Federal Nursing-Home Survey Record
WESTERN MD HOSPITAL CENTER
Does WESTERN MD HOSPITAL CENTER have a federal violation or abuse history?
According to the public federal record on file with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), WESTERN MD HOSPITAL CENTER (CCN 215110), in HAGERSTOWN, MD, has federal inspection findings on its record. In its current inspection cycle, CMS cited the facility for 26 deficiencies; the most serious carries scope/severity J on CMS's A–L scale, a level CMS classifies as Immediate Jeopardy. The most recent federal survey on file is dated 2024-06-04. Citations from earlier inspection cycles appear in the dated timeline below as historical findings, not current ones. CMS has $24,060 in civil money penalties on file against the facility. This page restates the federal record as published by CMS and draws no conclusion of its own. Strict time limits can apply to claims like these — consider consulting a qualified attorney promptly.
The Federal Record
At its most recent federal inspection, CMS cited this facility for an Immediate Jeopardy deficiency.
Below is this facility's federal survey record as on file with federal regulators (CMS). Strict time limits can apply to claims like these — consider consulting a qualified attorney promptly.
Scope & Severity — current cycle
Civil money penalties on file
$24,060
CMS has $24,060 in civil money penalties on file against this facility.
Overall CMS star rating: this facility vs the CMS-published state average
This facility: 2 · CMS state average: 3.1
Deficiency timeline — full federal history
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Regularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.
Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Have an agreement with at least one or more hospitals certified by Medicare or Medicaid to make sure residents can be moved quickly to the hospital when they need medical care.
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Honor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made.
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Prepare residents for a safe transfer or discharge from the nursing home.
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Document what happened
Were you or a loved one harmed at WESTERN MD HOSPITAL CENTER?
Share a few details to put your inquiry on file. CareSentinel is an independent service that compiles the public CMS record and does not provide legal advice. As qualified attorneys join our network in your area, one may reach out — we can’t guarantee contact yet, so we encourage you to consult a qualified attorney promptly on your own as well. There is no cost, and your information is handled with care.
Strict time limits can apply to claims like these — consider consulting a qualified attorney promptly.