Inspection Reports for
Northbridge Health Care Center

The complaint investigation substantiated that Resident #1 was improperly restricted from leaving the facility despite being alert and oriented, and that inadequate supervision during 1:1 monitoring led to Resident #1 physically assaulting Resident #3. The facility investigation confirmed the incidents and identified staff failures in supervision and care planning.

The facility failed to honor Resident #1's right to leave the facility at will, as directed by a court-appointed Conservator, resulting in restrictions and agitation. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure adequate supervision during continuous one-to-one monitoring, leading to Resident #1 physically assaulting Resident #3. Deficiencies included failure to update care plans and assessments, inadequate supervision, and failure to prevent resident-to-resident abuse.

The complaint investigation involved allegations of inadequate discharge planning, failure to develop appropriate care plans for resident relationships, and failure to prevent resident-to-resident sexual incidents. The findings substantiated these issues with minimal harm or potential for harm to a few residents.

The facility failed to develop and implement timely discharge plans, comprehensive care plans addressing resident relationships, and adequate supervision to prevent resident-to-resident sexual incidents. Multiple residents were affected with minimal harm or potential for harm.

The facility failed to ensure the RN supervisor was timely notified of a resident's burn injury and that a timely RN assessment was completed. The resident sustained a first degree burn during a shower, and the RN supervisor was only notified via a text message after the fact, with no timely follow-up assessment documented.

The complaint investigation found that the RN supervisor was not timely notified of Resident #1's burn injury. The notification was only via a text message which was not followed up promptly. The Administrator confirmed the lack of timely RN assessment and notification.

The facility failed to ensure the RN supervisor was timely notified of a burn injury sustained by Resident #1 during a shower on 4/12/2025, resulting in a delayed RN assessment. Interviews and record reviews confirmed the RN supervisor was only notified via a text message and did not complete an assessment until the following day.

Complaint #44004 was investigated. The complaint involved a resident who sustained a first degree burn during a shower on 4/12/2025. The RN supervisor was not notified timely, and the Licensed Practical Nurse failed to notify the RN. The complaint investigation concluded with identification of noncompliance.

The investigation identified a violation related to nursing supervision and resident care, specifically concerning a resident who sustained a first degree burn during a shower and the subsequent failure of timely notification and assessment by nursing staff. The facility submitted a plan of correction addressing these issues.

The complaint was substantiated. Verbal abuse was confirmed through interviews and documentation. NA#1 was terminated on 12/17/2024.

The facility substantiated verbal abuse involving foul language exchanged between NA#1 and Resident #1. The resident was not offended and considered the language playful. NA#1 was terminated following the investigation. The facility policy on abuse, neglect, and exploitation was reviewed.

Complaint investigation #42248 was conducted due to allegations of verbal abuse. The abuse was substantiated and resulted in termination of the involved nursing assistant.

The complaint investigation found substantiated verbal abuse by a nursing assistant (NA#1) towards Resident #1, involving the use of foul language. The NA was terminated, and the facility plans to provide staff education on verbal abuse and conduct audits to ensure respectful resident interaction.

Violation #1 was identified as corrected as of 11/29/24. On 12/3/24, the Assistant Director of Nursing Services (ADNS) was notified via telephone that all violations were corrected.

The complaint investigation was substantiated by findings that the facility did not initiate an immediate investigation after receiving information from the hospital social worker that Resident #1 was hit in the face by a nurse. The DNS admitted to not following up on the allegation 16 days after the incident.

The facility failed to investigate an allegation of abuse after Resident #1 experienced an unwitnessed fall resulting in significant right hip pain, facial redness, and possible head injury. The Director of Nursing Services (DNS) acknowledged receiving a report from the hospital social worker about the resident being hit in the face by a nurse but did not follow up or initiate an investigation as required by facility policy.

The complaint investigation involved two incidents: one where Resident #1 verbally abused Resident #2 with name-calling and threats, which was substantiated; and another where staff member NA #1 was alleged to have been verbally aggressive toward Resident #4, which was not substantiated due to lack of witnesses and delayed reporting.

The facility failed to ensure residents were free from abuse, including verbal aggression between residents and delayed reporting of staff-to-resident abuse allegations. Investigations substantiated resident-to-resident verbal abuse and identified failures in timely reporting of staff-to-resident abuse.

