Complaint·June 9, 2021

On March 4, 2021, LPA August interviewed Administrator Kimia Ataeian. Ataeian stated that R1 passed away on February 8, 2021 and the cause of death as reported on the death certificate was cardiorespiratory failure with an underlying cause of Covid-19. However, Ataeian reported that R1 was tested weekly for Covid-19 and never tested positive. R1’s last negative Covid-19 test was on February 1, 2021. R1 then received shot #1/2 of the Covid-19 Pfizer Vaccine on February 6, 2021. Ataeian stated that after the vaccine, R1’s health began to decline. On February 7, 2021, R1 was noted with having weakness and poor appetite and on February 8, 2021 R1 was placed on hospice care. Ataeian stated that all staff are trained to regularly change residents soiled garments in a timely fashion and the facility was sufficiently staffed to meet the needs of residents. Ataeian stated there have never been any reports of mold at the facility and the if anything at the facility is in disrepair it is repaired immediately. On March 4, 2021 LPA August interviewed staff 1 and staff 2 (S1 and S2). S1 and S2 stated that all of the staff at the facility do a good job with the residents and are all trained. Both staff stated that none of the staff in the memory care unit of the facility leave residents unattended or in soiled diapers for long. Both staff stated that the amount of staffing in the memory care unit has never prohibited them from taking care of the residents as required. Both staff have never seen any mold at the facility and have not seen anything in disrepair. On March 4, 2021 LPA August inspected R1’s room and did not see any signs of mold, or disrepair in the room. LPA August inspected another random resident bedroom and the room appeared to be clean and orderly. There was no visible mold in the bathrooms and the sinks were not leaking. On June 9, 2021 LPA August inspected a random resident room at the facility. The room and bathroom were in good repair and clean, with no visible signs of mold. LPA August obtained a copy of R1’s death certificate which confirmed that R1 passed away on February 8, 2021 as a result of cardiorespiratory failure with an underlying cause of Covid-19. LPA August also obtained a copy of R1’s last covid-19 test which was administered on February 1, 2021 and results returned on February 2, 2021. As such, there is insufficient evidence to corroborate whether the above allegations have occurred. With the information obtained through the means described above, we have found the above allegations unsubstantiated. Although the allegations may have happened or may be valid; there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred. No deficiencies were observed, and no citations were issued during this visit. An exit interview was conducted with Business Office Director Danielle Chairez. A copy of this report will be emailed to Administrator Kimia Ataeian. R1 then received shot #1/2 of the Covid-19 Pfizer Vaccine on February 6, 2021. Ataeian stated that after the vaccine, R1’s health began to decline. On February 7, 2021, R1 was noted with having weakness and poor appetite and on February 8, 2021 the facility called a Nurse Practitioner who ordered hospice care for R1. Brookdale Hospice arrived at the facility the same day and began the paperwork in order to admit R1 to hospice care, however as the hospice care staff were working on the paperwork, R1 passed away. Therefore, the order for hospice care was not completed and no paperwork was drafted for R1. Administrator Ataeian stated that the facility did not call 911 as the resident was officially declared to be on hospice by her nurse practitioner and the resident was passing away of what was assumed to be natural causes. Based on the above, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. The following deficiency is a violation of Title 22, Division 6, of the California Code of Regulations. An exit interview was conducted with Danielle Chairez and a copy of this report along with appeal rights will be emailed to Administrator Kimia Ataeian.