Inspection Reports for Birchwoods at Canco Senior Living

ME, 04103

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Inspection Report Summary

The most recent inspection on March 20, 2025, identified deficiencies related to incomplete background checks for personnel and medication administration errors, including failure to administer medications as ordered and incomplete incident reporting. Earlier inspections showed a pattern of medication management issues, documentation gaps, and consumer protection concerns, such as failure to dispose of medications properly, missing consents, and inadequate functional assessments. Complaint investigations substantiated problems with medication errors, financial exploitation, and incomplete consumer records, but enforcement actions such as fines or license suspensions were not listed in the available reports. Most complaints were substantiated, highlighting ongoing challenges with medication administration and consumer safety. The inspection history indicates persistent issues with medication management and documentation, with no clear trend of improvement in recent reports.

Deficiencies (last 3 years)

Deficiencies (over 3 years) 6.7 deficiencies/year

Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.

18% worse than Maine average
Maine average: 5.7 deficiencies/year

Deficiencies per year

8 6 4 2 0
2023
2024
2025

Census

Latest occupancy rate 93% occupied

Based on a March 2025 inspection.

Census over time

56 64 72 80 88 96 May 2023 Nov 2023 May 2024 Oct 2024 Jan 2025 Mar 2025
Inspection Report Complaint Investigation Census: 74 Capacity: 80 Deficiencies: 1 Mar 20, 2025
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation regarding the facility's failure to utilize the Maine Background Check Center to obtain a comprehensive background check report for personnel as required by state regulations.
Findings
The facility was found not in compliance with licensing regulations because Employee #1's personnel file lacked evidence of a background check through the Maine Background Check Center. Follow-up communications confirmed that no application for the background check had been submitted.
Complaint Details
The complaint investigation found that Employee #1’s personnel record did not contain evidence of a background check from the Maine Background Check Center. Follow-up emails and confirmation from MBCC verified that no application had been submitted by the facility for Employee #1.
Deficiencies (1)
Description
Failure to utilize the Maine Background Check Center to obtain a comprehensive background check report for Employee #1 as required by licensing regulations.
Report Facts
Census: 74 Total Capacity: 80
Inspection Report Complaint Investigation Census: 74 Capacity: 80 Deficiencies: 2 Mar 20, 2025
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation regarding medication administration and incident reporting practices at Birchwoods at Canco Senior Living.
Findings
The investigation found that one resident did not receive medications as ordered by their licensed practitioner due to insurance authorization issues, and the facility failed to record incident reports for medication errors in the resident's record as required.
Complaint Details
The complaint investigation was substantiated by findings that Resident #1 did not receive prescribed medications (Xarelto and Metoprolol) due to insurance authorization delays, and the facility did not complete incident reports for these medication errors until after the investigation.
Severity Breakdown
Class II: 1
Deficiencies (2)
DescriptionSeverity
Failure to administer medications as ordered by the licensed practitioner.
Failure to record incident reports for medication errors in the consumer's record.Class II
Report Facts
Medication doses not administered: 5
Employees Mentioned
NameTitleContext
Mark StewartAdministratorSigned incident report dated 3/20/2025 for medication error
Inspection Report Complaint Investigation Census: 80 Capacity: 80 Deficiencies: 3 Jan 28, 2025
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation regarding the facility's failure to properly dispose of medications, including Schedule II controlled substances, within required timeframes following the death of consumers.
Findings
The facility failed to dispose of discontinued and expired medications, including Schedule II controlled substances, within 30 calendar days following the death of residents. Additionally, the facility did not maintain required weekly inventory counts for Schedule II medications and lacked proper documentation of medication disposal with required witness signatures.
Complaint Details
The complaint investigation was triggered by concerns about improper medication disposal and inventory management. The investigation substantiated that the facility failed to dispose of medications timely after resident deaths and did not maintain required inventory records or proper disposal documentation.
Severity Breakdown
Class II: 2
Deficiencies (3)
DescriptionSeverity
Failure to dispose of medications within thirty calendar days following the death of a consumer (Resident #4).
Failure to maintain weekly inventory counts in the bound book for Schedule II controlled substances for two residents (Resident #1 and Resident #4).Class II
Failure to dispose of Schedule II controlled substances as required, including lack of proper disposal documentation with two authorized signatures (Resident #1).Class II
Report Facts
Census: 80 Total Capacity: 80 Date of Resident #4 death: Nov 8, 2024 Date of Resident #1 death: Dec 30, 2024 Medication last administered to Resident #4: Nov 8, 2024 Medication last administered to Resident #1: Dec 30, 2024 Remaining Morphine for Resident #1: 29.25
Employees Mentioned
NameTitleContext
Jessica PoulinAdministratorNamed as administrator of the facility
Nurse #1Interviewed regarding medication disposal and inventory practices; confirmed failures in disposal and inventory documentation
