Inspection Reports for
Life Care Center of Tucson

The complaint investigation found that resident #119, initially not assessed as at risk for elopement, was later identified as high risk following a condition change on August 28, 2025. Despite updated care plans and interventions, the resident eloped on August 30, 2025, exiting through the front door after 4 PM, reportedly with assistance from the receptionist. The facility did not have Wander Guards or security cameras, and staff monitoring was insufficient to prevent the incident. The resident was found by a sheriff deputy and returned safely.

The facility failed to adequately protect a resident (#119) who was identified as at risk for elopement after a condition change but subsequently exited the facility unsupervised through the front door, reportedly assisted by the receptionist. The facility lacked Wander Guards and security cameras, and monitoring protocols were inconsistently applied.

The complaint investigation revealed multiple incidents involving Staff #120, including drug diversion of Fentanyl patches, unauthorized medication orders for residents #48 and #53, and failure to administer or properly document administration of pain medications for resident #40. Staff #120 was suspended and terminated, and the case was reported to the Arizona Board of Nursing (AZBON).

The facility failed to prevent misappropriation of medications, including controlled substances like Fentanyl patches and Morphine, by nursing staff. Multiple residents' medications were either missing, improperly documented, or administered without proper physician orders, resulting in risks of medication diversion and inadequate pain management.

The facility failed to ensure that one resident (#6) consistently received assistance with bathing as required by their care plan, which could result in poor hygiene and skin infections. Documentation and interviews revealed multiple instances where bathing did not occur or was refused without proper documentation.

The facility was found deficient in multiple areas including inaccurate completion of Advanced Beneficiary Notices, failure to maintain safe and comfortable ambient temperatures during a power outage, failure to conduct timely resident weights, inaccurate nurse staffing postings, unsafe food storage temperatures, incomplete tuberculosis screening for staff, inadequate emergency power system functioning, unsafe and uncomfortable physical environment conditions, and incomplete annual staff training.

A recertification survey conducted with complaint investigations cited 20 deficiencies including failure in Medicaid resident notification, safe environment, personnel records, care plans, food safety, infection control, emergency power, and training.

Recertification survey for Medicare under Life Safety Code 2012 found 18 deficiencies related to emergency preparedness, fire safety, electrical systems, and hazardous area protections. Facility meets standards based on acceptance of plan of correction.

The complaint investigation was substantiated based on interviews with the resident, roommate, nursing staff, and facility leadership, confirming neglect and abuse by a CNA who refused to assist the resident with brief changing and threw the brief at her.

The investigation found that the facility failed to ensure that a resident's care was not neglected, with evidence from resident and staff interviews confirming that the CNA refused to assist the resident with toileting hygiene and exhibited abusive behavior. The facility policy defines such refusal as abuse and neglect of care.

Resident #48 was admitted with multiple diagnoses and was found neglected.

Investigation of multiple complaints found 2 deficiencies related to freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

The complaint investigation was substantiated with findings that the facility delayed hospital transfer after a hematoma was discovered on resident #4, failed to perform neurological assessments, delayed reporting the injury to the state agency, and did not allow the resident's representative to exercise rights regarding care decisions.

The facility failed to ensure that the resident's representative could exercise rights regarding care decisions, delayed sending the resident to the hospital after a hematoma was discovered, failed to perform timely neurological assessments, and did not report the injury of unknown origin to the state agency within 24 hours. These deficiencies posed minimal harm or potential for actual harm to a few residents.

Investigation of complaints AZ00204625 and AZ00204761 found 8 deficiencies related to abuse reporting, neglect, care plans, and resident rights.

The complaint investigation was substantiated based on witness statements from CNAs and resident interviews confirming the abuse incident. The CNA involved was suspended and the Director of Nursing confirmed timely reporting and abuse coordination.

The facility failed to ensure that resident #10 was free from physical abuse by staff, as evidenced by witness statements and interviews confirming an altercation where a CNA pushed the resident into a wall. The CNA involved was suspended immediately, and the facility's abuse protection policies were reviewed.

One resident (#10) was found to be physically abused by staff.

Investigation of complaints AZ00209302 and AZ00203909 substantiated abuse allegations with 2 deficiencies cited.

The facility failed to ensure assistance with eating was provided for 2 out of 3 sampled residents, which could result in inadequate nutritional status and weight loss. Documentation showed multiple dates where assistance was not provided or documented, despite care plans indicating the need for assistance. Interviews with staff confirmed expectations for assistance and documentation, but gaps were found in practice.

Investigation of intakes AZ00193674 and AZ00193849 cited 2 deficiencies related to assisted nutrition and care plans.

The facility was found deficient in multiple areas including failure to provide required Medicare notices to residents, pervasive urine odor in resident areas, inadequate nail care for a resident, failure to follow physician orders for monitoring and reporting weight changes in a resident with congestive heart failure, improper catheter care leading to urinary tract infection risk, medication availability issues resulting in missed doses, medication administration errors exceeding 5%, and unsecured medication storage practices.

State compliance survey conducted with 12 deficiencies cited including medication management, safe environment, care quality, incontinence care, pharmacy services, medication errors, and premises maintenance.

Recertification survey for Medicare under Life Safety Code 2012 found 10 deficiencies related to emergency preparedness, means of egress, fire extinguishers, corridor doors, fire drills, electrical systems, and power cords. Facility meets standards based on acceptance of plan of correction.

The facility had multiple deficiencies including inconsistent advance directive documentation, incomplete and inaccurate Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments, failure to complete PASRR screenings accurately, incomplete baseline and comprehensive care plans, inconsistent assistance with activities of daily living, inadequate wound care and monitoring, medication administration errors, insufficient staffing levels, cold food complaints, lapses in infection control during laundry processing and COVID-19 testing, and failure to educate residents on COVID-19 vaccination.