Altamaha Healthcare Center
ALTAMAHA HEALTHCARE CENTER in JESUP, GA — inspection on August 9, 2025.
Found 1 citation. Severity: Standard violations.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct within required timeframes. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns and are subject to follow-up verification.
Inspection Findings
Review of R6's progress note dated 5/20/2025 revealed that the CNAs approached R6 in the DON's office and informed nursing that a vape was found in the resident's room.
Per the progress note, staff saw smoke in the resident's room and walked in and saw the vape. A review of R6's social service progress note dated 5/21/2025, indicated a vape device was found in the resident's possession after the resident was reportedly caught smoking.
During an interview on 8/7/2025 at 9:10 am, the AD stated CNA15 let R6 go out during a smoke break with a supplemental oxygen tank on the back of the resident's wheelchair.
During an interview on 8/7/2025 at 10:33 am, the DON stated she believed staff knew it was not okay to have supplemental oxygen outside for a smoke break.
During a follow-up interview on 8/7/2025 at 3:57 pm, the DON stated that 5/20/2025 was the first time R6 was found with a vape in their room.
The DON stated the vape was removed, and the resident was caught again with a vape on 5/24/2025 in their room.
The DON stated that the risk of vaping in a resident's room was that it could potentially start a fire.
During an interview on 8/7/2025 at 4:13 pm, the Administrator stated she thought she had heard a while ago that R6 was vaping in their room.
She did not recall what was done after the incident and did not know how many times the resident was caught with a vape.
The Administrator stated the resident was not allowed to vape in their room because the resident was on supplemental oxygen, and it was flammable.
During a telephone interview on 8/9/2025 at 9:18 am, the former DON stated she was the DON at the time when CNA15 allowed R6 to go outside with a supplemental oxygen tank to smoke.
According to the former DON, R6 wanted to go outside with the group, and CNA15 told the resident it was okay to go outside with the supplemental oxygen tank because he had turned it off.
The former DON stated it scared the other residents, and they reported it the next day.
Per the former DON, CNA15 admitted he made a mistake.
During a telephone interview on 8/9/2025 at 10:18 am, the former Administrator stated he was the Administrator when CNA15 allowed R6 to go outside with a supplemental oxygen tank to smoke.
The former Administrator stated that CNA15 was suspended, and then their employment was terminated.
During an interview on 8/9/2025 at 1:54 pm, the DON stated her expectation was that all smoking materials were to be kept with the staff and no residents could have smoking materials in their room.
The DON stated that staff were expected to report any found smoking materials to anyone in charge.
During an interview on 8/9/2025 at 2:44 pm, the Administrator stated her expectation for vapes in a resident's room was that they were not allowed, and she expected them to be stored with cigarettes.
The Administrator stated she expected staff to report to her, the DON, or a nurse if they found a resident with a vape.
During an interview on 8/9/2025 at 2:46 pm, the Administrator stated her expectation was that there were to be no supplemental oxygen tanks outside while residents were smoking.
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