Inspection Reports for Independence Village of Ames

The visit was conducted as a recertification visit to determine compliance with certification rules for an Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.

Several regulatory insufficiencies were cited related to staffing, dementia-specific education for personnel, and life safety emergency policies. The program failed to ensure nurse delegation assessments within 60 days, dementia training within required timeframes, and a working alarm on one exit door in the memory care wing.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of Complaint #115541-C and Complaint #116990-C.

Investigation of Complaint #107931-C regarding the Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of the complaint.

Complaint #107931-C was investigated and found to have no regulatory insufficiencies.

The inspection was conducted as a recertification to determine compliance with certification for a Dementia-Specific Assisted Living Program, including an investigation of a complaint and an onsite infection control survey.

The facility was found to have regulatory insufficiencies related to failure to evaluate tenants within 30 days of occupancy, failure to update service plans within 30 days of occupancy, and failure to ensure all exit doors had operating alarm systems in the dementia-specific program. No deficiencies were cited during the complaint investigation or infection control survey.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of Complaint #100484-C.

Investigation of Incident #82929-I at Waterford at Ames Assisted Living.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of Incident #82929-I.

Investigation of Incident #82929-I; no regulatory insufficiencies found.

The visit was conducted as a recertification to determine compliance with certification of an Assisted Living Program and included an investigation of Complaint #80754-C.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the recertification visit or the complaint investigation.

Complaint #80754-C was investigated and no regulatory insufficiencies were found.

Investigation of Complaint #77744 at Waterford at Ames Assisted Living.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of Complaint #77744.

Complaint #77744 was investigated and found to have no regulatory insufficiencies.

The inspection was conducted as part of the investigation of Complaint #73640-C regarding tenant rights violations at Waterford at Ames Assisted Living.

The program failed to ensure that 1 of 3 tenants reviewed was treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of personal dignity and autonomy. Specifically, Tenant #1's medications were removed from the apartment without permission, causing distress and a violation of tenant rights.

The deficiency was cited during the investigation of Complaint #73640-C. The complaint involved Tenant #1's rights being violated when medications were removed from the apartment without tenant permission or prior discussion.

The inspection was conducted as a recertification visit to determine compliance with certification for an Assisted Living Program.

The program failed to evaluate functional, cognitive, and health status prior to occupancy for some tenants, failed to evaluate tenants within 30 days of occupancy for most tenants reviewed, failed to create preliminary service plans prior to admission for some tenants, failed to update service plans within 30 days of admission for some tenants, and failed to ensure nurse reviews were completed every 90 days for tenants receiving medication administration.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint/incident investigation following a complaint that a staff member yelled at tenants and tenants felt threatened.

No regulatory insufficiencies were identified. The allegation regarding tenant rights was found to be not substantiated after staff interviews, tenant file reviews, and an internal investigation.

Allegation regarding tenant rights was not substantiated. The program conducted an internal investigation and took corrective action once the situation was recognized.

The inspection was conducted following a complaint/incident involving a staff member failing to give medication to a tenant as requested. The visit included a final incident investigation and recertification monitoring evaluation.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited related to the incident. However, regulatory insufficiencies were found during the recertification survey in areas including dependent adult abuse training, service plans, and nurse review. A Plan of Correction was required.

The complaint involved a staff member failing to administer medication to a tenant who did not want the medication for sleep. The staff member did not administer the medication and subsequently resigned. The incident was isolated and no regulatory insufficiencies were cited related to it.

The inspection was conducted as a Final Complaint/Incident Investigation following a complaint alleging an unreported elopement and a tenant exceeding criteria for retention at the program.

The investigation found no regulatory insufficiency related to the unreported elopement allegation. However, regulatory insufficiencies were noted in evaluation, service plans, and nurse review areas, including incomplete evaluations, service plans not meeting tenant needs, and incomplete nurse reviews.

The complaint alleged an unreported elopement and a tenant exceeding criteria for retention. The elopement was found not to be reportable as the tenant was cognitively intact and chose to visit a neighboring assisted living program. The tenant did not meet the definition of cognitively impaired requiring reporting. The tenant exceeding retention criteria allegation was not substantiated as no tenants were identified as exceeding criteria.

The inspection was conducted as a Final Complaint/Incident Investigation and Recertification Monitoring Evaluation following allegations related to medication administration errors and medication borrowing among tenants at Waterford at Ames Assisted Living.

The investigation found that a tenant received an incorrect dose of insulin but no regulatory insufficiencies were noted related to this incident. Another allegation regarding borrowing medications from one tenant to another was also investigated with no regulatory insufficiencies found. However, deficiencies were noted related to incomplete functional and health evaluations and service plans for tenants.

The complaint involved an allegation that a tenant received an incorrect dose of insulin and that a tenant ran out of medications with staff borrowing medications from another tenant. The insulin medication error was confirmed but no regulatory insufficiency was cited. The medication borrowing allegation was not substantiated and no regulatory insufficiency was noted.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint/incident investigation regarding missing Hydrocodone and Tylenol tablets at Waterford Assisted Living.

The investigation found multiple instances of missing Hydrocodone and Tylenol tablets for several tenants, issues with narcotic counts and documentation, and staff not completing narcotic counts as required. The program's medication policy and procedures were reviewed, and regulatory insufficiency was identified related to medication administration by unlicensed personnel.

