Summers Healthcare: Nurse Ignored Pain Scores - WV
State inspectors found the pattern during a complaint investigation at Summers Healthcare Center in August. The resident had a standing order for extra-strength acetaminophen tablets, with instructions to give two 500-milligram tablets every eight hours as needed for pain. The order had been active since May 16.
Registered Nurse #44 recorded pain scores on 20 separate occasions between May and August. The scores ranged from 1 to 10 on the standard pain scale.
On May 11, the nurse documented a pain score of 10 — the highest possible rating on the scale. She provided no medication and made no call to the doctor.
Three days later, she recorded a pain score of 8. Again, no intervention.
The pattern continued through the summer. On July 5, another pain score of 8. On July 28, another 8. Each time, the nurse noted the resident's distress but took no action to address it.
The resident's care plan specifically addressed pain management, but inspectors found it was never implemented during this period.
Medication administration records showed the nurse never gave the prescribed acetaminophen during any shift when she documented pain. She also never used non-pharmacological interventions like repositioning or heat therapy that were part of the resident's care plan.
Progress notes contained no indication that the physician was ever notified about the resident's repeated reports of pain, even when scores reached the severe range.
The documentation spanned both day and night shifts. During day shifts, the nurse recorded pain scores on 19 occasions between May 5 and August 7. She documented one additional pain score of 3 during a night shift on July 29.
Some pain scores were moderate — ratings of 2 and 3 appeared frequently in the records. But even these lower scores received no response from the nurse, despite the availability of as-needed medication.
The highest pain scores occurred in May. After documenting the pain score of 10 on May 11, the nurse recorded an 8 on May 14. Both incidents occurred during day shifts when the nurse had full access to the medication and could have contacted the physician.
State inspectors reviewed four months of medication administration records — May, June, July and August 2025. The pattern remained consistent throughout this period.
When inspectors interviewed the Director of Nursing on August 20, she confirmed she had no additional information about the resident's pain complaints. She acknowledged that the care plan for pain management had not been implemented.
The facility's own documentation created the evidence trail. Each pain score was recorded in the medical record, creating a clear timeline of the resident's distress and the nurse's failure to respond.
Federal regulations require nursing homes to provide care that maintains or improves each resident's quality of life. Pain management is a fundamental component of that care, particularly for elderly residents who may have multiple chronic conditions.
The inspection found the facility failed to ensure the resident received appropriate treatment for pain, despite having both a physician's order for medication and a care plan that addressed pain management.
The violation affected few residents but represented a significant breakdown in basic nursing care. When a resident reports pain severe enough to rate as an 8 or 10, immediate intervention is typically warranted.
The case illustrates how documentation can reveal patterns of neglect. The nurse's own records became evidence that she was aware of the resident's pain but chose not to treat it.
Summers Healthcare Center must now develop a plan to correct the deficiency and prevent similar incidents. The state will monitor the facility's compliance with pain management protocols during future inspections.
For the resident involved, three months of documented pain went untreated despite the availability of both medication and nursing interventions that could have provided relief.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Summers Healthcare Center from 2025-08-20 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 20, 2026 · Our methodology
SUMMERS HEALTHCARE CENTER in HINTON, WV was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 20, 2025.
State inspectors found the pattern during a complaint investigation at Summers Healthcare Center in August.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.