Village Square Healthcare Center Cited over Accident Hazards

Village Square Healthcare Center, a nursing home located in San Marcos, California, received 29 citations for health and safety deficiencies in its most recent inspection, on February 14, 2019. According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services records accessed on February 26, 2020, that figure numbers more than twice the statewide average of 12.8 citations, and more than three times the U.S. average of 8.0. A for-profit corporation owned by GC Holding Company LLC., Highland Springs Care Center is a Medicare and Medicaid participant with 118 certified beds and an average of 117.8 residents at the facility per day. The deficiencies described in the February 2019 citations include the following:

The nursing home did not ensure residents were adequately protected from accidents. Federal code requires nursing homes to maintain a resident environment free of accident hazards and with adequate supervision to prevent accidents. An inspection found that Village Square Healthcare Center did not provide such in two capacities. According to this citation, an inspector observed water temperatures in resident bathroom sinks that exceeded safe levels. The inspector separately observed that a paraplegic resident was not provided with adaptive equipment to call facility staff. The resident stated in an interview that when he calls the facility's main number using Alexa and his computer, these calls "go to voicemail 50% of the time," and that he cannot use his soft touch pad call light provided by the facility "because he cannot turn his head enough to use his chin to turn it on." The resident stated additionally that while he sends text messages to staff when he requires assistance, "in an emergency his only option would be to call 911." A Certified Nursing Assistant stated in an interview that she did not know how to retrieve voicemails left by the resident, and that the current system for the resident to contact staff "is not safe."

The nursing home did not implement adequate measures to prevent and control infection. Federal code requires nursing homes to establish and implement infection prevention and control protocols. An inspection determined that Village Square Healthcare Center failed to do so in three capacities. In one, an inspector observed a staff member assisting residents during mealtime without conducting proper hand hygiene between residents. In another, an inspector observed a staffer moving between residents and providing them assistance without conducting proper hand hygiene. In a third, an inspector observed a resident's urinary catheter drainage bag lying on the facility's floor, in contravention of policy.

The nursing home did not meet food safety standards. Federal code stipulates that nursing homes must "store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards." An inspection found that Village Square Healthcare Center did not ensure safe and sanitary food storage conditions. This citation states specifically that an inspector observed that three air gaps in the facility's kitchen "were not at the correct distance from the drainage sinks," and additionally that one of the air gaps was "propped up b a block of wood." The inspector also found that the facility's ice machine was dirty, with "dark brown stains," "spots on walls," an air vent filter "dirty with gray lint matter," and a paper towel used to clean its exterior that hd "black dirt crystals on it."

More information on Village Square Healthcare Center citations can be found here.