Orchards At Tulare
Inspection Findings
F-Tag F0880
F 0880
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Level of Harm - Minimal harm or potential for actual harm
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure infection control practices were implemented when:1. A glucometer (used to take residents blood sugar) was not sanitized after use for one of three sampled residents (Resident 1);2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE-gown, gloves, mask, eye protection) was not worn when entering a droplet precaution (used to prevent the spread of germs transmitted through large respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking) isolation room.These failures had the potential for spread and risk of infections to residents, visitors, and staff.Findings:1. During a concurrent observation and interview, on 11/24/25 at 12:22 p.m. with Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 1, in Resident 1's room, LVN 1 placed a glucometer test strip in the glucometer, cleaned Resident 1's finger with alcohol, poked Resident 1's finger with the lancet (small, disposable, sterile needle used to prick the skin), placed a drop of blood on the test strip, reviewed the result, removed the test strip from the glucometer and placed the glucometer back in the medication cart. The glucometer was not sanitized prior to placing it in the medication cart. LVN 1 stated she forgot to sanitize the glucometer, and it should have been done after using the glucometer.During an interview on 11/24/25 at 1:53 p.m. with Infection Preventionist (IP), IP stated the glucometers were to be sanitized after each use.During a review of the facility's policy and procedure (P&P) titled Glucometer Disinfection dated 2025, the P&P indicated
The facility will ensure blood glucometers will be cleaned and disinfected after each use and according to manufacturer's instructions for multi-resident use.2. During a concurrent observation and interview on 11/24/25 at 12:49 p.m. outside Resident 2's door, there was a sign on the door that indicated Droplet Precautions. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 2 entered the room and picked up a food tray without putting PPE on. CNA 2 stated he was unaware of the type of precautions required when entering Resident 2's room.During an interview on 11/24/25 at 12:50 p.m. with Director of Staff Development (DSD), DSD stated Resident 2 was in droplet precautions and the staff should be wearing PPE when entering the room.During
an interview on 11/24/25 at 12:54 p.m. with CNA 2, CNA 2 stated when he entered Resident 2's room, he should have had full PPE on including an N95 (a type of respirator that filters at least 95% of air particles), gown, gloves and eye protection.During an interview on 11/24/25 at 1:53 p.m. with IP, IP stated Resident 2 was on droplet precautions and when staff entered the room, they should be wearing a N95, gown, gloves and eye protection.During a review of the facility policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Transmission-Based (Isolation) Precautions dated 2025, the P&P indicated, Droplet Precautions.Intended to prevent transmission of pathogens spread through close respiratory or mucous membrane contact with respiratory secretions.Based upon the pathogen or clinical syndrome, if there is a risk of exposure of mucous membranes or substantial spraying or respiratory secretions is anticipated, gloves and gown as well as goggles (or face shield) should be worn.
Residents Affected - Few
Any deficiency statement ending with an asterisk (*) denotes a deficiency which the institution may be excused from correcting providing it is determined that other safeguards provide sufficient protection to the patients. (See instructions.) Except for nursing homes, the findings stated above are disclosable 90 days following the date of survey whether or not a plan of correction is provided. For nursing homes, the above findings and plans of correction are disclosable 14 days following the date
these documents are made available to the facility. If deficiencies are cited, an approved plan of correction is requisite to continued program participation.
LABORATORY DIRECTOR'S OR PROVIDER/SUPPLIER REPRESENTATIVE'S SIGNATURE
TITLE
(X6) DATE
FORM CMS-2567 (02/99) Previous Versions Obsolete
Facility ID:
If continuation sheet
Event ID:
ORCHARDS AT TULARE in TULARE, CA inspection on recent inspection.
Found 0 violation(s). Severity: Standard violations. Status: 0 corrected, 0 pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an F-tag violation?
- F-tags are federal deficiency codes used by CMS to categorize nursing home violations. Each F-tag corresponds to a specific federal regulation (42 CFR Part 483). For example, F607 relates to abuse prevention policies, F880 relates to infection control.
- Were these violations corrected?
- Facilities must submit plans of correction and implement changes within required timeframes. CMS conducts follow-up inspections to verify corrections. Check the inspection report for specific correction dates and follow-up verification status.
- How often do nursing home inspections happen?
- CMS conducts unannounced inspections of all Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes at least once per year. Additional inspections may occur based on complaints, facility-reported incidents, or follow-up to verify previous violations were corrected.
- What should families do about these violations?
- Families should: (1) Review the full inspection report for details, (2) Ask facility administration about specific corrective actions taken, (3) Check if this represents a pattern by reviewing prior inspections, (4) Compare with other facilities in TULARE, CA, (5) Report new concerns to state authorities.
- Where can I see the full inspection report?
- Complete inspection reports are available on Medicare.gov's Care Compare website (www.medicare.gov/care-compare). You can also request copies directly from ORCHARDS AT TULARE or from the state Department of Health. Reports include deficiency codes, facility responses, and correction timelines.