Inspection Reports for Morningstar Assisted Living
95 Morningstar Lane Sylva, NC 28779, Sylva, NC, 28779
Back to Facility ProfileDeficiencies (last 5 years)
Deficiencies (over 5 years)
5.2 deficiencies/year
Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.
Same as North Carolina average
North Carolina average: 5.2 deficiencies/yearDeficiencies per year
12
9
6
3
0
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Deficiencies: 3
Date: Jan 30, 2025
Visit Reason
The Adult Care Licensure Section conducted an annual survey from January 28, 2025 through January 30, 2025 to assess compliance with health care, nutrition, medication administration, and other regulatory requirements.
Findings
The facility failed to ensure timely speech therapy evaluation and proper notification of choking incidents for Resident #1, failed to ensure PT/INR labs were completed and warfarin was administered as ordered for Resident #3, and failed to serve therapeutic diets as ordered to Residents #1 and #4, including pureed diets and nectar thickened liquids. These failures put residents at substantial risk of aspiration, stroke, and other harms.
Deficiencies (3)
Failed to ensure health care referral and follow-up was completed for 2 of 5 sampled residents related to speech therapy evaluation and notification of choking incidents (Resident #1) and PT/INR labs completion and faxing results to PCP (Resident #3).
Failed to serve therapeutic diets as ordered to 2 of 5 sampled residents related to pureed diet and nectar thickened liquids (Residents #1 and #4).
Failed to ensure medications were administered as ordered for 2 of 5 sampled residents related to antibiotic administration (Resident #1) and warfarin administration (Resident #3).
Report Facts
Medication administration occurrences: 28
Medication administration occurrences: 9
Medication administration occurrences: 2
Medication administration occurrences: 3
Medication administration occurrences: 2
Inspection Report
Follow-Up
Deficiencies: 0
Date: May 14, 2024
Visit Reason
This was a Construction Section Biennial Follow Up Survey conducted to verify correction of previously identified deficiencies.
Findings
Deficiencies have been corrected. No further action is necessary.
Inspection Report
Follow-Up
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Apr 5, 2022
Visit Reason
The Adult Care Licensure Section conducted a follow-up survey on 04/05/22 to verify correction of previous deficiencies related to medication administration.
Findings
The facility failed to administer medications as ordered by the Primary Care Provider for one of five sampled residents (Resident #4). Specifically, the facility did not administer a prescribed 2:00pm dose of Depakote 250mg, and the medication administration records lacked documentation of this dose. Communication issues with the pharmacy and internal staff confusion contributed to the failure.
Deficiencies (1)
Failure to administer Depakote 250mg at 2:00pm daily as ordered by the Primary Care Provider for Resident #4.
Report Facts
Sampled residents: 5
Medication doses missed: 1
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 32
Deficiencies: 3
Date: Feb 1, 2022
Visit Reason
The Adult Care Licensure Section conducted an annual survey and complaint investigation from 01/26/22 to 01/28/22, with desk review on 01/31/22 and onsite visit on 02/01/22.
Complaint Details
The visit included a complaint investigation as part of the annual survey.
Findings
The facility failed to ensure medications were administered as ordered for 3 of 6 sampled residents, including antifungal, antibiotic, antianxiety medications, and topical steroid cream, constituting a Type B Violation. The facility also failed to maintain accurate medication administration records for one resident. Additionally, the facility did not follow CDC and NCDHHS COVID-19 infection control guidelines, including proper use of PPE, hand hygiene, and isolation precautions, constituting a Type A2 Violation.
Deficiencies (3)
Failed to ensure medications were administered as ordered for Residents #2, #3, and #4 including antifungal, antibiotic, antianxiety medications, and topical steroid cream.
Failed to maintain accurate medication administration records for Resident #2 related to documentation of terbinafine medication.
Failed to ensure proper infection prevention and control practices during COVID-19 outbreak, including staff not wearing appropriate PPE, lack of PPE stations outside isolation rooms, and improper hand hygiene.
