F 0641
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Level of Harm - Minimal harm
or potential for actual harm
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on
interview and record review, the facility failed to accurately assess a resident for wandering for 1 of 3
sampled residents reviewed for elopement (Resident #1).
Residents Affected - Few
The findings included:
Resident #1 was admitted to the facility on [DATE].
An interview was conducted with the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) on 04/10/24 at 10:00 AM. The
NHA confirmed Resident #1 had a room change done on 03/18/24 due to exit seeking/wandering
behaviors.
The resident was care planned for at risk for elopement on 03/19/24, with an intervention of an electronic
monitoring device (wanderguard) in place on the right ankle.
A comprehensive assessment dated [DATE] documented the resident had severe cognitive impairment and
did not exhibit any wandering behaviors.
Any deficiency statement ending with an asterisk (*) denotes a deficiency which the institution may be excused from correcting providing it is determined that other
safeguards provide sufficient protection to the patients. (See instructions.) Except for nursing homes, the findings stated above are disclosable 90 days following the
date of survey whether or not a plan of correction is provided. For nursing homes, the above findings and plans of correction are disclosable 14 days following the date
these documents are made available to the facility. If deficiencies are cited, an approved plan of correction is requisite to continued program participation.
LABORATORY DIRECTOR'S OR PROVIDER/SUPPLIER
REPRESENTATIVE'S SIGNATURE
TITLE
(X6) DATE
FORM CMS-2567 (02/99)
Previous Versions Obsolete
Facility ID:
If continuation sheet
Page 1 of 4
Event ID:
105257
Printed: 05/28/2026
Form Approved OMB
No. 0938-0391
Department of Health & Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
STATEMENT OF DEFICIENCIES
AND PLAN OF CORRECTION
(X1) PROVIDER/SUPPLIER/CLIA
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
(X2) MULTIPLE CONSTRUCTION
105257
B. Wing
A. Building
(X3) DATE SURVEY
COMPLETED
04/10/2024
NAME OF PROVIDER OR SUPPLIER
STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
Aviata at Saint Lucie
611 S 13th St
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
For information on the nursing home's plan to correct this deficiency, please contact the nursing home or the state survey agency.
(X4) ID PREFIX TAG
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF DEFICIENCIES
(Each deficiency must be preceded by full regulatory or LSC identifying information)
F 0689
Level of Harm - Immediate
jeopardy to resident health or
safety
Residents Affected - Few
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to
prevent accidents.
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on
interview, observation, and record review, the facility failed to provide adequate supervision and properly
functioning wanderguard doors (wander monitoring system device) for 1 of 3 sampled residents reviewed
for elopement risk (exiting the facility unsupervised) (Resident #1). The deficient practice allowed Resident
#1 to exit the facility undetected on 03/27/24 at approximately 6:00 PM and walk 1.4 miles away from the
facility. Resident #1 was found by the police while displaying confusion, resulting in a transfer to a local
hospital. These actions resulted in Immediate Jeopardy. The facility administrator was informed of the
Immediate Jeopardy on 04/10/24 at 4:48 PM.
At the time of the investigation there were 11 residents who were identified as wander/elopement risk.
The findings included:
A review of the facility's Policies and Procedures titled Elopement/Wandering Risk Guideline dated
09/21/16 and revised 08/01/20 documented: If utilizing a wander monitoring system device check
placement of the device every shift and functionality every day.
Resident #1 was admitted to the facility on [DATE]. A comprehensive assessment dated [DATE]
documented the resident had severe cognitive impairment with a BIMS (Brief Interview for Mental Status)
score of 0 out of 15. The resident was ambulatory without any assistive devices. The resident was care
planned for at risk for elopement on 03/19/24, with an intervention of an electronic monitoring device
(wanderguard) in place on the right ankle. An Elopement sreening dated 03/25/24 documented the resident
as high risk for elopement.
Resident #1 exited the facility on 03/27/24 at approximately 6:00 PM without the knowledge of any staff.
