Follow-up on corrections·November 2, 2022

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dang Nguyen conducted an unannounced Case Management visit to cite a deficiency identified during a complaint investigation. LPA was welcomed by, identified himself, and discusssed the purpose of the visit with Caregiver Monica Rizo. LPA then met with Licensee Vinod Karpal, who arrived later during the visit. Facility records and staff interviews showed Resident #1 (R1) moved into the facility on 02-09-2020. R1 subsequently retained hospice care services. According to hospice agency documentation, between 03-25-2020 and 04-16-2020, licensee stopped R1’s hospice staff from entering the facility to inspect/care for R1, due to licensee’s concern about the wider community spread of COVID-19. CCLD reviewed its electronic database of prior-reported COVID-19 cases within licensed facilities, finding no indication that a Meadow Creek Villa staff or resident was COVID-positive either before or during said date range. Licensee’s barring of entry to hospice staff, who are essential visitors, was inconsistent with CDSS’ guidance in Provider Information Notice (PIN) 20-04-ASC (published 03-05-2020) and PIN 20-07-ASC (published 03-13-2020). Licensee’s independent decision to stop hospice staff from entering the facility deprived R1 of third-party medical care and interfered with R1’s right to receive visitors. As a result, R1 missed 7 pre-scheduled Certified Nursing Assistant/Hospice Aide visits and 3 pre-scheduled licensed nurse visits. A deficiency is cited per California Code of Regulations, Title 22 (refer to the attached LIC 809-D). A Plan of Correction was jointly developed with the licensee. An exit interview was conducted with Karpal, to whom a copy of this report, the LIC 809-D, and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 01/16) were provided.