Report Facts
Residents tested positive for COVID-19: 21
Residents sampled: 6
Residents with medication administration issues: 3
Medication supply days: 30
Facility census: 32
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator | Interviewed regarding medication administration and infection control practices. | |
| Administrator-In-Training (AIT) | Interviewed regarding medication cart audits and infection control practices. | |
| Resident Care Coordinator (RCC) | Responsible for medication cart audits and eMAR approvals. | |
| Medication Aide (MA) | Interviewed regarding medication administration and PPE use. | |
| Personal Care Aide (PCA) | Observed and interviewed regarding PPE use and meal delivery. | |
| Infectious Disease Nurse | Local health department nurse interviewed regarding COVID-19 outbreak guidance. | |
| Primary Care Providers (PCP) | Interviewed regarding medication orders and resident care. |
Inspection Report
Follow-Up
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Jul 3, 2018
Visit Reason
The visit was a biennial follow-up construction survey to verify correction of previously identified deficiencies.
Findings
A deficiency was found related to building equipment maintenance: the smoke tight corridor doors were not maintained in a safe and operating condition, specifically the door closure tied to the fire alarm was missing its cover.
Deficiencies (1)
Smoke tight corridor doors are not maintained in a safe and operating condition; door closure tied to fire alarm is missing its cover.
Inspection Report
Capacity: 55
Deficiencies: 9
Date: May 3, 2018
Visit Reason
The report documents a Construction Section Biennial Survey conducted to assess compliance with applicable standards and building codes for Morningstar Assisted Living.
Findings
Multiple deficiencies were cited including issues with housekeeping and furnishings such as unsecured ceiling tiles and persistent odors, hazards related to unsecured oxygen cylinders, unsafe and non-operating building equipment including fire alarm and electrical systems, fire safety concerns with corridor doors and firestopping, and failure of the exhaust ventilation system in several rooms.
Deficiencies (9)
Building ceiling not kept clean and in good repair; acoustical ceiling tile not secure in Bedroom 108.
Facility failed to prevent chronic unpleasant odors; urine odor persisted in Bedroom 108.
Oxygen cylinder stored unsecured on floor in Linen Room, creating hazard.
Fire alarm system not maintained in safe and operating condition; smoke detector dangling from ceiling in 400 Hall Water Heater Room.
Electrical system not maintained safe; loose electric baseboard heater and non-working light in Bedroom 108.
Fire safety not maintained; dryer duct drop down creating unsealed gap in fire-resistance-rated ceiling.
Smoke tight corridor doors not maintained; door closure missing cover and roller ball latched door not latching.
Corridor door in Bedroom 108 held open by bed, preventing proper closing and latching.
Exhaust ventilation system failed to work in Bedroom 302, Bedroom 306, and Laundry, causing odors.
Report Facts
Licensed capacity: 55
Inspection Report
Follow-Up
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Sep 28, 2016
Visit Reason
Follow-up survey conducted to verify correction of previously identified deficiencies at Morningstar Assisted Living.
Findings
One deficiency was not corrected; specifically, the smoke barrier door near the Director's office was dragging the floor and would not close when activated by the fire alarm system, violating fire safety requirements.
Deficiencies (1)
Smoke barrier door near the Director's office was dragging the floor and would not close when activated by the fire alarm system.
Inspection Report
Capacity: 55
Deficiencies: 8
Date: Jul 7, 2016
Visit Reason
Biennial Construction Survey conducted to ensure the facility meets applicable standards and regulations including the 1971 Minimum and Desired Standards for Homes for the Aged and Infirm, 2005 Rules for Adult Care Homes of Seven or More Beds, and the 1967 North Carolina State Building Code.
Findings
The facility was found deficient in maintaining current sanitation and fire safety inspection reports, proper housekeeping free of hazards including obstructed exit paths and unsafe storage of portable oxygen cylinders, lack of fire safety rehearsals documentation, and issues with smoke barrier doors including wedged open doors and a door that would not close properly, as well as a door with missing handles creating an entrapment hazard.
Deficiencies (8)
Facility did not have current annual fire marshal building safety inspection and fire alarm inspection reports.
Exterior exit path near room 108 was partially obstructed with a chair and bed rails.
Portable medical oxygen cylinders were stored in an unapproved beverage crate, posing safety risks.
No key onsite at survey start to access Director's office for hazard survey.
Records of fire safety rehearsals lacked descriptions of what the rehearsals involved.
All smoke barrier doors were wedged open at survey start; smoke barrier doors must never be wedged open.
Smoke barrier door near Director's office was dragging the floor and would not close when activated by fire alarm system.
Door to room 109 missing handles, equipped with roller latch, could not be opened from inside when closed, creating entrapment hazard and could not be closed from outside to protect corridor in fire event.
Report Facts
Total licensed capacity: 55
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