F 0689
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to
prevent accidents.
Level of Harm - Actual harm
Residents Affected - Few
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on
observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure resident coffee was served at a safe
temperature for 1 of 4 residents (R1) reviewed for safety and supervision in the sample of four. This failure
resulted in R1 sustaining second degree burns to her thigh and calf.
The findings include:
The facility's incident report dated 12/31/24 showed R1 spilled coffee on herself on a Sunday (12/29/24).
The report showed the physician and nurse practitioner had been notified. The report was completed by V3
(Director of Nurses).
R1's undated record of admission form showed an admission date of 12/13/24 and a discharge date of
12/30/24. R1's facility assessment dated [DATE] showed diagnoses including but not limited to fracture of
the right femur, hypertension, anemia, and osteoporosis. The same assessment showed severe cognitive
impairment and staff supervision or touch assistance required for eating.
On 1/9/25 at 4:32 PM, V8 (CNA-Certified Nurse Aide) stated he was assigned to R1 the afternoon shift of
12/29/24. V8 said it was his first time working that unit and caring for R1. V8 said R1 was lying in bed and
asked for coffee sometime around 4:30 PM. V8 said he did not realize R1 had dementia and she seemed
okay to have coffee by herself. V8 said he brought R1 coffee in a covered, styrofoam cup. V8 said he went
into her room about 30 minutes later and saw brown coffee stains on her sheets. V8 said he rolled R1 to the
side to prepare her for transfer out of bed. V8 said he saw blisters on the back of her upper thigh. The area
was blistered about the size of a football and he could tell it was a burn. V8 said he alerted the nurse
working the floor (V3-DON-Director of Nurses). V3 assessed the area, applied ointment, and told him to
keep her off the area.
On 1/9/25 at 11:22 AM, V3 (DON) stated she was working the evening of 12/29/24 and was alerted by V8
around 4:30 PM or 5 PM that R1 had spilled coffee on herself while in bed. V3 said she went to the room
and assessed R1 in bed. The back of R1's upper thigh had a big, long, and good amount sized burn on it.
V3 said the skin was open and the first layer of skin was peeling back. V3 said R1 reported pain when it
was touched. R1 said she spilled coffee on herself. V3 said R1's cognition was poor. Earlier in the day, R1
had been having difficulty opening her right hand fully and was not able to firmly grasp items. V3 said R1
was on isolation for covid and was eating all her meals in her room.
R1's progress note dated 12/29/24 and authored by V3 showed: Alerted by CNA around 0500pmish (sic)
that resident has spilled coffee on herself .Upon rolling the resident towards the wall skin peeling is noted.
Rt (right) leg thigh-posterior (back) side was red and skin was noted measuring 14 cm x
(continued on next page)
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 3
Event ID:
146066
Printed: 05/15/2026
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
146066
B. Wing
A. Building
(X3) DATE SURVEY
COMPLETED
01/10/2025
NAME OF PROVIDER OR SUPPLIER
STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
Alpine Fireside Health Center
3650 North Alpine Road
Rockford, IL 61114
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
5.5 cm (centimeters).
Level of Harm - Actual harm
On 1/9/25 at 3:25 PM, V6 (WCN-Wound Care Nurse) stated she cared for R1 the day after the coffee burn
on 12/30/24. V6 said she assessed and measured the burns, which had progressed from the assessment
done the evening prior. V6 said there were open blisters to the back of her right thigh, knee, and calf. V6
said R1 was also seen by the nurse practitioner and her physician after her assessment.
Residents Affected - Few
R1's body skin check form dated 12/30/24 and signed by V6 (WCN) showed: burns from coffee-wound
assessments. The form showed two areas on the back of right thigh measuring 14.0 x 5.5 cm and 4.0 x 2.0
cm (centimeters). One area on the back of the right knee measuring 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm. Two areas on the
back of the right calf measuring 11.0 x 3.0 cm and 3.0 x 1.0 cm.
On 1/9/25 at 3:08 PM, V5 (Nurse Practitioner) stated she saw R1's burns on 12/30/24 and agreed with the
skin assessment done by the wound care nurse (V6). V5 said she recommended R1 be sent out to the local
emergency room for evaluation and treatment. V5 said R1's daughter wanted R1 to be seen by the
physician first, who was also in the building at that time. V5 said the physician did see R1 shortly after and
diagnosed second degreed burns on the right leg. Orders were given for wound treatments and a referral to
wound care.
