complaint·November 3, 2021

Allegation: Residents did not receive medication on a timely basis. The complainant alleges that on October 24, 2021, at least two residents did not receive their morning meds. On Tuesday October 26, 2021 LPA Cifuentes received a call from Chad MacDonald, where he stated that on October 24, 2021 the morning medtech called out for their shift and although they tried to find a replacement they were unable to do so at the time. An SIR was received by CCLD via email stating that on October 24, 2021, 28 residents did not receive their morning medications. LPA Cifuentes spoke to Executive Director(ED) Adrienne Craig-Aziz, who confirmed that medtech for Sunday October 24, 2021 called out on October 23, 2021 and that she had reached out to her staff and other Atria communities and several staffing agencies to fill the spot, to no avail. ED then attempted to fill in for the medtech but did not arrive in enough time to pass medications to more than three residents. LPA spoke with residents (R1-R5) regarding their medications. Two of the interviews were not credible due to their diagnosis, one resident’s medication is as needed, another resident administers her own medications. Only the last resident was able to answer about their medications and they stated that they had never had any issues with medications. Of the staff questioned, two out of five stated their had been issues with delayed medications. Allegation: Facility does not have sufficient staff to meet the residents' needs. The complainant alleges that a number of staff have quit and the facility is understaffed. LPA spoke with Executive Director Adrienne Craig Aziz regarding staffing. Executive Director stated during interview that there have been staffing issues since May 2021. At the time, she requested staff from other sites to fill the positions while she interviewed, but that by the time that ended, they had been unable to fill as many positions as they needed. Ms. Craig Aziz convinced Atria to allow her to use a staffing agency and they have five agencies they use to fill callouts. All of the facility staff is participating in filling in where there is a need, for instance today, one of the wait staff called out. An agency was contacted to fill the spot, but could not do so, so the cook assisted in serving the residents. Per Ms. Graig Aziz, she had three caregivers in memory care, two in assisted living, and a medtech for both sections. Sometimes these will be two caregivers in memory care, but if it drops to one, all of the facility staff jump in to help. Having three staff in memory care is new, they had two before. LPA interviewed resident, and two stated they did not feel the facility was short staffed, while the other three were not sure. Of the staff interviewed, four out of five stated the facility was short staffed. Continued on 9099-C Based on information gathered, the department did find sufficient evidence to support allegation " Residents did not receive medication on a timely basis,” “ Facility does not have sufficient staff to meet the residents' needs. ” Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 6 and Chapter 8 are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the LIC 9099 and appeal rights forms were provided to Executive Director Adrienne Craig Aziz.