State orders immediate shutdown of Cape Coral assisted living facility
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — State regulators are issuing an Emergency Suspension Order against The Woodlands Assisted Living Center in Cape Coral to suspend all operations effective immediately on Nov. 14 due to the facility’s ongoing deficiencies, threatening the safety and well-being of current and future residents.
On Oct. 25, The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) followed through with a survey of The Woodlands Assisted Living Center, located at 825 Santa Barabara Boulevard in Cape Coral.
The survey resulted in some pretty disturbing findings.
On Nov. 1, AHCA filed a report calling for an emergency suspension order against the facility.
Sexual Abuse Allegations
On July 24, a resident reportedly sexually assaulted another resident.
The report states the aggressor masturbated on another resident, whose shirt was removed. The victim suffers from dementia and has trouble answering simple questions.
The Woodlands facility solely responded by showering the victim. No further action was taken — No medical or mental health assessments were conducted. The residents’ bedrooms were located in the same hallway; neither one was relocated. The facility did not notify the resident’s physicians, family, or law enforcement. No investigation of the event was taken.
On Aug. 13 and 14, the same aggressor was noted exposing genitals within the building.
No documented interventions exist to address the resident’s continuous inappropriate sexual behavior.
Same-Day Incidents
On Oct. 3, a resident allegedly fell through a glass window in the lobby. They were hurt and sent to a local emergency department for treatment.
Within the report, AHCA said the facility undertook no internal investigation of the event and did not file any incident reports.
The resident suffered two falls on Oct. 6 and a total of nine falls since July 13.
No documented interventions exist to address the resident’s falls.
Then on the same day, a resident eloped from the facility around 7:00 p.m. through the front door. A staff member released an electronic lock for a pizza delivery.
The facility did not know the resident left the premises until approximately 9:00 p.m.
They did not contact law enforcement or the resident’s family regarding the event.
Emergency medical services reportedly found the resident nearly 1.4 miles away on a sidewalk near a busy four-lane road.
The resident was taken to a local hospital.
The facility undertook no internal investigation of the event and did not file any incident reports. They responded by giving the employee a warning that read, “Will make sure to pay attention at all times who goes in or out.”
Hazardous Physical Facility
According to the report, water pipes in the ceiling are dripping into resident rooms and the hallway.
The facility Maintenance Director said they were being repaired, and there is suspected bio-growth in the ceilings due to the leaks.
On Oct 24, the ceiling of bedroom 111 fell from water damage and was patched with drywall. The ceiling of bedroom 110 shows extensive water damage.
There is no hot water available in three out of the five resident halls or the laundry.
The report states that the hot water boiler for these areas broke on Oct. 14.
98 residents are currently forced to take cold showers or use the two communal showers in the 500 hallway.
Some residents said they chose to forgo showers because of the lack of hot water.
The Administrator said that two companies came to address the issues, but one did not submit a quote, and the other submitted one on Oct. 24.
The facility does not have a policy or procedure to address the lack of hot water in the laundry systems.
On Sept. 11, the Florida Department of Health noticed a bed bug infestation.
They told the Woodlands facility to address the infestation within 30 days.
The Department returned on Oct. 16 to see that they only treated it with an over-the-counter pesticide.
They found active bed bugs in ten resident rooms and the activity room.
Four residents said they had bed bugs, and one showed a bite on their body.
The corporate office has not approved the pest control service expenses.
Financial Issues
The Woodlands facility owes a total amount of 171,632.71 to vendors.
In addition, the total income for Sept. is listed as 269,019.27 — meaning that the facility operates at a loss.
However, numbers reflect that the total net income for the six-month period is $94,770.00
According to the report, “the Facility has demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to comply with the regulatory scheme.”
Under Florida law, assisted living facilities must meet the following requirements:
Resident Rights: “No resident of a facility shall be deprived of any civil or legal rights, benefits or privileges guaranteed by law…Every resident shall have the right to: live in a safe and decent living environment, free from abuse and neglect; be treated with consideration and respect and with due recognition of personal dignity, individuality, and the need for privacy; and assistance with obtaining access to adequate and appropriate health care”
Supervision: Facilities must monitor resident diets; staff must observe resident activities daily; must be aware of residents’ whereabouts; must contact resident’s health care provider and others in case of significant change in residents’ behavior; must contact resident’s family, etc. if move out or discharged; must maintain a written record of illnesses and medication
Physical Plant: All facilities must provide a safe living environment, be maintained free of hazards, and ensure all systems are in good working order; residents must have a bed, closet, dresser, table, and lighting; must have master keys to residents rooms in case of emergency; must provide laundry services and clean bedsheets
Administrator’s Responsibility: Every facility must be under the supervision of an administrator responsible for operation and maintenance, including management of all staff and appropriate care to all residents
Financial Ability to Operate: The facility must be administered on a sound financial basis to ensure resources to meet resident needs
Based on the findings during the investigation, the AHCA deemed that “an immediate serious threat and danger to the public health, safety, or welfare presently exists at the Facility” and “emergency suspension of licensure is necessary in order to protect the residents.”
As stated in the report, “bed bugs, the lack of hot water, leaking pipes, dysfunctional emergency equipment, and inadequate resident supervision to prevent assault, falls, or elopement all vividly reflect gross failures in administration.”
Therefore AHCA ordering all operations of The Woodlands Assisted Living Center to be suspended effective Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 5:00 p.m.
During the time in between, they will cooperate with other agencies to ensure the safe and orderly discharge of the residents to different locations.
Count on NBC2 to bring you the latest developments in this case.