The resident was determined missing by staff on 03/27/24 at approximately 8:00 PM. Staff notified police of
the missing resident, and was informed by the police that the resident had been found by an officer at a gas
station 1.4 miles from the facility at 8:26 PM. The resident was taken to the hospital by the officer (per the
local Police Department Incident/Investigation form dated 03/27/24 at 8:26 PM, the resident was [NAME]
Acted). The resident returned to the facility from the hospital on [DATE] at 12:30 AM.
A review of the route Resident #1 walked revealed an area where there are hazards for an unsupervised
cognitively impaired resident with poor decision-making skills. The resident walked 1.4 miles to a gas
station, on a 4-lane divided road, with speed limits up to 45 MPH. While Resident #1 was out of the facility
unsupervised, there was a high likelihood that he could have been seriously injured or harmed. He could
have been hit by a car, fallen, or become lost.
An interview was conducted with the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) on 04/09/24 at 11:30 AM. The
NHA stated it was believed Resident #1 had exited the north unit emergency exit doors. The NHA stated
the north unit was closed and under construction. The NHA stated the doors must have been left
unlocked/disalarmed by the construction crew. The NHA stated surveillance video from the outside security
cameras were reviewed by corporate, and Resident #1 was not seen on video. The NHA stated there were
no security cameras for the north unit emergency exit doors. The security cameras covered the parking lot
and employee entrance/exit. The NHA stated after the incident occurred, they placed a lock
(continued on next page)
FORM CMS-2567 (02/99)
Previous Versions Obsolete
Event ID:
Facility ID:
105257
If continuation sheet
Page 2 of 4
Printed: 05/28/2026
Form Approved OMB
No. 0938-0391
Department of Health & Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
STATEMENT OF DEFICIENCIES
AND PLAN OF CORRECTION
(X1) PROVIDER/SUPPLIER/CLIA
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
(X2) MULTIPLE CONSTRUCTION
105257
B. Wing
A. Building
(X3) DATE SURVEY
COMPLETED
04/10/2024
NAME OF PROVIDER OR SUPPLIER
STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
Aviata at Saint Lucie
611 S 13th St
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
For information on the nursing home's plan to correct this deficiency, please contact the nursing home or the state survey agency.
(X4) ID PREFIX TAG
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF DEFICIENCIES
(Each deficiency must be preceded by full regulatory or LSC identifying information)
F 0689
Level of Harm - Immediate
jeopardy to resident health or
safety
Residents Affected - Few
keypad to the entrance of the north unit. Upon request, the NHA stated he did not have access to the
surveillance video from the outside security cameras, and could not provide access to the surveyor. The
NHA stated an elopement book was located at both nursing stations and the receptionist desk.
An interview was attempted with Resident #1 on 04/09/24 at 12:00 PM. The resident was observed lying in
bed on top of the covers with his hands crossed behind his head and legs crossed. When questioned about
leaving the facility, Resident #1 stated, I can't leave this place. The resident could not answer any further
questions. The resident was clean and fully dresses with a shirt, pants, and sneakers on. The resident had
a sitter outside the his door.
An interview was conducted with Staff B, a Licensed Practical Nurse, on 03/09/24 at 2:00 PM. Staff B
stated he was Resident #1's primary nurse on 03/27/24 from 7:00 PM-7:00 AM. Staff B stated when he
came on duty, Resident #1 was not in his room or unit area. Staff B stated he was told the resident was
wandering around the facility by the offgoing nurse. Staff B stated he was informed by the CNA (Certified
Nursing Assistant) that Resident #1 could not be found at approximately 8:00 PM. Staff B stated all staff
began searching for Resident #1. Staff B stated he searched the north unit. The emergency exit doors were
not alarming. Staff B further stated he tested the locks by attempting to open the doors and the doors
started to alarm. The doors were locked.
An interview was conducted with Staff G, Assistant Maintenance Director, on 04/09/24 at 3:30 PM. Staff G
stated he checks all exit doors for functionality daily. Staff G stated he checked the emergency exit doors on
03/27/24 prior to leaving the facility on 03/27/24. Staff G stated the doors were locked. Staff G further stated
he does not check doors with the wanderguard device.