Complaint/Incident Intake #36906-I involved allegations of missing Hydrocodone and Tylenol tablets for tenants #2, #3, and #4. The complaint was investigated on December 21 and 22, 2011 by Hal L. Chase, RN BSN MPH.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint/incident investigation following allegations of a tenant being sexually assaulted by an unknown man entering the tenant's apartment.

The investigation found no regulatory insufficiencies. The tenant reported an incident involving an unknown man entering the apartment and sexually assaulting the tenant. Police were involved, and testing found no presence of blood or seminal fluid. Staff confirmed safety checks and use of wander-guard bracelets.

The complaint alleged a tenant was sexually assaulted by an unknown man who entered the tenant's apartment on multiple occasions. The tenant reported the assault and described the events. Staff and police investigated, and no tenants or staff were identified as physically or sexually harming others. Police records and testing found no forensic evidence. The complaint was not substantiated as a regulatory insufficiency.

The visit was a Final Recertification Monitoring Evaluation conducted to review the recertification documents and evaluate the assisted living program at Waterford at Ames.

No regulatory insufficiencies were found during the evaluation. Tenant satisfaction was generally positive, and the program did not receive any regulatory insufficiencies during the certification period.

A complaint investigation was conducted due to allegations that program staff were mean to tenants and did not treat tenants with respect and dignity.

The investigation found no regulatory insufficiencies. Tenants reported staff were helpful and kind, with no episodes of rude or inappropriate treatment. Staff interviews confirmed no knowledge of inappropriate incidents.

Complaint Allegation: It was alleged program staff are mean to tenants and do not treat tenants with respect and dignity. Monitoring Observation: A community meeting with 10 tenants found tenants reported staff were helpful and kind with no rude or inappropriate treatment. Two staff interviews confirmed no knowledge of inappropriate incidents. Regulatory Insufficiency: None noted.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation following allegations related to tenant care, food service, staffing, structural conditions, temperature control, medication management, and treatment by staff at Waterford at Ames Assisted Living.

No regulatory insufficiencies were identified during the complaint investigation. Multiple allegations were reviewed including tenant evaluation, nurse notification, food quality, staff behavior, structural conditions, temperature control, medication management, and treatment by staff, with no deficiencies noted.

The complaint investigation addressed allegations that the program failed to evaluate a skin rash, failed to notify responsible parties of condition updates, provided inedible food, staff threatened and intimidated tenants, rooms had mold and bugs, tenants could not control room temperature, failed to send medications at discharge, and tenants were not treated appropriately by staff. All allegations were found to have no regulatory insufficiencies.

A complaint investigation was conducted at Waterford of Ames Assisted Living in response to allegations regarding meal quality and nutritional adequacy.

The investigation found no regulatory insufficiencies. Observations noted that meals met nutritional requirements, food was served at proper temperatures, and tenant concerns about food quantity and quality were not substantiated.

Complaint #25454-C alleged tenants were not fed meals meeting nutritional requirements and were served freezer burnt food that was not palatable. The complaint was not substantiated as no regulatory insufficiencies were identified.

A complaint investigation on-site visit was conducted at The Waterford of Ames Assisted Living to investigate allegations related to tenant evaluations, service plans, medication administration, staffing, record checks, and tenant rights.

The investigation found regulatory insufficiencies including failure to consistently complete annual cognitive evaluations, inadequately designed service plans not meeting individual tenant needs, and inconsistent updating and signing of service plans. Medication administration errors were noted but appropriately addressed. No regulatory insufficiencies were found related to medication administration competency, dementia-specific education, activities, record checks, or tenant rights violations.

The complaint investigation was triggered by allegations including failure to complete annual cognitive evaluations, inadequate pain management and interventions for tenants, multiple medication errors, lack of dementia-specific staff education, unmet activity needs, improper criminal background checks, and violations of tenant autonomy and rights. Some complaints were substantiated with regulatory insufficiencies noted, while others were not substantiated.

The inspection was a complaint investigation and recertification monitoring visit conducted at The Waterford of Ames Assisted Living to evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements and address substantiated complaints in tenant evaluation, service plans, medications, staffing, and record checks.

The investigation found multiple regulatory insufficiencies including inconsistent completion of annual functional, cognitive, and health evaluations; incomplete annual service plan updates; failure to complete nurse reviews every 90 days; lack of appropriate programming and activities; and incomplete employee record checks. No medication errors or document shredding were found.

The complaint investigation was triggered by allegations including improper removal of tenant medical records by the Administrator and RN, medication errors, and shredding of medication documentation. The complaints were substantiated in the areas of tenant evaluation, service plans, medications, staffing, and record checks.

A complaint investigation was conducted at Waterford at Ames Assisted Living on December 8 and 14, 2006, in response to allegations regarding staffing and medication administration, including concerns about the absence of a Registered Nurse and the handling of insulin-dependent tenants.

The investigation found that the program had seven tenants on insulin, with Certified Nurse Aides and Certified Medication Aides trained by a Registered Nurse to assist tenants. All tenants administered their own injections. The program temporarily used a retired RN and had offered employment to a new RN. No regulatory insufficiencies were noted related to staffing or medication administration.

The complaint alleged that on December 8, 2006, the program did not have a Registered Nurse employed and no one to pass medications to 14 insulin-dependent diabetics, some on sliding scale insulin. It was also alleged that a tenant who fell on December 7, 2006, was sent to the hospital and returned with an order for Neuro-checks, but no nurse was available to complete them. The complainant did not report any harm to the tenant who fell.