R1's chart note dated 12/30/24 by her physician states: Burn of second degree of unspecified thigh, initial
encounter. Patient sustained a burn by spilling coffee on her right leg yesterday. Several blisters present,
with the largest one ruptured on the posterior right thigh, exposing subcutaneous tissue with pink color. No
other acute inflammatory changes. Recommend silver Silvadene to apply as directed: wound care consult;
close monitoring for any early signs and symptoms of infection; notify MD/NP (medical director/nurse
practitioner) with any concerns or changes; monitor.
On 1/9/25 at 9:27 AM, V2 (Dietary Manager) stated R1 was burned on her thigh while drinking coffee in
bed. V2 verified it occurred on 12/29/24 (Sunday) and he was notified of the incident the same day via the
facility's interoffice email system. V2 stated the coffee temperatures are checked every day by himself. V2
said he is at the facility seven days a week, including weekends. V2 said he checks that the coffee is
between 175-190*F (degrees Fahrenheit) when it comes out of the machine. V2 said he checks it by
pouring the coffee into a cup and placing a stem thermometer into it. The temperature should be at the
175-190 degree range for the proper distribution temperature to serve it. V2 said he does not record any
coffee temperatures unless there is an occurrence, like the burn R1 experienced. V2 said he records the
temperatures for about one week then stops. V2 said he just assumes the coffee is at a safe level based on
the machine temperature and that it drops to the proper serve temperature prior to leaving the kitchen. At
9:46 AM, this surveyor and V2 tested the hot water coming out of the coffee machine using a thermometer
that had been observed calibrated to 32*F in an ice bath. The water registered 178.5*F. V2 said it was the
same water source used to make resident coffee.
On 1/9/25 at 10:05 AM, the last three months of coffee temperature monitoring logs were requested. The
only log available was dated from 12/29/24 to 1/7/25 (week following R1's thigh burns). Temperatures
ranged from 176*F to 189*F.
On 1/9/25 at 1:33 PM, this surveyor entered the facility kitchen and V7 (outside service technician) was at
the coffee machine with hand tools. V7 said he was just called that day to come in and lower the water
temperature on the machine. V7 said it's running too hot and they want it turned down to serve it at a lower
temperature.
(continued on next page)
FORM CMS-2567 (02/99)
Previous Versions Obsolete
Event ID:
Facility ID:
146066
If continuation sheet
Page 2 of 3
Printed: 05/15/2026
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
146066
B. Wing
A. Building
(X3) DATE SURVEY
COMPLETED
01/10/2025
NAME OF PROVIDER OR SUPPLIER
STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
Alpine Fireside Health Center
3650 North Alpine Road
Rockford, IL 61114
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 - Actual harm
Residents Affected - Few
On 1/9/25 at 1:37 PM, V2 (Dietary Manager) said the technician was called in today even though the coffee
was being served at the proper temperatures. At this interview, the dietary manager gave entirely different
temperature levels and testing procedure. V2 said the coffee should be tested when it comes out of the
machine, again after resting in the carafes, and third time after poured into the serving cups. The
temperatures should be 175-190 at the machine, 170-160 in the carafes, and 145-150 in the serve cups.
On 1/9/25 at 4:45 PM, temperatures of the coffee were taken by V2 prior to serving for the dinner meal. At
4:50 PM, the coffee coming out of the machine was 153*F. At 5:05 PM, coffee in the carafes was at 135*F.
V2 stated the carafes will be left open and allowed to rest until the temperature drops. At 5:30 PM, coffee
was poured into serving cups and was at 129*F. V2 said any coffee served will be tested and recorded like
this going forward. The temperatures will be taken at every meal and documented on the log. Any coffee
temperatures higher than allowed with be left in the kitchen until it cools down. V2 said every cook will be
trained on the procedure. The day cook has been trained already, the evening cook and any cooks in
training will be trained tomorrow.
The facility's undated Coffee Machine Temperature Monitoring Policy states under the procedure section:
Designated dietary staff member will monitor coffee machine to assure it is operating within normal
temperature limits. The facility's undated Hot Liquid Policy states under the guideline section: 2. The
temperatures of hot liquids will be checked that they are in range by the dietary department .3.e. Disallow
hot liquids while lying in bed.
The facility was unable to provide any policy related to normal coffee temperature limits. The facility was
unable to provide any policy related to when and how to monitor hot liquid temperatures.
FORM CMS-2567 (02/99)
Previous Versions Obsolete
Event ID:
Facility ID:
146066
If continuation sheet
Page 3 of 3