CMS-10123) to Medicare beneficiaries for 3 of 3 residents reviewed prior to discharge.
F 0695: The facility failed to ensure respiratory care was provided with a medical order for 1 of 1 resident reviewed. Resident #275 was administered oxygen without a physician order.
F 0732: The facility failed to post daily nurse staffing information in a location readily accessible to residents and visitors for 4 of 4 days reviewed.
F 0761: The facility failed to store and label drugs and biologicals properly. Medication carts and storage rooms contained unlabeled, expired, or improperly stored medications and staff drinks were stored in medication carts.
F 0806: The facility failed to ensure food accommodated resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences for 2 of 9 residents reviewed. Resident #58 was not provided food preferences for 3 meals and Resident #55 received a brown, mushy banana instead of fresh.
F 0812: The facility failed to store, prepare, and distribute food in accordance with professional standards. The kitchen exhaust hood, microwave, wall mounted fan, and floors were soiled, dust laden, and unclean.
Report Facts
Residents affected: 1 Residents affected: 3 Residents affected: 1 Days reviewed: 4 Residents affected: 2 Medication carts reviewed: 4 Medication storage rooms reviewed: 2

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
LPN #4Licensed Practical NurseNamed in medication self-administration and oxygen administration findings
LPN #5Licensed Practical NurseNamed in medication self-administration findings
Director of NursingDirector of NursingNamed in medication self-administration and oxygen administration findings
AdministratorAdministratorNamed in Medicare Non-Coverage notice deficiency
MDS CoordinatorMDS CoordinatorNamed in Medicare Non-Coverage notice deficiency
RN #12Registered NurseNamed in oxygen administration deficiency
Physician #9PhysicianNamed in oxygen administration deficiency
Staff scheduler #3Staff SchedulerNamed in nurse staffing posting deficiency
LPN #8Licensed Practical NurseNamed in medication storage and labeling deficiency
Director of Food ServiceDirector of Food ServiceNamed in food preference and kitchen cleanliness deficiencies
Resident Assistant #10Resident AssistantNamed in food preference deficiency
Dietary aide #14Dietary AideNamed in food preference deficiency
Director of Environmental ServicesDirector of Environmental ServicesNamed in kitchen cleanliness deficiency

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Capacity: 60 Citations: 14 Date: Feb 28, 2022

Visit Reason
Multiple standard health and life safety code deficiencies identified and corrected, including food procurement sanitation, drug labeling/storage, Medicaid/Medicare notices, nurse staffing info, resident care, and fire safety equipment.

Findings
Multiple standard health and life safety code deficiencies identified and corrected, including food procurement sanitation, drug labeling/storage, Medicaid/Medicare notices, nurse staffing info, resident care, and fire safety equipment.

Citations (14)
Food procurement,store/prepare/serve-sanitary
Label/store drugs and biologicals
Medicaid/medicare coverage/liability notice
Posted nurse staffing information
Resident allergies, preferences, substitutes
Resident self-admin meds-clinically approp
Respiratory/tracheostomy care and suctioning
Alcohol based hand rub dispenser (abhr)
Doors with self-closing devices
Electrical equipment - testing and maintenanc
Fire alarm system - testing and maintenance
Gas equipment - cylinder and container storag
Hazardous areas - enclosure
Stairways and smokeproof enclosures

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Citations: 3 Date: Oct 3, 2019

Visit Reason
The inspection was a recertification survey to assess compliance with regulatory requirements including resident dignity, Medicare/Medicaid notice procedures, and infection prevention and control.

Findings
The facility failed to ensure resident dignity related to unclean Geri chairs, did not provide required Medicare/Medicaid coverage notices timely to residents, and did not maintain an adequate infection prevention and control program including improper hand hygiene and glove use during medication administration and unsafe meal service practices.

Citations (3)
F 0550: The facility did not ensure a dignified existence for 1 of 2 residents reviewed, as Resident #18's Geri chair was observed with dried pink debris on multiple days, indicating inadequate cleaning.
F 0582: The facility failed to provide required Medicare/Medicaid coverage notices to 3 residents timely, including failure to provide Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice and Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage as required.
F 0880: The facility did not maintain an infection prevention and control program, as staff failed to perform hand hygiene and wear gloves during medication administration and fingerstick procedures, and a dietary aide touched drinking glasses with bare hands during meal service.
Report Facts
Residents affected: 1 Residents affected: 3 Residents affected: 3 Residents observed during meal service: 25

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) #2Interviewed regarding unclean Geri chair and dignity concerns
Registered Nurse (RN) #7Interviewed regarding training on wheelchair cleaning and infection control
MDS Coordinator #6Interviewed regarding Medicare cut letters and notice procedures
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #1Observed and interviewed regarding failure to perform hand hygiene and glove use during medication administration
Dietary Aide #8Observed and interviewed regarding unsafe handling of drinking glasses during meal service

Viewing

Loading inspection reports...