The facility was found deficient in multiple areas including failure to assess and monitor residents for self-medication, inadequate pain management, failure to prevent verbal abuse, incomplete care plans, failure to maintain CPR certification and documentation, failure to ensure safe nutrition and dental care, failure to prevent elopement resulting in immediate jeopardy, inadequate infection control practices, and lack of staff competency assessments.

The complaint investigation involved allegations of verbal abuse by Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN #6) towards Resident #189, failure to timely report the abuse to outside state agencies, failure to revise care plans for residents at risk for elopement and hospice care, failure to maintain CPR certification and documentation, and failure to prevent elopement of Resident #8 who was found 0.6 miles away from the facility. The verbal abuse allegation was substantiated and LPN #6 was no longer employed. Immediate jeopardy was identified due to the elopement incident and failures in supervision and safety measures.

The facility was found to have multiple deficiencies including verbal abuse by staff towards a resident, failure to timely report abuse to outside agencies, failure to revise care plans timely for residents at risk, failure to maintain CPR certification and documentation for staff, and failure to prevent elopement of a resident at risk resulting in immediate jeopardy.

The complaint investigation focused on whether Resident #1 received timely feeding assistance. The complaint was substantiated based on observations and staff interviews confirming delayed feeding.

The facility failed to ensure timely assistance with meals for a resident who required one-on-one feeding assistance. Observations and interviews confirmed a delay of 30 minutes between meal tray delivery and feeding, which did not meet the facility's expectation of feeding within 10 minutes.

The facility failed to ensure timely assistance with meals for Resident #1, who required extensive help to eat. Observations showed a 30-minute delay between meal tray delivery and feeding, which did not meet the expectation of feeding within 10 minutes after tray delivery.

The complaint investigation involved Resident #92's fall resulting in a hip fracture, an allegation of mistreatment by staff towards Resident #39 which was unsubstantiated, and concerns about supervision and safety related to Resident #22's possession of smoking materials, intoxication, and elopement. The facility's failure to follow care plans, policies, and proper supervision were central to the complaint findings.

The facility failed to follow standards of care and facility policies related to fall prevention, use of gait belts, proper supervision of residents, and agency staff orientation. Resident #92 sustained a hip fracture after a fall due to improper ambulation assistance. Resident #39's allegation of mistreatment was unsubstantiated but improper transfer techniques were identified. Resident #22 was inadequately supervised, leading to possession of smoking materials, intoxication, and elopement. Additionally, staff failed to comply with dress code policies regarding fingernail hygiene.

Complaint numbers #30833 and #31198 are referenced, indicating the visit was complaint-related.

The report details violations of Connecticut State regulations identified during the visits, including failures in following care plans related to gait belt use, supervision of residents, infection control dress code policies, and staff identification badge compliance. Plans of correction were required to address these deficiencies.

Complaint investigations CT 31198 and 30833 were reviewed during the inspection.

Violations of the General Statutes of Connecticut and/or regulations of Connecticut State Agencies were identified during the inspection, resulting in a citation #27-02. The report included verification of CMP fund, CRF grant, Shift Coach, and infection prevention and control specialist status.

Complaint #30303 regarding allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior between two residents. The complaint was substantiated based on interviews, clinical record reviews, and facility documentation.

The investigation found that Resident #1 was observed engaging in inappropriate sexual touching of Resident #2, and the facility failed to ensure Resident #2 was free from sexual abuse. Additionally, the facility failed to report the incident of sexual abuse to the Nursing Supervisor and the state agency within the required timeframe, and failed to ensure the physician or APRN were informed of a new medication recommendation.

The facility was found deficient in multiple areas including failure to treat a resident with respect and dignity by not maintaining a homelike environment, failure to accommodate a resident's language preference for a Spanish speaking channel, failure to investigate a resident's missing dentures, failure to provide a resident with physician-ordered nutritional items, and failure to secure medication storage rooms properly.

The facility was found deficient in honoring resident rights to respect and dignity, accommodating resident preferences such as language and television use, investigating missing resident property, providing ordered nutrition, and securing medication storage. Deficiencies were noted in treatment of Resident #132 regarding respect and dignity, accommodation of Spanish language preferences, and nutrition orders. The facility also failed to investigate missing dentures for Resident #385 and did not maintain the 2nd floor medication room locked as required.