Inspection Reports for Sunrise at North Hills

Follow Up Construction Survey by Documentation to verify correction of previously cited deficiencies.

Based on documentation received on March 24, 2025, all previously cited deficiencies have been corrected and no further action is required at this time.

Biennial Follow Up Construction Survey conducted to verify correction of previous deficiencies related to facility construction and physical plant requirements.

One deficiency remains from the Biennial Construction Survey: the facility did not maintain exhaust ventilation in specified spaces, specifically the First Floor Main Laundry area where the exhaust fan was not working properly.

The Adult Care Licensure Section conducted an annual survey and complaint investigation from 12/10/24 to 12/12/24.

The facility failed to ensure residents were provided non-disposable place settings during meal service in their rooms and failed to maintain accurate medication orders and medication administration records for a resident who self-administered medications. The facility also failed to ensure proper communication and updating of medication orders between residents, staff, and the pharmacy.

The visit included a complaint investigation as part of the annual survey conducted from 12/10/24 to 12/12/24.

The facility was surveyed for conformance with the applicable portions of the 2005 Rules for Licensing of Adult Care Homes of Seven or More Beds, and applicable portions of the North Carolina Building Code(s) and Minimum Standards and Regulations for Homes for the Aged in effect at time of initial licensure.

Multiple deficiencies were cited related to physical plant and safety issues including malfunctioning emergency release switches on electromagnetic locks, disabled wanderer alarms on exit doors, damage to outside premises, unclean and unrepaired walls and ceilings, failure to maintain fire safety and electrical equipment in safe operating condition, non-functioning exhaust ventilation in multiple areas, and issues with plumbing equipment.

The Adult Care Licensure Section conducted an annual survey from 08/25/21 to 08/27/21 with an exit conference via telephone on 08/27/21.

The facility was found deficient in multiple areas including staff qualifications, personal care and supervision, health care follow-up, medication administration, resident rights, and licensed health professional support. Specific failures included lack of proper staff registry checks, inadequate supervision leading to resident falls with injury, failure to notify primary care providers about medication issues, improper medication administration, failure to assist a resident with CPAP use, and residents not being served meals in the dining room for all meals.

The facility was surveyed for conformance with the applicable portions of the 2005 Rules for Licensing of Adult Care Homes of Seven or More Beds, and applicable portions of the North Carolina Building Code and Minimum Standards and Regulations for Homes for the Aged, as part of a Construction Section Biennial Survey.

Multiple deficiencies were cited including failure to maintain the facility free of unpleasant odors, hazards such as unsecured oxygen bottles, fire safety equipment and electrical equipment not maintained in safe operating condition, unsealed penetrations in fire rated assemblies, mechanical equipment issues, and hot water temperature exceeding regulatory limits.

The facility was surveyed for conformance with applicable licensing and building code requirements as part of a Construction Section Biennial Survey.

Multiple deficiencies were cited including lack of required exit signs and emergency release switches, improper storage of portable oxygen cylinders, fire safety equipment issues, interior doors not maintained properly, plumbing issues, and failure of exhaust ventilation systems in several areas.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and Wake County Human Services conducted a follow-up survey and complaint investigation initiated by Wake County Human Services on 2015-11-04 regarding allegations of neglect at Sunrise Assisted Living at North Hills.

The facility failed to assure all residents were free from neglect, as evidenced by Resident #7 sustaining a hip fracture while being assisted to the bathroom by two personal care aides. The resident had a history of falls and was at high risk, but the facility did not include him in the toileting program and failed to provide adequate assistance, resulting in a fall and injury.

The complaint investigation was initiated by Wake County Human Services on 2015-11-04. The investigation found neglect related to Resident #7's fall and hip fracture while being assisted by staff. The resident was not capable of using the call bell, required assistance, and was not included in the toileting program. Interviews with staff and family confirmed the fall and injury.

The Adult Care Licensure Section and Wake County Human Services conducted a follow-up survey and complaint investigation from 9/1/15 to 9/4/15, initiated by Wake County Human Services on 8/11/15.

The facility failed to ensure exit doors accessible to residents with disorientation or wandering had activated alarm alert systems, failed to maintain locking mechanisms on an exit door in the special care unit resulting in a resident elopement, and failed to provide supervision in accordance with residents' assessed needs, resulting in falls and wandering incidents.

Complaint investigation initiated by Wake County Human Services on 8/11/15 related to resident safety and supervision concerns.

The Adult Care Licensure Section conducted an Annual Survey incorporating county monitoring with Wake County Human Services on 5/27/15, 5/28/15, and 5/29/15.

The facility failed to maintain electrical and mechanical equipment (walkie-talkies and pagers) in safe and operating condition, which impacted staff communication and resident safety. Additionally, the facility failed to provide adequate supervision for a resident with a history of elopement who eloped without staff knowledge.