Life Care Center of Cheyenne: Resident Rights Cited - WY
Federal inspectors found that nurses failed to assess or acknowledge the resident's pain complaints during a September 24 dressing change, even as the patient verbalized back pain and discomfort when adhesive dressings were removed from sensitive sites.
The resident, who had undergone major surgical procedures including colostomy and nephrostomy tube placement before admission, suffered from cancer, frequent pain, rheumatoid arthritis and muscle weakness. Medical records showed the patient was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 13 out of 15.
During the observed procedure, RN #1 and nurse practitioner #1 rolled the resident from side to side while changing the colostomy bag, wafer and nephrostomy tube dressings. The patient verbalized pain throughout the process, but staff provided no pain relief beforehand.
Only after completing the procedure did RN #1 assess the resident's pain level at 3:10 PM, finding it had reached 8 to 9 out of 10. The nurse administered Tylenol twelve minutes later at the resident's request.
The resident's last oxycodone dose had been given seven hours earlier at 7 AM for a pain rating of 7 out of 10. Acetaminophen was last administered the previous evening at 9 PM.
When questioned about pain management protocols, RN #1 revealed a troubling approach to resident care. The nurse admitted that while residents were sometimes premedicated before dressing changes, "The resident's pain and anxiety is so bad at times that we will just push through it."
The Director of Nursing confirmed that residents with known pain during dressing changes should be premedicated if within the physician's ordering timeframe. Physician orders from September 11 allowed 500 mg of acetaminophen every six hours as needed, and September 19 orders permitted 5 mg of oxycodone every six hours for moderate to severe pain.
Significantly, physician orders dated September 15 established the resident's acceptable pain level at 5 out of 10. Yet staff allowed pain to escalate to nearly double that threshold before providing relief.
The resident confirmed the inadequate pain management during an interview the following day, telling inspectors they were in pain during the dressing change and would have preferred premedication before the procedure.
Medical records revealed the scope of the resident's condition. The patient had been admitted in July 2025 following major surgical interventions that fundamentally altered their anatomy and daily care needs. The colostomy and nephrostomy tubes required regular maintenance that involved manipulating surgical sites and removing adhesive materials from tender skin.
Staff had available medication orders that could have prevented the documented suffering. The oxycodone prescription allowed doses every six hours for moderate to severe pain, yet seven hours had passed since the last administration despite the resident's established pain history.
The facility's own policy, revised just one day before the inspection on September 23, required staff to ensure residents receive treatment in accordance with professional standards and the resident's choices related to pain management. The policy specifically mandated identification of verbal and non-verbal pain indicators.
Federal inspectors witnessed staff ignoring both requirements. The resident's verbal complaints of back pain and discomfort went unacknowledged, and no assessment occurred until after the painful procedure was complete.
The violation represents a failure in basic nursing care for a vulnerable population. Cancer patients with surgical alterations require heightened attention to pain management, particularly during procedures involving surgical sites and medical devices.
The resident's experience illustrates how inadequate pain protocols can compound suffering for those already dealing with serious medical conditions. Despite having cognitive capacity to communicate their needs and available medication orders to address their pain, the patient endured unnecessary discomfort due to poor nursing judgment and inadequate care planning.
The inspection found this represented minimal harm with potential for actual harm, affecting few residents at the 1330 Prairie Avenue facility.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Life Care Center of Cheyenne from 2025-11-18 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
Life Care Center of Cheyenne in Cheyenne, WY was cited for violations during a health inspection on November 18, 2025.
Medical records showed the patient was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 13 out of 15.
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.