Inspection Reports for East Towne

This is a Biennial Follow Up Construction Survey conducted to verify correction of previous deficiencies and to identify any new deficiencies related to the physical plant and safety compliance of the facility.

The facility was found to have multiple deficiencies including failure to meet code requirements for special locking doors, lack of handrails and guardrails on outside entrances, absence of wanderer alarm systems on exit doors, no residential washer and dryer for laundry, emergency equipment and lighting not maintained or functioning properly, fire safety issues including unsealed penetrations and doors not closing or latching properly, electrical system hazards including tripped and exposed outlets, and non-functioning exhaust ventilation in required areas.

The inspection was conducted due to a complaint investigation regarding the facility's failure to immediately notify law enforcement and the county Department of Social Services when a resident with a history of leaving the facility without communication was missing.

The facility failed to notify law enforcement and the county Department of Social Services immediately when Resident #1 left the facility without informing staff, resulting in a substantial risk for serious physical harm. Multiple interviews and record reviews revealed gaps in staff communication and documentation related to the missing resident incident.

The complaint investigation substantiated that the facility did not notify law enforcement or the county Department of Social Services in a timely manner when Resident #1 was missing on 06/29/23. The resident left the facility without signing out or informing staff, and staff failed to follow the facility's missing resident policy promptly.

The Adult Care Licensure Section conducted an annual survey and complaint investigation from 06/20/2023 to 06/22/2023 at the facility.

The facility failed to ensure timely follow-up with the Primary Care Provider for weight gain notifications for one resident, failed to maintain an accurate and current listing of residents with physician-ordered therapeutic diets, and failed to serve physician-ordered therapeutic diets correctly for two residents, resulting in a Type B violation related to resident safety.

The visit included a complaint investigation related to failure to notify the Primary Care Provider of significant weight gain in Resident #2. The complaint was substantiated based on record review and interviews.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services conducted a COVID-19 focused infection control survey and a follow-up survey due to a prior Type A1 violation related to infection control and COVID-19 testing and prevention.

The facility failed to follow CDC, NC DHHS, and local health department guidance on COVID-19 infection control, including failure to retest residents and staff who initially tested negative, failure to test symptomatic residents, improper reuse and disposal of gowns, and medication aides not sanitizing hands during medication administration. These failures posed a risk to resident health and safety.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services conducted a complaint investigation and a COVID-19 Infection Control Survey triggered by a complaint received on 2020-06-30, with onsite visits and desk reviews from 2020-07-01 to 2020-07-15.

The facility failed to respond immediately to a resident with bleeding from a central venous catheter requiring emergency response, failed to administer medications as ordered for two residents including on dialysis days, failed to document oxygen administration for a resident with respiratory issues, and failed to ensure proper care and monitoring of dialysis access ports and CPAP equipment. These failures resulted in serious neglect and noncompliance with regulatory requirements.

Complaint investigation initiated by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services on 2020-06-30 related to emergency response and infection control.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services conducted a follow-up survey and complaint investigation due to a complaint initiated on June 5, 2020, regarding Resident #2's care and emergency response.

The facility failed to respond immediately to Resident #2's hypoglycemic episode, delaying EMS arrival by 84 minutes, and failed to provide adequate care and medication administration, resulting in two unresponsive episodes within 24 hours, cardiac arrest, and placement of an external defibrillator vest. Insulin was administered incorrectly in timing and dosage, and staff did not ensure the resident ate after insulin administration.

Complaint investigation initiated by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services on June 5, 2020, regarding failure to respond immediately to Resident #2's hypoglycemic episode and inadequate care.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services conducted a follow-up survey and complaint investigation from October 15 to October 18, 2019, initiated by a complaint on October 8, 2019.

The facility failed to meet acute and chronic health care needs for Resident #7 related to psoriasis treatment and coordination with the dermatologist, failed to ensure medications were administered as ordered for Residents #2, #3, and #7, and failed to refund settlement of cost of care within 14 days for six discharged residents (#8, #9, #10, #11, #12, and #14).

