Emerald Nursing & Rehab Columbus
Emerald Nursing & Rehab Columbus in Columbus, NE — inspection on April 29, 2026.
Found 3 citations. 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
Observation on 04/28/2026 at 7:35 AM revealed the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) gathering the supplies needed to administer insulin to Resident 8.
Record review of Resident 8's Order Summary dated 04/28/2026 revealed that Resident 8 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and revealed orders for 13 units of long-acting insulin to be given every morning and 25 units of the long-acting insulin to be given at night. A short acting insulin is ordered to be given before meals and at bedtime.
The order is written as sliding scale and is based on the resident's blood glucose level (BGL) prior to the injection.
The LPN verified the number of units ordered for both the long-acting insulin and the short acting insulin based on the resident's BGL.
The LPN cleaned the rubber stoper with an alcohol wipe prior to inserting the needle, dialed up the correct doses: 13 units for the long-acting insulin and 7 units for the short acting insulin.
The LPN entered the resident's room, cleaned the injection site on the resident's right upper arm, injected the long-acting insulin, pulling the pen out immediately after pressing the plunger down.
The LPN then repeated the process with the short acting insulin.
The LPN did not prime either of the insulin pens prior to injecting them into the arm of Resident 5 and did not hold either of the insulin pens at the injection site for 6-10 seconds before removing them.Interview with the LPN on 04/28/2026 at 8:27 AM confirmed that neither of the insulin pens were primed prior to dialing up the ordered number of insulin units and confirmed that neither of the insulin pens were held at the injection site for 6-10 seconds after administration.
Interview with the DON on 04/29/2026 at 11:26 AM confirmed that it is the facility's expectation that insulin pens be primed prior to use and that the pens are held in place for at least 10 seconds after the plunger injects the insulin to ensure an accurate dose is given.
285092 04/29/2026
Emerald Nursing & Rehab Columbus 2855 40th Avenue Columbus, NE 68601
During an interview on 4/28/2026 at 9:40 DON confirmed that the facility census was 75 and there is 1 nurse on the floor scheduled for the dayshift and 1 nurse scheduled for the nightshift.
During an interview 4/28/2026 at 12:48 PM Regional Nurse Consultant (RNC) confirmed the facility did not perform the required daily staff posting due to turnover in the scheduler position and that it had not been completed for the last 2 weeks.
During an interview 4/29/2026 at 8:10 AM Scheduling Coordinator (SC) confirmed that (gender) started in the position on 4/8/2026 and was unaware the daily nurse staffing was to be completed or posted.
285092 04/29/2026
Emerald Nursing & Rehab Columbus 2855 40th Avenue Columbus, NE 68601
for Resident 7. No hand hygiene was performed.
During an interview on 4/28/2026 at 11:44 AM MA - H
audits completed with staff.
During an interview on 4/29/2026 at 1:29 PM RN Infection Preventionist -
all resident cares, before and after gloving and with glove changing and that hand washing should be completed for at least 20 seconds.E.
Record review of the facility's policy titled Blood Sampling-Capillary (Finger Sticks) Level 111 with a revised date of 08/2011 revealed the steps to be taken while obtaining a sample of the resident's blood to be used to measure the resident's blood glucose level (BGL, the amount of sugar in the blood).
Steps in the Procedure number 6 revealed Following the manufacturer's instructions, clean and disinfect the glucose monitoring device (glucometer, a small handheld machine used to measure BGL) after each use with 10% bleach preparation.
Record review of the facility's policy titled Glucometer Disinfection dated 05/2019 revealed the steps required to properly clean and disinfect a glucometer including using a disinfectant wipe to cleanse the glucometer and allowing at least 5 minutes for the disinfectant to dry.
The policy revealed that the purpose of the procedure guide is to prevent the transmission of bloodborne diseases to the residents and the employees.Observations on 04/28/2026 at 7:75AM revealed the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) preparing to administer morning medications to Resident 8.
The LPN proceeded to obtain Resident 8's BGL after administering the oral medications.
The LPN applied gloves, inserted a BG test strip into the glucose monitor, placed a lancet (a small disposable needle used to poke a tiny hole in the skin) to Resident 8's finger and drew blood.
The LPN then applied the drop of blood to the test strip.
After obtaining Resident 8's BGL, the LPN placed the glucose monitor on top of the medication cart located in the hall and administered the required insulin to Resident 8.
The LPN did not clean or disinfect the blood glucose monitor after use with Resident 8.
The LPN then proceeded to gather medication for Resident 11, including the dirty, un-sanitized blood glucose monitor.
The LPN repeated the steps used with Resident 8 to obtain a BGL for Resident 11, at no time cleaning or disinfecting the monitor between residents as required.
After obtaining the BGL, the LPN placed the un-sanitized glucometer in the top drawer of the medication cart.
Interview with the LPN on 04/28/2026 at 8:27 AM confirmed that at no time was the glucometer cleaned or disinfected and should have been.
Interview with the Director of Nursing (DON) on 04/29/2026 at 11:26 AM revealed that it is the facility's expectation that the glucometers are cleaned and disinfected between each resident use to help prevent the spread of bloodborne illnesses.
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Source: This inspection report was downloaded directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) via Medicare.gov. CMS releases nursing home inspection reports in bulk. The findings reflect what state surveyors documented in the official Form CMS-2567 Statement of Deficiencies on the date of the inspection.
Plan of correction not included: The CMS report we receive does not include the facility's plan of correction. Facilities submit plans of correction separately to their state survey agency and those responses may not appear in CMS public data at the time of release. The absence of a plan of correction in this report does not mean one was not filed. Readers who want information about corrective steps taken by the facility are encouraged to contact the facility or their state survey agency directly.
Corrections may have been made: This report reflects conditions observed on the date of the survey. The facility may have implemented staffing changes, additional training, policy revisions, or other corrective actions since this report was issued. We publish what CMS provides and encourage readers to seek current information from the facility.