An interview was conducted with Staff C, a CNA, on 04/09/24 at 5:00 PM. Staff C stated she assisted
Resident #1 with dinner on the day of the incident around 5:30 PM. Staff C stated she last saw the resident
in church services at the facility at approximately 7:00 PM on 03/27/24.
An telephone interview was conducted with the Clergy on 04/09/24 at 5:30 PM. The Clergy stated Resident
#1 did not attend church services on 03/27/24. The Clergy stated she knows everyone that attends service.
The Clergy stated she was let out of the facility by staff between 7:00 PM-7:30 PM. No one followed her
out.
An interview was conducted with Staff D, a part time receptionist, on 04/10/24 at 10:00 AM. Staff D stated
she was not familiar with Resident #1 and had never seen the resident before 03/27/24. Staff D stated she
saw Resident #1 at the time clock hallway where the employee entrance/exit doors were located around
6:00 PM on 03/27/24. The resident was standing there like a regular employee, and was seen trying to
press buttons on the time clock. Staff D stated she could not see the door at the time clock from where she
sits, but did hear the door close and did not see the resident or any other employees in the area. Staff D
stated when she came into work on 03/29/24, she was told a resident had eloped. The resident was
described to her as carrying a yellow bag. Staff D stated that jogged her memory of the resident standing
next to the time clock.
Staff D explained she did not see the resident exit, but saw the resident go towards the employee door and
heard the door shut. No alarm went off. Staff D stated she told the facility in a written statement. Staff D left
the facility a little after 6:00 PM on 03/27/24. Staff D stated she did not know Resident #1 was a resident at
the time. Staff D further stated she was not aware of an elopement book at the receptionist desk. She knew
that residents who are at risk of elopement usually have a band on the arm or leg. Staff D stated she did
not see a band on Resident #1's arm.
(continued on next page)
FORM CMS-2567 (02/99)
Previous Versions Obsolete
Event ID:
Facility ID:
105257
If continuation sheet
Page 3 of 4
Printed: 05/28/2026
Form Approved OMB
No. 0938-0391
Department of Health & Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
STATEMENT OF DEFICIENCIES
AND PLAN OF CORRECTION
(X1) PROVIDER/SUPPLIER/CLIA
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
(X2) MULTIPLE CONSTRUCTION
105257
B. Wing
A. Building
(X3) DATE SURVEY
COMPLETED
04/10/2024
NAME OF PROVIDER OR SUPPLIER
STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
Aviata at Saint Lucie
611 S 13th St
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
For information on the nursing home's plan to correct this deficiency, please contact the nursing home or the state survey agency.
(X4) ID PREFIX TAG
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF DEFICIENCIES
(Each deficiency must be preceded by full regulatory or LSC identifying information)
F 0689
Level of Harm - Immediate
jeopardy to resident health or
safety
Residents Affected - Few
An interview was conducted with Staff G, Assistant Maintenance Director, on 04/10/24 at 12:00 PM. Staff G
confirmed there are 3 exit doors with wanderguard sensors: the front entrance, the employee entrance and
the [NAME] unit entrance. The Surveyor was able to exit the employee entrance door without the door
alarming, while holding the wanderguard in hand, with the NHA, Director of Nursing (DON), and Staff G
present. It was tested several times. It was observed at times the door would remain locked while trying to
exit, other times the door would open and alarm. It was confirmed by all parties present that the door
should not open with the wanderguard band in place.
The NHA and DON were notified of review for Immediate Jeopardy on 04/10/24 at 12:20 PM. The facility
then posted staff at the employee entrance until the door could be properly secured. Surveillance footage
was still not available for surveyor review.
On 04/10/24 at 4:48 PM, the NHA and DON were notified of ongoing Immediate Jeopardy. At the time of
the survey, the facility had 11 residents identified as at risk for elopement.
FORM CMS-2567 (02/99)
Previous Versions Obsolete
Event ID:
Facility ID:
105257
If continuation sheet
Page 4 of 4