Complaint investigation initiated by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services on October 8, 2019, related to Resident #7's health care needs and medication administration.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services conducted a follow-up and complaint survey from 07/23/19 through 07/24/19, initiated by a complaint on 07/01/19.

The facility failed to assure required staffing hours on multiple shifts, resulting in residents not receiving necessary personal care and supervision, including post-surgical care and colostomy care. There were multiple missed physician referrals and follow-ups, medication administration errors, and failure to perform CPR on a resident found unresponsive. Additionally, the facility failed to provide adequate supervision for residents with behavioral issues and failed to notify law enforcement of a resident's death.

Complaint investigation initiated by Mecklenburg County DSS on 07/01/19 related to staffing, personal care, supervision, and medication administration issues.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services conducted a follow-up survey and a complaint investigation from 04/23/19 to 04/25/19.

The facility failed to assure physician notification for multiple residents regarding missed appointments and delayed treatments, failed to maintain clean kitchen and dining areas, lacked therapeutic diet menus, failed to provide adequate transportation for residents to medical appointments, failed to provide residents with necessary personal care items and spoons for meals, and failed to administer medications as ordered for several residents.

The visit included a complaint investigation related to physician notification failures, medication administration errors, and resident care concerns.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services conducted an annual survey and complaint investigation from 12/17/18 to 12/20/18, initiated by a complaint on 11/06/18.

The facility was found significantly non-compliant in multiple areas including lack of CPR trained staff on all shifts, inadequate management and supervision, failure to follow infection control protocols, medication administration errors, missed physician appointments due to lack of transportation, poor resident care planning, unclean kitchen and dining areas, improper handling of resident funds, and failure to maintain resident records properly. These deficiencies resulted in serious physical harm and neglect of residents.

Complaint investigation initiated by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services on 11/06/18 related to multiple resident care concerns including lack of CPR trained staff, medication errors, poor management, and resident neglect.

This is a Biennial Follow Up Construction Survey conducted to verify correction of previously cited deficiencies related to the facility's physical plant and safety conditions.

The facility was found to have multiple deficiencies including rotten soffits, fire safety equipment failures such as non-illuminating emergency lights, doors wedged open or with damaged hardware, plumbing issues with unsecured toilets, and mechanical equipment leaks causing damage to the exterior porch ceiling.

This is a Construction Section Biennial Survey conducted to assess compliance with physical plant, building, fire safety, and related regulatory requirements for the adult care home.

Multiple deficiencies were cited including failure to meet licensure and code requirements related to fire safety equipment, physical plant maintenance, housekeeping, and plumbing. Specific issues included missing fire alarm system diagrams, combustible storage in resident rooms, rotten soffits, non-functioning emergency lights, damaged door hardware, unsecured toilets, leaking plumbing, and excessive particulate buildup in air filters.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services conducted an annual survey and a complaint investigation on June 29-30, 2016. The complaint investigation was initiated by the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services on June 20, 2016.

The facility failed to assure table service included a non-disposable place setting consisting of at least a knife, fork, spoon, plate, and beverage container for residents' meals. Disposable plastic utensils and styrofoam cups were used due to kitchen staff shortages, although non-disposable tableware was usually available.

The complaint investigation was initiated by the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services on June 20, 2016, and was conducted concurrently with the annual survey on June 29-30, 2016.

Biennial Construction Survey to assess compliance with the 1987 Minimum Standards and Regulations for Homes for the Aged and Disabled, and applicable building and safety codes.

Multiple deficiencies were cited including lack of current sanitation and fire safety inspection reports, inadequate ventilation causing odors, damaged flooring creating trip hazards, excessive particulate buildup on HVAC grilles, improper storage of oxygen cylinders, loose corridor handrails, peeling paint on exterior door frames, damaged countertops, interior doors not latching properly, and breaches in fire-rated construction compromising fire and smoke containment.