EBENSBURG, PA - Cambria Care Center was cited for failing to implement effective quality assurance measures and not following through on previously required corrective actions during a January 30, 2025 inspection by state surveyors.
Quality Assurance Committee Proves Ineffective
The facility's Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) committee was found to be inadequate in addressing ongoing problems with resident assessment practices. Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain active QAPI programs that systematically identify, analyze, and correct deficient care practices.
The inspection revealed that despite having a QAPI committee in place, the facility continued to struggle with accurate completion of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. These assessments are critical tools used to evaluate residents' physical, mental, and psychosocial functioning and form the foundation for developing individualized care plans.
When QAPI committees fail to function effectively, facilities cannot properly identify patterns of care deficiencies or implement sustainable solutions. This creates a cycle where the same problems persist, potentially compromising resident safety and quality of care.
Previous Violations Remain Unresolved
State surveyors found that Cambria Care Center had not adequately addressed deficiencies identified during a previous inspection ending February 14, 2024. The earlier citation focused on the facility's failure to develop comprehensive, person-centered care plans for residents.
Despite submitting a plan of correction that promised regular audits would be conducted to prevent similar violations, the facility's follow-through proved insufficient. The current survey findings indicate that the promised corrective measures were either not implemented properly or failed to address the underlying systemic issues.
Federal nursing home regulations require facilities to not only submit acceptable plans of correction when cited for deficiencies but also to demonstrate sustained compliance over time. When facilities repeatedly fail to maintain improvements, it suggests deeper organizational problems with quality management systems.
Medical Assessment Accuracy Critical for Proper Care
Accurate MDS assessments serve as the cornerstone of quality nursing home care. These comprehensive evaluations must be completed within specific timeframes and updated regularly to reflect changes in residents' conditions. The data collected influences everything from staffing requirements to therapy services and medication management.
When assessment practices are deficient, residents may not receive appropriate levels of care for their actual needs. For example, inaccurate cognitive assessments could result in residents receiving insufficient supervision or inappropriate medication dosing. Similarly, incorrect physical function evaluations might lead to inadequate assistance with daily activities or improper fall prevention measures.
The facility's ongoing struggles with assessment accuracy, despite previous citations and corrective action promises, raise concerns about staff training, supervision, and the facility's overall commitment to regulatory compliance.
Industry Standards for Quality Improvement
Federal regulations require nursing homes to establish and maintain QAPI programs that include representation from the facility's leadership, medical director, director of nursing, and other key department heads. These committees must meet regularly to review clinical indicators, investigate quality concerns, and implement evidence-based improvements.
Effective QAPI programs should include data collection systems, trend analysis capabilities, and mechanisms for tracking the success of implemented changes. When these systems fail, facilities often find themselves repeatedly cited for similar violations during subsequent inspections.
The regulations also specify that care planning must be comprehensive, person-centered, and based on accurate resident assessments. Plans should address each resident's medical, nursing, and psychosocial needs while incorporating their personal preferences and goals.
Additional Issues Identified
The inspection documentation indicates this was part of a broader survey that identified multiple areas of concern beyond the QAPI and care planning deficiencies. The facility's track record of repeated citations suggests systemic challenges with maintaining consistent compliance with federal nursing home standards.
Ongoing Oversight Required
The pattern of repeated violations at Cambria Care Center demonstrates the importance of sustained oversight and accountability in nursing home operations. When facilities fail to maintain improvements promised in corrective action plans, regulatory agencies typically increase monitoring frequency and may impose additional sanctions.
The facility's inability to sustain compliance with basic quality assurance requirements raises questions about management effectiveness and resource allocation. Successful nursing homes typically invest in robust training programs, adequate staffing levels, and comprehensive quality monitoring systems to prevent recurring violations.
State survey agencies will continue monitoring the facility's progress in addressing these systemic issues and ensuring that promised improvements are actually implemented and maintained over time.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Cambria Care Center from 2025-01-30 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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