Apex Secure Care: Privacy Violations During Wound Care - TX
The violation occurred during an April 13 inspection at Apex Secure Care Brownfield when LVN A treated Resident #32's stage 2 pressure ulcer on her left buttock. Federal inspectors observed the 10:07 a.m. wound care session and documented multiple privacy failures.
Resident #32, whose cognitive assessment showed she was severely impaired and never or rarely made decisions, was visible from the hallway during the intimate medical procedure. The nurse failed to close the door, allowing any staff member, visitor, or wandering resident to enter the room.
The window blinds remained open with direct view to the street and facility exterior. LVN A also left the privacy curtain between Resident #32 and her sleeping roommate, Resident #23, only partially closed.
When interviewed that evening, LVN A acknowledged she had been trained to provide privacy but was "unsure of her last training." She claimed she had pulled the curtain enough so the resident wasn't visible from the hallway, contradicting what inspectors observed.
"I never close the windows or the blinds because it is a locked facility anyways," LVN A told inspectors. She said she didn't close the curtain between roommates because Resident #23 was sleeping and facing the other direction.
LVN A understood the purpose of privacy during care was "for dignity and because no one wants to be exposed." She recognized that failing to provide privacy could leave residents "feeling embarrassed or exposed."
Resident #32 could not be interviewed due to her cognitive impairment. Her medical history included dementia, the stage 2 pressure ulcer, and muscle weakness. She had been admitted to the facility on an undisclosed date and scored 99 on her cognitive assessment, indicating she was unable to complete the interview portion.
The administrator expressed clear expectations during his April 14 interview. He said staff should provide "full privacy when providing care," which meant "having the door closed, the blinds closed and the privacy curtain pulled."
He called LVN A's actions "careless" and said he was unsure whether she had been trained on privacy and dignity. The potential negative outcome, he said, would be "dignity issues for the residents."
The facility lacked a specific privacy and dignity policy. Instead, administrators relied on a quality-of-life policy last revised in February 2020 that contained privacy provisions.
That policy required staff to "promote, maintain and protect resident privacy, including bodily privacy during assistance with personal care and during treatment procedures." It prohibited "demeaning practices and standards of care that compromise dignity" and specifically required staff to "treat cognitively impaired residents with dignity and sensitivity."
The policy stated that each resident "shall be cared for in a manner that promotes and enhances his or her sense of well-being, level of satisfaction with life, feeling of self-worth and self-esteem."
Federal inspectors determined the privacy violation created minimal harm or potential for actual harm but could place residents at risk of emotional distress, embarrassment, and lower self-esteem.
The inspection revealed a gap between written policy and actual practice. While facility documents emphasized dignity and privacy protection, especially for cognitively impaired residents, the observed wound care session violated multiple privacy standards.
LVN A's comment about not closing blinds because the facility was locked suggested a misunderstanding of privacy requirements. Physical security doesn't eliminate the need for personal privacy during intimate care procedures.
The violation highlighted particular vulnerability of residents with severe cognitive impairment like Resident #32, who cannot advocate for themselves or express discomfort with privacy breaches during medical procedures.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Apex Secure Care Brownfield from 2026-04-14 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 13, 2026 · Our methodology
APEX SECURE CARE BROWNFIELD in BROWNFIELD, TX was cited for violations during a health inspection on April 14, 2026.
Federal inspectors observed the 10:07 a.m.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened at APEX SECURE CARE BROWNFIELD?
- Federal inspectors observed the 10:07 a.m.
- How serious are these violations?
- Violation severity varies from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the inspection report for specific deficiency codes and scope. All violations must be corrected within required timeframes and are subject to follow-up verification inspections.
- What should families do?
- Families should: (1) Ask facility administration about specific corrective actions taken, (2) Request to see the follow-up inspection report verifying corrections, (3) Check if this represents a pattern by reviewing prior inspection reports, (4) Compare this facility's ratings with other nursing homes in BROWNFIELD, TX, (5) Report any new concerns directly to state authorities.
- Where can I see the full inspection report?
- The complete inspection report is available on Medicare.gov's Care Compare website (www.medicare.gov/care-compare). You can also request a copy directly from APEX SECURE CARE BROWNFIELD or from the state Department of Health. The report includes specific deficiency codes, facility responses, and correction timelines. This facility's federal provider number is 675019.
- Has this facility had violations before?
- To check APEX SECURE CARE BROWNFIELD's history, visit Medicare.gov's Care Compare and review their inspection history, quality ratings, and staffing levels. Look for patterns of repeated violations, especially in critical areas like abuse prevention, medication management, infection control, and resident safety.