Inspection Report Biennial Survey Census: 80 Capacity: 80 Deficiencies: 4 Oct 9, 2024
Visit Reason
The inspection was a biennial survey to assess compliance with regulations governing assisted living programs, including licensing, consumer rights, medication administration, and progress notes.
Findings
The facility was found non-compliant with multiple regulatory requirements including failure to have signed standard contracts for new admissions, lack of current written consents to release information for several consumers, failure to obtain timely signed written orders for telephone medication orders, and incomplete monthly progress notes for several consumers.
Severity Breakdown
Class IV: 1 Class III: 1
Deficiencies (4)
DescriptionSeverity
Failed to sign a standard contract with each consumer or authorized representative for new admissions (Consumer #4).
Failed to have written consents to release information upon admission or renew them every thirty months for four consumers (Consumers #2, #3, #4, and #5).Class IV
Failed to obtain a written dated order signed by a licensed practitioner within five working days of a telephone order accepted by a registered nurse (Consumer #4).Class III
Failed to have signed and dated progress notes completed monthly on implementation of the service plan or significant changes for three consumers (Consumers #1, #2, and #3).
Report Facts
Consumers reviewed: 5 Months missing progress notes: 17
Employees Mentioned
NameTitleContext
Jessica PoulinAdministratorInterviewed and confirmed findings related to contracts, consents, and progress notes.
Resident Care CoordinatorInterviewed and confirmed findings related to contracts, consents, and medication orders.
Registered Nurse (RN)Confirmed failure to obtain signed written order following telephone medication order.
Inspection Report Complaint Investigation Census: 87 Capacity: 80 Deficiencies: 2 May 28, 2024
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation regarding the facility's failure to protect a consumer from exploitation and issues with the functional assessment process.
Findings
The facility failed to protect one consumer from financial exploitation involving missing cash and did not include a review of the consumer's need for assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) in the functional assessment.
Complaint Details
The complaint investigation found substantiated evidence that the facility failed to protect Consumer #1 from exploitation involving approximately $2400 in cash that went missing from the facility safe. The facility also lacked policies related to consumer funds.
Severity Breakdown
Class IV: 1
Deficiencies (2)
DescriptionSeverity
Failed to protect one consumer from exploitation involving missing cash.Class IV
Failed to include a review of the consumer’s need for assistance with IADLs in the functional assessment.
Report Facts
Cash amount: 2400 Census: 87 Total Capacity: 80
Employees Mentioned
NameTitleContext
Jessica PoulinAdministratorInterviewed during the investigation and confirmed details about the missing cash and assessment issues.
Inspection Report Capacity: 80 Deficiencies: 0 Jan 10, 2024
Visit Reason
This document is a Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction for an Assisted Living Program, related to a case investigation AHP-2023-35680.
Findings
Birchwoods at Canco Senior Living is in substantial compliance with the Regulations Governing the Licensing and Functioning of Assisted Housing Programs: Assisted Living Programs, Part of 10-144, Chapter 113.
Inspection Report Complaint Investigation Census: 73 Capacity: 80 Deficiencies: 0 Nov 21, 2023
Visit Reason
The visit was conducted as a complaint investigation identified as 2023-AHP-35555 for Birchwoods at Canco Senior Living.
Findings
Birchwoods at Canco Senior Living was found to be in substantial compliance with the Regulations Governing the Licensing and Functioning of Assisted Housing Programs: Assisted Living Programs, Part of 10-144, Chapter 113.
Inspection Report Complaint Investigation Census: 65 Capacity: 80 Deficiencies: 8 May 5, 2023
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation to review medication administration practices at Birchwoods at Canco Senior Living.
Findings
The Administrator failed to ensure safe and acceptable medication administration procedures for one resident, with multiple documented medication errors including incorrect dosing intervals, administration after discontinuation orders, and unavailable medications.
Complaint Details
Complaint investigation 2023-AHP-33256 focused on medication administration errors for Resident #1, substantiated by multiple documentation and administration discrepancies.
Deficiencies (8)
Description
Lorazepam was administered twice within less than 2 hours, contrary to the ordered every 6 hours as needed schedule.
Risperidone was administered after a discontinue order was signed.
Atorvastatin Calcium doses were not consistently documented and exceptions were noted without proper recording.
Cran-Max Sup-STR 500MG Capsule was frequently documented as 'Medication not available' without a discontinue order.
D-mannose oral powder was administered as capsules at a different dose than ordered.
Melatonin doses were documented as exceptions due to medication unavailability.
Olanzapine was administered after discontinuation and had multiple exceptions noted for medication unavailability or refusal.
Flonase Allergy Relief Nasal Suspension was not documented as administered but had a signed discontinue order.
Report Facts
Census: 65 Total Capacity: 80
Employees Mentioned
NameTitleContext
Jessica PoulinAdministratorNamed as facility administrator in relation to medication administration oversight
Director of NursingInterviewed regarding medication availability and documentation

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