374604539-6-28-2024-08-AS-JLOT-D6PV2H-20240629160309

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 374604539
Report Date: 06/28/2024
Date Signed: 06/28/2024 09:46:36 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/25/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Nacole Patterson

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 08-AS-20240325135614

FACILITY NAME:	PACIFICA SENIOR LIVING ENCINITAS		FACILITY NUMBER:	374604539
ADMINISTRATOR:	WATKINS, MELISSA		FACILITY TYPE:	740
ADDRESS:	504 S EL CAMINO REAL		TELEPHONE:	(760) 452-0615
CITY:	ENCINITAS	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92024
CAPACITY:	90	CENSUS: 49	DATE:	06/28/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:25 AM
MET WITH:	Executive Director Melissa Watkins		TIME COMPLETED:	10:00 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Resident sustained scabies due to neglect, which resulted in hospitalization
Licensee did not address unclean facility

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Nacole Patterson conducted an unannounced visit to deliver findings regarding the above complaint allegations. LPA introduced herself and disclosed the purpose of the visit to Executive Director Melissa Watkins.

On 3/25/24 it was alleged that a resident sustained scabies due to neglect, which resulted in hospitalization, and Licensee did not address unclean facility. The Department’s investigation consisted of unannounced facility visits, interviews with facility staff, residents, outside sources, records review, and direct observations.

Staff members consistently stated the same infection control protocols for each confirmed and/or suspected scabies case including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning protocols, medication administration, and isolation.

(Continued on LIC9099 p. 2)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion: 0

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jennifer Lott	TELEPHONE: (619) 346-3976
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nacole Patterson	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2301
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/28/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/28/2024

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 08-AS-20240325135614

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: PACIFICA SENIOR LIVING ENCINITAS	FACILITY NUMBER: 374604539
	VISIT DATE: 06/28/2024

NARRATIVE

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(Continued from LIC9099 p.1)

Staff members stated that some residents did not inform that they may have been infected, which prevented staff from taking action as soon as possible. Further, staff informed that some residents were independent without needing caregiving assistance or medication administration, which reduced the ability for caregivers to identify a possible infection. Staff members informed that informational signage regarding scabies was placed around the facility, the community was notified regarding the outbreak, and residents were encouraged to notify facility staff for possible infections. No staff interviewed had knowledge of any resident suffering a serious case of scabies or any resident requiring hospitalization for it.

Residents interviewed consistently stated that staff did a good job cleaning the facility and assisted them when there was a concern for scabies, recommending for them to go to the hospital for treatment. Residents confirmed that information regarding scabies was placed on resident doors, and staff assisted residents with the prescription cream administration, even if the resident was able to administer their own medication. During interviews some residents noted that there was a stigma surrounding being infected, which made residents hesitant to notify staff for treatment. Resident interviews further revealed that some residents who managed their own medications chose to use over-the-counter medications and/or herbal remedies to attempt to heal themselves. No resident interviewed advised being hospitalized or having a severe case of scabies.

Records review revealed that the facility posted signage around the facility regarding PPE usage, and notification of the scabies outbreak with symptoms and prevention measures. Records review revealed email communication from the Executive Director to residents and families regarding the outbreak and temporary facility closure to stop the spread. Records review further revealed email communication between the Executive Director and San Diego Public Health and the CDC regarding the outbreak and facility protocols. Further, the Department received notification via Incident Reports, phone calls, and emails from the Licensee regarding the outbreak and the Licensee's action to assist residents. No records were found to corroborate that a resident experienced a severe case of scabies or was hospitalized.

(Continued on LIC9099 p.3)

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jennifer Lott	TELEPHONE: (619) 346-3976
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nacole Patterson	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2301
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/28/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/28/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 08-AS-20240325135614

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: PACIFICA SENIOR LIVING ENCINITAS	FACILITY NUMBER: 374604539
	VISIT DATE: 06/28/2024

NARRATIVE

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(Continued from LIC9099 p. 2)

During two unannounced facility visits LPA directly observed the physical plant of the facility. LPA observed surfaces to be clean, passageways to be clear from debris, and linens including curtains and bedsheets to be clean and of good repair. LPA further observed housekeeping staff wiping surfaces, sanitizing, and washing resident clothing. LPA observed infected clothing to be bagged up and tagged for isolation per infection protocol. LPA did not observe any residue, foul smell, debris, or accumulation of dirt around the facility that would indicate it was not being regularly cleaned. LPA further observed hospital-grade cleaning wipes around the facility for cleaning common and high-touch surfaces.

Staff interviews, in conjunction with resident interviews and records, did not corroborate that any resident suffered a severe case of scabies or had been hospitalized because of it. No evidence was obtained to corroborate that the Licensee did not address cleanliness or infection control at the facility. Rather, the evidence found showed that the facility took action to both prevent and minimize the spread of infection at the facility.

Based on interviews, direct LPA observations and records review, a preponderance of evidence does not exist to prove that the alleged violations occurred, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED. An exit interview was conducted with Executive Director Melissa Watkins, to whom a copy of this report and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 03/22) were provided.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jennifer Lott	TELEPHONE: (619) 346-3976
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nacole Patterson	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2301
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/28/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/28/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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